I had my bypass (LAD) 16 weeks ago. I've been doing really well with my recovery except for the "wall" I hit every five days or so where I'm simply exhausted. I've even fallen asleep in meetings at work. Luckily, everyone is very cool with my recovery and I can take the time to sleep up when I need to.
But, in the last few days, I've been feeling a bit "off." I feel what I can only describe as slight pressure or tightness in my chest that is similar to what I would occasionally feel before my surgery. My main symptom was exercise induced angina and I haven't felt that yet, but then I haven't really pushed myself to the level I did presurgery.
I can't tell if this is "real" or just anxiety. I had stents put in about 4 months before they failed and I was forced to get the bypass so I'm in that 4 month period of expecting my grafts to fail.
Any thoughts? I really want to go to my cardiologist and say, "Hook me up with an angiogram" just so I know for sure one way or another. This really sucks.
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16 weeks out and feeling shakey
- By agentsl9
- Posted June 10, 2009 at 7:36 pm · 6 replies
- In Life after heart bypass surgery
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Surgery Bypass surgery Anxiety Angina Pain Heart attack Depression Stress Zoloft
6 replies
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- Newest first
- By Ef0168
- Posted June 10, 2009 at 8:43 pm
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I had my bypass almost 2 years ago. and have felt the way you do many times. My new doctor ordered a stress test, my first since my surgery. He suggested it to if anything else to relieve my stress that these bypasses are plugging up. I have to wait a month for the test but I can't wait til I can have it. I'm having an echo next week, never had one of those. I also have chest tightness and or pain. Never had that before the surgery. I asked for another angiogram, but my doctor said they wouldn't do one unless the stress test came back abnormal. I can't really get on with my life until I know for sure I'm o.k.
- By NewAllie
- Posted June 11, 2009 at 12:32 pm
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I had a triple bypass in Feb. Began alost immediately having some of same symptoms. My complaints to cardiologist were met with only assurances that all was normal. Then in May, I had a stress/echo to make sure all was well to start rehab. I was on the treadmill less than two minutes before chest pain. Echo showed likely blockages (poorly functioning left ventricle). Had cath next day.Two of three grafts had failed, plus two new blockages. "Not a candidate for another bypass." Had three stents put in one blockages (one of two vein grafts), balloon to open the other. The other two blockages are still there.
I don't want to scare you both, but a stress echo is non invasive and might help you sleep at night. It's a wonder I didn't have the have an MI all those weeks after the bypass. It's the only heart we have. You know it better than anyone else. Chest pain isn't normal. And even if it is anxiety, that constricts vessels and can be deadly to folks with narrowed areteries to begin with. Your doc should be concerned with easing your stress as much as mending your heart. Blessings, Allie
- By lostinwoods
- Posted June 16, 2009 at 10:11 pm
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I think you should talk to your doctor. I had my surgery in September and find that some pain is normal. As your nerves heal, it hurts! Did you go to cardiac rehab? After you go you get more confidence.
I was also scared and my doc put me on a monitor and even during chest pain, my heart beat didn't change and I had a totally normal EKG. I did not have a heart attack, so I have no heart damage.
I did not have any pain with exercise and thought it was all digestive, I was quite wrong. 5 bypasses later, I am good. I still have pain, bad days, but it is better. I do still have digestive problems and those days are awful and then I get mad and a bit sad.
Give yourself some time and don't feel bad about asking your doctor. It is your body, the only one you are going to get and the cardiologists are used to us and anxiety.
Lori
- By blkrino
- Posted June 17, 2009 at 2:14 pm
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If the doctor makes a mistake, its just an oops but for you that 'oops' could be life threatening. I believe there are no 'too many' or 'stupid' questions. Since it is your life make sure you get answers to all of them.
Oh yes, one more thing, without us doctors wouldn't have a job.
Get your tests and I hope they come out ok
Reinhard
- By joules
- Posted July 11, 2009 at 1:21 pm
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Have you had your stress test yet?what did it entail? i had a double by pass 4 months ago and iam convinced things are not right despite being told its all just anxiety.I am going to see cardioloigist next week. hope your results will be ok. joules
- By agentsl9
- Posted July 11, 2009 at 5:51 pm
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joules,
I have a stress test scheduled for this coming Wednesday. Hopefully all goes well. Since my original post I've played racquetball and done some eliptical trainer. Racquetball went well. Felt a little pain but couldn't tell if it was muscular or angina. Either way, it wasn't nearly as sever as before my bypass. The eliptical I did yesterday and pushed myself hard for 15 minutes. When I hit peak heart rate, 150bps+, I felt a bit of pain but again, no idea if it's heart related or in my head. Hopefully, the stress test will clear things up.
As for your situation, one thing surgeons and cardiologists don't talk about is what bypass surgery does to your mind. Depression is common. But beyond that, I think once you go through bypass you very much realize you're mortal and that it could all end at any moment. I don't think that's depression. It certainly can lead to depression but for me it was more manic anxiety.
Here's what I did for the "head" part of my treatment. I got on zoloft, got klonzopam for the times I wigged out, and started seeing a therapist who specializes in heart patients. I also did cardio rehab to help me start trusting my evil, trecherous, no good heart again. The therapist has by far been the most helpful. My whole life I thought shrinks were a bunch of BS. Not anymore. He, unlike cariologists and surgeons, listens to me and helps me through my problems. He's helped me understand my situation and put things in perspective, like the fact that I'm healthier now than I was before the surgery. Things like that. I'd try and see a therapist if I were you. Get on some drugs. They help. Get into cardio rehab if you're not. And vent on this site any time you need to. Nobody knows what life post bypass is like like someone who's post bypass. Hang in there.
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