Is it normal to sleep a lot after triple bypass surgery?

Posted by user_lesliesam @user_lesliesam, Dec 19, 2015

My husband is 11 days post op, 6 days "home" from triple bypass re-do. While he seems to be getting a little better every day, he's sleeping most of the day. Is that still normal? He doesn't sleep well or soundly during the night, but off and on. Is on 2.5 mg oxycodone every 3-3 1/2 hours. any thoughts?

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I was encouraged to get up and walk as much as possible after my OHS. I also avoided the narcotic pain relievers cause they made me very nauseous. They may also be making him sleepy. Does he walk much?

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Just like when we had babies with sleeping problems.. Your nights and days can get mixed up. As tired he is in the day time he should nap as little as possible to sleep better in the evening.

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I sleep about 2 hours on and 2 hours off...while in the hospital I really couldn't sleep at all.

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He needs to be tested for sleep disorders, which often co-exist (silently) and make worse heart problems. Many sleep disorder patients do not snore!!! ONLY a full overnight sleep test, with a sleep lab, can really tell if he's getting enough deep sleep cycles, and is not losing too much oxygen for too long. (We all desaturate O2 some in our sleep.)

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Hi @SleepySusuan
Welcome to Connect! Can I guess from the display name that you chose that you are knowledgeable about sleeping disorders? Are you also managing a heart disorder?

@user_lesliesam How is your husband doing these days? Is he recovering well? Sleeping less?

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@colleenyoung

Hi @SleepySusuan
Welcome to Connect! Can I guess from the display name that you chose that you are knowledgeable about sleeping disorders? Are you also managing a heart disorder?

@user_lesliesam How is your husband doing these days? Is he recovering well? Sleeping less?

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yes...thank you<br />
Leslie<br />

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Hi @user_lesliesam one of the main side effects of "Oxycodone" is...
- drowsiness, headache, dizziness, tired feeling;

I've taken them for years and have always battled sleep. Talk to his doctor about other options if this is still affecting his life. There are alternatives for pain that have less side effects compared to Oxycodone.

Also I need to mention that rest after triple bi-pass is only normal. Tissue heals while we sleep, but oversleep is usually a cause of something else.

I hope this helps!
Martin

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Hi @user_lesliesam
How is your husband doing? I have been thinking of a response that I wrote to another individual and thought this might help you too. Please remember besides taking care of your husband, you also need to take care of yourself. We sometimes do not do that as women. I never realized that I would be going through such states....I had a heart stent placed (at age 46) and I am hoping to help others of some of the emotional states you may be going through, as I wish I had someone to help me when I was going through it.

I had written previously to a person who had a AAA but pertains to any of us .....

"I do not have the diagnosis of AAA but thought I could offer some possible help for both you and your mom of some emotions you may begin to have. I have a diagnosis of CAD and a new diagnosis this past May. The medical professionals tell us how to treat our diagnoses, but no one really covers the emotional rollercoaster you are going to be on. I still deal with so many emotions. I cry, I get angry, I scream, I want to be alone, I want to have a hug from a good friend. Your mom will probably be feeling some of these and you may also go through them also. My suggestion to you both is to let yourself feel these and let each other know, if you can. Let the other family members know also. None of us know how we are going to react to our diagnoses. Just ask them to try to understand, as this is new for everyone. I tell myself daily.....things will work out....maybe today, maybe tomorrow....we don't know when....just keep thinking positive."

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