Anxiety post surgery

[gamaliel]

I experienced extreme anxiety upon waking after my appendectomy a week ago. I am experiencing increased anxiety upon waking from sleep now at home. Can the two be related. I am trying to control the anxiety I am now having. Its pretty overwhelming & very alarming. Will this continue to get worse or will it diminish quickly? Or is there any way to know since everyone is different.

[gamaliel]

Actually I am an anti medication person.  The only pain reliever I took during this journey was one Anacin 3 Aspirin Free tablet.  Sort of like a Tylenol. I have been virtually pain free. Which has been quite a blessing. Not to say I have not been sore just not in pain. My appendix was double the normal size confirmed by a CAT scan. They did not rupture so that helped the process
Again thank you for your time and you have a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

[RubyWitch]

I think you're probably right that exhaustion played a part in this. I will assume that you were given some pain medication when you were discharged. Some people experience anxiety if they are not use to the effects of narcotics.
This was probably just a brief episode of post op anxiety and you can put it behind you. Do mention it to your doc at the follow up so it can be noted in your chart. It's possible you had a slight allergic reaction to one of the medications you were given.
Have a wonderful and anxiety free holiday
Peace
Greenlydia

[gamaliel]

Thank you for your response. I am scheduled for a follow up in January and will mention it then.  I have had 3 days of no occurrence of the anxiety. That has encouraged me.  Must just have been exhausted.

[RubyWitch]

If you have never experienced anxiety before your surgery, you need to bring this to the attention of your surgeon. Many people do experience some mild anxiety after having anesthesia, but it normally goes away when the medication has worn off. That you are now experiencing anxiety a week post surgery upon awakening could just be a psychological affect, a sort of "waking memory anxiety," but I still advise speaking with the surgeon.
I'm sure it will go away if you get reassurance from your doctors that this is not an unheard of reaction.
I'm sure you'll be fine.
Peace
Greenlydia