Was back in hospital after 9 days TRHR
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi all,
Haven't been here in a while as I spent some time in the local hospital on an emergency visit last Thurs, and was in until Saturday. My heart started beating out of my chest for no reason on Thurs afternoon, and at first I thought it may just be a 'temporary' thing, and would go away. After an hour of this I called my primary and he sent me (and hubby) off to the ER pronto. They classified it as Atrial Fibrilation (A Fib for short) and it took them hours to bring it under control with intervenous meds, then sent me up to intensive care unit on a constant drip of meds to keep it that way. On Friday, they did every test imaginable concerning heart, lungs, blood testing, etc. and could find NOTHING. No blood clots anywhere either. A real relief at least to know nothing concretely wrong with heart, lungs, blood tests etc, but a MISERABLE and SCARY experience all and all. Now........I am not only on my one mild blood pressure med, but a 'beta blocker' and a prescription blood thinner as well. The cardiologist that I saw in the hospital said it absolutely had nothing to do with the recent surgery, but I am by no means buying that one. I had a very small episode with the same thing 2 days out of surgery, but it went away in 5 minutes, so I thought not much of it. Now, upon putting two and two together, the one short episode and the one that lasted an hour before going to the ER a week later, I pretty much KNOW it's surgery related. Have never in my life had anything like it before. So........upon googling A Fib after surgery, it is right up there as one of the main risk factors. Nice little ditty that I had no idea about before I went in, and especially for those with high blood pressure. I guess I didn't do enough research before opting for the surgery, I don't know. I am beyond down, as now I have to be even more careful about when to take my vitamins etc so as not to interact with so many meds I'm now on. My 2nd stay in the hospital was at first kind of a nightmare, as I had to wait in the ER on those primitive beds for 8 hours before they found me a room in intensive care. And.....of course they wouldn't let me leave until they knew what was happening, so by the time I got to my room I was in MUCHO PAIN, mainly I think because of the position I was in for so long, after being so new after surgery. They did give me a small dose of morphine once I got to the room, and it helped tremendously, but what a TOTAL NIGHTMARE, not to mention missing a few days of exercise etc!!!! I got a total of two hours of sleep that night, as the charge nurse had to get medical history, so was up until 2:00 am and they woke me up again at 4:00am for blood work. This recovery is turning into more than I bargained for. Sorry to be so negative, but at this point, frankly, I'VE HAD IT!!! That said I do hope all of you are doing well with your recovery process.
Terri
0 likes, 8 replies
Thetroll terri11042
Posted
Sorry to hear about the nightmare you're having I'm sure you would rather not have to go thru it. Where did you get the surgery done and have you had major issues before ?
sandra_84282 terri11042
Posted
Hi Terri. Poor you what a frightening ordeal for you. It sounds like you are in the US and me here in UK. I guess we all go off to theatre hoping it will all be straight forward and ok. They briefly outline everything that can go wrong but reassure us of very small statistics. We never think for one minute we will be one of them.
I know from nursing years ago that all a anaesthetic can carry a risk. I have always been ok till this time. I had 3 very miserable days with pain and nausea. Nothing like what you have been through but enough to know if I ever need another THR I will have spinal block and light sedation or even stay awake.
You must really be feeling very scared and down after your ordeal. And at 9 days post op not funny.
To look on the brighter side you are home now and recovering. It's a set back but hopefully in the end you will look back and see that your surgery has been worth it. I truly hope so. It's midnight here in the UK and I'm wide awake. I don't sleep too well sleeping on my back ! So my dear friend I am sending you love light and healing and hope the rest of your recovery goes well. Love and hugs
Sandra.
linda38528 sandra_84282
Posted
I guess it will take a while to overcome the fear but try to focus on recovering from the thr.
My husband and I both have to watch our meds, avoiding blockers and interactions. We use our pill organizers religiously and it has become more routine over time. One thing we also do is carry an up-to-date list of meds with us everywhere.
Take care Sandra - I hope this a blip on your health experience from the stress of the operation and things get much easier very soon.
L
terri11042
Posted
Thanks to you both for your great encouragement and love. Only a 'hipster' can really understand what it's like in these days of what I call 'blind recovery'. You really don't know what's ahead until it's upon you it seems. The meds I'm now on seem to make me more 'lazy' and tired so I've lost some time in trying to gain muscle stregnth etc, but, that said, I AM improving every day slightly even as to my balance. Walking once in a while on my cane and foregoing the walker and feeling a tad more confident, so at least not ALL has been lost. And......there is a rainbow after the storm, because they found absolutely NOTHING wrong with all the heart and lung tests they took at least structurally. Heart Doc said that my heart is as healthy as his is and his is pretty darned healthy, so not to worry about that. Scary though, as I've read so much about stroke and heart problems after this surgery and then to have a major A Fib episode out of nowhere. I'm trusting that the meds they have me on at least will control that part. They also wanted to keep me for a few days because they said with an A Fib episode there is a much greater chance of throwing a clot especially just 9 days after the hip surgery. I am also hoping this down in the dumps feeling goes away as well, feels like I have just been beaten down, but husband says he's taking me out to lunch tomorrow, so not all is lost
Thanks to all you wonderful friends for the support too! SOOO glad I found this forum!!!
Hugs to all,
Terri
linda38528 terri11042
Posted
Good for you Terri. Put your 'glad rags' on and have a lovely time with your man!
As for the energy levels - I don't doubt it. You have been several traumatic events in a short period - if that didn't use up your adrenalin, I don't know what will.
I have a wee lie down/nap every morning and afternoon right now (13 days post 2nd thr) and it really helps me dig into my exercises and the odd chore I can get away with! Don't know if you have heard my husband's nickname (Nurse Ratched - after the infamous nurse in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest). He has been going soft on me this time around - and in danger of being renamed 'Hottie'. Nothing like two thr in 6 months to soften 'em up!
Take care. Stay in touch and let us know anytime you need an ear, advice of hug.
L
renee01952 terri11042
Posted
hi terri,
good Lord, that must have been an awful experience ...
be extra gentle with yourself the coming days okay ? you will do the exercises when you are up to it -
all is well darling -
big warm hug
renee
adamjackman terri11042
Posted
Hopefully that is the end if it all and there will be no rushing back to A&E.
I have spent two periods of time in the A&E beds thus year. U dint remember much about the first, but the second time I was in one of the horrible beds for nearly seven hours. They are really uncomfortable for a prolonged period and having had my THR only give days before, all could do was Kay on my back. That seems to be the point I started getting back pain.
I went in with Hepatitis A that I had caught in hospital, during my stay for the hip replacement, I wasn't even home before going back in via A&E.
I can really sympathise in being woken for bloods. Along with other checks it started at half hourly for two hours, then hourly for two hours, followed by two hourly. By then it was morning and I hadn't got any real rest. I know they need to do the checks, but it really wasn't pleasant.
elaine23679 terri11042
Posted
How scary for you... but you did the right thing.... now it has been dealt with you will get there and look back at all this.
We all get some set backs... yesterday physio pulled me about and since then I have been in such pain more than when I first had the op... so back on all my pain meds. and using my crutches in doors.
I had a spinal anaethetic due to having very low blood pressure and did not want the after effects of a GA...
I have an infection somewhere in my body which shows up in my bloods but no one can figure it out as I do not feel ill.. I get hot flushes but that could be my age... so back to Drs again this week for more vampire testing if it is still showing infection then they are going to organise scans etc.
Keep positive look after yourself.