It's hard right now

[stevetheadi]

Five weeks ago I had a triple bypass. I was discharged after a week in hospital.

When I was discharged I was eating well (quite enjoyed the hospital food!) and my bowel movements were normal. I wasn't sleeping much but that's to be expected in a hospital ward.

Since then my physical recovery from the CABG has been good. I'm walking further every day, the wounds are healing nicely and I'm pain free. A bit breathless still but that's ok.

But I haven't been able to sleep for more than 2/3 hours per night for the last four weeks and those hours are broken. My bowel habits suddenly altered - I go at random times and I often have diarrohea. Some blood was found in a stool sample so I'm having a CT scan to find out why.

My GP said my sleeping should return to normal soon. If not, he will 'give me something'. I don't really want that. He is reluctant to try to sort out my bowels until I've had the CT scan which is fair enough.

I'm feeling really fed up. No interest in anything. Tired all the time. Appetite has diminished.

Now I'm not sure what the point of this post is!

Everything will be fine in the end, I'm sure. Just got to hang in there

Thanks for reading.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

The point of your post is to get out how you are feeling which in a lot of cases just helps to be able to get it out and I hope you get some replies as well as I hope it has helped you writing your post

I am not sure if you feel worried about needing a scan because blood was found but I had the same problem and it turned out to be nothing and a lot of times this is the case it could even be some of your medications but they have to check first and I suspect all we be ok and then that is something you can talk with your Doctor about the medications you are taking

I never sleep well before or after my triple Bypass and I know because of that I feel exhausted all day , lose interest and get down I feel you could feel this way because it is still early days along with the lack of sleep which again your Doctor could be well right that in time that will come back to normal

If not I know you say you do not want to take sleeping tablets however a question I would ask myself is do I want to carry on not sleeping and feeling like I do all day or if just for a short while and I can stop them at any time shall I take a tablet and get some sleep and maybe feel better the next day and not like I do now

But this is something you may not even have to consider because hopefully your sleep will come back to normal

I know when you feel down we have no interest in anything but try even if it is something really small to set yourself a goal each day to do and even if you have to push yourself to do it that is ok but doing just one thing when we do not feel up to it is an achievement

This is just for today things are going to get better recovery has its ups and downs and at the moment you seem down but trust in this will pass and it will come good again

Let us know how you get on x

[stevetheadi in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you for your kind words. They are much appreciated!

I wrote that post early this morning after yet another virtually sleepless night. I could hear other people in my household sleeping soundly too which didn't help.....

I may well take your advice about sleeping medication. Just one decent night's sleep would be nice

I did feel better after writing that post and reading your response has helped a lot.

Thanks again.

[BeKind28- in reply to stevetheadi]

Hello

I know that feeling when you are awake and everyone in the house is sleeping feels a really lonely time as well as I have to say I feel envious in a nice way though

I am pleased posting helped and yes you are in control so if you did choose to give sleeping tablets a try you can decide when and if you take them so see how you go and accept the offer if things do not get better

Let us know how you get on x

[Seal59]

Not much I can add to BeKind’s wise words other than emphasising that by sharing your thoughts, especially writing it down, really does help to make you feel a bit better. I hope you get some medical answers soon and you continue with your recovery.

[Traveldreams]

I had dreadful sleep issues following my mitral valve repair. Told constantly that I would sleep heavily and long hours was lucky to sleep from 2am to 430am.

It was like that for 9 weeks and I was petrified about returning to work without getting back in a routine. Best advice I was given by cardiac nurses was to put myself back on a routine by having set afternoon rest times. I didn’t see how that would help but by resting 2-4pm and then bed at 11pm, I eventually hit an hour nap each afternoon and 6 hours at night.

Back to fairly reasonable now but no longer sleep in. Maybe that is partially medication.

Sleep deprivation makes everything else more difficult.

Good luck x

[stevetheadi in reply to Traveldreams]

Thanks

I often don't get any sleep until about 4am then just doze fitfully until about 6am.

I don't nap during the day. I've tried but although I'm tired I'm not sleepy.

Before the op I felt sleepy and fell asleep as soon as I went to bed but not any more.

It's so odd. And frustrating.

[Traveldreams in reply to stevetheadi]

I was the same. Known for head hitting the pillow and sleeping but not any more. Definitely better than I was initially though.

