Post Surgery Emotions

[worship.dr]

Ok group, as I said in a post last Thursday, I am new to this board. I wish sometimes that I had discovered it pre-surgery, but then again there are times when I am glad I did not. Right now I need help from those of you who may have experienced something similar to what I am going through now.

I am at week nine today (woo-hoo) and I am back to work. However, for the last two weeks my temper has gotten progressively worse in the late afternoon and especially evenings. I find that I am almost angry most of the time with a very short fuse. I have been severely (for me) over reacting to many situations and comments. I have not been sleeping well which I am sure is part of the problem, but this is starting to get troubling.

Have any of you experienced anything similar? I was told that depression was a possibility post surgery, but I was already on a med for that prior to surgery and this does not feel like the same thing. I am not sad or listless, but rather agitated and irritable.

Anyone? Suggestions on cause or cure or just empathetic "me too" stories?

 

[Superbob]

Various kinds of depression are common after heart surgery. I don't have any personal stories to pass along, because I never had more than an occasional episode of moodiness. (And I was pretty moody in my pre-surgery days anyway.)

I do wonder if one of your medications might be contributing to your anger and agitation. I would definitely check that out with your doctor.

I'm sure a lot of folks will come along with personal experiences to relate. Best wishes!

 

[Ross]

It's pretty much par for the course. For what you've been through, your mind hasn't yet dealt entirely with the comprehension of it all. The fact that you faced death, went through the emotional roller coaster and are now back into everyday life, is a major shock. Some relate it to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and in a way, I think this is true. Suddenly, things are more serious to you then they are to other people. It should resolve in time, but by all means, if you think you need counciling, don't hesitate to get it. A Professional will help you work thought it.

 

[Bill B]

I like Ross's explanation. I became much less tolerant of BS after going through this and having my priorities rearranged. That's not to say I developed an uncontrollable temper. If you are having trouble with this, as it appears you are, I would get some professional help.

Bill

 

[tobagotwo]

You become tired very quickly at work when you first go back. It's best when possible to start back at work with half days. You don't realize how much stress work puts on you until you come back and do it.

Part of you may also resent work, as when you go back, it's like nothing happened, and they just expect you to get back in there and perform as if nothing ever happened.

It can take a while to work it out. If possible, get your boss to let you take some part days to give yourself a chance to get back into the swing of things. If you have a company nurse, explain that it's wearing you out, and you need to work back into it. You doctor will surely agree and provide a note if needed.

Best wishes,

 

[worship.dr]

To clarify, the temper thing is not uncontrollable, just really noticeable. I am also wondering if some part of the post-op drug cocktail is contributing. However, I really think it is the pervasive lack of sleep. I have not slept through the night since the surgery.

 

[cp172]

My wife, children and even the dog avoided me for months after my surgery. It took awhile for me to "mellow out".

 

[nngbwh]

I am also wondering if some part of the post-op drug cocktail is contributing. However, I really think it is the pervasive lack of sleep. I have not slept through the night since the surgery.

I think you are right. Lack of sleep and medication are contributing this. Give it some time. Hope things will get better.

 

[Ross]

To clarify, the temper thing is not uncontrollable, just really noticeable. I am also wondering if some part of the post-op drug cocktail is contributing. However, I really think it is the pervasive lack of sleep. I have not slept through the night since the surgery.

Honestly, I think this holds true for all of us. Many of us cannot sleep afterwords. It's as if were subconsciously telling ourselves that we must not fall asleep. I just spent 8 years with chronic insomnia, tried every sleeping pill under the drug almanac, then had a sleep study done. I have severe sleep apnea or more direct hypopnea. I'm a little less then 50 days into being on Bilevel ventilator assist (BiPAP) and I'm actually getting some much needed rest. Not saying or suggesting you have this problem, but this is what I found out about myself. One thing to note about my sleep study, there is complete loss of the deepest stage of sleep in both of my studies. 0%. I have no answer for that.

 

[Bina]

My confession: I was over tired and cranky ALOT and for several months... (okay, a couple of years). Much better now.

 

[catwoman]

Some of it may be due to not sleeping well.
Some of it could be due to some unresolved or unrecognized anger at what's happened. Depression is the result of repressed anger in some cases, but irritability could also be a result.

I noticed your line of work. You may want to consult with a counselor at work to help you find a way to deal with this. I'm sure it will resolve, but getting from point A to point B can seem like an eternity.

 

[Fundy]

Prolonged lack of sleep and even deep stage sleep can have a huge impact on health and state of mind. Myself, I changed food and beverages consumed. then one day awoke from a dream. Then later that day remembered that the last time I awoke from or remembered dreaming was almost ten years ago. My health and state of mind improved greatly. Used to be great at math and mind type of puzzles and eventually trying to add something like $1.24 to $3.57 was near impossible and caused extreme brain pain too. But how to truly troubleshoot nutrition problems quickly is beyond me. I guess a journal and employing some type of FODMAP diet at first, then adding in troublesome food types in groups is probably the best I've heard of.

