Tearful and feeling low after cabg a week ago

[Azy1]

Hi i had my CABG 1 on 21st nov after waiting 12 weeks since having a heart attack. Since having the cabg i keep crying n bursting out iv lost my appetite feel so lonely and its like since i became poorly all of people had backed of and i feel isolated iv gt a gd husband n kids so y do i feel so lonely help i feel im going crazy and that i wil never feel how i used to

[BenThom-Wood]

I had to research what cagb was but at least the algorithm thinks I’ve got something which I haven’t!

Sorry to read about that on top of a heart attack. At least the offending item has been removed & I know tomorrow is going to be amazing.

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Azy. Someone will be along soon who has had a CABG (I had a stent following my Heart Attack 3 years ago). They’ll be able to draw on their own experience to help you out. Having a heart attack and then a procedure like the one you’ve had is really traumatic and your response is pretty typical so don’t worry about that. Have you got a start date for cardio rehab yet? Make sure you raise it with them when you go or if it’s really getting you down give them a ring at the hospital or talk to your Doctor. You’ll feel better soon although it will take some time. Take it easy - get moving and try to eat well. And stay in touch with this forum. There are some great people on here who’ve been there, done it, got the T shirt. Take care.

[Azy1 in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Thanks for replying bk i had 4 stents 2 balloons n den the cabg...im registered with the cardio rehab and just waiting on a date i just cant wait to feel better as im such zn independent person but thanku so much

[benjijen in reply to Azy1]

Once you begin your rehab you will be able to speak to others in the same position, although not necessarily the exact same problem as you. I know from experience this can help your mood. You will have nurses there as well to keep an eye on you which will give you confidence in yourself. Please make sure you attend and good luck. x

[Azy1 in reply to benjijen]

Thankyou

[Gladwyn]

BLess you Azy you do sound in a state and I don't blame you as it must be such a shock undergoing the scary treatment that you've just had more or less. The BHF heart helpline is 0300 330 3311 why not ring on Monday and have a chat with the nurse ? Just remember it's early days yet and in 2 or 3 months hopefully you will feel so much better. Best wishes ... Keep in touch please X big hug 😀

[Azy1]

Aww thankyou yes i will call them on monday thanku x

[popeyeuk]

Hi Azy1 I had emergency cabg X2 10 days ago ... I felt ok whilst recovering in hospital but once discharged I did and still do have feelings of loneliness and feeling scared.. In the book they gave me it says this is normal and will pass in time.. Because you are no longer in the hospital environment being monitored you do feel a bit on your own.. I am still very painful which doesn't help but each day there is a slight improvement.. As someone mentioned once you are contacted by the Cardiac Rehab Team things will move forward and improve.

[Clarijohn]

Hello Azy1, I had a triple cabg nearly 15 years ago and am now 86 and still enjoying life. You are bound to feel vulnerable for a while and will experience chest soreness for a long time but gradually easing. The rehab course after 6 weeks is excellent and meeting others who’ve gone through the same experience is helpful. It’s early days and for now take plenty of rest and let your family pamper you and when you feel a little stronger start taking a little exercise, mainly just walking, you will eventually get back to a normal life.

[Janma123]

Hi Azy, my husband had a CABGX4 in April 2018 following a HA. He had had a stent 11 years previous and although they tried stents again it didn’t work. He was kept in hospital until he was able to have his surgery. His surgery went well and although he recovered well he was very sore and very down, tired and had no appetite. While he was in hospital I would take in food at teatime - fish and chips, a hot supermarket chicken and salad and similar and eat with him, - I wasn’t bothered about healthy just that he ate something!

He was anaemic and needed iron tablets, and was eventually diagnosed as low in vitamin D, folic acid and vitamin B12. Addressing those made a difference to him.

It is very early days for you yet and you will still be suffering the after effects of the anaesthetic as well as your medication so don’t worry too much.

We tried to go out most days in the car and we visited people rather than them come to us - we could leave when Bob was tired ( often less than 20mins initially) but it gave him a change of scene and company. A cuppa and cake in a nice tearoom was another thing we did or a flask and cake at a scenic place just as a change of scene. A cushion or rolled towel under the seatbelt takes the pressure off the scar.

[rockie1952]

Don't worry. That seems quite normal. I am not an emotional guy but after my heart attack, and more so after the CABG, I kept bursting into tears and felt like I had let everyone down. I also went off my food (which is absolutely unheard of for me) and everything smelled and tasted metallic. That all improves over the weeks, maybe a few months. Hang in there and stay positive.

The Cardiac Rehab classes will help a lot as you can not only ask questions of the nursing staff, who are excellent, but also share experiences and feelings with other sufferers.

[Azy1 in reply to rockie1952]

Thsnkyou

[Pattie2]

hello , I know how you feel ,I had a double bypass eleven weeks ago and i have been very emotional and scared , I go out walking but I am worried that I am going to collapse which I have been reassured that is not going to happen , I also get A noise in my ears a lot which is my heart beat which is annoying , it’s reassuring to hear that others have been through what we are going through and we will recover ,

[Azy1 in reply to Pattie2]

Yes it certainly has reassured me with everyones replies and im so grateful to all of you thsnkyou

[Wigg2]

Yes sorry to hear this Azy1 but it very normal like all the others said it’s very early days yet and it’s nice to hear for us all from people like Clarijohn after 15 years still really enjoying life

I had a CABG x1 and AVR about 19 months ago and felt very similar and there are days where you still feel insecure about your health and the future but I’m now doing all the things I did before and challenging myself more physically with tennis and yoga

Definitely go to rehab as the others said you are with like minded people and they will give you support and confidence

Stay strong and you’ll get through it x

[Azy1 in reply to Wigg2]

Thankyou

[Rayros21]

Hi Azy1. So sorry to hear how you are feeling. I had my CABG on 16 October only ten days after suffering a heart attack. I completely lost my appetite for about a week afterwards but as the weeks have gone on, this has greatly improved (even with some big changes to my diet). I can understand you feeling lonely and isolated but I'm sure this will pass in time and you will get back to normal. Do talk to your doctor about how you are feeling as well as your cardiac rehabilitation team when they contact you and, last but not least, your family and friends. Wishing you all the very best. Take good care.

