Recovery after open heart surgery

[Callusdeeps]

Discharged 5days after surgery and home for 5days now and feeling worse than I did in hospital. Drugs making me feel nauseated and not able to sleep. Would welcome comments please and hopefully some encouragement as to recovery.

[080311]

Hello Callusdeeps

Welcome to the forum, and the family of Hearties. I had Aortic valve replaced and bypass done 4 years ago at the age of 68, and am grateful every day to the medical team that gave me my life back.

It takes time to get over the surgery, after all it’s a major operation we have had, I will tell you how things went for me. Started gentle walking had my husband with me to start with, use to count lamp posts and try to get to the next one on my next walk. Silly I know but it worked. I was lucky as I got cardio rehab, I found it invaluable I know that it’s not up and running at the moment but make sure you get your name on the list for when it starts back up.

It’s great for getting your stamina back but great for your mental health as you are around others who have been through the same experiences as you have. There’s nothing like saying something and someone says me too.

If you feel like your in a bit of a fog, remember you have had a big dose of anesthetiser plus your brain is trying to catch up with what your body as been through. Keep doing your breathing exercises and the one where you cough, I called them huffing and puffing! Your lungs have taken a hit as well as your heart they were collapsed for the op so all those little pockets need filling out again 😂

If you have any questions or you just need to talk someone will be along to help, and if you need a shoulder to lean on we can do that too.

You well get there it just takes time, listen to your body rest when it says I am tired.

Best wishes Pauline

[Shar28]

Hello. My husband had his AVR 3 years ago. He only found out by stopping taking them that opiates (morphine, codeine) made him feel physically and mentally unwell. And that was on top of the anaesthetic and other drugs going through his system. He could cope with the pain easier that the side effects of the pain relief meds, even when he stopped taking paracetamol too. He continued with his other meds as prescribed.

5 days post-op is very early and things will improve as time goes on. If you’re not doing so already, keep a daily diary of what meds you take and when, your BP, what exercise you do and how effectively you’ve been able to do the exercises given to you by the hospital. Remember, the timeline they state is only a general guideline because your body is yours alone and everyone is different.

If you’re unsure about things, then ring the number the hospital gave you at discharge or context your GP. Don’t let it all fester. Most of the time just having some reassurance is all that’s needed, but unless you explain to a doctor what’s going on then you won’t get that reassurance or any action required.

All the best to you and your loved ones.

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear Callusdeeps I am in my 70s and had AVR earlier this year.

Ten days and the anesthetic was still roaming around my body. That should wear off gradually.

I think most people feel worse when getting home than they did in hospital. That will wear off soon.

Good sleep will make a big difference. Took me some time to get good sleep. I tried five pillows, leaving the light on, swapping mattress and sleeping in the spare room. And sleeping in front of the TV in the lounge. I needed paracetamol for a few weeks.

I had a good day then a bad day.

I managed some gentle seed sowing and potting on in the greenhouse.

So i really don't think you will feel well in the first month.

I underestimated the seriousness of the op.. and of course there is very little aftercare in this covid period.

No lifting for three months.

Short walks are the best rehab.

Hope this reassures you. I kept a diary so i can look up what was going on.

After four months i began to feel so much better. That was wonderful. And i am alive.

Colin

[Callusdeeps in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks for the reply and encouragement and reading what you went through especially the sleeping problems. Haven't found that comfortable place to rest and a goods night's sleep is something that seems like a dream. Diary is a good idea. Modern surgery is marvellous and I am very lucky I know and look forward to feeling well and enjoying life again and a round of golf! Thanks for your help and feed back makes a real difference.

[StevepH2012]

HiI am 56 and had AVR + root graft in July. The first week or so at home was largely dozing, interspersed with snacking and shuffling round the garden. The pain was actually less the expected - more discomfort than pain - so I reduced painkillers (Codeine) quite quickly and also laxatives. In my mind I felt much less unwell then.

We are all different - advice is listen to your body !

Wishing you well

[Callusdeeps in reply to StevepH2012]

Hi thank you for your advice. Yes discomfort is the problem and not sleeping. In this present situation we are in with COVID getting something like a recliner chair is out of the question and not easy to talk to GP etc. about medication. But listen to your body is sound advice and one I shall practice. Thank you again an inspiration.

