Can anyone recommend a counsellor following CABG.

[Heyjude31]

I seem to be struggling and it’s been 10 weeks, but I am increasingly anxious. Thank you in advance

[Hidden]

Hello

I am sorry you are struggling

I had a Bypass 4 months ago and struggling to

I think it depends where you live how it could work getting counselling

Have you a Rehab Nurse ?

They as well as your Doctor might be able to point you in the right direction , I would certainly ask my Rehab Nurse

How is your recovery going physically ?

I think we have to remember how this affects us physically but just as important mentally it has been a big life event we have been through and can take a while to work it all out and feel confident again but I keep hoping eventually I will and I am sure you will to

Let us know if you get Counselling and if it helps x

[Heyjude31 in reply to Hidden]

Hello, thank you so much for replying this evening. It really helps to reach out, and get a response so quickly. I will speak with the rehab dept and see how I get on. I think when I spoke to one of the nurses, their response was ‘it’s normal to feel down’ I think I feel that this has gone on quite a while. So I would like some support. I do hope you are okay, how are you doing now? Thank you again so much for replying. Take care, Judi

[Hidden in reply to Heyjude31]

Hello :-)I agree it is normal to feel down but it just depends I think how it is affecting you to what degree and some need that extra support and do have Counselling so if that is the reply you get then say you know but still you feel you could benefit from Counselling

You know what you need more than anyone else

Well it has been 4 months for me and a slow recovery I feel but I suffered with severe anxiety before so that has got in the way and my fitness levels were not great either before the op for one reason and another but the Consultant is happy with me I think it is the way I am struggling mentally

Are you physically doing well ? x

[Heyjude31 in reply to Hidden]

Hi BeKind28 I am getting there physically, it just takes a while doesn’t it? Everyone is very kind on here. I am going to do some research for local counsellors. I do hope you are okay and thank you again. Judi

[Hidden in reply to Heyjude31]

Hello

Well see that as one positive that physically you are recovering well and I am sure the other part will follow especially if you get some extra support

I think sometimes we need to give it time and worry when things are not as they should be but I have a feeling you are going to be just fine and please let me know and everything crossed you find a perfect Councillor to help support you

And yes you are right everyone is so very kind on here so you can always come and talk to us all x

[francesw47]

Hi. So sorry that anxiety has become an issue. Its not pleasant to live with and you have and can be helped with therapy. Ask the rehab nurse for details of your local IAPT service (thats Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) or ask your GP. Waiting lists on NHS are long due to pent up demand after lockdowns, but most areas have good low cost counselling services and your GP surgery should know who these are. Sometimes an outside perspective helps. Please let us know how you get on.....and of course, chat to us here, we're always ready to support fellow 'hearties'.

[Heyjude31 in reply to francesw47]

Thank you so much francesw47. I do appreciate your reply. I am doing some research for local counsellors, and see how I get on. Thank you again, everyone on here is so kind. 😊

[Flymetothebeach]

I have never experienced depression in my life but since my surgery in August I have been absolutely awful. I cry, cant sleep, cant see the point in anything. I’m so sick of people The news and arguing politicians. I just don’t know why I bothered. I get terrified of having a tissue valve inside me. I’m told this is all very normal. This lovely dr in Oxford said they think it’s in part because of what the bypass machine does to our brains. She said it can take 18 months to settle. I’m telling you this because I think it’s common and normal. Horrid though!

[Heyjude31 in reply to Flymetothebeach]

Gosh, I do so hope you are okay. Have you explored counselling? I am going to do some research. I think the whole experience gives you a very different perspective on life, and I agree it can make you quite frightened of lots of things. Please do take care and get some help if you can. Judi

[Runningman55]

Hi there, sorry you are not feeling great. I had my CABG over a year ago and like you was struggling in the period after the op. I was lucky enough to access a counsellor through a work scheme. They sessions really helped me get to a better place. As francesw47 says reach out to your gp or search locally for counsellors. I hope you feel better.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Runningman55]

Thanks so much Runningman55 I will doSome research. Thank you for taking the time to reply I do appreciate it. Judi

[Hidden]

Hi, you can refer yourself into the local iapt team but the waiting times will depend on where you are. It's worth making the call to get on the list.

