Sleepless nights: Hi, Im 6 weeks in... - British Heart Fou...

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Sleepless nights

Jogler1372 profile image
16 Replies

Hi,

Im 6 weeks in since having my stent fitted. Alls good except for constantly waking up in the early hours and having to go to the toilet. This has only happened since going on the medications. Has any body had the same problems, only this makes me feel shattered for most of the day..

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Jogler1372 profile image
Jogler1372
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16 Replies
skid112 profile image
skid112Heart Star

Hi There,

its possible it could be one or more of your meds affecting you

Jogler1372 profile image
Jogler1372 in reply toskid112

Hi skid112, yes I just wondered if so what tablet could be the cause..

skid112 profile image
skid112Heart Star in reply toJogler1372

Certain meds for blood pressure have a diuretic effect, like Furosemide

Hi ... I’m having the same problem ! Thought it was because I’m drinking more water ... 💧🥴

jimmyq profile image
jimmyq

If you have had a stent fitted, you have at least 1 blocked or blocking artery. I have had 5. I recommend that you watch the film "Forks Over Knives". It will show you that you can clear out your arteries. It is on a website of the same name, Netflix, YouTube. It is about medical dietary research, including a massive study of 800,000 Chinese people. You might find it helpful, I did.

The ideal BP is 120/80. Mine has been as high as 240/140 but went down to 190/100 with treatment in 2016. I still had a mini-stroke in 2017 though. I started a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) lifestyle in March 2018. My BP is now 120/80.

The ideal cholesterol is below 5. Mine was 6.5 for years, nothing budged it until this diet. It is now 3.7.

My weight was 14.5st and is now 12.5st, the same as when I was in my twenties.

VelvetSky profile image
VelvetSky

Hi, I’m ten weeks on from heart attack and stent and I still can’t sleep more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. I get up, wander about, cup of tea and a biscuit, I am diabetic so maybe low blood sugar, ipad, book, TV, watch the clock and relieved when it’s time to get up.

Probably the meds but also perhaps a bit of post traumatic stress as well.

My Consultant tells me I’m entitled to still feel exhausted after all I’ve been through. I would, like you, just to be able to have a whole nights sleep, I’m sure we would feel a bit better then but nobody seems to see this lack of sleep to be much of a problem.

Avarae profile image
Avarae

I'm same too had my stent in Feb and I wake couple of times through night Wich I never use to do..its normal n settles down .I'm 8 week away from stent in now and hardly get up anymore

Zoesgranny profile image
Zoesgranny

Yup! Meds can do that but also you’re recovering from the whole process of stents and taking meds. It took almost a year to get the balance of my meds right. Some made me exhausted, some made me breathless, some kept me awake. Doc kept altering the dosages to get it on an even keel for me. If in doubt tell the doc, not the forums.

Everybody’s different. I’m 6ft tall, aged 72, female, 161lb (11st 7lb UK) Meds affect us all in different ways. Try not to over worry, six weeks isn’t long.

Jogler1372 profile image
Jogler1372 in reply toZoesgranny

Thankyou for that, im going to see the doc on wednesday.

Zoesgranny profile image
Zoesgranny in reply toJogler1372

Good. Please let us know how you get on.

Hi I was the same but now diagnosed with sleep apnoea and fitted with a CPAP Machine and it is so much better I only wake once in the night even though I'm still on the same meds, doxazosin definitely affects the bladder. Might be worth mentioning it to your doc.

Maisie2014 profile image
Maisie2014

Hello. I’m eight weeks post heart attack and stent fitted. I’ve had the same problem with sleep. My husband and I decided to have a week sleeping in separate rooms and I’ve got my sleeping pattern back. I was worrying so not sleeping properly and he was worrying and not sleeping properly so we were keeping each other awake. If you’re sleeping deep enough you won’t need the loo so much. I find the cardiac rehabilitation useful too as I’m shattered after the exercise class. Hope you get back into the routine soon.

NYA2019 profile image
NYA2019

It sounds like you need to change the time of day you take your medication. Start by speaking to your Cardio Rehab team, they should be able to advise or find out for you, then speak to you Cardiologist or GP with the information the Rehab team have provided, there should be no problem, but best to check. I'm on 7 different meds which I take Asprin, Clopidogel, Eplerenone, Lansoprazole and Bisoprolol in the morning (around 08:00) and Atorvstatin and Ramipril in the evening (around 20:00). This may help with you get a full nights sleep.

cabbagex4 profile image
cabbagex4

Hi Jogler

I’m 3 weeks past bypass surgery and have similar sleep experience. Sleep 1-2 hours then wake up, wide awake, for most the night then catch another hour in AM. My surgeon, who is very good and I trust assures me this is very common and will work itself out as my body acclimates to its new ‘workings’. I agree with you on meds role. I do worry about losing out on healing time but hopefully adjusting soon. Good luck fellow amnesiac. Congrats on surgery. Pete

12345pink profile image
12345pink

I thought I was never sleeping and Asa.ke all night until I got a fit bit for my birthday and found out how much sleep I did have. If your sleepless you need to write any worries down it’s amazing how you think you have no worries and it all comes automatically once you think of one reason. Good luck with your sleep.

Harbourside profile image
Harbourside

Unfortunately, it's 'normal' at this stage of your recovery. (I'm only just getting back into a normal sleep pattern after 9 weeks). My doctor did stop the water tablets at 4/5 weeks, which helped to a certain extent, but it still took several more weeks until I got back into a normal routine. It does get better.

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