[reidmar in reply to Callusdeeps]

maybe try sourcing wedge pillows as they prop you up which i’ve found makes breathing a bit easier, i've used one since quadruple bypass almost 2 years ago. I too was sent out 5 days after surgery but still had fluid on my lung (which tablets were meant to look after) ended up back in for 2 weeks after 10 days at home struggling for breath just to get rid of fluid. as most will say its major op so don't expect too much too early, take time to let your body and mind recover and come to terms with what its went through. hope you get better soon.

[Callusdeeps in reply to reidmar]

Hi thanks for your reply and good wishes and excellent advice about he wedge pillows will get my wife to look into this for me. Sorry to read your experience after surgery must have been a nightmare for you. Learning from all the good advice that this will take time with good and bad days but have gained confidence with all the good advice. Take care

[reidmar in reply to Callusdeeps]

it was never going to be an easy ride but give it time and take it steady you'll get there, wishing you & yours a happy new year

[Callusdeeps in reply to reidmar]

Thank you and wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year!

[Ianc2]

Hi CallusdeepsIt's early days yet. I remember the first fortnight as being the worst, but it does slowly improve as your body begins to get to grips with the impact of being dismantled and put together again.

In the good old days rehab didn't start until 8-10 weeks after the operation to give your sternum time to knit itself back together . The process started off very gently with sets of very easy exercises, and nothing that involves lifting any thing heavy, or things above your head or putting pressure on your ribcage to start with. There was a ;beep; test to measure your fitness to start with, and another on completion to demonstrate your progress.

Something to think about at the end of February. Some hospitals are doing them on line

At the moment your body is running a major repair job and trying to work out what happened, get rid of the powerful knock out drops and deal with the side effects of the drugs you are taking. It does get better but nice and easy does it and very gentle exercise is the order pf the day.

Within ten days you will go to bed ( V shaped pillow?) and you will sleep. A great experience that will cheer you up no end.

[Callusdeeps in reply to Ianc2]

Hi Thanks for your reply made me smile when reading about being dismantled and put back together again - very apt. Great advice again and encouragement which I am finding so helpful. Not alone and good to read about how you progressed. Haven't got a V shaped pillow but my wife now has one on order and hopefully a more restful sleep is on the cards.. Thanks again for your help.

[EB2021]

Hi there, my mum had bypass surgery 2.5 weeks ago. Similar to you she was in hospital for 5 days. At day 5 after being discharged she was still confused and in alot of pain. Mum was very restless and emotional.

I've noticed things started to improve once she came off the water tablets. Also the codine really makes her mouth dry and she can't sleep on her sides.

With regards to her sleep this started to improve a little but mum also have Parkinsons which makes you can't sleep as well.

This is a long route to recovery but I have been following the advice from some kind people on here and it really does help.

Hang in there it will get better 🙏

[Callusdeeps in reply to EB2021]

Hi this is Johns wife and thankyou for your reply and I hope your Mum continues to improve and make a full recovery.

Thinking of you and all best wishes

[EB2021 in reply to Callusdeeps]

Hi there, no problem. Wishing your husband a speedy recovery. X

[Mart25]

You have had lots of good comments already. Just wanted to add my experience about difficulty sleeping. I had bypass surgery in October this year and really struggled to sleep at night for at least 6 weeks. At the beginning I was awake at night almost every hour and struggled to get back to sleep each time. I would perhaps get 3 - 4 hours of very disturbed sleep each night. This was partly due to the challenge of getting comfortable at night, and partly because of the meds (I think), and partly because I couldn't stop listening to my heart beating (does anyone else do this?).

Gradually, I learnt to relax and not worry about my sleeping. I found it important to sleep when I could during the day. I could often manage two or three 30 minute naps in a chair during the day, and this helped. I found being horizontal in bed was painful, while sitting in a supportive armchair was OK. So I would often abandon my bed at night and sleep in a chair covered with a blanket. Much better than no sleep at all!

After my 6 week review, some of my meds stopped, my chest was more comfortable and things started to get better. Now I have a normal night's sleep and life is good.

I think the main advice I have to offer is "to go with the flow". Just sleep when you can and relax if you can't. Cups of tea at 3am are OK.

Martin

[Callusdeeps in reply to Mart25]

Hi and thankyou for your reply and it helps to know that this sleeping problem is quite common after AVR and encouraging to read how you coped with it. The chair is my bed at the moment and I find lying horizontal is painful so not going down that route. Few good naps and sure things will improve as weeks go by and I get sorted out with these meds! Oh for a recliner chair! Thanks again for writing and encouragement.

