No sleep after bypass surgery

[Captur]

Hi All, my partner finally had his triple bypass surgery last Thursday and got home on Tuesday. Everything has gone really well with the operation and he is managing his pain well but still quite breathless which will improve they say. The thing that is really getting to him is that he just can't sleep! He will nod off for 10mins then awake again. He hasn't slept properly since the op.

Is this normal....he's propped up and comfortable, not sleeping in day, walking and even managing the stairs a few times a day but still can't sleep. Even sleeping tablets in hospital a couple of nights didn't help. Any tips or idea that might help him?

Thanks in advance.

[road2ruin]

I too suffered with sleep after my OHS. Other than sleeping tablets, which he has tried (stay away from them if you can). I found fresh air, exercise (mild obviously) reading a book (not a phone or tablet) and meditation (many available on you tube). Took me a while but got there in the end. For me it was also a mental health problem. Maybe get your husband to talk to you.

[Pollypuss in reply to road2ruin]

Yes I would say this is normal. I used to download “The Crown” on my iPad night after night. A year on I still wake up at odd times. I like to think it is my new recycled body giving me more energy which I haven’t used up during the day,!,

[Blackcatsooty]

I have looked up my diary and see that it was two weeks before I got a good nights sleep. I used 5 pillows, then 4 etc.The drugs will still be in the system, so just accept that sleep might be all over the place.

It will help to get a regular bed time slot and stick to that.

A shower an hour before bed will help to settle us.

Yes the naps carried on for a while.

Try sleeping with a light on.

I took the view that if I didnt sleep at night then the daytime naps would do for a while. I took a painkiller before sleep. And another if I woke up. Just regular paracetamol as suggested by the cardiac staff.

I would suggest that sleep patterns are often bad for two or three weeks.

Early days.

Colin

[Captur]

Thanks everyone, I think knowing that others have gone through the same things gives you peace of mind. It's very early days yets but he is getting frustrated that he can't sleep which I know won't help. I will show him all your replies and hope it helps him.I suggested taking the oramorph in the evenings as it might help him sleep but as it makes him feel sickly, he's not keen on taking it.

[13allit]

Hi my sleep was badly affected and I started to sleep with earphones in listening to the radio or a story. It helped stop my mind racing and I still do it now after two and a half years!

[Ianc2]

Look for foods rich in melantonin, such as almonds, bananas, oats, tomatoes, pineapples and tart cherries. The knock out gases they use during the operation take quite a long time to clear your system. As they go and you start to get more active your sleep will return.

[duncs6536]

I was the same after my bypass it does take a wee while to get back to normal my heartbeat kept me awake i had never heard it that loud b4 good pain relief and anti sickness 👍

[Handel]

Hi Captur. My husband was exactly the same. Nodding off for a very short time in the chair and not sleeping when in bed. It will get better though. Just make sure he has enough pillows and put a rolled up duvet or something similar between you in bed. It'll stop the rolling over which will undoubtedly wake him if he's nodded off!! Fresh air is good too.My hubby found his concentration was limited and got really fed up not being able to finish crosswords etc. That improved after a few weeks.

His body has been through such a lot and it'll take a little time to get back to normal!! Best wishes to you both xxxxx

[Scott_d]

Audio books are good. Or a good long podcast. And ideally something rather dull. I found something like a text book or a book about meditation (they tend to have “soothing” voices) worked. If you’re too interested, it keeps you awake! Sounds dumb but it helped me.

[QuadroVEINia]

Hi,

I am 5 weeks in after a Quad bypass. Had lots of problems sleeping and still do but notice sleep is improving each day.

As others have said, your husband should nap whenever ‘it happens’, I got myself a recliner and it has become a real help and the place I nap the most, I also use guided sleep mediation on my iPhone to help put me to sleep in the evening. I also agree with all the other advice others have suggested.

Your husband is still very early in his recovery and it will take time.

Hope this helps. All the best.

[Lisar1703]

I'm 7 weeks into recovery and haven't had one good night sleep yet I seem to be jumping if I sleep then I'm up again finding it quite difficult roughly how long does the not sleeping go on for 🤔🙂 jane x