Best of luck 👍

[Heyjude31 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Snoweybm, I do appreciate your help. I will make contact with the local iapt, many thanks again, Judi

[Wooodsie]

Hi Heyjude, like the others say try the local IAPT team(s), if you Google for your local area they should come up. Counsellors on IAPT also undertake private work, so you could possibly pay to see them sooner. Whereabouts are you? I know of MyTime in Birmingham. Hope this helps.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Wooodsie]

Hello Wooodsie, thank you for taking the time to reply. I am in Telford. I am going to speak to my GP and also the Heart Assessment team. Thank you again for your help. Judi

[welshfairy]

Hi. Sorry to hear you’re struggling. There will be counsellors in your area if you’re able to pay, just make sure they’re accredited by a reputable body ie BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists). You can also go to their website and search your area. bacp.co.uk. I struggle with depression and talking to someone always helps. Take care. xx

[Heyjude31 in reply to welshfairy]

Hello welshfairy, thank you so much. I will make contact with local counsellors and see how I get on. Thank you again for your help. Judi

[Macracken58]

Hi there ask your GP about TIME TO TALK its helped me over the past weeks definitely worth a try if you google to find your local office and give them a call they may be able to give you some advice, my GP suggested it and arranged it for me. Try to take one day at a time and not think about things to much it can be tough sometimes. Thinking of you x

[Heyjude31 in reply to Macracken58]

Thank you so much Macracken58. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. I will definitely enquire about Time to Talk. Thank you again, I really appreciate it. Judi

[Macracken58]

Take care Judi have a lovely Christmas x x

[Heyjude31 in reply to Macracken58]

You too, thank you so much 😊

[Pollypuss]

Really sorry to hear you are struggling after your operation. From my own experience you hit real lows but honestly it passes. Your new to the experience and it’s only natural to go through these deep troughs . All I can say is this time next year you will be writing a much more positive post post. There are many people on this site you will find have been through the experience and what they write about it you will recognise as being so like what you are experiencing .

[Heyjude31 in reply to Pollypuss]

Thank you so much Pollypuss, I really appreciate your reply. Everyone is so kind on this site. I am hoping you are right and as time goes by I will improve. I have good days and not so good, today is a better day. I do hope you are okay too. Take care and thank you again. Judi

[Golfgal1969]

Hi,

Sorry to hear that you are struggling. As many of those who have already replied have said, it's not an uncommon reaction.

I had a CABG just over a year ago (though thankfully no heart attack) and found myself experiencing symptoms akin to PTSD afterwards.

If you are able to pay for counselling I would highly recommend Fiona Foster. I had previously received counselling from Fiona following a bereavement and so reached out to her again after my surgery. Just a few sessions with her helped me immensely.

I'm not sure where you are based (Fiona is in the Bolton area) but I received my post op sessions with her via Zoom as I had relocated since our previous contact. Fiona has a website with more information on her services fionafostercounselling.co.uk/

Anyway, whichever way you decide to go I really hope you can find the support to help you fell better and move forward.

Best of luck.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Golfgal1969]

Thank you so much Golfgal1969 I really appreciate your reply. I have not long moved to the Midlands. I will definitely contact Fiona, I hope we can do something via Zoom. Thank you again for your time, I really appreciate it. Take care, Judi

[Dodge17]

Hi. I have been watching this forum since my HA and Triple CABG back in February. I am 55yo . This is my first post.I had a mild HA on 5th February which I thought was a pulled muscle 🤪. My wife made me go to the doctors on the 8th February. The doctor sent me straight to A&E little did I know I would not see my family until I think it was 6th march .

At the time the op didn’t bother me whatsoever. What did upset me the most was because of covid I had to shield for over two weeks in hospital before I could have my op. In total I was away from my family for over four weeks.

Oh boy. It was a very emotional return home.

I was fine for a few months. Recovery was going really well.

But come September I started to go down hill mentally. I kept thinking what my doctor said to me on return to the surgery. Which was you are very very lucky to be alive.

And that is when I started with extreme anxiety and depression. Why it’s come on 6months after my op I do not know. But the doctor and other therapists reckon it could be some kind of PTSD.

I have had some very dark days. And not so many good days.

But there is help out there and very good help.

On my darkest days I did call the Samaritans, yes it was that bad.☹️

I have also spoken to CALL. Community Advice Listening Line. Really helpful.

