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Emotional impact

  • 1.  Emotional impact

    Posted 05-04-2021 12:54
    For all the newbies to heart surgery be aware of the post surgery emotional impact.

    It can be bad. You'll cry at the drop of a hat and laugh at things you thought stupid before.  Your spouse needs to understand this as well, he/she will think you've gone crazy, but you haven't.

    Don't be afraid to ask for an antidepressant, Prozac is a good.

    Men also find out what your testosterone levels are and correct accordingly. 

    An over abundance of estrogen in men can be debilitating.


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    Martin Shannon
    Owner
    MCS LABS
    Summerville SC
    8434195266
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  • 2.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 05-05-2021 16:05
    Just had to add a little up beat comments to all you YOUNG physical fitness guys. I don't know much about the medical side but i will agree
    some what with Martin. My sensitive side did show up a lot.   I was 56 ,2 kids, wife, ran my own business( no Partners). Stress was high .
    Developed some good thinking then. You woke up to a new you--what was, was. Pick up the good stuff maybe not all will be there and may never.
    Time is on your side.
    Music,music music. Great help in the hospital, when you start thinking at a quiet time. Takes your mind into another place. Give yourself time to heal both your heart and your mind.
    I'm 82, I'm still not back 100%( Some friends do tell me that I'M NOT ALL THERE) after my cabg x4 and then 8 years later a cabg x 2.  Thank all that you are here and enjoy every day .and your new YOU. Next year you can say ==== BOY THAT WAS A ROUGH TIME.
     Rgds,
    David Rosen    #206   Atlantis,Fla.​

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    David Rosen
    Lake Worth FL
    (561) 969-7010
    DavidRosenLake WorthFL
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  • 3.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 05-07-2021 09:37
    Hello all,
    I just want to echo that yes, the emotional impact is HUGE.  I actually cannot believe how extensive it is.  BUT... I have found therapy for post traumatic stress syndrome to be helpful.  I am 15 weeks out from OHS / mitral valve repair, and the worst part of the trauma didn't really kick in until about week 10.   I think that maybe in the first few weeks you are so focused on the physical aspects of recovery there is little room for anything else. :)

    I think it's realistic to know that the trauma is there, but that it can be helped. It's also super important for your significant other to know this.  I don't think that anyone who hasn't undergone OHS can ever understand fully, but at least family and friends should know that it is part of the healing process.

    Take care all!
    LL

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    Liza Levine
    New York NY
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  • 4.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 06-07-2021 17:49
    I have been referred for mitral valve surgery and my anxiety has me in torment. I have always been anxious. I was in counseling  for a decade, took antidepressants for three years. I retired and and I cope by lifting weights. Sometimes that coping breaks down, like when I had an orthopedic problem. 

    The clinic has many pages of directions for surgery. There is a mention of mindfulness and even a "visualization recording" that is played on headphones during surgery. I cannot integrate this information. I just sent a message to my cardiologist asking for help now. Thanks for listening.

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    Thomas Pirko
    kirtland OH
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  • 5.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 06-08-2021 06:23
    Hi Thomas,

    My daughter suffers from anxiety and panic disorder so I understand and feel for you.  Your surgery is pretty routine these days (I had quintuple bypass surgery 3 years ago, also am a weightlifter and am doing fine) and you have every reason to expect a full and complete recovery.  

    In the meantime, and really for the rest of your life, I strongly recommend that you begin a meditation program.  Find a teacher, listen to online apps like "Calm", listen to music that calms you.  The meditation is not a magic pill that will give you instant results but, in time, you will find yourself transformed and will find a stillness that always will be there for you.

    Peace, friend.

    Ira

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    Ira Reid
    Hoboken NJ
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  • 6.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 06-08-2021 06:59
    Hi Thomas,

    As you can see from the other responses, please know that this reaction/anxiety is not uncommon at all and certainly understandable!  I, too, have had a very difficult time in recovery -- I think any surgery this big has such a profound impact on EVERYTHING.

    I have found therapy for PTSD to be helpful, but perhaps the best thing has been just the passage of time.  When the anxiety was truly bad, my therapist encouraged me to just think of one day at a time.  Each single day.

    And like others, I did find the CALM app breathing exercises to be very helpful.  It's hard to believe that two minutes of breathing can help, but there is a lot of research that proves that it really does.