[Azy1 in reply to Rayros21]

Thankyou

[Gail1967]

So sorry to hear you not in a good place but it is only early days. As a fit and healthy 51 yr old lady I had cabg x 4 at the end of April following a mild ha and can honestly say have been through every emotion possible since!!! Ones I didn’t even know I could have! Remember it is early days. The first few weeks are tough but you get through it and now I forget it happened— although the scar is a reminder! Stay strong, follow advice, be kind to yourself but know it will get better x

[Azy1 in reply to Gail1967]

Thankyou x

[SteveP772]

I had a 4x CABG about 10 months ago. Azy, I know what you're feeling right after surgery. I get depressed less often now but it still happens. Like you, I struggle to find a rational basis for my depression but I can't. I have a great wife, I'm comfortable in retirement and remain active in the things I enjoy. What we feel is normal, according to the veteran of open heart surgery who spent a few hours talking with me when I was in hospital awaiting surgery. I heard the same thing from people I met in cardio rehab. Open heart is incredibly traumatic both physically and emotionally, but it was a gift that saved your life, mine and millions (?) of other people. The occasional fit of depression is a lot like that scar on your chest--it's not pretty and it's not going to go away but it will get better. As the other folks here say, get into rehab, improve your health and stay as positive as you can. Also, you'll have questions as you heal (Is XYX normal at this point in my recovery) and it's tough to get answers from the doctors. This forum is a great place to learn from those who have been through cardio surgery. Good luck!

[Azy1 in reply to SteveP772]

Thsnkyou

[shopman]

Hello

For me it is what they didn't say at the time when I had a quad bypass. The emphasis was all on the good and the benefits you would glean after it was all over. Nothing at all about the dark times and/or how to cope with them. It took me over a year to get back on my feet again and have to be honest and say I now enjoy life nearly 21 years on, particularly having watched my grandchildren grow up. The future is difficult as have had procedures for stents over the last few years and a diagnosis of Heart Failure a couple of years ago, now have breathing difficulties as only have 1 functioning lung now - the other one packed up a few weeks ago.

Make good friends with your Cardiologist, GP(s), Practice Nurse(s) etc as they will find the time to help you even if it does not seem like it at the time. Most of all treasure your family as they will be constantly concerned for your welfare - don't bottle it all up.

[Azy1 in reply to shopman]

Thankyou

[Whatamug1]

Poor you, your body has had a shock and this is one way it will react. I had mine at the end of September and my body went into "anger" mode and I'm not an angry person. Take it easy and make the most of your family so that you don't overdo it ...You'll feel lots of emotions and they're all ok to feel. Wishing you well.

[Azy1 in reply to Whatamug1]

Thankyou

[Emgee]

Please give yourself time to feel better. I was once given a medication to take daily as I was having tachycardia, but the pill I was prescribed made me burts out crying for slight reasons. Could it be any of the medications you might be on that is causing you to feel so down? If so, a change in medication can change things drastically. Talk to you doctor about these feelings.

[Azy1 in reply to Emgee]

Thankyou...i have an apt on Friday at the drs hopefully they can give me something

[Ianc2]

During your operation they pumped you full of all sorts of knock out gasses and then gave you a cocktail of drugs to see you on your way. They also dismantled your breast bone , deflated your lungs and shoved them out of the way, and spread your ribs apart.

Your breastbone will take anywhere between 8 - 10 weeks to knit back together. In the meantime you will experience all sorts of emotions, feel completely shattered and be very worried about what comes next.

The good news is that you will gather strength, your appetite will come back, the type and number of pills you take will decrease quite quickly. After about ten weeks you will meet quite a few people in rehab who are in the same situation as you are.

You will gather strength as you go but you will have to pass the joys of preparing Xmas dinner onto someone else. You need to be seriously pampered for the initial 6 weeks . Get a little bell and keep it by your settee and use it ruthlessly, be selfish and don't tell them when your feeling better. You should be able to get away with it for a few months, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Take care. Ian

[Azy1 in reply to Ianc2]

Aww thankyou iv already had 14 weeks of rest since the heart attack n bypass iv gt i guess around another 6 -10 wks to go hence i think it jus feels to much now...i just want to feel happy

[Ianc2]

have you been offered Rehab?

[Azy1 in reply to Ianc2]

Yes im just waiting for an appointment

[Ianc2]

Try and gather speed slowly. Rehab will help you once your body is strong enough. You will improve so be of good cheer and try not to scoff too many mince while you build your strength.

[Azy1 in reply to Ianc2]

Im slowly starting to feel better which is a good thing not 100%, but im looking at things in more of a posirive way

[Dave36]

Hi this is really normal I had this when I had my heart attack in July. You have had a huge shock!

But it will get better . Sometimes it's hard to talk to partners etc I didn't want to tell my wife how lonely I felt after because I didn't want to make her feel bad. But the truth is only you know how it feels atm. Give it time you will be fine x I still have days where I feel low but I go to the gym laugh watch something funny I even just joke about my situation as much as possible

[Azy1]

Thats exactly how i feel i try n avoid my partner as i dnt want him or my children to feel that they are trying there best and im stil unhappy plus i also dnt want them to feel unhappy knwing im not happy if dat makes sense