Dealing with anxiety and loneliness after HA and bypasss surgery

[Csnp]

I am 8 weeks post HA and bypass surgery.I have been feeling anxious and lonely,been prescribed medication for insomnia which may be the cause of how I am feeling.Have done well physically and can’t believe how I am feeling now.i would like to talk to others who have been through these feelings.Also any groups in my area . Thankyou x

[KazSumm]

Hi 👋 Csnp it seems to be part and parcel of any sort of heart intervention, most on here have at sometime felt anxiety, depression, loneliness. I am dealing with constant low mood after my AVR 18wks ago, I feel comfortable numb , it could be part to do with medication we are on, I also think that our hearts are not only our engines, but the holder of our emotions and after it’s been poked and prodded it’s going to take a while for it too find the balance again, that’s what I’m hoping anyway 😂 I have contacted Step2wellbeing it’s a NHS service you can refer yourself on line but if you ask your cardio rehab team they may have a club near that you can go too. I too found it hard to sleep when I returned home, doctor gave me sleeping tablets which gave me the best sleep and certainly helped with my recovery , I used them for about 2wks, I still get the odd night when I find sleep hard.

You are not alone most of us on here will understand what your going through. Don’t be afraid to ask . Take care Kaz💖💕❤️

[Csnp in reply to KazSumm]

Thankyou for your reassurance,I think everyone around me now feels that I have survived and should feel normal and grateful (whatever normal is after such life changing events )I am generally seen as a cup half full person and hopefully some of that will return.This part seems much harder than the physical recovery .no one can prepare you for it .Any advice greatly appreciated on ways to remain positive and work towards some normality.and ways to alleviate loneliness.thankyou

[David-75 in reply to Csnp]

Dear csnp, I know the feeling (as many others on here do) , you are not alone. I think those close to us are only trying to help us move on. How do any of us deal with it?. Well...there are thousands/ millions out there living with this...for a long time . And even to a ripe old age ( see my post a week ago there are a few replies in there from people like this) you can have a normal life - but we have to give ourselves time to adjust. I'm nearly four months after my HA and 5 stents; I thought I was fit at 42 - played football and ran half marathons in the last five years. But... I smoked for twelve years (18-30) and most of all, I have a strong family history. It is still a shock , I get tearful and I am still settling with the meds - but I do feel that I am edging towards normality. I also have a very young daughter and I need to be strong for her. Overused , but I do believe that time is indeed a great healer - but we need to take those positive steps too, fight for it - BUT in our own time and know that being upset and having the feelings of being alone and feeling negative too is Normal for now and part of the healing. I hope this helps. This is what I tell myself. Take care of yourself. Love David

[Mejue in reply to Csnp]

Hi I’m 2years on just out of hospital after quadruple bypass and now my 13th stent, feeling pretty low, I don’t think anyone can be prepared for the change it makes to you, I believe I will never be the same person I was. However I try to stay positive smile when I see family and friends who can’t possibly understand what I’m going through.

[skid112 Heart Star]

Morning, it happens to a lot of us. I saw my GP, got a referral and now see a CBT counsellor. I have refused medication thus far but I know some on here have taken some and report positive results

[KazSumm]

Yep 👍 life went back to normal pretty quick for those around me too. So that makes it harder for us, on the outside we act normal while quietly on the inside we struggle still with what happened, I’m still Me, but I’m not Me if that makes any sense. At work I feel like the new person, even though I’m the only original member of staff still there, they say things like “ well you’ve not been here, you’ve been off for so long”like I’ve been sitting on a beach 🏖 some gap year 😂 I go because I have too, and just about tolerate it. I too am a cup half full person, but just occasionally I spill some 😝 at least we have this site where we can moan, as now I don’t like to mention how I really feel when people ask, I say “fine thanks”as I wouldn’t want to bore you.We will get there just got to be patient and give ourselves a break, and not feel guilty for our bad days . Nice to chat with you, take care Kaz ❤️💕💖

[Mary_Janet]

Hi,

The physical stuff for us is tough and exhausting enough but people get that. The emotional and anxiety side I am finding much, much harder. I could talk and and keep talking about my experience but am aware of both burdening and boring others. A heart that I thought up until May was in reasonable nick was apparently not and I am having to learn to trust my heart and hope that it does not let me down again.

I too had to learn to sleep properly again but I have got there. I have found that this forum has been excellent for hearing about other people's experiences and how people cope. I have a great GP who has been very supportive and only last week agreed how hard it is to get your anxiety under control . Having a GP confirming that all was going well really helped me. I do find I need more reassure that I am doing well. And my large family need me to telling them I am doing ok.

A long journey but hopefully we will get there.

Mary

[Smikra]

Many nurses have told me that for some reason depression is very common after bypass. I had a quadruple bypass almost 2 years ago and was on an antidepressant which was also used for anti anxiety. After the death of my 19 year old cat 2 weeks ago I went back on the antidepressant. I recommend it.