Post transplant stress/panic reducer

[Debomo]

Hi, my loving husband is 9 days post T, has high anxiety and wonder if anyone has helping tips. No pain, liver good, kidneys back on track. Night panics here in hospital. Hate to meditate him to much. Thank you in advance. D

[Ballymahon2]

So glad he is doing well i am sure hospital could give him something to help with his anxiety hope he continues to make progress

[cazer]

i had my txp last year... i had nightmares forquite a bit... its a big deal to go through but gradually I'm sure it will ease.... that's what I found....

getting home and being in your own surroundings is amazing...

sometimes the pain killers can make you a bit out of sorts emotionally... whats he on?? i found oramorph was a bit weird, best wishes cazer

[cazer in reply to cazer]

talking about experience helps ifound... gets in out your system...

if his liver was bad enough to need a txp then he's at no worse risk than before the op... i found thinking of it that way helped me put the risks in perspective...

tell him to do one day a time... he will be surprised how quickly you start to improve. xx

[Jmorrison]

Hoping your husband can feel less anxious and that he has a good recovery. Medication may be needed for a while to help him feel calmer.

[Kimlescam]

My husband had his 6 months ago and he had terrible dreams and nightmares and anxiety for over 3 weeks but they gradually went. Hope your husband feels better soon. I felt quite helpless at the time but we did talk to the coordinators about it xx

[Liverette]

Assuming he is on high doses of Prednisone and Prednisone can trigger anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares...hope his anxiety will subside as they decrease this medication.

Wishing him speedy recovery and please keep us posted.

[GrittyReads]

A simple anti-panic breathing strategy that I sometimes use may be helpful - I find it particularly useful in enabling me to go back to sleep if I wake up in alarm, or if something happens when out, as it can be done relatively inconspicuously.

** However!! : you must run it past his medics, as some people may not find it good to disturb their breathing pattern. **

Simply:

1) You breathe in slowly, through the nose, for a set count, this can be … say 2 for a beginner, while I usually do 3 or even 4.

2) You then hold the breath for twice your breathe-in count; so hold for 4, or 6, or even 8 seconds.

3) You then breathe out, for the same number of counts: 4, or 6, or 8. However it is important to breathe out through the mouth, quite forcefully, but through pursed lips as if whistling, but in a controlled manner, noting the count.

4) Repeat 3 times.

I'm told it has the same effect as the 'paper bag breathing' that is recommended for panic attacks, and alters the oxygen/CO2 ratio to a more calming level: I believe the fast breathing when we are stressed adversely alters this ratio and heightens anxiety.

The other aspect of this breathing exercise is that it requires so much concentration that you have to set aside whatever it is that is making you stressed. I find I usually fall asleep while doing it, if I have woken up in a panic.

Hope it helps, or that you get other good advice.

[mrspeffer]

Good Morning...I'm hoping this writing finds you feeling less stressed with your husbands condition. I also hope he is finding ways to relieve or at least diminish some of his state of anxiety. I'm sure the entire procedure, plus the fear of the unknown is all too much for any of us. How very blessed he is to have you to support him through this all. I have been dealing with far too much stress/anxiety this year myself. Of course, all I want to do is make it stop...here are a couple of things that really have helped me to stay somewhat sane and comfortable in my head. My anxiety always shows up in my body too. So, without stepping on toes, or seeming like a fanatic, does your husband have somewhat of a faith or belief in something greater than himself? I use a "GOD BOX" It's just a way to let things go...I write my current anxiety on a piece of paper and place it in the designated box. Really makes me feel better. Takes it out of my crazy head and into the Universes hands. The other thing I do that works well is to simply ask for this "____________"(whatever) to be removed. That usually gives me some peace. Of course, if it's more of an agitation from meds, coming of anesthesia, then, as said before, he may need the help of pharmaceuticals. Please know that you are both very courageous and quite the example for us on this forum. Best to you both...

[Debomo]

Hi again, they have him on seroqual, and tramadol for pain, hasn't had much pain. Seems like he came out of surgery so we'll, and now this. Organs are doing well. But this not sleeping for more than hour maybe two is hard on both of us. I have to remember to breathe and hang on.

Thank you all so much