This is normal after a heart bypass, isn't it?

[Ronnie1970]

My husband had a bypass on Friday, a double if that makes a difference. 3 nights in ICU, chest infection, exhaustion and gibbering nonsense. Today moved into HDU and was so much more alert, talkative and seemed like his old self. Just had him on the phone to me, worried they were giving him too many tablets, he's too hot, anxious, homesick and worrying about how we're going to pay the bill for the operation! I told him not to worry about anything except getting better and told him to phone me at any time. He was up sitting in a chair at visiting time, so I'm presuming he's just got more tired as the day's went on.I think I'm just looking for some reassurance that his behaviour is nothing to worry about on only the 3rd day post op.

[Chappychap]

Perfectly normal.

The opiate pain killers and anaesthetics cause hallucinations. There have been some hilarious stories on this forum about what people believed was going on in the HDU wards!

Good luck!

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Yes this sounds normal and it does not matter how many Bypasses you have the operation is the same procedure

We are on very strong painkillers after as well as all the anesthetic we have had we do talk nonsense as you say but now he is sounding more like himself

I got a slight chest infection they put me on antibiotics which no doubt your husband will be on and they will make sure it clears up

We are on a lot of medications and we come out on quite a few but they all serve a purpose so nothing to worry about how many he is on just to make sure when he gets home he takes them as prescribed

It is hot anyway and those Hospitals are hot as well as he has a chest infection I wonder if he would or on your next visit you could ask if they have a fan you could take him a hand held fan in if not

We all get home sick and it is not nice so phone calls etc are important just keep reassuring him that this is normal but he will be home soon and you are doing right telling him he has nothing to worry about except getting well

Day 3 is very very early and so far he sounds like he is doing well but this will be a slow recovery it takes maybe 3 months if not longer this is a big op he has had

I hope you feel reassured and will keep us updated how you both are doing x

[MountainGoat52]

When I was in the ward after my bypass, one guy had a really bad night due to the medication. Quite scary really. Thankfully they made adjustments and it did not reoccur. He remembered nothing of it.

[CyclingTime]

Everyone is different but it doesn't sound anything major to be concerned about, instead of being discharged within the typical 5-7 days he might just need a couple of extra days recovery but that's no bad thing. My wife wished I had stayed in a few days longer!

[Shar28]

Sounds pretty similar to my husband to me, so please try not to worry too much. I’m sure the staff will be keeping an eye on him. Drinking plenty of fluids is important, especially in this heat, so if you can get him to drink when you visit that will help.

Best wishes to you both. Xx

[gilreid1]

Ronnie

This is all normal after bypass procedure. Apparently I was asking why the bed was upside down on the ceiling (🫣)three days after op. Mostly the drugs. His spirit will improve thru time. It’s a slow but worthwhile recovery ❤️‍🩹

[KevinPCL]

All completely normal. I too had a chest infection plus lots of fluid retention after the op. The side effects of all the meds is often worse than the op itself (or it was in my case). It's still very early days for you. It took a long time for the medics to balance my meds but they got there in the end. It sounds like he's doing OK.

[Ronnie1970]

I spoke to him earlier and he's really grumpy and frustrated. Doc said he can't move to the ward until his oxygen levels have settled. Also blood pressure is up and down. Sounds like he is expecting too much and if I try to say that he's snippy. God, it's hard isn't it?Thanks for all the advice and reassurance, it really helps.

[ChoochSiesta in reply to Ronnie1970]

I was kept in an extra day due to low oxygen levels.

[Chickenlou]

I think your right and he’s probably tired, on lots of meds and very much in the early days of recovery (plus the chest infection) but if you are worried you could always give the ward a call and ask them to check on him (even if only to put your mind at rest.)

My fiancé (triple bypass) was coming out with some very odd things after his bypass and kept asking the nurse who was looking after our dog (we’ve never had one!) I also noticed he was much more “with it” in the mornings and less so as the day went on.

Hope you manage to get some rest this evening 😊

[Chickenlou]

Sorry forgot to add - the “snippy” stage might last a while, I could do nothing right some days and had to learn to smile and ignore the particularly nasty comments (reminding myself what he d been thorough etc!)

[Ronnie1970]

Well what a difference in him yesterday. He was crabby on the phone in the morning, but was so much happier by the time I arrived for visiting. Seems like his old self. I know he'll have up and down days, but yesterday was definitely a good one. Taken off heated oxygen and just on a trickle of standard oxygen, neck candula thingamabob was also removed, so definate progress. He'll possibly be moved to the ward today, which is cheering him up, as he thinks it'll be quieter so he can sleep. Fingers crossed.

[momander]

Hi Ronnie 1970,

It is really early days for your husband. Everything you have said is perfectly normal, especially the hallucinations and talking rubbish!!! I had a double bypass in January of this year in the Royal infirmary in Edinburgh. I was in ICU for 2 days then HDU for a day before I was then put in a eard/room. We all recover differently and so please try not to compare your husband's recovery to others. I was told this by a very well meaning person on this forum in my early days and it really helped!!! The mood swings and emotions are all part of the after effects of the operation. I am now nearly 6 months on and I have only just stopped crying all the time. This is a huge operation and the recovery will take time. There are a few of us here who have had the same op so please ask us anything and if we can help in any way at all then we will be more than happy to. Rest while you can because once hubby is home you will be knackered!!!!

[Ronnie1970]

He had just under a litre of fluid removed from a lung before he was transferred to the ward. His back's be spasming ever since. He's got a local anaesthetic patch on and is getting morphine every hour, which isn't helping much. He's retching with the pain which obviously isn't great for his chest. Nightmare!