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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Sudden Exhaustion Two Years After Surgery
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Sudden Exhaustion Two Years After Surgery
by TimBovee, Mar 25, 2004 12:00AM
Hi. I had triple-bypass surgery in May 2002, and suffered the usual bouts of sudden exhaustion post-surgery. As I recovered, I quit "crashing" (as I term it). I also had a mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) in January, with no lasting effects. In recent months I've resumed "crashing", usually in the afternoons around 2 p.m.
What it's like: I must lay down fairly quickly, and then I sleep for half an hour. Upon awakening, I'm a bit shaky for 10-15 minutes, and then I go on with my work as though nothing had happened.
Mind you, this is after 10 hours sleep at night and in a period when my work flow is quite manageable--low stress and happy in my work. I am 58.
My cardiologist and internist both say not to worry, it's not dangerous, but it would be helpful to me in dealing with it to have some sense of why this sort of thing happens. It has become a daily occurence in the past two weeks, and I've easily worked it into my life, so there's no anxiety. But I am puzzled.
Many thanks,
Tim
What it's like: I must lay down fairly quickly, and then I sleep for half an hour. Upon awakening, I'm a bit shaky for 10-15 minutes, and then I go on with my work as though nothing had happened.
Mind you, this is after 10 hours sleep at night and in a period when my work flow is quite manageable--low stress and happy in my work. I am 58.
My cardiologist and internist both say not to worry, it's not dangerous, but it would be helpful to me in dealing with it to have some sense of why this sort of thing happens. It has become a daily occurence in the past two weeks, and I've easily worked it into my life, so there's no anxiety. But I am puzzled.
Many thanks,
Tim
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Mar 25, 2004 12:00AM
Tim,
Thanks for the post.
The syndrome you describe could be coming from many things, but it needs evaluation. Many potential conditions can cause episodic exhaustion -- slow or fast heart rates, hypothyroidism, dehydration, low blood sugar, anemia, heart failure, etc. Sometimes it helps to really be a strong advocate for yourself, which at times means pushing your doctor to investigate further. Uncommonly, it means that you have to seek second opinions.
Best of luck.
Thanks for the post.
The syndrome you describe could be coming from many things, but it needs evaluation. Many potential conditions can cause episodic exhaustion -- slow or fast heart rates, hypothyroidism, dehydration, low blood sugar, anemia, heart failure, etc. Sometimes it helps to really be a strong advocate for yourself, which at times means pushing your doctor to investigate further. Uncommonly, it means that you have to seek second opinions.
Best of luck.
In searching for the root cause, if you haven't had and FSB reading, you might do that right away.
Regards