Joan's Posts

Of course. You've been through so much both physically and emotionally. It can take weeks and months to sleep well and you should let your doctors know that you are anxious. Sleep is important for healing so it's okay to take something occasionally to help you sleep. It can also help to talk through what you've been through with a therapist.

Yes anxious and not sleeping are common. My surgery was Sept 7 and for two months I had panic attacks, sleeping 0 at night. My cardiologist said that it was a form of PTSD which is very common with such major surgery as we have had. I started seeing a therapist about a month ago and I am taking 1 mg of Ativan and night to help me sleep...I feel so much better. Getting at least 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night and during the day I feel like my old self. Cold cloudy days do not help the issue. Cant wait for spring so that I can be outside. Hope this helps! Good luck. It will get better.

Welcome to our heart warrior family! What you're experiencing is very normal, Joan. If you're napping during the day, as many of us do after OHS, you might be throwing your normal schedule off a bit. Make sure you're doing your walking (walking, walking) and keep your naps to a minimum, if possible. This might help you get a less interrupted night's sleep. If you do wake up, grab a book or watch television. Nothing causes a mind to wander more than laying awake without a good distraction! You're going to be fine.

I know what you mean about not sleeping. I was stubborn about taking something for pain at night because I felt so groggy during the day. So I switched to Aleve at about 4 weeks. That helped a little but truthfully increasing my walking (finally I can go for walks) helped me sleep better at night. My valve replacement was Nov 27 and I was so grateful for Hallmark movies!! They def got me through those sleepless nights!

Anxious? ABSOLUTELY!!!! The mental part of my recover was the hard part. The physical was easy. I had a lot of really bad thoughts and hallucinations days after surgery. I couldn't sit still and I didn't want anyone near me except for my wife. It is normal.. at least in my experience.