Anyone like me?

[WannaBbetter]

Hi all. Has anyone experienced nightmares and anxiety since open heart surgery? If so, how have you dealt with it?

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I have just read your Bio and you have been through an awful lot I am not surprised you have anxiety

I had 3 heart attacks followed by a triple Bypass and for quite a while after I would have terrible nightmares that would wake me up feeling anxious

Over time they have got better and I do get the odd one now and again but nothing like I was getting so regarding the nightmares I think giving yourself time will help these to become less frequent

I also listen to an app when I go to bed that relaxes me maybe if you have not tried this it is something that might help so many of them on You Tube

As I read your Bio I am not surprised to read they are now assessing you for PTSD as you sound like you could have it and then would get the right treatment and Counselling

I am not sure when this is going to happen as I know the waiting lists can be long but I hope it is soon

I also have had counselling quite a fe times now but on the NHS we do not get many sessions and sometimes I believe it does not always work as good as it could do because we need longer support than they can offer

My Doctor when my sessions keeps referring me back but then the wait by the time you get help again you are back to square one

Private can be an option but expensive and if anyone takes that route then I would like someone to have given me feedback as they all say they can work miracles but I found when I tried it the only miracle they worked was taking my money but that is just my experience others will have had a lot more positive experiences which I hope they share with you

After all you have been through how you are feeling is normal for so many of us so you are not alone feeling as you do

Taking a day at a time accepting how you feel and trying not to fear these feelings but knowing it is just for now and will get better is what I still am doing but I know it is not easy

Keep letting your Doctor know how you feel till you get the support you need and keep coming and talking with others on here that know what you are going through as just been listened to and understood can go a long way in helping

Let us know how you get on x

[WannaBbetter in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you @BeKind28- for your words of encouragement.

[BeKind28- in reply to WannaBbetter]

x

[FakeNews in reply to BeKind28-]

Welcome back BeKind28-

[BeKind28- in reply to FakeNews]

Hello

Not sure I am back I just happened to see this lady and felt her anxiety so replied

But thank you x

[gorillaqueen in reply to BeKind28-]

Welcome back BeKind28 😊🌞

[BeKind28- in reply to gorillaqueen]

Hello

Not sure I am back but wanted to try and comfort this lady as I know how anxiety to this degree feels

But Thank You x

[gorillaqueen in reply to BeKind28-]

😊🌞X

[BeKind28- in reply to gorillaqueen]

x

[TeaLady40 in reply to BeKind28-]

I’ve not had surgery but my BP meds definitely give me nightmares, all of the ace ones like Valsartan, Ibersartan etc. are you on any of those and could they be contributing? As a fellow nightmare sufferer (BP drug induced) it can make you wake up feeling anxious from the get go. Am sorry you’re having them too, whatever the cause get help from your med team

[BeKind28- in reply to TeaLady40]

Hello

Not sure of this reply is for me or the poster but I do not take any of these meds but yes a med review might be something the poster could consider as sometimes meds can give people different side effects so a good idea x

[Judithdalston in reply to TeaLady40]

Yes Bisoprolol gave me very claustrophobic nightmares!

[iohnl in reply to Judithdalston]

Me too, and still does !

[Judithdalston in reply to iohnl]

Fortunately my Falls consultant took me off them back in Jan., but I still sleep with a light on such were the claustrophobic nightmares/effects I got. At the same time we had 2 one+ hour long power cuts in the evening ..I was amazed how anxious I was till we got at least two candles lit!

[momander in reply to BeKind28-]

Hi,I am so so sorry you have had a negative experience with private counsellors . I am a private counsellor and have never been in it merely to take money from my clients. It's a real shame if you feel that's what we do . I am passionate about my job and my clients, and work really hard to foster trust and give hope. I'm so sorry your experiwnce wasn't the way it should have been and what you deserved. Xx

[BeKind28- in reply to momander]

Hello

I am sorry if my reply came across that all private counsellors are like this as that is not what I meant at all and know there will be some good ones out there like you but it is so hard unless they are recommended to know which ones are and I picked the wrong one which is typical of me

Keep up the good work you do we need more people like you x

[momander in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you!!!It's quite a mine field out there and it can be so difficult finding some one you feel comfortable with and who just gets you!!!

I approached 2 counsellors afyer my bypass as I was really struggling g with mu mental health. Both of them were awful!! and I'm a counsellor!! Ine if them actually said " you should know what to do, ypu ate a counsellor"!! I just felt really let down by my own profession. The other one was a retired nurse and said, I'm wondering what you expected after such a major operation"? Absolutely no understanding, no empathy, and no respect!! I actually felt quite vulnerable speaking to her, and certainly not safe. I felt as if I was stupid and really shouldn't have been wasting her time!! I jad to say for the privilege of feeling like that too!!