Also CALM. Campaign against living miserably.

And most recently MIND. Just sign up online for Active Monitoring service and they will call you back and then call you several times a week for 6 weeks. They are fab, really helpful.

I really would recommend these, they have really helped me.

Best Wishes . It will get better. 😀😀

[Heyjude31 in reply to Dodge17]

Thank you so very much for all your advice it is very kind of you and I really appreciate it. I will certainly have a look at the various sites. Thank you again, Take care, Judi

[Flymetothebeach]

Ah bless you. Sounds so familiar. I am so grateful you saying it will get better. Thank u

[Thecyclist]

Hi, feel free to pm me, I am a qualified NLP Practitioner & Therapist and Hypnotherapist, specialising in anxiety removal also trauma, PTSD and Phobias , I have recently helped someone who had an aortic dissection and suffered extreme anxiety, I was able to resolve their anxiety completely in only a few sessions. I may be able to help you.

I had many issues personally with anxiety in the past and re trained as therapist after NLP solved all of these.

Anxiety can be debilitating but please know you can get this resolved really quickly.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Thecyclist]

Thank you so much. I am in touch with a Counsellor, I hope it is okay if I see how I get on with that and then get in touch if needed. Thank you again, take care, Judi

[Thecyclist in reply to Heyjude31]

Hi Judi, absolutely, no problem and good luck!

Just a quick aside for anyone that is interested, NLP is content free, i.e. it's not about going into the detail of the event/problem but instead it looks to the root cause and the resulting negative thoughts and patterns that result, so it's very quick and not emotionally charged, it works very well for trauma as we tend to not revisit the event.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Thecyclist]

Have you got any evidence based research to support the use of NLP?

Are NLP practitioners registered with a legally recognised organisation like registered healthcare professionals?

[Thecyclist in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milkfairy.

I hear what you are saying and NLP get's it fair share of less than favourable press.

NLP is currently unregulated in UK, as are many other legitimate therapies despite many medical practitioners requesting it to be regulated like CBT. Which is a shame as it works very well. I'm not suggesting it will work for all, but any good practitioner will know this after the initial consultation and decline a client or refer them if they are unable to help them. I certainly do as part of my terms and conditions.

NLP is a therapeutic, coach led process, at no point does anyone working in NLP advise, hence the content free approach. It is the client that leads the process and does the work, the practitioner coaches and guides the client out of a negative thought process which is causing the problem and not getting them the results they want. This is all made very clear at the outset. NLP is about changing your mindset, your thought process and ultimately your behaviour. It is very effective.

Plenty of GP's are NLP trained, I have worked and trained with many of them.

NLP is also just one other tool that anyone can use to help themselves get into a better place mentally. Something I think we can all agree with.

I waited well over a year to get an initial appointment with my surgeries mental health professional, I couldn't wait and I needed help there and then as I was stuck, I found NLP and it really worked for me, so well I wanted to help others with it and so re trained.

To be clear, NLP is NOT counselling, not a substitute for a doctor, or professional psychotherapy, or a medical process.

NLP is about changing mindset, getting results, minding the language we use and recognising the patterns in our behaviour that are not getting us the results we want.

As said it may not be for all, but given the huge strain on the NHS and mental health services it will certainly work for many.

Hope that helps and thank you for making those very valid points.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Thecyclist]

Thank you for the clarification and description of what NLP involves.

I have encountered CBT and Mindfulness meditation before.

There are certainly many different approaches to help people in the way in which they approach life.

Respond rather than react!

[Thecyclist in reply to Milkfairy]

Exactly, always better to do something about it, doing nothing definitely won't get you where you want to be!

I think you nailed it, helping people with their approach to life, that's it in a nutshell. The reverse being many people "think" themselves into their approach, saying to themselves, "I am not good enough", "I hate myself", "Something bad is going to happen to me" "I have anixety", all those negative thoughts tend to manifest when you are thinking and saying them to yourselves. I just coach people out of these "thoughts" and they change overnight. The mind is way more powerful than we ever give it credit for!

Thanks for your kind words.

[Cliff_G]

Hi, this well-respected site has some great self-help resources cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resour...

[Heyjude31]

Thanks ever so much for your help. Judi