Awake at Night

[MRSLADP]

I have absolutely no right to complain that my mechanical valve is keeping me awake; I know this. But, maybe it's actually the fear keeping me awake?!? Sorry to sound like a broken record.

[Speakeazi]

Hopefully you will have found some sleep by now! I think the 3 am fears keep many of us awake. Whether we have an illness, we have something on our minds or we are worried about anything. Trouble is at 3am it’s all so much worse than at 8am!

[MRSLADP in reply to Speakeazi]

Thank you for your reply. It means alot to know that I'm not alone.

[Sunnie2day]

Were you offered any access to counselling after your op? If not, perhaps the cardiac nurse or you GP can refer you - you could ask about it if it would be something you're interested in having. I have several friends, male and female, who have had some counselling post-op and they all say it helped them especially with the middle-of-the-night worries.

If you're a self-helper sort of person, self-guiding books on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are quite helpful (also websites as long as you avoid the ones that want ££££ 'up-front'). There are several really good titles on CBT available and most come with a companion workbook.

[MRSLADP in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you Sunnie. I have this set up already! My first appt. is on the same day that I go back to see my surgeon. I agree about CBT.

[dazm50]

Mrslapd I have a mechanical valve and some nights I can,t sleep I had my op nearly six months ago, you don,t have to apologize for anything,just don,t keep anything in talk to people on here ,all here to help you deal with it iam only 51 and my heart problems came out of the blue good luck and don,t worry

[MRSLADP in reply to dazm50]

Thank you daz. It's very hard, but each day I'm learning a little bit more about what could come my way.

[coracao]

hi,

I know exactly that feeling, even now I have the fear of going to bed or sometimes to be home alone. paranoia sets in and is a constant battle with the brain... But with time, all will be ok, one day at the time... I actually pray every day before bed !!

[MRSLADP in reply to coracao]

Coracoa, thank you so much for the reminder. I have a strong faith but fear and pain are formidable enemies.

[Sarahd56 in reply to coracao]

I've just recent become fearful of the night. I had a HA four weeks ago, and was coping brilliant until a few nights ago. No reason .

[MRSLADP in reply to Sarahd56]

I will be thinking of you. You are not alone.

[hutch123]

I think fear is one of the stages of heart disease, along with anger, resentment, why me etc.

I went through stages of being fearful, getting a sense of doom at night and a couple of times got my poor hubby up to drink tea until the dawn broke whilst I had my little episodes.

I went through a period of hating going out on my own, in case I has a HA whilst out without family near me. I felt for a while I turned into a neurotic woman rather than the independent woman I was.

It takes a while to come to terms with learning to live with heart disease. After months of feeling great, this week I have felt like rubbish, lots of aches and pains, really bad tummy, niggly chest pains on and off (not sure if they are real or my imagination though) and I always end up wondering is it my heart causing this, suppose we all have to learn to live with it and there will be good days and bad days.

[MRSLADP in reply to hutch123]

Thank you for opening up. I definitely feel less alone.