[RoversFan]

Hi there. I'm just four weeks or so in front of you. I had my op in Papworth - Nov 16. I was in for 12 days - 6 hour op to recover from and a pacemaker fitted. So I was still in hospital at your stage. I've been home for 4 weeks. Everyday I've felt a little bit better although I've had some down days. I've started sleeping through the night in the past week and it makes you feel so much better. What makes the difference is the ability to turn over or move position. I'm walking everyday and gradually building up the distance. Also still seeing the nurse each week since I'm on warfarin. It's small steps we have to take but we'll get there.

[Callusdeeps in reply to RoversFan]

Hello and thankyou for your reply. Great to read that you are progressing and exercising which I admit for me is just a little tour round the garden at the moment. As you say small steps and I can see light at the end of the tunnel and good to know that I can talk to fellow "Hearties" as someone called us . Take care and thank you again

[Starshine19]

Hi i had open heart surgery and came home after 4 days. I had really bad pain and discomfort and i slept sitting up right in bed for months. I propped up lots of pillows to be able to get comfortable. I also has bad nausea which I was able to get anti nausea medication which was a great help as i couldn't keep the medication down. So speak to GP. Give your self time and dont rush anything it will all come back in good time. Listen to your body and not anyone else as people kept telling how long things would take and i never met any targets. So quickly realised it will take as long as it takes. Keep going you'll do it, just take care.

[Callusdeeps in reply to Starshine19]

Hi and thank you for your reply and advice. Yes that's me at the moment propped up sleeping on chair but from all great people on this forum see that this is the norm. Will try to speak to GP about anti nausea tablets if symptoms persist. Lots of encouragement and goodwill and know not on my own. So thanks again take care and keep safe

[Smudgebuttonjessie]

Welcome to the hearties forum, this has been such a help reading other people’s experiences as it’s made me feel things that are happening are normal, i had my double bypass end of September and was discharged after 5 days but due to complications for several weeks i had to have a second operation 3 weeks ago so my rehab and recovery are a bit delayed. The thought that i will get a good night sleep eventually gives me light at the end of the tunnel. My scar is still quite sore and read on one of your replies they use e45 cream so i’m going to give it a go.

Like people have said listen to your body, we have a tougher time due to covid and restrictions on access to services but good advice can be found here. You should get good support from rehab nurse even if it’s over the phone. The V shaped pillow is a god send too. Wishing you the best in your recovery and just shout out if you need support xx

[Mart25 in reply to Smudgebuttonjessie]

Dear Smudgebuttonjessie, I have only just seen your post. It was my comment that mentioned E45 cream on the scar. I should add that I was advised that the scar needs to be dry and completely scabbed over before I could use the cream. I was given permission to use it only at the 6 week review after the cardio nurse had seen my scar. If your scar is inflamed or oozing puss I think you should hold off the cream. If you Google "scar management after surgery" you will find plenty of good advice.

[Smudgebuttonjessie in reply to Mart25]

Thank you for replying Mart25, i am now 13 weeks post surgery, haven’t had my review yet due to complications and having second op for stents 4 weeks ago. My issue with the scar is tenderness upon turning during the night, feels like it’s tearing, probably nerve endings trying to knit back together. The scar took a long time to heal as it came open and was held with streristrips for some time. I was hoping someone had a magic cure!!!

but as everyone has said time is the healer. Hope you are well x

[Vicky12345678]

Bless you Callusdeeps , very early days so do be kind to yourself. I was fortunate re. sleep but did suffer a fair bit with nausea/appetite. Be encouraged, my open heart surgery was Sept and each week I have found that I have a little more energy and a little less problems with pain/nausea etc (now none of the above at all really). It's so hard when you're in the middle of it - it was often in hindsight that I could see the progress. It was very much two steps forwards one step back for me since I'd have a really good day or two with no nausea or discomfort and then be disheartened by a day or two feeling less good. To encourage you, each time I think I'm more or less back to myself I find I feel even better (more energy, more motivation) the next week - my husband is the one asking me to slow down a tad on walks these days!

Also - saw your other post re. sleep. I bought this (was a lifesaver, I combined it with a v-shaped pillow in bed to start with and found it really helpful. I was able to go straight to sleeping in bed when I came home 2 weeks post op.) : amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00...

[Callusdeeps in reply to Vicky12345678]

Thank you Vicky for your reply and Amazon link which looks like it could be a problem solver and will get my wife to look into it. We have a recliner chair on order and hopefully it will make me more comfortable. Encouraging to read of your wonderful progress and return to good health. All the best for the New Year.