I’ve go ptsd

[Jako999]

We’ll following my totally unexpected quadruple bypass 5 weeks ago then my HT 2 weeks ago my mental health which is something in 55 years I have never suffered with, taken a nose dive.

Because I was told so many time I was so lucky not to be dead and it was a miracle I was alive, then I had the heart attack after I thought I was all fixed, my mind can’t stop thinking about me being dead and I’ve even started having dreams where I meet up with dead family and friends and I say to them is this it then is this life after death.

Ive been told it’s more common then you think, I now have a cardiac councillor and of course I’ve been given some happy pills.

I know all this will get sorted out but 7 weeks ago I came back off a fantastic family holiday in Florida feeling fine with not a care in the world, we have everything and want for nothing, with a great life, I’ve never smoked, I don’t drink, I’m vegetarian, not over weight and fit, yes there’s some with my dad who had angina but he was diagnosed at 21 didn’t have a HT till 82 and died of pneumonia at 97 and only ever had meds not what I would class as bad, my moms 92 with no cardiac history.

Then bang how can my world get so turned up side down just 2 weeks later? I was so well. Now I’m post cabg 5 weeks, post HT 2 weeks and got a mental health problem.

I’m not asking for any sympathy I just thought others may feel the same, or have a similar story.

[Hidden]

Hello

Life does not always deal us the cards we expect or want I know this only to well as I have suffered from a young child with anxiety even had ocd as a young child to and as I got older it just all got worse till it even developed into agoraphobia

As this was not enough to deal with I got double pneumonia that got me rushed into resuscitation and telling my Husband they were doing all they could but it was serious , I remember hearing these voices talking but gasping to breath and I have been left with PTSD from that

I have a cough tonight now in instant panic , doing a C test and flashbacks wanting to start tormenting me

I then go on to have 3 heart attacks and remember each and everyone in every detail resulting in a triple Bypass nearly a year ago and yes added more PTSD to the list which on that list I have always suffered with Health Anxiety so not a good combination

Members come on as they should and celebrate their 1st year post op I just want to forget mine as I know it will start all the details going of in my head what happened

I seriously did not ever think I would get as bad as I am but here I am and some days I can go onto why me ?

But it is me and what has happened to you has happened and we cannot go back ( if only )

Dwelling feeds the PTSD as well as making those dreams worse

Acceptance is the way to go

Tell yourself ok this happened but they saved me , I am still here !

Now I know I stand need to talk , I wanted to run on here tonight and talk about my fears but from someone that has suffered most of her life I want to say I really understand how you are feeling but try now not to keep looking back but keep focusing on looking forward

This is more common than you think and given time you will be that happy family man going on holidays , not a care in the world and feeling even more luckier that you are here still doing all these things

This is early days for you , very early days give yourself time , don't add another label that you have Mental Health problems see it as your mind as well as your body took a shock and they both need time to get better and they will

With every negative thought try and think of a positive one as there are so many if you look hard enough

Be kind to yourself you will get through this x

[Gail1967]

Hi- you will hear a lot of the same stories so it’s completely understandable that you feel this way- especially so early in your journey. I went running fri night- had just finished watching a football match on the Saturday pm in London- when my heart decided enough was enough. I still remember the shock being told I couldn’t go home & needed a heart bypass at age 51. 3 years on now - my head definitely took longer to get there than my body did physically. Now know it’s genetic so no matter how fit etc I was, it was going to catch up on me! So be kind to yourself & know that you will get there too- keep reaching out- I found reading about others experiences did help my head!!!

[Dolphin14]

I'm so sorry for what you have been through. These serious medical issues certainly effect mental health and well-being.

You have been through a trauma that has turned your life upside down. You are not alone in experiencing these things.

HU has a fantastic PTSD site. You may benefit from some support from this group. I have PTSD from a different issue but the symptoms are all the same.

Think about the site. Also there may be support groups in your area . You will definitely find the support on this site from others with similar experiences.

Wish you the best

🐬

[Hidden]

Dear Jako999

Your post title says it all, “I’ve got PTSD” its a massive title that tells me that not only do you recognise your condition but that you are doing something about it.

PTSD is so very personal, each sufferer has their own individual story and pathway that this illness takes them down.

You are at the moment lucky to be in therapy and hopefully it will show you how to make these feeling fit back into your life and not make them so prominent as they are now.