Then again I've heard stories of people getting professional help with this and getting poor results until they kerstumble on the right answer. For instance wheat products because they contain fructan chains are trouble for anyone with fructose sensitivities. and in different manners. For some people the cause and effects of this cause tryptolan to be stripped or not absorbed through stomach. Resulting in serotonin and melatonin deficiencies. One example I've read concerning this was RLS person unable to sleep. Eliminating or reducing wheat products from diet apparently fixed the sleep problem. And had a doctor convince him previously that it had to be iron related. Even though all blood tests were never iron deficient.

 

[hensylee]

Sleep patterns got changed on you while in the hospital right along with the surgery, interruptions during the night. It will eventually reset itself, I think. In the meantime if you need help, talk with your doctor.

We have had a few members who had deep depressions and needed professional help; others got by on a small tranquilizer. There is help if you think you need it.

Blessins..........

 

[njean]

The scenario you describe is quite familiar to many of us but eventually it does get better.

I remember I was such a 'you know what' with my husband.....biting his head off for every little thing, telling him he was a terrible cook, etc. I'm surprised our marriage survived it all! And coupled with the stress of having to go back to work and not being able to last the day because I felt so bad.

Medications, lack of sleep, the huge trauma of OHS, are all contributing factors so don't feel like you are alone with your feelings. If you feel that counselling would help, then by all means, seek help.

Good luck to you & stay well!

 

[kpearse]

I still have problems with sleep. Like Ross I tried every pill you could think of. I go for about 3 or 4 days then BAM, I sleep for 12-13 hours. My Doc wants to send me to get checked out for sleep apnea, but the wallet says to wait.

 

[ryen0]

Ok group, as I said in a post last Thursday, I am new to this board. I wish sometimes that I had discovered it pre-surgery, but then again there are times when I am glad I did not. Right now I need help from those of you who may have experienced something similar to what I am going through now.

I am at week nine today (woo-hoo) and I am back to work. However, for the last two weeks my temper has gotten progressively worse in the late afternoon and especially evenings. I find that I am almost angry most of the time with a very short fuse. I have been severely (for me) over reacting to many situations and comments. I have not been sleeping well which I am sure is part of the problem, but this is starting to get troubling.

Have any of you experienced anything similar? I was told that depression was a possibility post surgery, but I was already on a med for that prior to surgery and this does not feel like the same thing. I am not sad or listless, but rather agitated and irritable.

Anyone? Suggestions on cause or cure or just empathetic "me too" stories?

Hi worship, just sort of an empathetic "me too" story for you. The hardest part of surgery for me bar-none was the emotional struggle i went through post-op. I fell into a deep dark depression that i wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I'm not saying that is what you are dealing with, however all these things manifest differently in different people. I would be so mad sometimes that i would throw things and hit walls. I never got mad at family or anything, but i just would get mad at the situation. I would also just cry like a baby sometimes. I think the anesthesia and heart lung machine do a number on our hormones and chemicals. I would suggest that if it gets to the point where you think you need help, don't be ashamed about it. I went to a therapist and with their help and of course time, i felt better and like myself again. Hope that helps.

 

[Jeanie]

Yes, from what I have read here and elsewhere and what I have experienced, this is 'normal'.

 

[Mentu]

When my surgery was scheduled, my GP discussed with me the problems that some people have after heart surgery. She suggested I begin taking an antidepressant which I did about a month before the AVR. The explanation my Doctor gave is that the whole process of diagnosis, planning surgery & surgery itself can rob you of your sense of well being. Until you rebuild that sense, you can feel fragile, anxious, vulnerable, depressed and angry. Whether this is actually the cause of what many of us have felt is more than I can say. It is true, however, that this experiences produces changes in us and it is best to address them so we can get on with our lives. If what others say here in VR is true (along with my surgeon), that it takes a year or more to completely recover, then those of us a few months away from surgery still need to be working at our recovery. Problems such as you describe can get in the way so they should not be ignored.

Larry

 

[Guest]

I like Ross's explanation. I became much less tolerant of BS after going through this and having my priorities rearranged.

I was the same way, Bill. For me, though ... being less tolerant was just more evident. I've always had little tolerance for BS of ANY kind ... and following the surgery, that became a lot more clear to me...and some others. I think, though, it stems from this realization that life is short and sweet and not to be taken lightly/for granted ... so, when I see/hear/read about BS ... it frustrates/angers me....



Cort | 36.m.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker
MCs.Caprice | models.HO.legos.CHD.RadioShows | RTs.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Maybe it's best you leave me alone" ... All-American Rejects ... 'It Ends Tonight'

 

[MarkU]

I experienced severe bouts of depression after my AVR when I would just start crying and sobbing for no apparent reason, which I had NEVER done previously. It eventually got better, but even now almost 10 years later I still get the "blues" occasionally.

Rather than having anger issues, I've actually become more laid-back since my surgery. Little things don't bother me like they used to. Several of my friends have also noticed and commented that I seem to be a much calmer person. I guess I'm at a point where I've subconsciously decided that BS isn't worth getting upset about.

Mark