when will I feel back to normal

[Marny]

Hi, Today is 3 weeks since my surgery. I was wondering when I would start feeling normal again. I feel like an 80 year old woman and I am only 33 years old. I try to walk a couple of blocks a day. when I get back I am really tired. The Docs have me off the pain meds now. When I cough it feels like my insides are getting rip put of me. i feel that when i am on the pain meds that I can do more. I am just wondering how everyone's recovery is going!!!!!!

 

[escargome]

Marny,
It is yet early. I don't think that 3 weeks is long enough to be ready to take on the world. You will feel tired and weak. Just keep at it. It does get better, just be sure not to push yourself too much cause then you pay for it later.

 

[Taysgrama]

Marny - Three weeks is not that long. You have to remember that your heart has been through a very traumatic event and it will take it and your body a while to recover. I had surgery a year ago last Saturday (the 16th of May) and I know what you are going through as well as most of the people on this board. You will start feeling better every day, but you must NOT try to do too much or you could have a setback that you don't want.

Take shorter walks if longer ones are too tiring. Only do what you CAN do and no more. Remember, no lifting, laundry, vacuuming, cleaning, etc. until the surgeon gives you the OK to return to normal activities. Take your time and let your body heal! Try to enjoy this downtime and rest as much as you can. It is the best thing!!!! I would call the cardio and ask him for a not so strong pain med. I know I was still on them until my 6 week mark but then I am a pain weenie (no comments from the peanut gallery Ross!!). Can't handle it well at all.

Take care and I will look forward to a post from you that says you finally feel better!!! And since you were probably not feeling the greatest before surgery, you will end up with a new normal that you will love! More energy and able to breathe better too!!!!

 

[CA Pigg]

Marny, I will be 9 weeks Wednesday and yep, 3 weeks is still so early. you are normal and doing fine, I like Diana was still on pain meds at 3 weeks, I don't like pain, wha wha!! It will get better with each week and from what I've seen from others posts just takes time. I hate being patient but I can tell a difference with each passing week. I will say I think this whole valve thing will teach you patience whether we like it or not, LOL!! Take care of yourself and don't overdo it, remember you have had a major surgery....

 

[ALCapshaw2]

MOST of your energy is being sapped to rebuild your Sternum. At 6 weeks, you should begin to feel more energy as your sternum will be healed to 85% of it's strength. It takes a full 12 weeks for it to reach 100%.

Most patients have some scattered 'not-so-good' days in-between the 'not-so-bad' days. As Carole indicated, as long as you can see progress on a week to week basis, you are going in the right direction. It DOES get better. It just takes WAY LONGER than we would like :-(

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ryen0]

Hi, Today is 3 weeks since my surgery. I was wondering when I would start feeling normal again. I feel like an 80 year old woman and I am only 33 years old. I try to walk a couple of blocks a day. when I get back I am really tired. The Docs have me off the pain meds now. When I cough it feels like my insides are getting rip put of me. i feel that when i am on the pain meds that I can do more. I am just wondering how everyone's recovery is going!!!!!!

i remember asking the group the same question, and they would say it takes months maybe even a year to feel completely normal. i know it's not what you want to hear, but they are right. physically i was myself within a month or so, emotionally took a bit longer for me personally. i started feeling better about that probably six or seven months later. i know it sucks, but time really will help

 

[Smiley2000]

I am also 33 years old, but I am 1 year + post-op and still feel 80 some days...

 

[KAJ]

Marny,

Yes, 3 weeks post op is early. I know you feel like a Mac truck hit you. You will eventually start to feel better. In regards to the coughing, a physical therapist gave me a suggestion that helped to reduce the pain. He told me whenever I felt a cough or sneeze coming on, cross my arms across my chest, put my hand on each shoulder an pulll slightly inward.

This is an experience you will never forget. I am not sure I want to forget. It always reminds me how much I have to be thankful for.

Karl

 

[palmaceae]

Like everyone has said, 3 weeks is not long at all. I will be 10 weeks post op tomorrow and I still do not feel normal. At about 6 weeks I felt I was finally turning the corner. Every day is different for me, some good, some not so good. This surgery was major, so it will take a while to get back to normal.
God bless,

 

[heyrebekah]

I am right there with you Marny, 32 years old and tomorrow will be 3 weeks post-op! I feel good most days, but I have to laugh at myself for trying to walk just a mile or two while wearing my Chicago Marathon t-shirt (seems like that was another lifetime ago). I am up to walking a half hour at a time, but maybe more frequent very short walks are what you need.

Don't push yourself too hard. My doctors sent me home with just regular strength Tylenol and I find I rarely need it now. You may feel like you can do more while on the pain meds, but it may be stuff you shouldn't be doing anyway. Listen to your body telling you what it can and can't do and you will be okay.

I am also on iron pills because I was pretty anemic after sugery, which is totally normal. Ask your doctor if something like that might help. I just started taking them a few days ago and I'm feeling much better.

