Michael's Posts

Sorry to hear about all of this, Michael. But my surgeon did mention that the heart typically continues to heal and improve for 2-3 years after valve surgery. So despite the complications, you still may notice a gradual improvement over the next year or two. Although I am not an expert, it does not sound that surprising having anger issues thru all of this. Keeping up the cardiac rehab sounds like a great idea.

I have had anger issues and outbursts myself since surgery 4 months ago. Although the physical recovery has been rather smooth, I've found it to be a very emotional experience. I think it is understandable considering all that we go through in the process. Rest seems to help. Be well my heart friend.

I got short of breath on inclines and stairs for a long time after OHS.... and still do (but less) now (three years later). I also feel the heat more (literally as a tightening in my chest) and it zaps my energy. Depression can manifest itself as anger. Lots of emotion to process. I hear you, Michael. Three months is still very very early. Wishing you some peace in the months to come. I also think that cardiac rehab is a good place, and especially because of the other patients you find there. Hearing their stories was good for me.

Michael - I am so sorry to hear that your recovery is taking a longer, more winding path. I think many of your feelings are normal - anyone can feel anger and frustration when they're not feeling well. I encourage you to focus on the progress you are making no matter how small it may be on some days. I also recommend that you make sure your medical team, including your primary care doc, are aware of your symptoms. Don't make the assumption everything is related to your heart surgery. We're people and are subject to other conditions, simultaneously. There may be a simple resolution. I'm glad that you're still going to rehab - I'm 7 1/2 months post-op and I still go, too! I also love the interaction with the other patients and the activity. Keep looking ahead - your recovery is just in the distance, but you will get there. Stay positive even on the tough days. Soon, the good ones will be more frequent.

Michael sorry to hear that AFib is still affecting you, I also get the anger outburst as I had more then a couple moments of those (One was "Lucky me" banging my toe and fracturing it just 3 weeks after surgery). And yes the heat mixed with the humidity here in Phoenix (monsoons have arrived), I finding is bothering allot this year! It will get better..

Hi Michael, the memory loss, change in personality, change in how you handle anger, could be signs of Postperfusion syndrome or pump head. You can Google this to learn more about it. Also, there is a closed facebook group for people suffering from pump head but I'm not sure how to find it. Maybe someone here will be able to give you a link. If your cardiologist is not giving you answers, think about getting a second opinion from a different cardiologist.

Hi Michael, I just reached 8 weeks after MV repair and I also have been very emotional. I'm short on patience, and get frustrated easily...and my dear husband has caught the brunt of it- I'm afraid. I've had a lot of emotions after surgery, and have a tendency to ruminate on every little ache and pain. I've been reminded by others in my life that Ive been through a lot. I'm told it's normal, but people don't talk about the mental and emotional adjustments as much. My surgeon and primary care physician says depression is "organic", and very common after heart surgery. For self-care I've been making sure to take daily walks and get lots of movement, trying to do something enjoyable each day, staying connected to others, napping when I am tired and cranky, and taking about my feelings to a few close friends. Foe what its worth... I recently wached an informative video on YouTube featuring Dr. Gillinov from Cleveland Clinic discussing how rare "pumphead" is, although it has quite a reputation.

Yes. I felt emotionally fragile for a few months after surgery. It is such a huge surgery, and it does take an emotional and physical toll. For me, things got better with time. I feel like it is all behind me now at 1 year. I think taking 2 months off work, and then cutting back to 2 days a week really helped me also. Try to keep up with your rehab, and do nice things for yourself like meditation, massage, and if you need it, medication. Talk to your doctor and make them understand what you are experiencing. It does get better!

Hi Michael ... I've not had surgery yet myself ... still in the Waiting Room ... but there's a book you may be able to pick up, second-hand most probably, called Coping with Heart Surgery and Bypassing Depression. It's quite a few years old now (1998), and I'm not sure how helpful it could be, but it might be of interest. I wish you the very best and a gentle recovery in the days ahead. Here's a link to the book: https://www.amazon.com/Coping-Heart-Surgery-Bypassing-Depression/dp/1887841075

Michael, I will make one more comment....at 3 months, the incision is healed, most people are eating normally at this point, sleeping OK, things seem to be getting back to normal. The physicians are happy, the family is happy, their stress should be gone BUT, it is totally normal, I think, as a patient, to feel like saying "Wait a minute, I am not completely healed yet!" Just met my cardiologist yesterday and asked him how long it takes for the heart to completely heal after OHS. His response was 1 year. Hope you get a chance to chat with your family physician and discuss your feelings.

Hey Michael, I can definitely relate. I was told I was okay, but I was in a new normal with so much to get used to after OHS. Depression is common after OHS (maybe about 65%). It happened to me about 5 months post OHS and took months to get out of. Anger. Sadness. It can be hard for someone not experiencing it to understand how it can feel. I recommend being vocal with your doctors and seeing a therapist if you can in order to talk out the emotional ordeal you have been through. You can look at my site to read a post about depression that I wrote. Take care.

I think we all go through something like this. As I posted a while back we all talk about the physical part of recovery but we don't always talk about the emotional part. I've read that with OHS depression, anxiety etc is normal and can come at any time. I find that I have been even more anxious than normal and I am a year out. .started at about 8 months for me. I worry about everything. .Finally am taking a low dose anti anxiety med and it seems to help.. so, its part of healing and talk to your doctor, they will know what to recommend.

Everything takes so much longer than expected! I couldn't concentrate well for months. I was also zipping along at cardiac rehab when my BP started going too high and they had to adjust. I took off the initial water weight, but then slowly my weight crept back up and only now am I able to push it to start coming back off. The whole thing is a long roller coaster ride. Having a wife who is honest with you allows you to be more aware of the behaviors that are not normally you and may be depression. Let the doctor know that you may be experiencing depression. It's not something you should just ignore. It's something that's well known after surgery, especially heart surgery.