I have an issue that I have been putting off bringing up. It is more emotional than physical, I think. Over the past weeks as recovery continues, my sleep deprivation has increased - although I had a pretty relaxing night a couple of nights ago. Usually, I get between one and three hours (if lucky) of sleep. I then wake up and head for the living room where I sit in my recliner....and then it starts.
I tend to get a very "nervous feeling stomach"...like butterflies. I feel on edge and a bit out of sorts. Also, my legs can also feel a bit weird. Usually, this passes after a few hours - about the time the sun starts rising. I then try to catch a couple of more hours of sleep at that time. What bothers me is the nervous feeling I get in my stomach. It kind of makes me feel very uneasy about the situation.
I am beginning to think that the lack of a good sleep routine, as well as the obvious physical constraints on me, are starting to get me a tad anxious...especially at night. I can almost count on the same routine night after night and that probably adds to my anxiety/depression. And, I am beginning to wonder it I am not developing a bit of situational depression or anxiety - perhaps both. It just feels like I get stressed out after waking up at 1:00 a.m., or so.
It seems that when I occupy myself with daily routines, these feelings are fleeting or go away. I am not sure if I am explaining myself properly as this is all rather new to me. It also doesn't help that the situation makes me feel that I do not have much control over my life at this time...which is probably an exaggeration.
Has anyone felt like this after weeks of pretty good recovery? My stomach and GI area just feels like its jumping around....kind of like it's full of butterflies...weird.
Physically, I think my recovery is going well, but it may be starting to take a bit of a toll on me emotionally. I think it is a bit reassuring that I can sit back and kind of think about this stuff clearly and not go off the rails about it. I also believe that this kind of stress and anxiety might be quite normal for most people...I am just not sure how best to deal with it. I am rather isolated at this time. Only my sister drops by from time to time. Other than that, it's just me and my two small dogs. Knowing that I am not alone may help me cope with all this weirdness and discomfort. Never like leaning on folks for help, but I think I have arrived at a point where that may be what the doctor orders!
As you might be able to tell, it is kind of hard for me to admit this, but I sure could use some sound advice. And, for the record, I do not like taking medications of any kind, e.g., got off my pain meds as soon as I could. Only take OTC meds as needed at this point. I elevate and ice during the day. My routine is getting old...lots of sitting and watch television. Once the weather turns this week...I plan to hit the nature trail for short and very slow bike rides of 7-8 miles per day, e.g., about one hour's worth of slow leg workout. I think being stuck in the house during what has turned out to be a long Winter has taken a toll on me, as well as the surgery and related issues.
Thanks to anyone who might offer some advice and encouragement...I think I could use it!
Roger
PS - NOTE: I think that I might be experiencing a bad case of "post-op blues" as discussed in that general posting made by one of the administrators. Kind of summed up what I might be experiencing...and it sure feels real!