Hi Everyone,
This is my first entry other than writing a book about my bypass expereince on my profile. I have so many questions. I had a triple bypass seven weeks ago. Has anyone experenced the sensation of a pounding heart whenever they lie down. It's driving me nuts and preventing sleep.
How bout short term memory loss and a fuzzzy headed feeling. I had a brief episode this week of not knowing where to put my toothbrush after brushing my teeth and not knowing where to find a washcloth. The doc's office just said to keep a log and bring it to next visit.
Still having presurgery symptoms of sudden bouts of nausea, only relieved by lying down. Sudden feeling of being very hot. Episode yesterday of irregular heartbeat (several skipped beats per minute) that lasted about half an hour.
Very tired, can be up and about for only a few hours before falling into bed.
Lots of shoulder and collar bone pain, cracking and popping feelings, like things just aren't in place. I had xrays already, they just showed arthritis.
Lots of numbness in vein graft leg, but have severe PAD as well. Leg still bruised and incision (only about 2-3cms!) still not completely healed.
Chest pain- not severe.
I've gained about eight pounds since surgery, weight fluctuates a lot, up and down up to three pounds a day. I quit smoking but don't seem to be eating near as much as presurgery. A little swelling a puffiness, but not enough to alarm docs (not much does). Is this typical?
When does all this go away?
Oh, I finally quit crying after about four weeks, but still get weepy at the drop of a hat, still feel very sad and like I've been deposited on another planet.
How long does it take before you start trusting your heart again?
Incision still feels like it's coming apart sometimes though it's healed well except for a small seroma.
Does anyone know of a book that tells it like it really is?
Thanks everyone, Allie
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lots of questions
- By NewAllie
- Posted April 10, 2009 at 1:20 pm · 4 replies
- In Life after heart bypass surgery
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Surgery Arthritis Confusion Brushing Lasix Pain Memory Depression
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- By NewAllie
- Posted April 29, 2009 at 10:37 am
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Thanks so much,
I've been amazed at how much better I feel every day. Once past the seven weeks point I think, I could see real improvement. My surgery was off pump, but I've read onlone that the "pumphead" seems to be present just as much that way. it is much better. I'm still a bit forgetful, still remembering things fro that first month, and also just accepting that not remembering a lot of that is okay too. The lingering short term memory loss seems logical to me considering the trauma. Wen I saw the cardiologist last week with my list of questions, he described much as you did and even more, the trauma this surgery is to the whole body and stressed, "Even though you feel better, you have along way to go. You are not well yet and it will take a long time." that was somehow a huge relief as I already feel so much better than the six weeks before the surgery. I'm still not sure I'll stick with him though...It sounds like we had our's fairly close together (Feb. 18th). Thanks again for the info and support. Blessings, Allie
- By agentsl9
- Posted April 25, 2009 at 4:09 pm
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NewAllie,
Here are some things my surgeon told me that might help:
1) Depression post surgery is common. So, I'd see your MD about that. Maybe some therapy and/or some medication. I started seeing a therapist that specializes in heart patients and he has helped me tremendously.
2) If your bypass was "on pump" then some memory loss and confusion is normal. I hear it gets better over time. The reason for the reaction is that the body "notices" the difference between blood that's oxygenated normally and blood that runs through plastic and metal. At least, that's how it was explained to me.
3) The shoulder and collar bone pain is normal. In the movies they show open heart as bending back the rib cage. In real life, they bend your whole torso open ribs, shoulders, arms and all. In fact, my uldar nerve (funny bone) was bruised by the process and gave me trouble for weeks. They basically strap you very tightly to a board and bend you open. So it's normal to have back, neck, shoulder, chest, etc. pain.
4) Fatigue is normal. I still get tired after 11 weeks. But, if it is as sever as you say, I'd ask a doctor about it. I've had a day or two where I couldn't stay awake but it was only after a week of lots of work and late nights.
Hope this helps and good luck with your recovery. Remember, it's your body. Hold your docs feet to the fire and make him answer your questions to your satisfaction. If he doesn't fire him and get a new one. I went through three cardiologists before I found the right one for me.
- By NewAllie
- Posted April 15, 2009 at 1:06 pm
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Hi Tamyd,
I read your comments last week about making your doc mad. Too funny! Also read about your adventure over the weekend and what started all this for you. I need to read that everytime I start feeling sorry for myself. With all you've experienced, you still encourage me. I say forget about whatever date you write on a check or the myriad of things you can't yet do or may never do again. You and all you wonderful ladies, change lives. You touched my heart today in a way a surgeon couldn't do after sawing my chest open. Tick on dear heart and thank you. Allie
- By TAMYD
- Posted April 14, 2009 at 10:23 pm
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Welcome NewAlie. I don't know about everyone else but myself it was in OCT and i'm still in oct. Whenever I write out a check it usually says Oct. I have messed up alot of them. I have forgotten almost everything for about 4 months. I feel like i'm a child most of the time. I think i am comming to terms with my scars. I named it 'THE ZIPPER', looks just like one. It is still tender at times. The LADIES on this site and the heart site are GREAT they can and will give advice on what to do for it. At least you can lay down, every time I did I thought I was going to suffocate. My sister got tired of me panicing and took me to the doc, they had not given lasix at the time, so I had alot of fluid build up.
I will say it is getting better. You hang in there. You're not alone in all of this. There is a bunch of us.
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