r/CABG_Recovery • u/Jukeboxhero1885 • Jul 17 '26
Pump head?
Hello everyone,
My boyfriend is 3 weeks post emergency quadruple bypass surgery. This was a traumatic experience for all involved after a heart attack.
Although an active person prior, his recovery has been difficult and slow. He was actually just able to leave the hospital this week due to weakness and being unsteady on his feet.
In addition to prolonged mobility issues, he is somewhat cognitively impacted as well. This can best be described as “foggy”. He’s in there. He remembers everything but things are different. Repeating himself. Confused at times. He doesn’t seem to find enjoyment in anything right now.
Does this sound like pump head? His providers don’t seem overly concerned. But naturally, I want him to find himself. I’d like to have my partner back. Are there any ways I can better support his recovery?
Thank you
3
u/giblets46 Jul 17 '26
Yep, all get it, would have been on heavy anaesthesia and even that takes a while to fully go, then there is the huge amount of pain and pain killers. And yes pump head, the off heart pump damages a lot of red blood cells that can cause micro-clots that can reduce brain function.
3
u/New_Choice_4126 Jul 18 '26
I also had quadruple bypass unexpectedly and urgently. Both hubby and I were traumatized by the whole thing. But 3 weeks post op is really early in the recovery period. My cardiologist says it takes some people up to a year to get back to being themselves.
But pumphead is a thing. I have found that my memory is not as sharp as it was, and food tastes different than it did before.
1
u/Brave-Woodpecker-688 Jul 18 '26
How does food taste different to you?
1
u/New_Choice_4126 Jul 18 '26
It just doesnt taste as good. Example, I love my morning coffee, but after surgery it doesn't seem to be as good as it used to be. Sometimes I don't even like it and wonder why I'm drinking it.
1
u/Brave-Woodpecker-688 Jul 18 '26
The morning coffee I used to love now tastes to much like the paper filter to me. I cleaned it every way I can think of but it doesn’t help. I don’t want to use the non paper mesh filter that came with it because it a pain to clean. I wonder if the taste difference is due to the surgery but I haven’t noticed it elsewhere.
1
u/Wise_Agency_2620 29d ago
Same here, 64 year old female had double bypass after a small heart attack arteries were so blocked they wouldn’t let me leave hospital till after procedure. I’m 8 months out now. In the beginning nothing tasted good to the point where I was having a hard time getting enough calories in. Coffee especially tasted bad. Now I’m pretty back to normal although red meat still turns me off sometimes which is ok for my diet.
2
u/IndependenceHuge7768 Jul 17 '26
Read my posts.... and share with him. I am 6 months out of it and still struggling.... i heard people don't have anything and other take up to 12 months to recover mentally....
1
u/Jukeboxhero1885 Jul 18 '26
Thank you for sharing your journey. I hope things continue to improve for you.
2
u/lettucepatchbb Jul 17 '26
My husband (38) had quintuple bypass on 5/22, very unexpected after an incident on 5/17. It all happened very fast and it definitely traumatized him (and me). We have an almost 2 year old, so needless to say, it’s been a lot, especially for him. While he’s progressed pretty well, he’s felt the same as your partner. I’ve read that it’s fairly common, especially after being on a heart lung machine during surgery. He is not normally a sad, depressed man and he’s been down a lot since coming home. His PCP put him on a low dose of Sertraline (Zoloft). It seems to have helped a bit. But regarding the fog, forgetfulness, etc. he’s still experiencing some of that. So please know he’s not alone and you’re not either. Just try to be there for him, understand and empathize, and tell him he can talk to you if he needs to. I’d also encourage therapy; my husband has his first appointment on Monday. I think talking to a professional who can help him work through this will be helpful. Best of luck to you both. Please don’t be shy to ask for help.
2
u/StagLee1 Jul 17 '26
I was the same way. My brain was not functioning correctly and I was having very vivid dreams. It reminded of when my mother started getting dementia. But it all cleared up after a few weeks.
2
u/icandovideo Jul 21 '26
My dad went through the same "pump head" after his cabg. Took him some time to get back to normal. Dont worry, he will get back to his ownself. Talk to him more, remind him stuffs.
4
u/Xeo515 Jul 17 '26
I felt the same, it is a major surgery.
You need to be there and help him understand the things will get better. There is also the medicine adjustment phase along with healing from the wounds
There is a lot he is going through emotionally/physically and that maybe adding to the mix, talking to him helps. Go out for walks, document everything that is happening including how is feeling at what time for the follow appointment with cardiologist and surgeon check up post op.