I'm looking for some help/advice/info regarding recovery from a triple heart bypass.
My Dad had his operation on New Years Eve and everything went well. We were told he may experience some hallucinations and some confusion for a few days due to the procedure and medication. He was in hospital for a week and had multiple hallucinations (mostly at night). He was allowed home a week ago, and we were all so happy and looking forward to getting him home in his own environment, where we thought his recovery would improve a lot more.
Since being home, his recovery has not improved the way we thought. He seems very confused still, had 1-2 hallucinations (which is less then hospital), not sleeping very well and his personality and demeanour are completely different in a negative way.
Are these post op symptoms normal/expected? Should he still be experiencing these symptoms 2 weeks after his operation?
We're really worried about him and any information/help/advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks
Will
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Will1979
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I am sorry to hear how your Dad is reacting is causing your family upset it must be so hard for you all
This is still early days and your Dad is having a lot to process and even if he does not realise it he will be also having a lot of emotions these can come out in different ways and sometimes a negative way but with time this should all settle down
The hallucinations are getting less which is good but do you have the number for the Rehab Nurses of the Hospital he was in if so I would give them a ring and see what they say you can always phone the ward he was on and ask for their number if you were not given it
The BHF Nurses are really good to if you want to talk with them they will give you a lot of good advice
Sometimes the mental side of the effects of these operations can take a while to settle down but they should do but make some calls and get that reassurance
Let us know how you get on x
Heart Helpline team on 0300 330 3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm
I, too, experienced strange hallucinations due to the general anaesthetic - I once was convinced the nurses in my ward were having a party and had invited dozens of strangers off the streets to join in. I told them I would report them to the doctor........
I'm pretty sure your dad will stop having hallucinations soon. If not, encourage him to speak to his GP or the cardiac rehab nurses at your local hospital.
His mental state is probably influenced by the traumatic experience he has just gone through. And his lack of sleep. Open heart surgery is shocking and I was in a pretty dark place for a few weeks after I got home. I was tearful all the time and impatient with family/friends. Confused by my new self and wanting to go back to how I was but couldn't. In the end though, I did. I found meditation and CBT to be helpful. Your dad may follow the same path to recovery. If you feel overwhelmed or worried, talk to someone about your feelings. You need support too.
I only got two or three hours sleep a night for the first few weeks and I'm sure that contributed to my low mood. My GP offered medication but told me that most people who have a stay in hospital struggle to get back to a normal sleeping pattern for a while. So many beeps and interruptions in a hospital ward!
Your dad's sleep and personality will return to normal.
it took me nearly 6 months to get out of the routine of waking at 02:00 and 06:00 after 5 weeks in hospital. My mood was up and down and I could be a bit snappy at times for even longer than 6 months.
I can't add much to what has already been said but I will say it is often more difficult for families to deal with this than the patient themselves. I am a wife so I understand some of where you are coming from. The worry is a constant companion, especially in the early days. Try to give yourself a break. It is still very very early days so try and give it some time but if you are very worried, as BeKind said, phone the heart nurse for advice.
Sending YOU best wishes because family needs help and hugs too.
Hi Will, is your Dad still taking strong opioid pain relief? These are known to sometimes cause hallucinations. The morphine I was given in hospital post open heart surgery in June ‘23 - apart from making me really sick, also caused me to ‘see’ a wallpaper pattern beneath a painted wall in my room. I was totally convinced it was there.
It was only after the staff altered my meds as I felt so unwell - that I then realised there was nothing on the wall at all! Both my Hubby & Sister had just gone along with what I was saying - but I think they were hugely relieved when they realised it was the meds talking and not the ‘new’ me!
Your poor Dad has been through a hugely traumatic surgery - both physically and emotionally and it does take time to come to terms with the enormity of what both he and your family has been through. It took me 8 months and eventually stumbling across this forum, before I finally felt at peace with it all. Being able to discuss any cardiac related issues I had, with those that could empathise exactly with how I was feeling and knowing that I wasn’t alone in my concerns and fears - really helped.
It is very early days in your Dad’s recovery and lack of sleep won’t be helping. This will improve as his sternum heals, but in the meantime, a V pillow really does help to keep you propped up less uncomfortably than trying to lay down.
As others have said, I would definitely try and speak to the hospital’s cardiac rehab team. My Nurse was so helpful to me in the first few weeks. Really supportive and her mantra was always ‘Be kind to yourself’. Perhaps your Dad would benefit from their input - if available. I wish him well. Take care. ❤️🩹
I had creepy full-on hallucinations for about 3 days, and then the wallpaper-style ones DodgyTickerMum describes for about 10 days. But I was getting reasonable sleep after about 4 days. (I was in hospital the whole time as my warfarin dosing wasn't behaving yet.)
My husband was not a pleasant person to be around for a few months post cabg surgery. So much so, that I posted a few times on the forum about it. His recovery physically from the surgery was good but mentally it was like living with Jekyll and Hyde for a period of time. There were a few times when I felt like just walking. When he was in a better mood I mentioned it to him and he didn’t realise how he’d been. Gradually though this improved and he went back to normal. I learned to bite my tongue, vent to family and friends and wait for it to pass.
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