    Please take care and know that ultimately, you will be okay.  Really!

    Best,
    LL

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    Liza Levine
    New York NY
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  • 7.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 06-19-2021 09:11
    Dear Ira,
    I started meditation after an orthopedic problem years ago. The best result I had was doing a "body scan" I found in a book and CD recording about anxiety. My mode for five years is a walk up to the temple meditation gardens where I step through the yoga warrior series and think about how my body is positioning. People call that mindfulness, but I call it: "being in my unconscious mind".

    I really took your advice and meditated briefly for half the days since you posted. That and Zoloft has me in a way better place.  I read more about the repair that I am going to receive and I feel more confident. I will be getting the best care.  Thank you and Liza Levine for your kind caring thoughts. 
    Tom

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    Thomas Pirko
    kirtland OH
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  • 8.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 07-22-2021 12:12
    there are many online therapies for anxiety and depression. some of them are very helpful.best of them is called c.click the link below to visit the site.
    clink the link below to visit the site.
    expressive therapy for  depression

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    vishal ghatul
    pharmacist
    los angelis CA
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 07-22-2021 13:33
    Hello there Thomas, 
    as you can see through other peoples experiences anxiety and depression go hand and hand when we're told something is wrong with your heart or any other part of your body. Our body is our existence and being told Something is wrong with it makes our minds go to the unknown. what's tomorrow going to bring, Your mind is a powerful muscle and the heart yet another powerful muscle. I've struggled with anxiety and depression when the doctors told me I had congestive heart failure in 2017. Everyone has different experiences and helpful thoughts everybody's different and how they handle it, mine was medicine and talking to people and it has helped but I still have it but not as bad so take it one day at a time that's all we can do you're here for a reason we're all here for a reason to share our stories in our thoughts and try to help one another because nobody knows what it's like until you go through it. Listening to motivational speaking about anxiety depression on YouTube has helped me a lot. God knows what he has in store for you, everybody has a reason to be here everybody has a story. Take one day at a time don't worry about the tomorrow, just take one step at a time that's how we handle it, take care. 

    Charles 
    Tx 

    Sent from my iPhone





  • 10.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 07-23-2021 16:56
    Good afternoon all. I have read all the suggestions and experiences. They are part of the process. You may have received this issue of Heartbeat and lo and behold I got on the cover and added  my thoughts to the article on the wonderful results of music to reduce stress and anxiety. It may sound too simple to work but it does. Tune out the world and put yourself in a good mental place with a smile on your face.  No bad side effects. Try half an hour or an hour and you will be very happy with the experience. Like most things you must adjust the input to get  your successful results.
    Just add this tool to your tool box. You are the orchestra leader. Tune in what makes you happy and brings back happy memories.
      Since this music concept is finally becoming medically acknowledged, you can try it  basically free. I-tunes, Spotify, TV, on your computer,
        U-Tube has endless material. Just put in Music the name of the entertainer or the show or concert . Kennedy Center Honors, BBC-Proms., Classic, Broadway. UP BEAT lifts the spirit 

    Love to get some feed back after you give this two or three tries.
    Best regards,
    David Rosen

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    David Rosen
    Lake Worth FL
    (561) 969-7010
    DavidRosenLake WorthFL
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  • 11.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 07-22-2021 12:12
    there are many online therapies for anxiety and depression. some of them are very helpful. best of them is called expressive therapy for depression.
    click the link below to visit the site.
    expressive therapy for depression

    ------------------------------
    vishal ghatul
    pharmacist
    los angelis CA
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 07-23-2021 11:03
    The messages are still cut off at Mended Hearts, 
    and are unreadable, but I got the link from Vishal Ghatul  Expressive Therapy for Depression.  It
    is an excellent article.  Thank you





  • 13.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 07-25-2021 11:13
    Martin,

    Well said and thank you for the advice.  I still get emotional when someone does something kind or generous. I have learn to control it over the last 10 years and my wife understands now. It is part of me...

    Regards,

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    Michael Hinderlie
    Port Charlotte FL
    (941) 421-0482
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  • 14.  RE: Emotional impact

    Posted 07-25-2021 14:20
    My main release is music while in the car alone at full ear pounding volume.


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    Marty
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