surgery

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?

[becky808]

I think you should talk to your cardiologist about it. I also think you should see a therapist soon - one that deals with PTSD.
I nearly died in childbirth almost 4 years ago. I woke up in cold sweats everynight for a long time. Eventually I just stopped sleeping. I would wake up as if startled by something and lay there wide awake for hours. I couldn't stop thinking of the event. I couldn't stop hating my broken body that failed me. I kept thinking this would go away, get better on its own, or that eventually I'd be able to deal with it better or think about it logically. It just keeps growing. I'm now recovering from the worst bout of depression I've ever had. I was instructed by my psychiatrist this morning to go see a therapist specializing in PTSD. I could have been done with this years ago if I would have seen a therapist right away.
It does sound like PTSD to me. It won't go away. Near death experiences are too much for our brains to process. The pain, the fear, the loss of control - it's all too much. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Please don't be afraid to get help.

[t76]

Yes it can happen, my anxiety disorder was triggered by an operation that went horribly wrong.
Tell your cardiologist and local doctor about your anxiety, and get referred to a psychiatrist.
You need psychological counselling and support and perhaps medication.

[Mom2four85]

thanks for your responses;  I know I should expect some emotions.   My whole life was turned upside down in an instant, I just didn't expect not to be able to control my emotions.

One minute I'm fine; then I cry, get mad, all kinds of other emotions that are driving me up the wall...even as bad as I was feeling before surgery I was never one to just lay in bed, I've always had to be doing something...now I "take naps" all the time - not even sleeping just laying on the couch or bed.

I start feeling better then I get hit by a brick wall like I did in Target - the sleep issues I'm used to, I've had them for years, but when I wanted to sleep I would sleep, now they're just crazy nightmares to where I dont even know why I try.

How do I find a therapist specializing in PTSD?  Even if my cardiologist doesn't agree I'm going to find someone - I had a severe episode last night and started having chest pains.

I'm not sure I can take medication - I'm on Zebeta & ProAmitine; plus they put a pacemaker/ICD in, but I'll ask.

[Hayda24]

I know this is probably way to late to answer on your problem. But if you haven't figured anything out yet, Im pretty sure i know what happened during your surgery. Sometime during the surgery the  anesthetics don't work or wear off, but your still paralyzed from them. You can feel everything going on but you can't move or say anything. I need surgery and i am terrified this will happen to me, and its very very very very rare.