Has anyone experienced depression, anxiety or ptsd after being diagnosed with medical problems and having surgery?
Normally I'm not an anxious type of person but this is driving me bonkers. I have been so stressed from the moment I found out from my pcp that something was wrong - I knew the way I was feeling wasn't normal for me.
In a period of a month, I was in my pcp's office - specialist, testing etc & surgery, so it was very quick finding out.
I had to have a cardiac ablation, cardiac cath & pacemaker/icd implanted. During the ablation, my heart stopped a few times and they had to bring me back with paddles. I felt great after the surgery was done and the EP said my pvc's were gone.
The dreams started a couple of days after I got home from surgery. I woke up sweating with my hair plastered to me and then cold sweats several times a night; but I couldn't remember anything. I thought maybe an infection and would check my temp, nothing above 98.
One night last week I woke up with my throat sore as heck and a startled husband & kids. I was screaming my head off my husband said. I keep getting bits & pieces of things in my dreams - I can feel the doctor cutting my leg, something that feels like someone sitting on top of my chest; someone pounding on my chest; someone asking if I was ok and me sitting up and screaming STOP THE SURGERY! over & over, extreme pain all over my body, then nothing, there's some other things in my dreams that aren't exactly clear and I can't figure out.
It's driving me crazy and causing me to be tired and feel rotten. I'm sure not sleeping isn't helping my recovery. Different sounds & smells make me freeze, is that weird? maybe something I'm remembering during surgery, I'm not sure.
Friday, my husband came home and I laid on the couch and drifted off I was so tired. My daughter was playing and knocked the lamp off onto me and the lampshade hit my chest. I jumped off the couch; screaming; scared to death and shaking - uncontrollable shaking. Luckily she was worried she hurt me and my screaming didn't bother her, my husband just asked what happened like WTH is wrong with you.
It's been 3 1/2 weeks since my surgery and I keep hoping the emotional rollercoaster will go away, the nightmares will stop and i'll start feeling better, then something like this happens.
We were at Target yesterday and I got that weird feeling; I freaked out and almost hyperventillated over it. My husband asked what was wrong and I told him my I had to stop for a min my chest was hurting. I went to bed I felt so bad after we got back from Target - I was so sick to my stomach for hours after.
I looked up anxiety disorders and PTSD sounds right, but I'm not certain. I'm thinking of telling my cardiologist next week and asking what she thinks to see if I should see a professional.
Any suggestions?