scared

[Triheart]

I’m nearly 2 years on from a triple bypass and now need 2 full knee replacements. I can have them done when I like as I’m fortunate enough to have private healthcare. But I am so terrified of yet more surgery. Family and friends keep telling me it will be a ‘walk in the park’ compared to what I had before and strangely I wasn’t as afraid of that huge surgery???? but despite being in a lot of pain I just can’t bear the thought of another operation. I keep pushing the date further forward for the first one to be done……anybody else feel like this 🥲

[Tos92]

Hi Triheart

I’m sorry you’re feeling like this. I can definitely sympathise with you.

Although I haven’t had surgery, I had a particular test which I knew would be painful as they were going to be administering a specific stress agent which induces stress on the heart, and thus causing chest pain and some other unpleasant symptoms. Anyway, I ended up pushing the date back on 2 or 3 occasions because of my fear and anxiety around the pain that I would feel. So you’re not alone in this.

However, try to think about it as the sooner you have the surgery, the quicker you will recover.

It also helps if you have surgeons and doctors that are empathetic and listen. I know that this has made my experience that much better in the past when going for a big test.

Let us know how you get on.

All the best.

Tos

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am 20 months pass my triple Bypass and I can only imagine been told I needed another operation for something I would be feeling like you to

How has your recovery gone since the Bypass I imagine well or they would not be offering to operate on your knees

I suffer with anxiety in general so have fear all the time I can relate to you when I fear something I keep trying to push it further on so I do not have to deal with it and I get angry with myself as I have suffered so long I know all that is doing is feeding the fear as we know we are going to have to have it done but the longer we leave it that fear gets bigger and bigger and bigger !!!

Your family are right though and I know it is so easy for others to say when it is not us having to go through it but compared to the heart Bypass this will be a walk in the park

Imagine how lovely it would be to be pain free

I know you can do this if you can give that fear a great big push out the way and I know you will after think why did I put myself through all that for so long

I really hope you know you are not alone in how you feel but that you will bite the bullet as we say and get this op done because you will not stop thinking about it till you do as well as you will have to keep dealing with the pain

Go on let them do it I bet you will be fine and we will try and support you

Let us know how you get on x

[Chappychap in reply to BeKind28-]

I don't want to hijack the OP's thread, so just a quick word to say welcome back!

[BeKind28- in reply to Chappychap]

Thank You x

[Triheart in reply to BeKind28-]

Hi, my recovery went well but healing of leg wounds was long due to infections 😟 it may be that which is causing such anxiety. Thank you for your kind words, it has helped a lot and the warnings from Chappychap!

[BeKind28- in reply to Triheart]

Hello

Sorry to hear your legs took such a long time to heal and it could have caused the anxiety

Chappychap is very wise indeed always has some good advice I would listen to him and hope we get a post soon either saying you have got a date or had it done and doing well x

[Chappychap]

You're not alone, all the research shows that most people with private health insurance put off knee and hip replacements.

But that delay comes with a penalty.

Our general health tends to decline quite quickly if we're immobile due to joint problems. Our weight ratchets up, our strength and fitness levels get eroded, our bone density reduces, our muscle mass declines.

That's bad enough for the general population. But for those of us who've had bypass surgery it's doubly damaging.

Sadly bypass surgery doesn't actually "fix" our heart disease. All it can do is deliver a breathing space for life style changes and medication to hopefully slow down the inevitable progress of our heart disease. But joint injuries means it's unlikely we'll make the life style changes that might buy us extra years of precious healthy, active life.

I appreciate that it's daunting, but delaying knee surgery creates the sedentary habits which allow heart disease to gallop ahead. So fix your knees to protect your heart!

Good luck!

[Triheart in reply to Chappychap]

Thank you, never thought of any of those points. I will give some serious thought to being brave and putting a date in my diary 🤞

[Carolx]

Good Morning Triheart

I have DCM and I had a total right knee replacement 4 months ago, due to severe osteoarthritis. I am 55.

I had my surgery at Guys Hospital in London. They were very thorough and attentive before, during and after my surgery.

I had numerous check ups beforehand due to my heart condition. I had a spinal block rather than a general anaesthetic and all went really well.

Like you I was in terrible pain every single day, but trying my very best to carry on with day to day life. I am a Senior Learning Support Assistant for special needs students in a college. So my job is pretty full on and challenging.

I need my other knee done too and I saw my consultant last week. I was happy to hear the waiting list isn’t too long, around 4 months.

What are you actually afraid of? The surgery itself, the general anaesthetic or the pain that comes with the surgery?

I’m not going to pretend it’s not painful. It really is but we’re all very different.

I was pretty rough for around 6 weeks, then I gradually started to feel better.

Now I can honestly say I am so glad I had this surgery. My knee feels stronger and solid. It aches a little of course, as I’m only 4 months post op, but it feels much better than it did before.

I’m due to go back to Guys in August for a check up on my left knee, then it’s crunch time (no pun intended 😁), I’ll be put on the list with surgery around Christmas time.

You really should get the surgery. I’m sure it will change your life.

