I am 4 months post cabg x 3 and expected to feel on top of the world by now but I just feel so drained. Is this normal?

[bowlingqueen]

Heart

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Not sure! I am about six weeks post s quadruple and had thought I would be further forward than I am. Whilst I am free from the angina and breathlessness I am constantly tired and my walking improves at snail's pace. I do wonder if if it is the heat or an effect of the medication? So am awaiting other comments.

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi, I'm 21 months post quad cabg. For you both it's early days, plus you're on a beta blocker without doubt, this will also make you tired. The heat won't help either, but you are getting better, you're chest is healing nicely and your new arteriesare doing their job. So it's slow and steady, tortoise and the hare, you'll have great days when you can do anything, followed by days when making a cuppa is too much effort. Rest and more rest, and when you can, exercise, preferably after rehab has shown you the way to go

Mark

[Ginger1971 in reply to skid112]

Exactly that. I’m minimal with stents instead of triple bypass, mainly due to age. But the fatigue just from this is doing my head in. I can work hard, but bloody hell do I feel drained! I enjoy my naps though😊. Missus doesn’t 😂. Just waiting for second stent surgery then on the paced exercise and then full on. Can’t wait to be back to what I was 10 years ago when I can imagine all this started. Very excited 😊

[stevejb1810]

It takes time. At 4 months you are only just past the point where your bones are all knitted back together and your muscles are recovering. The damaged nerves take even longer. The heat won’t be helping you either - most people flag in these temperatures (cardiac patients or not). Take it easy in the heat but try and keep active. I’m 9 months post triple and feeling great most of the time but this heat is draining.

[sandrann]

Hi there bowling queen.. I'm now 10months post bypass surgery and although I'm able to do much more than when I came home from hospital I'm still limited to how much I do in one day. The heatwave is obviously having an affect and slowing down or resting at certain times of the day is paramount.. patience with yourself is necessary as it's healing in it's own time as we are all unique in that.

Keep positive and enjoy whatever you choose to do today.

Hugs

[Hidden]

It does feel like a long road but just set yourself goals and don't be too critical of yourself if you do not achieve things first time. For me it was was walking up a local steep hill it took quite a few attempts before I got to the top (over a couple of weeks) and quite a few turn arounds to walk home on a flatter route. Best of luck to you

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

From the comments here I think I was painted an overly optimistic best case scenario by a member of my care team. Things seem to be in line with the experience of others and I am awaiting the results of further blood tests for anemia and liver function (statin related). Thank you for the honest comments!

[shopman]

It would appear to me that even now everyone has much better expectations than they think. I always remember how long it took me to get back on an even keel - well over a year - and I had my surgery nearly 20 years ago.

[invictaAlec]

Looking at all the replies here there is an obvious theme... i.e. it takes a bit longer than we all thought!

I'm 6 weeks past my cabg x3 and although I didn't expect to be trampolining yet, I'm not as far down the road as I thought I'd be.

Given the rapid turn around from being rushed in to hospital with blue lights blazing to being discharged in what seemed like the twinkle of an eye, I think I made the mistake of forgetting just how major my surgery was.

A cabg x3 is massively invasive surgery. I'm so grateful to everyone involved in helping me. Its going to be a long road back. One day at a time guys.

Alec.

[wiltsgirl]

Hi bowlingqueen, I am 18 weeks post triple bypass and I endorse what others have said in that it is a slow process and I think for me 6 weeks was the turning point. I was determined to walk 3 miles by this time and did just that. The heat doesn't help and I had a wobble last week, dizzy and nauseous. Could be the heat, could be the beta blockers. The cardio rehab really helps and I have been to do some phase 4 rehab which is the next stage. I left work last July, not because of any health related issues, but to live life a bit slower. I think if I still had to work I would struggle. Can I say that my life is back to normal after the bypass? May be I am lucky in that I would say yes, around 90% apart from a few twinges and the scar is sometimes sore when I put bio oil on it. I hope that for me it continues to improve and for you all that you feel the benefits in time. Don't be too hard on yourself, we are all different but we all now have super hearts. Best of luck and take care xxx

[bowlingqueen]

Thank you for all your responses - some good advice. I think with me it is maybe a combination of the drugs such as beta blockers and the heat and trying to run before I can walk. Be patient - after all we are the lucky ones - we have been given a second chance!