[BeKind28- in reply to momander]

Hello

I am sorry you were made to feel this way and it must have felt worse because you know this is not the way to be with people needing help but even as a Counsellor yourself you are still human and need support to

The one I had just told me her problems for a whole hour followed by telling me how wonderful she was I could give you her life history but I bet if she was asked she would not have much of a clue about mine she was that busy telling me hers x

[fishonabike in reply to BeKind28-]

just a quick note to add that there is a treatment for PTSD called Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogrammming (EMDR) which has been shown to be helpful for health-related trauma - it is becoming more accessible in UK - there is hope

[BeKind28- in reply to fishonabike]

Hello

I will have to Google that I have not heard of it before

Thank You x

[fishonabike in reply to BeKind28-]

it has come up a few times in another heart-related group i belong to - sounds helpful and hopeful

i hope you are doing ok, you are wise to save your energy for what you feel is most important, it is easy to spread ourselves too thin and run out of steam for ourselves🌺

[BeKind28- in reply to fishonabike]

Hello

Seems like there could be hope I do hope so

I have got to the stage where I feel I will never be right again but keep trying every day the best I can but hard

Thank You x

[davebal67]

When I was in hospital following my bypass the day before I was getting discharged I waked up with panic attacks that I was having a heart attack. It was so real I got them to hook me back up with the continous ecg, after nodding off and then waking up with the same vivid dreams the ecg was normal.

I have had anxiety around bleeding out and I called the lead cardiac nurse who helped relay my fears.

It does get easier but looking at scars still being inflamed does play games with my mind.

I still have pain with my bone and I am nearly at 11 months.

[WannaBbetter in reply to davebal67]

Hey , I'm so sorry to hear of your experience. For me, It's hard to think back to a time when I didn't feel like this. I don't like this new "normal" 😪

[Bruce67]

I did once home from hospital after my OHS. I would wake up and it took me a while to differentiate between my nightmare and reality. My wife had to convince me I was actually at home in my own bed and not still in a hospital bed.

I used an NHS councillor for a period of time, which did help...although I felt she wanted to end the sessions sooner than I was ready to do!

I still feel I have some PTSD issues to get out of my head...

Just backtracking a little, I made use of the hospital chaplain service whilst I was there. They were really good as I didn't want to burden my family with my negative thoughts when they visited me so the chaplain was a great listener, even though no solutions to my thoughts, talking helps.

[Hanibil]

Yes I had exactly the same but symptoms eventually went

[devonian186]

Anxiety is a very common feature when related to heart problems. I don't think this is fully appreciated by the medical establishment. I don't know if it is the same with regards to other major surgery

[cotonh]

You could search on here for nightmares. I am sure I have seen several threads where people have spoken of their experiences.

BeKind suggests private counselling / psychotherapy. If you were to take this route look for someone BACP accredited or registered with the UKCP or BPA. Go along to the first session prepared to say no. It is crucial you find someone you connect with and who connects with you and very worthwhile YOU choosing your counsellor / psychotherapist. That is an advantage of paying, you decide if this person is someone you trust, whether you felt listened to and understood. Ideally you want to come away from feeling some increase in hope. The downside of choosing is that you have to bear your soul to more strangers but in the long-term it is better to find someone you trust that put all your eggs in the first basket you find.

[momander in reply to cotonh]

Hi,BACP, UKCP, or BPA are all accreditation bodies. In order to practice legally, all counsellors have to be accredited.

Unfortunately, anyone can say they are a counsellor and advertise through social media. Being on an accreditation list proves you are a real counsellor

Now for the hard bit!! and the bone of contention for me!! I have been a counsellor for many years and am NOT a member of any of the above!! My accreditation is with NCS.

I have been approached many times over the years to be BACP accredited, and I have always said no!!

For me being a member of BACP does not guarantee you to be a good counsellor!? Its the client that decides that.

It's about like buying designer

clothing because you think the make guarantees quality!? It doesn't!! We all have choice though and that's what matters. It just saddens me to think that certain accreditation bodies are favoured over others, to the extent that only these ones are recommended , and guarantee you a good counsellor.

[cotonh in reply to momander]

Fair enough accreditation etc. is only a starting point. My main point is to keep seeking till you find something that suits you. The main advantage in meeting at least two people who offer counselling / psychotherapy / life coaching is that you find out just how different the therapists and their approaches can be and can begin to choose between them. Often you may start by who you can literally get to and see how you find them.

[momander in reply to cotonh]

I agree with you for the most part, but meeting with 2 different therapists is costly. I always offer an initial free telephone call, and I find this to be very helpful in clients deciding if I am the right person for them, and also, for me knowing if I can help them or not. Not all counsellors offer this service though. It can be a bit daunting chosing the " right" therapist! We all work differently so I guess it's a case of knowing how tou want someone to work with you and not being afraid to tell the therapist what you want!!

[cotonh in reply to momander]

Going privately for anything is costly - dentist, opticians and private physical care. I don't think the cost of seeing a counsellor or psychotherapist is out of line with these other professions. What is a great shame is that the number of experienced counsellors and psychotherapists offering open-ended, sustained treatment when people within the NHS need it, is now non existent. Really these professionals should be an integrated part of health teams as so many of the latest developments in medicine are hugely demanding emotionally and psychologically. Patients should be meeting a counsellor / psychotherapist as standard just as they meet a physiotherapist. Here's wishing.