If you do go ahead please feel free to contact me any time with any questions. I joined a wonderful forum called Bonesmart. They are a fantastic group, who give such amazing and helpful advice. I was in a lot of pain when I first had the surgery and it was so reassuring to know everything I was going through was very normal.

Now 4 months on I’m back at work and I’m walking much better than before my surgery. Just need to get the other one sorted now.

Good luck and I promise you it will change your life

Carol x

[Triheart in reply to Carolx]

hi Carol

I replied earlier but not sure where it went as don’t see it here??

Thank you so much for sharing your story, it’s been very helpful. I really don’t understand my fear I’ve had a few major surgeries even before the bypass and never felt like this 😟 Between diagnosis and surgery it was only 2 weeks till I had it done in Harley St and it went well other than the leg wounds, the GP thinks it could be PTSDand says it happens a lot?? I am terrified of a spinal block in particular and may need to be knocked out! I’m 65 in September and luckily retired early so can rest up and heal in my own time and my husband is a great support.

But I do realise now that I need to be brave and set a date soon, I’m normally a glass half full person and want her back!

Terri x

[Carolx in reply to Triheart]

You are most welcome.

I was the opposite, more afraid of the general anaesthetic. The spinal block was absolutely fine. I had mild sedation of course.

That’s great you have the support of your husband. That makes all the difference.

I’m sure we’ll all be reading your success story on here in the very near future and you’ll wish you had done it sooner.

You can do it 🥰

[MountainGoat52]

I can't add much to what others have said, other than to say that I know several people that have had knee replacements and they all have said how much better they have been since their operation. I don't know where you are with your level of fitness after your bypass operation, but I suspect you will be considerably healthier than some of those I know that had the knee op. Don't let the complications that you experienced with your leg wound put you off.

[Wooodsie]

Hello Triheart, it is understandable that you are reticent about further surgery. The fear of whether your heart will cope is enough to put people off. I can only say that I have undergone surgery on another condition since my bypass and had absolutely no complications whatsoever. It was worth the pain and inconvenience in the long run.Bite the bullet Triheart, it will have to be done some day, do it as young as you can and your recovery will be speedier and less complicated.

[Coper10]

Hi Triheart, I had OHS 2 years ago and progressed through the recovery stage and felt my life was back on track. I then found out I had probable thyroid cancer so needed another operation. It felt like a bit of a knock back - however, my thoughts were 'if I can get through OHS then I can get through this'. It also helped that the experience of being in hospital for an operation wasn't a new one. I had my operation in January, it was confirmed as cancer but hopefully it's been removed and I just need monitoring. I understand how your need for another operation must feel daunting. However, like me you made it through your last operation and if it can improve your quality of life, that would be a big bonus. Wishing you all the best 🤗

[Triheart in reply to Coper10]

thank you for sharing your story and I wish you very well for the future for your good health 😊

[annpavitt250448]

Like you I am waiting for total knee replacement. Now the other knee is more painful and am waiting results of a ray before consulting G.P. On way forward. I hadn't had a bypass but do have a stent due to totally blocked LAD. Like you I am a bit apprehensive due to heart condition. I am in the position of being able to pay to have it done privately if that's what is shown I need. Just a bit apprehensive if things go wrong private hospitals don't have ITU facilities.Good luck if you decide to get knees replaced, the pain after Op. I am thinking is better than not being able to do much (which is the case at the moment) and hopefully will be short term.

[Triheart in reply to annpavitt250448]

good luck to you too, I’ll let you know when I’ve had it done 🤞

[Qualipop]

You would get on well with my husband. He needed a double knee replacement 15 years ago but has constantly delayed and delayed it. He doesn't have a heart problem but he is diabetic. He's now almost 80 so his ageis against his recovery now. I wish he'd had it done while he was young enough to do the rehab and exercise. My mum couldn't wait to get her hi p done even though she had heart failure. She sailed through it with an epidural. Would that maybe be an option for you so you didn't need a full anaesthetic?

[Triheart in reply to Qualipop]

thank you for your reply, I’m afraid having an epidural/spinal tap is one of the things that is stressing me the most, but at my next appointment with my consultant I will discuss having a general 🤞

[annpavitt250448 in reply to Triheart]

I had a spinal when I had a gynaecology op a few years ago it was OK but did have a numb bottom for a while after although could feel legs etc. My husband hadva spinal, as well as a general when he had a triple A repaired they gave him pain killers through it

[Qualipop in reply to Triheart]

I'm not surprised; a lot of people couldn't bear to be awake but it didn't bother mum. The only thing she complained about was the smell when they cut the bone. I know I'd rather be awake.

[Triheart]

I wasn’t going to reply to this but feel I should on behalf of others, any answer starting with ‘please don’t take this the wrong way’ is unlikely to help that person 😟 I am fully aware of the current NHS problems BUT having paid into the system all my life AND the tax on my ‘private healthcare’ I choose what’s best for me? I cannot see the point of your answer? My Consultant does 3 days a week for the NHS and 2 private.

Sadly it is precisely this type of obtuse answer that make other more sensitive souls avoid seeking help on this forum.