[devonian186]

5 weeks is still very early days. AT 68 it i common not to sleep well, unfortunately. Is it pain? Generally restless?

I found I needed to get up and move around at night for many weeks after the op so slept separately.

What drugs are you on as they can cause lack of sleep, which combined with less exercise will mean you may not be tired enough to sleep. Also high humidity and high pollen levels will not help.

check the leaflet that comes with the drug for symptoms as these may include lack of sleep and blood in stools although the latter should definitely be checked out.

[stevetheadi]

Hi devonian186.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not in any pain at night.

I'm on losartan, lanzaprolole, simavasatin, aspirin and bisoprolol.

I know that bisoprolol has been associated with sleep disturbances. When I see my cardiologist next week I'll see if I can take a different beta blocker.

[Anginalady]

Must be so frustrating for you to be sitting at this stage of your recovery, waiting for the next improvement, but don’t forget, you’ve come so far. Your body has been through so much. Unfortunately, time is the answer, rest and heal, it’s all you need to do. I’m sure sleep will come.

Consider the advice mentioned, maybe take the medication to get at least one good nights sleep. You don’t have to stay on them forever, but it might make you feel a little better.

Keep us updated as things improve for you.

[stevetheadi]

Thank you

I'm sure you are right - I will feel better in time. And I'm going to ask for some sleep meds too. In the short term, they might help.

[gorillaqueen]

Hi stevetheadi 5 weeks is early days post op so try and relax it takes time to recover from major surgery. You will have good days and not so good days. I felt so weak after my bypass no energy very poor appetite very little sleep ( mainly due to having to try and sleep in upright position) I agree with Traveldreams sleep deprivation definitely makes everything more difficult we simply do not function well without a good nights sleep.

Take each day as it comes give yourself time to heal ( mentally as well as physically) be kind to yourself. You will get there slowly but surely. Obviously the problem with your bowels and appetite will not be helping with your recovery. Once my appetite improved and I was able to eat more I started to feel better and my energy level increased. I was also anaemic so obviously once that was sorted things improved.

I do hope you get the results of your bowel test very soon and that’s clear so they are able to start treatment. I’m sure once that problem is under control and hopefully your sleep improves you will start to feel better. However as much as no one likes taking sleep medication I agree with what BeKind has said. It’s difficult but you need to sleep to aid your recovery and if need be it would only be short term and monitored.

Good luck 🍀🍀hope you start to feel better very soon. Keep in touch best wishes 😊🌞X

[stevetheadi in reply to gorillaqueen]

Thank you :)Very good advice and reassuring to know other people have had the same problem with their sleep after heart surgery but it got better in time.

[Jedi14]

Sleep disruption can be a major part of the recovery! Aftermy mrs's triple bypass, we were to expect the average recovery time to be at least 12 weeks, but sleeplessness continued several months later! I think keeping yourself occupied, avoiding sleep meds and within your physical limitations, will help.

[Bluey73]

Bless you.

Everything will be fine I'm sure. Do you think you're not sleeping/eating because you're worried?

Sounds like you have been doing really well, stay positive, keep smiling & take each day at a time.

Best wishes,

[stevetheadi]

Hi

I'm trying not to be too concerned about my upcoming CT scan. I know there are lots of reasons why a little invisible blood could be found in a stool sample and it's likely that there is nothing seriously wrong.

But I think that the lack of sleep makes it harder to think logically!

[Mark_1968]

Steve, you may need an antidepressant. After my diagnosis I went into a deep depression and pretty bad anxiety. I was put on Prozac and it’s definitely helping me. Wishing you well my friend

[stevetheadi in reply to Mark_1968]

Thanks mate. I will definitely talk to my GP if I continue to feel like this, see what he recommends.

[Spaghettinana]

Don’t be discouraged, you may be having reactions to any new meds. Hopefully the CT will give them information that will help. Be sure to get up every believing today will be a good day. Rest during the day if you need to. Be sure to get dressed and shower which always makes me feel better.

[stevetheadi in reply to Spaghettinana]

Thanks :)I saw my cardiologist yesterday and he said blood in stool could well be due to the medication I'm on. I hope so anyway!

I will stay optimistic.