Anyone else struggling with panic post-op?

[Elaine77 15]

I developed an earache and have to visit my PCP and that seems to have caused me some anxiety. My heart is racing, Im dizzy, afraid to be alone (taking an Uber), and scared surgery was the wrong choice. Anyone have any gentle reassurances that its all okay?

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[SleeverSk 617]

21 minutes ago, Elaine77 said:

I developed an earache and have to visit my PCP and that seems to have caused me some anxiety. My heart is racing, Im dizzy, afraid to be alone (taking an Uber), and scared surgery was the wrong choice. Anyone have any gentle reassurances that its all okay?

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Hi, How far post op are you? your hormones will be going crazy if you are in very early stages. Its not something they seem to tell us but it certainly happened to me and many others. take a deep breath you will be fine. I developed anxiety in the early stages post op. take notice of when it happens mine started after i had eaten and then in turn that cause pre meal anxiety too turns out i was having a type of dumping minus the pain and need to rush to toilet. so I had rapid heart beat, shaking, tingling dizziness and just a feeling of dread. as my surgeon said once I started on solids it got better but boy oh boy it was not pleasant. I also didnt want to be alone and had lots and lots of tears and deep feelings of WTF have i done to myself. hang in there do what you need to do to feel safe. ((hugs)) it does get better

Edited December 3, 2021 by SleeverSk

[Peonie 23]

Yes, I'm panicking about everything. Am I eating the right thing? Enough Protein? Getting enough fluids? And then I am terrified that I'll either pop my staples and leak or stretch out my stomach. I was doing really well post op but now the fear has set in and I'm struggling.

[SleeverSk 617]

4 minutes ago, Peonie said:

Yes, I'm panicking about everything. Am I eating the right thing? Enough Protein? Getting enough fluids? And then I am terrified that I'll either pop my staples and leak or stretch out my stomach. I was doing really well post op but now the fear has set in and I'm struggling.

I was the same, it has alot to do with your hormones, relax, try some meditation, try to distract yourself it does get better

[Elaine77 15]

Thank you all for the encouragement. It helps TREMENDOUSLY to know Im not alone and that others have come out the other side just fine. Im 4 days post op and anxiety was well controlled until today. I suspect due to the doctor appt and perhaps too rich of a chicken broth. Now im afraid of looking crazy at the doc if theres no infection. YIKES.
And Im definitely struggling with what have I done to myself. Even though I picture being very successful and very healthy in the future.

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[Elaine77 15]

Yes, I'm panicking about everything. Am I eating the right thing? Enough Protein? Getting enough fluids? And then I am terrified that I'll either pop my staples and leak or stretch out my stomach. I was doing really well post op but now the fear has set in and I'm struggling.

Yes, I coughed a few times and now my paranoia is thru the roof because it hurt so bad.

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[SleeverSk 617]

11 minutes ago, Elaine77 said:

Yes, I coughed a few times and now my paranoia is thru the roof because it hurt so bad.

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I still get niggling pains now and yes I still have a moment of panic about it, but never feel embarrassed about getting checked out. its better to get it checked and you be fine rather than not get checked and it be something. take notice when it happens too. I find when i am active i get random pain and i guess its because i did nothing but be curled up in a ball on my sisters couch for 8 weeks after surgery ( yes I was that bad ) that in healing i now may have scar tissue that now gets aggravated when i do any activity

[Sleeve_Me_Alone 654]

Agree with the others: 1) its normal 2) likely hormone driven, and 3) completely OK to ask for help when you need it. This is a major surgery that demands sudden, massive life changes, and it takes a toll on your body and mind. Its ok to feel the feelings and go through the process of grief/processing that comes after it. But do remember that all of *this* is temporary. Your body will heal, you won't be in pain forever, you will figure out how to eat and move and live with your new tiny tummy, and you will lose weight and get healthier along the way. That is the ultimate goal, this bit is just a phase.

Take time to rest, ask as many questions as you need to, seek help from your providers, and give yourself lots of grace.

[Elaine77 15]

Agree with the others: 1) its normal 2) likely hormone driven, and 3) completely OK to ask for help when you need it. This is a major surgery that demands sudden, massive life changes, and it takes a toll on your body and mind. Its ok to feel the feelings and go through the process of grief/processing that comes after it. But do remember that all of *this* is temporary. Your body will heal, you won't be in pain forever, you will figure out how to eat and move and live with your new tiny tummy, and you will lose weight and get healthier along the way. That is the ultimate goal, this bit is just a phase.
Take time to rest, ask as many questions as you need to, seek help from your providers, and give yourself lots of grace.

[emoji173][emoji173][emoji173] And I love your clever name.

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[DaisyAndSunshine 301]

Post-Op racing heart can also be dehydration. Dehydration reduces your blood pressure and shoots up your heart rate. So have to make sure to take sufficient fluids.

That's my only concern first week. Other than that, I am taking it a day at a time and hoping things fall in place.

But definitely there may be multiple concerns each of us may have down our journey. Just have to make sure not to go into any negative mindset because what is done is already done. Surgery is over and you can't undo. So make the best of what you can and focus on your end goal. 😊

[OutdoorsGirl 92]

Rapid heartbeat can also be atrial fib. You should tell a doctor your symptoms. It will help to alleviate your fears if testing is normal.

[Peonie 23]

I am so glad I found this forum, I know I can speak to my nurses about my issues but they have not been practically through this experience, hearing first hand from others in similar situations is very reassuring.

[Chandalier 4]

Did they give you pain meds after surgery and how did you keep them down... I'm nervous about the pain,I'm a big baby when it comes to pain!

[Elaine77 15]

Did they give you pain meds after surgery and how did you keep them down... I'm nervous about the pain,I'm a big baby when it comes to pain!

I only got tylenol and ultram and zero issue keeping them down. I didnt use either beyond day 2.

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[Elaine77 15]

My heart racing is not unusual for me in the throes of panic and Im getting all necessary liquids and then some. I do have a minor heart condition AND vasovagal that exacerbate this and I took a heart pill but it didnt help...probably because the culprit was anxiety. Its such a vicious circle. My anxiety was under better control pre-op than it had been my entire life.

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