Please don’t make the mistake of “blaming“ Open Heart Surgery as the cause for post operative pain and anxiety .
Number 1. Almost all surgery of all kinds has recovery pain involved. Muscles and nerves and skin cuts etc take time to heal. Modern techniques have reduced the amount and time of recovery pain.
Number 2. The Anxiety, ( and the PTSD) let’s not forget, comes from the fact that we needed to repair our physically BROKEN damaged HEART. Any of the multitude of heart conditions requiring surgery, medicines and other interventions are frightening.
It is Scary facing the fact that we were vulnerable, that our life was at risk . It is often a dire and unexpected emergency situation. The surgery goals are to SAVE our lives.
Number 3. Thank you to the people who created and continue Mended Hearts. Its an organization that helps all of us ( my husband and me especially) recover from the trauma of The heart attack and other heart conditions ( many are chronic). We are able to educate, comfort, and share with experiences.
Number 4 .Briefly: My story starts with a scheduled mitrovalve surgery that turned into Cardiogenic shock ( simply put “death on the table”). The doctors, nurses, support and prayers of family and friends etc saved my life. I didn’t Blame the operations and surgeons for this. The medical staff saved my life twice. The event was “newsworthy“ . Someone who knew my story approached me : their doctors recommended mitrovalve surgery for them but they were afraid because of what happened to me. I tell them to have the surgery. Without the initial surgery, i would have died soon anyway from my damaged “Broken Heart”. The surgery, painful, scary, etc saved my life … 9 years ago,61 years old, and 3 more grandchildren since then .
( sorry, not so brief after all)
5. Please do all techniques that are recommended to heal from your surgery: cardiotheraphy, medications, exercise, REST, prayers, express gratitude to all who help you, Time ( thats why we are called “patients “ because we need Patience )
Marilyn B. Rosenhouse
Mobile: (214)850-0655
Original Message:
Sent: 6/22/2021 12:15:00 AM
From: supermax sharma
Subject: RE: Anxiety after open heart surgery
Hi,
Their anxiety tends to enhance pain." Pain and anxiety are the most common problems for patients following coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacement. The pain is caused by the stimulation of peripheral nerve endings in the muscles and tissue that have been cut and traumatized during surgery.
Healing time will take at least two to three months. You can expect to have good and bad days during this time and you may feel tired, irritable, anxious, depressed or simply not quite yourself for a few weeks. Don't be worried if you express your moods and feelings more than before.
Expressive Therapy For Depression
------------------------------
supermax sharma
IN
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 03-17-2020 13:12
From: mary hedtke
Subject: Anxiety after open heart surgery
Hi Brett,
My anxiety came out of no where after my OHS. I freaked out about so many things, I felt like a small child most times of the day or night.
Once I found this Mended Heart Forum, I found that the OHS had a lot to do with post surgical anxiety and every day it now gets better with continued posting and reading posts here at the Forum.
Some of us even consider that the OHS may have caused a PTSD type of anxiety that was not present before the surgery. I am sure that other members will have info for you and will post soon
Mary H
Original Message------
Has anyone else noticed increased anxiety after open heart surgery? Here's the reason for my question: I went for an MRI on Saturday for a non-heart related issue. I've had several MRIs in the past and have never had an issue with claustrophobia. However, this weekend I had to have them take me out of the machine 5 minutes after they got started. When I got in the machine I suddenly started having a panic attack, which I've never had before, and couldn't finish the test. Now I'll have to reschedule the MRI after I've spoken to my doctor and gotten him to write a script for some Valium or Xanax that I can use to help me relax before I go back in the machine again.
It occurred to me afterwards that since my open heart surgery last year I've been dealing with a lot more anxiety in general. I've always been a very upbeat and positive person and most things don't worry me too much but since the surgery I worry a lot more than I used to. Is it just me or have others noticed this after their surgery? Any suggestions on how to deal with this? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, everyone!
Brett in Sarasota, FL
------------------------------
Brett Temple
Project Manager
Sarasota FL
------------------------------