Feeling very tired

Hello . I'm new to the site and was hoping for a bit of advice. I'm 50 and had a PM fitted 4 days ago. I was told I could return to work in a week. The trouble is I feel so tired and this morning I feel lousy. I feel as though I have a bad hangover with headache. I'm worried I won't be fit for work next week. What is the normal recovery time after PM surgery? I work in the community, driving to people's houses for appointments. Many thanks.

9 Comments

Thank you

by Cath63 - 2013-05-06 01:05:42

Thank you so much for your replies. I can cope better if I know that's its normal to feel so tired. My biggest worry is that the PM won't work even though I know that's irrational. The good thing is that I haven't felt dizzy since the op :) I hope I only need a week off as I don't get paid if I don't work and don't like to let people down. I heed you're sensible advice though that if I'm not ready then I should take my time. I will drink lots of water as I am quite sensitive to medication and the procedure took nearly 2 1/2 hours so I had lots. Thanks again and any more tips to aid healing would be great!

tips

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-06 03:05:35

The number one tip from me would be listen to your body. If you're tired, rest. It's so easy to get impatient and overdo it but there is always a price to pay when we do that.

If you are having trouble sleeping, I found it helpful to hug a small pillow with my left arm, kept me from rolling onto my sore side.

So glad to hear the dizziness is gone!!! That alone tells you it's working. These babies are super dependable, much more so than our wonky hearts. As you heal and feel better and get back to normal activity, it gets easier and easier to trust it and forget it's there.

Be patient

by ohiolaura - 2013-05-06 07:05:58

I was 49 when I had my PM put in,last July.
I had been working out 6-7 days a week,and feeling wonderful,until all of a sudden,I wasn't.
I went back to work (im a hairdresser/nail tech) 10 days after surgery.I was still wiped out at that point.Before I went back to work,after I got home,I too was exhausted,guess between the experience of the 6 days in the hospital,losing weight from that,the meds,not sleeping,it made sense.Honestly,it took me quite awhile to get back on my feet totally.
Don't be too hard on yourself,I know were all different,all deal and heal differently,and believe me,I am anything b ut a wimp,both physically and mentally.
But,that being said,this experience did take the wind out of my sail for some time,if youre not feeling well, call your Dr I'd say,be safe rather than sorry.
Also,I had to have my settings changed after 10 days,from the surgeons settings to something else,and it did help a lot.
Ask questions here,get input.Try to rest,eat well,stay hydrated.
You have a great place here for help!
Laura

feeling tired

by lubro - 2013-05-06 08:05:19

Hello Cath63,

First off, I think each of us heals differently. Some people heal quickly and are up & about in no time..Others are slow healers...I had some difficulties in my recovery..., but no way could I have returned to work is such a short period of time. I was weak for several months, and took time to let myself heal. I'm not sure of your work and sick time policies, but if you have the time, I'd suggest taking as much time off to heal as you feel is appropriate. You say you were told you could return to work in 1 week...I was told not to drive for 2 weeks...each Dr is different...each situation is different.... Don't push yourself back to work when you know you aren't ready. If you have sick days you can use... use them... and allow yourself time to heal. As I said, all of us heal differently... So many factors...age...oveall health...type of procedure you had...repercussions from surgery...working conditions...lots of things to consider...
you mention driving... Are you comfortable enough to drive around on your own? Make sure you are comfortable before resuming regular driving activities...
Best thing is to start slow...and most importantly, ease back into everyday activities and see how you feel.
It gets better as you become stronger, both physically and mentally. What you're feeling is normal...Just try to be positive and give yourself time to heal...

Lubro

Hang In There

by Many Blessings - 2013-05-06 10:05:46

Hi Cath63,

Hang in there! You're still in the early stages of healing. Everyone heals mentally and physically, at a different rate. Don't rush things, stay positive, stay as active as you can, but rest as needed.

You might just take a little longer to heal, or it could be from the drugs they used during your procedure, or afterwards. Were you given anything new meds to take home with you? I was given Percocet, and it made me feel horrible! I blamed how I was feeling on the PM, but it was the Percocet. Look at anything you're taking now (med wise) that you weren't taking before. Google any side effects the drug(s) could be causing.

It could also be your body just trying to get used to things. Or, it could be you need your settings tweaked a little. Make sure to let your doctor know your concerns so he can either look into what could be causing it, or at least ease your mind that this is normal.

If you need to take a little more time off of work, tell your doctor and ask that he/she keep you out a little longer. If that's not a possibility, ask to see if you can go back 1/2 days, or just a few days a week at first.

Hang in there! You've already come a long way. You're almost there!

Blessings,

healing

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-06 11:05:44

Just because you are allowed to go back to work next week doesn't mean you will feel up to it. Can you start back part time, ease into it?

Are you still on pain meds? They will wipe you out. It's a minor surgery,but it's still a surgery and an adjustment for your body. I was still napping a month later. I felt pretty good and went about my normal routine, just more slowly and with more breaks.

Headache, are you dehydrated? Sometimes when we don't feel well and sleep more than usual, we don't get enough fluids in.

:))

by Cath63 - 2013-05-07 03:05:05

Thanks guys, it's so reassuring to have contact with people who know what they're talking about. This forum is fab! Everyone talks about having a PM as routine but it was a big deal for me! I will take your advice and settle down with a good book for a few days. Xxx

big deal

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-07 09:05:23

It's a big deal for all of us when we first get it! Once we heal and feel better, it's no big deal. You'll get to that point, too.

It takes time....

by Joanna - 2013-05-08 09:05:17

I received my first PM in Dec. 2012. I am still tired some days! I only took off 8 days from work to recover and was very sore and fatigued for several weeks. Just remember not to raise your arm, stretch, lift, etc.. Hope you feel better soon!

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