I had a heart bypass five weeks ago and for the first fortnight I thought I was smashing it. Felt good no negative thoughts, no mood swings. Looking back this was obviously because of all the different potions that were injected into me. Now I am in a world of darkness. I can’t think straight, I can’t think of words to use. My wife went out last week and I was looking for something on Netflix. She came back two and a half hours later and I was still going over and over the menu, into sub sections etc. I hadn’t looked into open heart surgery and the recovery, but it appears that there are many things we are not told. You lose short term memory which in turn, it is believed, will lead to early onset dementia. PTSD suddenly appears in the form of the most horrific nightmares and reactions to loud noises. I already suffered with ADD Anxiety and depression before this operation. The thought of these being made worse in the days weeks and months to come is a scary thought, as is the realisation that the recommended 6-12 weeks recovery is actually closer to a year for people who were on a heart lung machine for any period of time. I can’t work because of the massive trauma to my sternum and don’t expect this to heal until late May early June. How do I explain to people that it’s my head that is suffering as much as my body? Do I claim some long term benefits? What’s the chances of getting any help from the DWP for my ‘invisible’ illnesses.
I’m going out of my mind with worry and anxiety about each new day will bring. Anyone else been though this? I believe it’s called #pumphead