Post-Surgery

[Heartsurvivor]

Hi everyone! I have had my heart condition ever since I was born so it’s nothing new to me. I have just recently (April this year) had my 4th open heart surgery to replace my mitral valve due to endocarditis. The recovery is long but I am doing well and have been back at work for 2 months now. Recently I have been having dreams which are more like flashbacks to when I was in hospital. When I wake up, it makes me miss being in hospital. I obviously don’t miss the surgery and why I was there, but I miss the feeling of how supported I was, and how I was getting better every day.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am glad your recovery is going so well

I do not have dreams and I do not like been in Hospital but what I found and still do two years after Bypass Surgery is not having that security that Doctors and Nurses are about if I need them I think I miss that if anything

I think what you are feeling is normal for some x

[Rhinos67]

Hi

I had OHS last April and was having weekly Clinical Psychologist appointments pre and Post surgery due to anxiety.

I had regular flashbacks and trouble sleeping and my psychologist said that it was totally normal. It's your minds way of dealing with trauma and PTSD.

She said that it would stop eventually and it did after about 6 months.

You said that you miss the support that you got in hospital. Do you have a Cardiac care team now that you are at home? I'm sure that they would be able to help you.

Sending you best wishes 😊

Joanne

[Wooodsie]

It does sound like PTSD to me. But I'm not qualified. As others have suggested, perhaps talk to your heart nurses if possible, or if you could get some counselling that may help. See if there is any IAPT near you.