 

[laurad37]

Have you started rehab yet? I am 4 weeks out today and started rehab 3 times a week last week. I dont feel normal either but I do feel that rehab is helping with the recovery. it takes awhile. Alot has been done to our bodies. It will get better.

 

[Blake777]

Hi there, it's been a little over a month for me and I am doing so much better.

I still have pain in places but Tylenol is taking care of it, not the bad nasty pain pills. I always had shallow breathing on those, didn't like them at all.

Anyway, I'm out everyday with my husband, we go everywhere. But I do slow down and rest. I don't pick up anything too heavy or anything that doesn't look heavy but could be for me, and I pace myself. I have my whole apatite back and I'm putting my weight back on I lost. Doing so much better, and you will too.

I hope you start to feel better within the next couple of weeks. Take care!

 

[catwoman]

Hi, Today is 3 weeks since my surgery. I was wondering when I would start feeling normal again. I feel like an 80 year old woman and I am only 33 years old. I try to walk a couple of blocks a day. when I get back I am really tired. The Docs have me off the pain meds now. When I cough it feels like my insides are getting rip put of me. i feel that when i am on the pain meds that I can do more. I am just wondering how everyone's recovery is going!!!!!!

Marny:

I asked my friends rhetorically many times after my surgery: "When will I be normal again?" to which they answered, "You never were."
Then I rephrased my question, "When will I feel normal again?"
It was about 8-10 months before I consistently felt normal. There were days when I felt great, and I thought I was seeing daylight at the end of the tunnel and overdid things, and it was take one step forwards, two backwards.

Ask your docs for some pain meds. I refilled the Rx I was sent home from the hospital with, and then switched to Extra Strength Tylenol and the PM version. Did wonders to help me sleep.

Good luck!

 

[WayneGM]

Be patient. Three weeks is still really early. I twas over a year before I could honesty say I was "fully" recovered from the OHS. Before that it was a series of good days and bads days, with the good ones outnumbering the bad ones as each week passed.

 

[Marny]

how long did it take for you lay in your own bed. I am still in the recliner. I would love to sleep in my side. I am so tired of watching tv and reading. I am ready to do something, clean my house, get the pool and my yard ready for the summer. Thanks for all you support.

 

[deek]

I'm 6 weeks post-op and just starting to feel good. I have good and not so good days but for the most part feel as if I'm heading in the right direction. At my one month post-op check with my surgeon, he said I was good to bungi jump, sky dive, have sex 5-6 times per day and despite my elation at having such a good prognosis, I wanted to slap him as I'm no where close to feeling this good...probably never will. I, too, am in my thirties (35) and have felt 80-90 for almost two years...I now feel 60 something...so THIS is an improvement. I think we young heart patients are given a false sense as to what our recovery should be...at least I was...but I think it may be harder on us, as the expectations are so much higher and we have more demands and responsibilities, like little ones to take care of and keep up with. Thank God for my wonderful husband who took a month off to care for me, home and daughter...and my mom who has been with us for the past 6 weeks. She left today and I'm seriously struggling by myself...my 3 year old never stops, never naps, never sleeps and it's going to be a challenge going it alone. Hang in there. I can't say I noticed improvement on a day to day basis...but each week WAS/IS better. You are doing just fine. All my best to you, D

 

[heyrebekah]

how long did it take for you lay in your own bed. I am still in the recliner. I would love to sleep in my side. I am so tired of watching tv and reading. I am ready to do something, clean my house, get the pool and my yard ready for the summer. Thanks for all you support.

I've been sleeping in the bed since I got home, but then again I don't have recliner. Just last night I tried sleeping on my side using a body pillow for support and that went pretty well.

 

[bugchucker]

Hi Marny,
I'm not much older than you (37) and tomorrow is my 4 week anniversary. Physically I feel very strong, emotionally a bit weak. I would definately enroll in rehab when the doc says your ready. Are you doing your breathing inspirometer? 3 weeks is still very early. Hang in there and do as much walking as you can, but don't over do it.

 

[njean]

Everyone's recovery is different. While others may get back into the swing of things within a few weeks or so, others recovery may be harder as was the case with me after my last surgery. I didn't start feeling really well until a year or so later!

Hang in there, it's still pretty recent since your surgery but I'm sure that you will start feeling better & better as time goes by. Just don't overdo things; easy does it!

 

[catwoman]

Marny:
Just about all of us suffered through what you're going through now. Don't worry; it will pass. At the time, I thought things would NEVER get better. But they did. I'm coming up on my 6-year anniversary. Time dulls memories of the bad times, thank heavens!

I was sleeping on my left side while still in the hospital. Could not remember doing so until then ... it was just too uncomfortable.

We don't have a recliner. I spent the first two weeks out of the hospital at my parents' home, where they had a recliner. I didn't use it much; instead I slept some in a regular bed and if I was restless, I moved into the den with a blanket and several pillows to pad behind my back.