[momander in reply to cotonh]

I really cannot agree with you more!! There is something distinctly lacking in the after care of, e.g. patients who have had open heart surgery. I was given a small one page information sheet of a few does and don't after my surgery!! Nothing else!! I struggled on my own for 6 full months with black thoughts and very dark dreams. I found there was absolutely no support , and certainly no face to face support groups which would gave been so helpful. I approached 2 counsellors. One of them began to talk to my like a fellow colleague when they found our what my profession was!! The other said to me " you should know what to do, you are a counsellor " At that time I really did need help!! There was an 18 month waiting list for counselling from the NHS!! I ended up being referred to a psychologist!? She began to talk to me about theories,papers, and studies!! All of which I knew about as I am a therapist!! I wondered how a layperson would feel ?? In the end I told her that it felt as if she was doing a psychological assessment on me, and she said she was!! I needed counselling!! Someone empathic, interested,kind,understanding, and present. Sadly I never found it. There must be so many people in my position. Just trying to muddle through with no one to talk to who gets how you feel. We will all get there in the end!! I still have the occasional anxiety and dark thoughts. Having heart surgery changes you forever and nothing will ever be the same again. I am,however, so very grateful and thankful to be alive!!

[gorillaqueen]

Hi I don’t consider my dreams nightmares as such but they are very weird I’m not sure if this is because of my surgery or the meds I’m taking. I’ve read that certain medications can cause nightmares, strange dreams and I’ve had those on and off since my surgery 19 months ago. I don’t have anxiety ( although I think my daughter would disagree) but I do feel overwhelmed at times and very stressed. I’m not very good at asking for help for myself and tend to get on with it I hate making a fuss.

I have not read your Bio but from what BeKind is saying sounds like you have been through the wringer and need help. I can only endorse what BeKind and others are saying and hope you get the help/ support you need. Good luck take care 😊🌞X

[CyclingTime]

Statins cause a lot of very vivid dreams which for some people may be nightmares. It may settle down but if not go to your doctor's to adjust the dosage

[jerry12953]

After a short period of time on Bisoprolol a friend of mine started getting nightmares and became suicidal. He stopped taking them pretty sharpish.........

[Eric_]

Hi, I had open heart surgery 14 yrs ago. The drugs they used made me have illucinations both beautiful and 'terrorising'. Time has healed this. I focused on the fact the operation gave me life I would have died otherwise in a few weeks. Knowing this, the nightmare started being accepted in my mind as part of a process I had to undergo due to the drugs used. Focus on being well and calm. Accept the nightmares and keep calm as you are safe. Dont panic, turn it around gently and use those memories as a gift to go forward with and they should subside. Give it time, be calm. Wishing you all the best for a great recovery. 🙂

[WannaBbetter in reply to Eric_]

I really appreciate your positive stance on this matter. Thank you.

[Digger0]

I gather that a lot of people have nightmares etc following a stay in ITU/CCU etc. It's something to do with not being fully conscious and having all the weird noises and flashing lights. There have been several paper written about it, but this is a useful link with some ideas ficm.ac.uk/forpatientsrecov...

[WannaBbetter in reply to Digger0]

Thank you Digger0

[Wildswimmer73]

I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD following lots of traumatic cardiac events and I’m having trauma related CBT. I’m not sure whether the ongoing anxiety I have is related to PTSD or living with an unpredictable heart condition. I had no idea you could develop PTSD from an illness/ surgery. I hope you get the help you need as this is not something that you should have to survive as well as your cardiac condition.

[Brack1]

Are you taking Bisoprolol? I have only had stents fitted not OHS. I was put on 2.5mg Bisoprolol (not a high dose). I was told to take it in the morning, but found it caused dizzyness and I felt weak. I was then told to split the dose and take half at night. When I did this I had fantastic nightmares, falling, accelerating, being hunted and waking up in a panic, with a very high heart rate and sweating profusley. I changed to 1.25 at night only and the problems have largely gone. Hope this helps. R..

[Traveldreams]

My Dad had post op delirium and had vivid (not always pleasant) dreams after OHS. It was one of my biggest worries pre op but post op I have been fine so far.

[momander]

HiI has my double cabg last year and I suffered this for many months. It is quite common although I was bor told this could happen. I just had to wait till it passed.

[fishonabike]

really sorry to hear that this is happening to you - just one more suggestion: Beta-blockers (e.g. Bisoprolol) can also trigger sleep disturbance and nightmares - another possible factor of top of any traumatic experience which may be haunting you i'm afraid

i hope you find a soloution and get back to sleeping well soon

[JCDBARBRIDGE]

yep and still do. Have found this site to be wonderful, mostly none judgmental and supportive

[Furryears]

Hi yes I suffered really bad, while I was in hospital was the worst I don’t know where to begin, I did seek help but took me best part of the year to start to feel better, still suffer anxiety 2 years on but I manage it with breathing exercises and little techniques I was tought I am now 62

Please speak to your doctor and ask to be referred to a psychologist x