Nervous all the time now

[judy13]

So yesterday was my last day of work and I can't help but felling nervous all the time. Today I have CXR and EKG, tomorrow TEE (based on my CT they decided to do TEE havn't had one in over a year) Thursday routine blood work, Friday dentist, Monday PFT and ABG's, not looking forward to ABG's, and finally surgery Wednesday. I feel shaky and nauseated most of my waking hours. I know most of you say the waiting is the hardest part of this, but i cant seem to relax. This may sound ridiculous but I fear the ABG's more than the surgery. Anyone not have a bad experience with ABG's? And did anyone need medication for the time leading up to surgery i.e. ativan, xanax, budwieser?

 

[Ross]

It's par for the course, though I don't understand why they want to do ABG's presurgery. It's not going to mean a thing during or after. I think it's kind of pointless.

For your info, it hurts, but it's not the worst thing in the world. IV's hurt worse.

Talk to your doc about some Xanax until this is through.

 

[Penny]

hi Judy
Waiting is so very difficult. I went to the doc and asked for some ativan to help calm my nerves. I found the last week prior to my surger to be pretty emotional. As far as the testing you fear so much, keep telling yourself this is what is needed to keep me alive... keep busy it helps with the stress... take care you will be in my thoughts and prayers...

 

[Lynlw]

It's par for the course, though I don't understand why they want to do ABG's presurgery. It's not going to mean a thing during or after. I think it's kind of pointless.

For your info, it hurts, but it's not the worst thing in the world. IV's hurt worse.

Talk to your doc about some Xanax until this is through.

I agree with Ross about not being sure WHY they are putting you threw a blood gas now presurgery.. but unlike Ross, I did find ABG more painful than IVs. the only good thing, it they usually are quick I also agree you should ask for something for your nerves if you haven't already.
Not to make you more nervous, BUt did you discuss the fact you have vegitation on your valve and what the plan is because of that?

 

[Jkm7]

I didn't have ABG before either surgery. Perhpas there is something particular to your case that requires it. Why not call your surgeon's office and ask if absolutely necessary and while on the phone mention an anti-anxiety medication would be helpful to get you some relief. Nothing to lose by calling .......

Best wishes.

 

[Kathy McCain]

Judy,

Waiting is very difficult. Yes, the night before I took a very low dose of the generic Xanax. You wouldn't be normal if you were not nervous! Hang in there, you will get throught this!

Keep us posted and take care

 

[judy13]

Lyn,
I was unable to have cardiac cath due to the vegitation had CT instead. No coronary artery disease seen, however based on that scan the doctor ordered the TEE to take a closer look at the valve from my understanding. They also did sed rate and c-reactive protien to ensure no active inflammation. Blood test was negative. I should know more tomorrow after TEE. As far as the ABG'S the surgeons office said it was necessary to establish baseline. No way out of it. Maybe I should take the xanax just prior to the test.

 

[Robb Wilder]

I had a Blood Gas as part of my pre op work up. I will tell you it does hurt but nothing anyone cant handle. Good luck and you will be in my prayers.

 

[Luana]

I would think they could do that baseline ABG after an arterial line has been inserted just before surgery when you're out like a light bulb, but what do I know? I've heard of PFTs and ABGs being done pre-surgery for those who have pulmonary problems, otherwise I don't think they're standard.

I would ask your doc for some xanax or whatever now. I did get some when I went in for pre-op, but there's no reason if you feel the need now not to have them.

This is a tough time, probably the toughest when you're just before surgery, and no doubt you'll agree when you're on the other side.

Wishing you all the best! :angel:

 

[Ross]

As far as the ABG'S the surgeons office said it was necessary to establish baseline

I think someone's handing you a load of bull. How can you establish a baseline when it's ever changing? It's not something that's constant. Only thing I can figure is, they want to see if your smoking or not and handing you an excuse you'll believe if you don't know any better.

 

[judy13]

They know i am smoking, they said they do it on all pts. before surgery smoking or not. I knew i couldn't quit prior to surgery. My last day of smoking will be Aug. 11th at 5:30 am.

 

[pat45750]

Judy I agree the waiting is tough. Just think - we will both have new valves by the end of next week! WOW Not everyone can say that! Hang in there - it will all be over soon. We will be on the other side and telling folks how well it went - fingers crossed. Pat

 

[Luana]

I think someone's handing you a load of bull. How can you establish a baseline when it's ever changing? It's not something that's constant. Only thing I can figure is, they want to see if your smoking or not and handing you an excuse you'll believe if you don't know any better.

I agree with Ross, though the normal values for ABGs are fairly slim, and big changes are not common unless something serious is going on. A pulse ox will usually give about the same reading for your O2 sat and would be painless. If you're upright, functioning, and feeling reasonably ok, I would guess your ABG would be in normal ranges.

I don't think an ABG can prove if you're a smoker or not as when it comes to pulmonary problems, those that have never smoked can have lousy ABGs.

 

[Cris N]

Best wishes for your upcoming surgery. Definitely take something for anxiety between now & then (with dr approval of course). Peace.

 

[AgilityDog]

Hey Judy, we'll be surgery sisters! I'm set for the 11th too.
We almost had triplets but Michelle D's surgery got moved up (thank G*D!).

I'm still working, taking off half day on the 10th (the whole day if I get my work fires batted out early).

I got my xanax already. I'd ship you some if I could, but gee, it's only 4 bucks at Wal-mart!

 

[Michelle D]

Get some Xanax, I was pretty calm going in thanks to Xanax. I also got myself think about how this is a great opportunity. If we were born 100 we'd all be screwed. After my surgery I was very emotion I couldn't even speak to my surgeon because I'd bust up crying, that man saved my life. He's my personal Jesus. Of course surgery and all the things that come with it is not fun but it's amazing that we have the option of being fixed. I dong know your situation but I felt like I was dying prior to surgery, come to find out I was, so I'm very very grateful. I'm 11 days post op, today I went out to eat with my friends, I went to the movies with my husband and renewed my drivers liscence. That may not seem like much but I'm doing better than I have in almost a year. So get on Xanax and in the hospital they will give you all the pain ness you'll need. If you want my honest opinion try to get other prions than heparin shots in your stomach, also ask for strong pain meds before you get your pace maker wires removed. Those were the most unpleasant things for me but I've got an unbelievable low pain threshold. I'm a huge baby when it comes to pain and I will tell you my period cramps are worse than anything I experienced in the hospital.

 

[Michelle D]

Sorry my iPhone auto corrects. Be glad you weren't born 100 years ago. Get other options than stomach heparin shots. The needle doesn't hurt but the heparin does. If you can't avoid it ask for an ice pack and some pain meds ahead of time. I had a worse reaction than most to it so don't let me worry you too much.