Irritable after Surgery?

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R

rbacher

I had mitral valve repair this past Mon, 07/17. Everything went okay (far as I know!) and my condition post-surgery seems in line with what others have written (hard to breathe deep, no appetite, difficulty sleeping, etc). I left the Hosp on Thur afternoon and am at home now. Each day does seem a little better (although there have been ups and downs each day during the past 5 days -- it's apparently no straight line to recovery).
My one question at this time is this-- Since getting home (which was all of 2 days ago), I have been cranky, grouchy and irritable. Is this a common condition during the first week or two (or longer!) after surgery?
Also, I want to thank the other forum members who responded to my earlier posts about selecting a surgeon, especially the members who wrote good things about Dr Gammie at Univ of Maryland. He was great!
 
rbacher,
I'm glad to hear that everything else seems to be going well..except the grumpiness. I personally haven't experienced this, but, I know a friend of mine (different type surgery) had a bad side effect to the pain meds and they made him irritable. I don't know about you..I know with ohs it could be from any number of things.
Just a thought..
Good luck,
Deana
 
Lol

Lol

I have to laugh. I did not have a lot of the problems most people report. Of course , I had complications and was in the hospital 12 days. So by the time I got home, I was pretty much back on my feet. I had no more pain. Contrary to most people, I was starving and everything tasted good! After a few days, I also slept soundly, not very long but very sound.
But I was VERY groughy, irritable... I was Viola Swamp in person. I figured it was just from surgery. It did not take very long to get back to my old self.
 
Grouchy, Grumpy and mean are all part of the process, just like the rest. Your hormones are out of wack, youir body is still going nuts trying to readjust it's self and all. Youi'll be fine in a few weeks. ;)
 
Welcome home and best wishes for a smooth recovery- grumpy- you have a right- you will soon be smiling with your new found health.:)
 
Hey Rbacher! Yeah...that sounds normal-my mom was like that for a bit post surgery. and hey-we just got back 2 weeks ago from Lancaster, PA-what a beautiful place!Glad things went well for you-Deb
 
Mood swings are very common. They do go away after a while. Just tell others to not take it personally. You still have the remnants of anesthesia and pain meds and as Ross said, your body is all messed up. Be patient with yourself and allow some room for crankiness. You can apologize later. When you are feeling better, then you can get all your caregivers a lovely expensive gift for putting up with you.:D :D :D
 
Yes Yes and Yes!!
I felt very edgy.. for quite some time..
Mainly sensory overload.. I still don't like too much noise or talking..it overloads me.
Take some time to relax..keep the place quiet.. take it at your own pace. It will get better.
And EAT.. find something that tastes good. I think I ate pot roast for 2 weeks straight..it just tasted SO GOOD!!

Glad you liked GAMMIE.. he did mine too!
 
We will call you Oscar

We will call you Oscar

Hey,
If Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street can do it, you can too. Your body really has been through more than you will ever know. In addition I am sure all the fear and axiety that is built up before the surgery has to come out sometime. It is now showing itself as grouchy you.
I think many of us are blindsided when we are suddenly told that our mitral valves have "suddenly" gotten so bad that we need OHS. It is a roller coaster ride that we can't get off of. We know it must be done, we are scared before. Afterward we are still somewhat scared and in pain. Our bodies are no longer under our control. I personally like control but this knocks the control right out of your hands.
I don't blame you one bit for being irritable whether is it emotional, physical or a combination. Just apologize in advanced. It won't last that long. You will feel better soon. You will be the old you that your friends and family knew before.
Joanne
 
Irritable?

Irritable?

Rbacher,

After my first surgery, I was ANGRY! I had to stay in the hospital a long time and I gave the nurses a lot of grief. I felt awful after I got better because in my regular state I would NEVER have treated anyone that way! I came out of it and so will you.
I echo what others have said, rest, breathe, sleep, walk. All this will get better.

Barbara
 
I was pretty snarly, especially considering that I didn't have anything to be grouchy about. Occasionally, I confess, I pretended to fall asleep so my hubby (who was a wonderful, patient caregiver) would QUIT TALKING TO ME.
 
I'm guessing you're still pretty tired. I was grumpy primarily for the same reason. :eek:
 
Thanks to everyone who sent a reply. I am actually feeling better (less grouchy) since posting my message only 2 days ago! My own theory on it is that the moodiness/irritability is due to a combination of the factors people mentioned in their replies (lingering effect of anesthesia, pain meds, body struggling to readjust, being tired, etc). In only the past 2 days I have been able to sleep better (it was awful at first) and (finally) start eating like a normal person, and I feel much better. Thanks again to everyone.
 
<<When you are feeling better, then you can get all your caregivers a lovely expensive gift for putting up with you.>.

The best gift to give your caretaker is a healthy YOU.
 
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