I would appreciate suggestions on how I can deal with my post-surgery lightheadedness, mood swings and anxiety without taking prescription medications. I am ...Read more
I would appreciate suggestions on how I can deal with my post-surgery lightheadedness, mood swings and anxiety without taking prescription medications. I am not one who is quick to take a pill to fix a symptom and not get to the root of the problem because of other problems that I have personally experience and seen others experience due to the side effects.
I am 22 days post open heart surgery for mitral valve repair and Cox Maze procedure. My mood swings and agitation peaked on Tuesday morning which I attribute to taking 2 Tylenol 3 with Codeine (6 or more hours apart) for 4 nights F,S,S,M. Prior to that time I had taken only 1 EST3 on 8 non consecutive nights.
I started rehab on Monday and will go 3x week for 12 weeks. Physically I'm progressing well, the pain and discomfort is bearable and I took 1 Extra Strength Tylenol the past 2 nights to help me sleep.
It's the lightheadness and emotional side that I need to get a better handle on in a non-prescription manner. This approach worked for me when I had an acute case of hives 2 years ago and when I was told I needed neck surgery 8 years ago. So I feel confident that there must be a better way to deal with this then pop a pill.
I know this is a marathon and not a sprint and I never expected miracles.
I only wish I would have know about this web-site before my surgery.
Rose Madura I did not experience anxiety as you have. I'm not much on meds either. Hopefully the rehab will he ... Read more
Rose Madura I did not experience anxiety as you have. I'm not much on meds either. Hopefully the rehab will help you feel better. I'm sure others will respond here. Please keep us posted.
Marie Myers As far as the lightheadedness, have you been able to check your blood pressure during one of these ev ... Read more
Marie Myers As far as the lightheadedness, have you been able to check your blood pressure during one of these events? Being lightheaded can indicate low BP sometimes. Or if your pulse is very irregular, that can cause lowered BP . Also the emotional swings were something I experienced also. I could burst out crying for no reason at all for a few weeks after surgery. I think that was a reaction to the massive surgery that I just went through, and it was my bodies way of reacting. The mood swings lessened over time. I had anxiety preop, and I found that yoga and meditation helped me a lot with that symptom. I especially listened to “acceptance” and “calming “videos”. Let us know how it goes.
Susan Lynn Sandra - Your body is in the beginning stages of healing and getting used to your improved heart func ... Read more
Susan Lynn Sandra - Your body is in the beginning stages of healing and getting used to your improved heart function. If you're on other medications, besides Tylenol, you could be experiencing side effects and low blood pressure. Sometimes, a little time is all you need to get back to feeling more normal. If it gets worse or doesn't improve in a few weeks, you may want to consult your doctor. All the best to you! ❤
I am from: Spring, Texas