So why does the brain do this to us, surely it’s enough that the body had undergone such pain without this added in ? The answers can only be told by you therapist as there is always more than one.

A few years ago I was working on a boat engine while a welder was fixing a plate to the outside, some expanded foam caught alight and I was stuck in a small tight area smoking billowing everywhere.

In a flash I was back in the army in a very nasty situation that i thought that I had dealt with years before. It was as if I was there clear and completely shocking I had always thought that this only happened in films, I can assure you that it doesn’t.

I was a complete mess and needed help, which I got, roll on a few years and the complete whirlwind of the heart problems began to smash into me and I was pushed and pulled along a journey that I seemed to have no control on then……STOP it was over and I was left a complete rag doll of my former self.

Both incidents were different but the same, different how they happened but the same crippling outcome to both.

I have received successful treatment for both, Its a brain trick and a very cruel one at that.

I wish you all the best with your mental health journey, I hope that you get through it ok and like me learn some lessons from its terrible presence.

[Becksagogo]

Jako when I was diagnosed with heart failure 5 years ago it was like being hit by a train. The term in itself is just awful.The trouble is, you only have one heart and if it gives up, that's it. Unlike kidneys and other organs of the body you can't live without it.

The first feelings are "why me"? I got my diagnosis before I retired from work so it changed all my plans to travel and to complete my bucket list.

I talked to a Counsellor and he suggested focusing on what I CAN do rather than what I can't.

This week I travelled to London to have lunch with my sister and last night I saw Michael Buble in concert in Hove. I wouldn't have thought of making either journey but with the aid of assistance from the railways and the use of taxis rather than public transport, I got there.

Oh I still have those days when I feel sorry for myself but they are fewer and further apart now.

You will come out of this and I wish you and all fellow anxiety sufferers all the very best. Dont let it rule your life x

[Jetcat]

No wonder you’re feeling how your feeling mate.It’s the shock, worry, fear, and surprise of it all and I’m sure I’d be the same as you if all that were to happen to me in such a short time.!

It’s really early days yet jako don’t forget.!

You won’t always feel like this, as time goes on You will gradually to come terms with and accept what happened to you without even realising.

But at this moment in time it’s all too much to try and process all at once.

Like trying to fill a bottle with water without getting it all over.?

Nice and steady, bit by bit, and eventually your there. ( not a brilliant way of putting it but hopefully it makes sense.?)

Our brains work in a similar way.! Too much too fast and it can go into panic/fear/ shock mode.

You’ll get there mate I know you will. it won’t be easy sometimes but you will be fine. You will bounce back in time.👍

Best wishes mate.

Ron.👍

[Shellac]

Hi just take it one day at a time, I only had a heart stent and told I got severe heart disease/unstable angina, no heart attack 6 heart medications that was shocking enough for me never mind what you have had, You are still probably in shock and coming to terms with a life changing event. Keep talking to your counsellor and remember your emotions are like a roller coaster up and down, take care ❤

[SuperFluff]

Just wanted to say, thanks for telling your story. Your world has indeed been turned upside down and I am not surprised that you have PTSD. My heart problem is not that serious yet (new valve needed in the future). But like a lot of people on here, I can understand the sense of shock and unfairness, when you think you have done everything right. I too have elderly parents with no heart issues. Being told you were close to meeting your maker would blow anyone's mind.It is going to take quite a while to get over this. I am two years on from diagnosis and I find acceptance hard.

Be kind to yourself. You have been through so much in such a short time.

Well, the good news is that you didn't meet your maker. You have a second chance. Grasp it with both hands and enjoy life with that family of yours. All the best x

[Vrouse]

I totally get the effect such trauma has on our mental health. I suffered a stroke in my sleep, caused by AF which I didn't know I had. Everytime I was asked how I was, I broke down, the psychological effect was massive. My GP arranged for me to speak to someone from mental health. It took 5 months before I realised I could talk about what had happened without crying. I honestly believe anyone that has survived a life threatening event should have counselling. Don't be hard on yourself, you have been through alot but the most important thing is that you are still here. Speak to your GP about some counselling. I wish you well x

[Alison_L]

Hi Jako. I can totally sympathise. After my heart attack I was referred for CBT, and my cardiologist told me I have PTSD. 4 years later, and now dealing with a (non-cancerous) brain tumour as well, I still struggle to talk about my health (CBT was useless for me), and can burst into tears if anyone asks me about it. I hope your counsellor helps xx