Increased Anxiety since surgery

[Lorey_a 19]

Hello All,

I would consider myself like anyone else when it comes to Anxiety and stress meaning various situations can spike anyone's anxiety or stress levels. For some reason since my surgery about 3-4 days after I started feeling anxiety at an entirely different level and can not put my finger on this as I am not someone that experience daily anxiety before. It is not happening all day but in varied times for what almost feels like no reason not necessarily being set off by anything at all. Is this something anyone else went through? If anyone is willing to share I would appreciate it.

[sassfordays 8]

I have not had the surgery yet, so I can't speak from that particular place. However, I know that surgery is really hard on the body, even when done in a way which is considered "minimally invasive". It could be that you are still processing through the physical trauma of the surgery, and it's causing a lot of weird emotions.

Also....having this surgery can be really emotional. Even if it's not the type of anxiety that's easy to link back to the surgery, it doesn't mean it's completely unrelated. I can imagine how there would be a lot of anxiety after the surgery. Lots of "unknowns". Lots of questions. What is my healing experience going to be? Am I going to have any difficulties or setbacks? Am I going to have all the success I hoped for? I would imagine the first few days after surgery could be pretty nerve-wracking. Also, your hormones are a mess right after surgery.

All of this to say that I don't have any evidence or experience with this specifically (I DO have pretty serious anxiety disorder, fwiw), but that it doesn't surprise me at all that you're having anxiety.

I had a recent unplanned hospital stay, and there was no surgery involved, but after I was released I spent a few days just being amazed and afraid of what felt like everything. Again, I have anxiety, so that wasn't completely unexpected but for a few days it was much different and more severe than my usual anxiety. Sometimes I think that increased anxiety is just a sign that the brain is working overtime to process through something that feels like a major change to us.

[ShoppGirl 5,068]

I have a little more anxiety since surgery as well. I think it’s all the what if’s that comes with all the changes we have ahead of us.

[catwoman7 11,239]

it may be a bit early, but it could potentially be the "hormone dump" that a lot of women experience the first few weeks or months after surgery. A lot of women experience mood swings and screwed up menstrual cycles when they're early out (it eventually stabilizes). So maybe...??? Or the others may be on to something when they mention the stress of surgery.

[Mike Long 52]

I’ve experienced this as well. I’m 17 days post op and my anxiety is high about a number of things related to this surgery. Mainly, a feeling that I’ll never again be “normal”. It’s hard to describe but I feel like I made a horrible mistake by doing this. Even though I understand the big picture benefit, I can’t shake this feeling. I’m chalking it up to being very early on in the process. At least I hope so.

[TerryS502 4]

Hi All! I’m 7 days post op. I had extreme anxiety and restless leg syndrome for the first few days. I literally got up day zero after surgery and walked the halls bc I couldn’t stay still. When I came home every hour on the hour for the first few days I was waking all around my house driving my family insane. Thankfully it went away. Now my struggle is I can’t drink anything cold it has to be room temperature or warmer all cold makes me feel like I have little cramps. Is anyone else having problems with cold things?

[catwoman7 11,239]

7 minutes ago, TerryS502 said:

Hi All! I’m 7 days post op. I had extreme anxiety and restless leg syndrome for the first few days. I literally got up day zero after surgery and walked the halls bc I couldn’t stay still. When I came home every hour on the hour for the first few days I was waking all around my house driving my family insane. Thankfully it went away. Now my struggle is I can’t drink anything cold it has to be room temperature or warmer all cold makes me feel like I have little cramps. Is anyone else having problems with cold things?

I didn't, but it's not uncommon.

[Lorey_a 19]

3 hours ago, TerryS502 said:

Hi All! I’m 7 days post op. I had extreme anxiety and restless leg syndrome for the first few days. I literally got up day zero after surgery and walked the halls bc I couldn’t stay still. When I came home every hour on the hour for the first few days I was waking all around my house driving my family insane. Thankfully it went away. Now my struggle is I can’t drink anything cold it has to be room temperature or warmer all cold makes me feel like I have little cramps. Is anyone else having problems with cold things?

I had a harder trouble with cold or hot in the beginning but I have been better the past few days and I am 11 days post-op now. I hope that corrects for you quickly. Thank you also for sharing about your anxiety, I appreciate it!

[Lorey_a 19]

3 hours ago, Mike Long said:

I’ve experienced this as well. I’m 17 days post op and my anxiety is high about a number of things related to this surgery. Mainly, a feeling that I’ll never again be “normal”. It’s hard to describe but I feel like I made a horrible mistake by doing this. Even though I understand the big picture benefit, I can’t shake this feeling. I’m chalking it up to being very early on in the process. At least I hope so.

3 hours ago, Mike Long said:

I’ve experienced this as well. I’m 17 days post op and my anxiety is high about a number of things related to this surgery. Mainly, a feeling that I’ll never again be “normal”. It’s hard to describe but I feel like I made a horrible mistake by doing this. Even though I understand the big picture benefit, I can’t shake this feeling. I’m chalking it up to being very early on in the process. At least I hope so.

Thanks for sharing. I sure hope your anxiety calms down for you too!

[Jennifer Cook 1]

I’m 4 years out and having so many issues recently . Nails completely disingrating almost just skin. Hair loss . Anxiety almost lost it this year. Seeing psychiatrist but so many issues and lost almost everyone I love over it . They thought I was taking drugs . Memory lose . The list goes on . I feel so alone . Going to work on my Vitamins see if I can get this nail situation under control. Thanks for listening

[lizonaplane 1,613]

14 hours ago, Jennifer Cook said:

I’m 4 years out and having so many issues recently . Nails completely disingrating almost just skin. Hair loss . Anxiety almost lost it this year. Seeing psychiatrist but so many issues and lost almost everyone I love over it . They thought I was taking drugs . Memory lose . The list goes on . I feel so alone . Going to work on my Vitamins see if I can get this nail situation under control. Thanks for listening

I hope you can get things sorted soon! It's so hard.

[Lorey_a 19]

I sure hope you can work it out. Deep breaths I am finding are very helpful as is walking on the treadmill listening to music. Will be thinkin of you and sending good thoughts your way!