Post-surgery panic attacks

[Toastandmarmite999]

Hi,

I had major surgery 4 weeks ago, and since then I've been off sick - recuperating.

I'm due back to work tomorrow, but I've been out of the house 3 times now and have had panic attacks every time which isn't like me at all - litetally unable to breathe.

I'm so stressed now about retirning tomorrow and how I'm going to cope. Having more time off isn't an option.

Google says it's common to feel this way....has anyone experienced the same post-op?

X

Personally, I haven't- not after surgeries, but I have suffered with panic attacks.

You've been through a lot, both mind and body, so it's unsurprising this has taken a toll. How do you feel the rest of the time, are you only experiencing anxiety when leaving the house?

Panic attacks are manageable, they're not for ever, so please don't worry. Do you have a sense of what it is that's frightening to you when you go out?

Do you have a phased return, and if not, would that help? Major surgery takes time, not just with physical healing, but also getting back from the sense of vulnerability it can create. Be gentle with yourself.

ETA I note that you can't have more time off, but a phased return is not that; it's a period of adjustment.

I was thinking about a phased return too but from op's post this may not be immediately possible, in which case I would certainly speak to your line manager first thing and explain what you're going through. Say that you're taking steps to get help so that you can overcome them sooner than later, but they should be aware and you'd appreciate support & your manager working with you to help make your return manageable.

In terms of overcoming the panic attacks, it will help if you can identify what's triggering them / why you're feeling unsafe.
Your gp can also prescribe medication to help.

I have. I couldn't even bear to stand on the doorstep.

I also saw an interview with Davina McCall where she described something similar after her brain surgery. She also talked about how much better she felt once she overcame the scary hurdle of rejoining normal life.

It was a combination of several things - the vulnerability you confront in major surgery and all the stresses and fears accompanying that, followed by feeling safe and cocooned at home afterwards whilst recovering, and having been disconnected from normal life outside home.

Are the panic attacks the reason you've only left home 3 times in a month? As part of recovering to return to work I'd normally expect someone to have been out more than that.

Physiologically your body can only sustain intense panic for a very short period of time - it will peak and then fall back to baseline. If you stay in the situation that's causing the panic (e.g. standing outside your house), the panic will peak and then gradually reduce. If you repeat that a few times, you can re-train your brain that leaving home is safe. (Whereas if you rush home as soon as you feel the panic then you're training your brain that outside is dangerous, which means you're more likely to have more panic attacks.)

I would suggest going out today a few times if possible. Depending on how far you got before the last panic attack, maybe first trip could be just to walk to end of your drive or end of your street and stay there until you feel calm. Treat it as testing what I've said if that helps it feels less daunting - it's just a scientific experiment to observe your anxiety peak and fall.

Then come back home, do something else and then go out again further, maybe to a park or something and stay there.

The important thing is that you stay in the situation long enough for the panic and anxiety to subside so you can feel reassured that it's safe and manageable. And then to repeat that positive experience until the panic stops making an appearance.

Going to work and having a good day will be useful for the same reason. It's about re-establishing your equilibrium and re-training your brain to feel safe again in everyday life.

It's a very short video but she does mention how her bedroom had become her safe space while she was recovering and she was worried about leaving it to resume normal life.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/ce8mpd7pv55o

I'm not sure from your.post if this applies to you or not but a friend of mine has recently been in hospital for a while, had a couple of operations and had some time on ICU/ITU.

She was offered some counselling/support which IIRC was linked to her stay on the ITU/ICU unit in particular as you can experience panic/anxiety/PTSD type after effects after a prolonged amount of time in that sort of setting.

Even if you weren't on such a unit you may still be able to access some support or talking therapy from the same people (within the NHS)

Yes 1000%

took a while to go and honestly it does get better each day.

Did not experience same 2 years ago after spinal infusion so it has knocked me. I really think going back to work early has provided a form of escapism.

Been back just over two weeks (straight into full time but remote) and it really took until last week to lose the feeling of light headed when standing, heart rushing.

Couple of district nurses haven’t liked it but I want as much time in what’s left of my contracted job, I’ll have time to cry next January when I don’t have a job.

Someone did remark had I come back to early- I think I may have let that get to me. But how can I not be adding something answering over 700 calls in the time I’ve been back and I would rather collect a wage.

Set reminders if you make a tea/coffee or other drink as many a times I’ve let it go cold which has been most unusual for me. Times just seems to fly by.

Thank you so much for all your replies.
I was acbolutley dreading going back to work (today) but my job's so demanding that I didn't have time to stop, so it actually went ok - no panic attacks.

My recovery's been a strange one, every day has been different.
I think I was just totally 100% exhausted and after lying on my back for 3 weeks, and suddenly on my feet, moving around seemed too much maybe. But it seems to have calmed down now. Thank goodness.

Thanks again x

That's great, I'm glad today went well for you. Onwards and upwards!