John Hits Heart Surgery Recovery Doldrums
I just received a troubled email from John that illustrates a frustrating challenge for some patients following surgery - total, complete energy loss. Here is what John writes:
Dear Adam,
Thank you for your concern for us valve patients. I had heart valve surgery April 29, 2008. I had no symptoms of the level 4, severe mitral valve regurgitation up until the operation. But, after three opinions, everyone told me I needed this operation. Two days prior to the operation, I was using my push mower for an hour at a time with no fatigue or shortness of breath.
Now, over 6 months later I am not gaining my stamina back. No one told me this would be the case. The doctors and nurses only told me I needed this operation. I feel faint often. It takes me 2 or 3 different days to mow my lawn as I get tired quickly. I feel like I am regressing instead of progressing. Have you heard of this complaint before? The doctors say the echo and surgery is perfect. If I had known this would be the side effect, I might not have had the surgery. — John
Dear John (and everyone else reading this),
I can relate to everything you are experiencing. Like you, I suffered a prolonged, lethargic recovery even though my surgeon and cardiologist told me the surgery was a complete success. In addition to the pain of my broken sternum, I was a zombie. I was sooooooo tired, pooped, exhausted, sleepy.
For the first six months following my aortic and pulmonary valve replacements, it felt like I was in a perpetual cycle of two steps forward, three steps back. I declared this frustrating period the “heart surgery recovery doldrums”. Plus, I was anxious and not sleeping very well.
That said, I did take steps to re-energize my life.
- First, I consulted a nutritionist. After having a series of blood tests, I met with Karen Raden, an excellent nutritionist from Chicago, Illinois. Karen gave me several tips on “what to eat” and “what not to eat” to boost my energy levels. Plus, she put me on a multi-vitamin (Pure Encapsulation), Omega Fatty 3 Acid (Nordic Naturals), and Coenzyme Q-10. Karen’s instructions were very valuable. I started to notice a substantial increase in energy about five days after I started her program. If you are interested, Karen’s phone number is 312 441 1700.
- Second, I continued cardiac rehab and went to the gym by myself. I’m a big believer in exercise. I don’t know about you… But, I really benefit from the endorphin release from being active. I feel better. I sleep better. And, I laugh more. I know exercising is very hard to do when you’re not mentally feeling up to it. However, take it slow and see what happens. Perhaps you start by taking a short walk with a friend or family member. Or, perhaps you return to cardiac rehab.
- Third, I changed my mindset. I COMPLETELY believe that our lives become what we think about most. (Yes, I have read ‘The Secret’ and several other books about the law of attraction.) On that note, I started believing in the possibility that I was energetic, dynamic, lively and powerful.
- Fourth, I started writing. To help me process the impact of heart surgery on my life, I started writing in a journal. Finding quiet time to express my thoughts on paper was a cathartic experience. (So you know, some of those writings were the inspiration for my book.)
Guess what? My body and mind reacted favorably to the steps referenced above. And, best of all, my pain started to go away.
I know you may be wondering, “Will this work for me?”
Well… I don’t know. I hope so. The trick is that you will never know unless you try. As they say, “Insanity is doing the same thing day-after-day-after-day.”
I encourage you to break the doldrums and celebrate life with your new, fully functional, blood-pumping heart.
Keep on tickin!
P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.
About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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November 21st, 2008 at 3:30 pm
God bless you, Adam. I had aortic valve replacement July 31; progressed fantastically through October 31. Lately, I have had sporadic light headedness and fatigue. Of course the “why now syndrome” kicks in, along with “is this normal.” This has helped me tremendously, thanks.
November 21st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I had mitral valve replacement and triple bypass surgery in late June 2008. My progress was good until after four months I became very tired and short of breath. Long story short, after another stress test and cardiac catheterization it was found that two of the three bypasses had failed. Now that I have had a couple of stents implanted I feel okay again.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Hello Adam:
Very sorry to hear about John’s woes. I guess we all wonder ‘ did I really need that surgery?’ It may be useful for him to seek some other first class surgeon opinions even now. Your suggestions were useful, but John may need further specialized diagnosis.
Personally, I am now 5 months out. I am aware of occasional bump-ups in how I feel. I know I have much less pain now than 3 weeks ago. Every few weeks there is improvement. Recently I had a head injury while preparing for a hurricane. I bled copiously! After an e-mail consult with my cardiologist I stopped my Plavix. When I checked in again to see about resuming it, after the bleeding had stopped, he said we should try dropping it altogether. So here I am, off all my meds except the beta blocker and zetia. At my check-up last week my cardiologist was very pleased with progress and told me to get out! Next appt in April! I have not had a cardiac rehab program, but I work as a building inspector, and garden a very steep lot. When not doing that I swim 2-3 miles at a time, or walk. Keep active and remember that this healing business takes time.
Adrian B