Anxiety or personality changes after cardiac bypass surgery ?

2 years past triple bypass surgery.
my personality is different - I'm not my usual sweet and helpful self.
feeling anxiety (to the point of nausea) whenever I get a little chest pain - when antacid does not relieve the pain. Don't really want to get into psych treatments. any good books or articles out there??
EKG inconclusive and scheduled for stress test end of week

I have searched this article for you might be helpful:
Abstract
International Journal for the Psychology of Religion
2000, Vol. 10, No. 4, Pages 205-220
(doi:10.1207/S15327582IJPR1004_01)

The Use of Prayer by Coronary Artery Bypass Patients

Amy L. Ai鈥?br> Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Center University of Michigan
Steven F. Bolling鈥?br> Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Center University of Michigan
Christopher Peterson鈥?br> Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Center University of Michigan



Little is known about the use of private prayer following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Using information from a computerized database and responses to two questionnaires, this study gathered retrospective information from a sample of CABG patients (N = 151) about post-CABG emotional health, religious activities, social support, and noncardiac chronic conditions. The majority of patients (68%) reported that they used private prayer to cope following CABG. A path model found that the use of prayer to cope was associated with better postoperative emotional health. The predictors of the use of prayer differed across patient age groups. Older patients (over age 65) were more likely to pray if religion were important to them, whereas younger patients (under age 65) were more likely to pray if they had lower incomes, better preoperative health, and more education.
Link is given under:

http://www.leaonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207...

I know after I had my first heart attack, my anxiety level has not been the same. I went back to the ER several times for basically panic attacks. I would have a little pain and get so scared of having another one, that I would make it even worse. My doctor put me on xanax and it helps. Oh and when my anxiety is up, I am very cranky. I don't mean to be, I just can't seem to help it. I would talk to your doctor and tell him exactly what you are feeling. Don't sign up for psych treatements just yet. Knowing you have a major organ not functioning properly is very scary. Good luck to you.

I think that it is natural for someone to feel anxious after they have had bypass.
My husbands personality changed after his bypass. He became more family oriented and more able to see the importance of spending time with his family instead of working 90 hours a week. Our life changed for the better after the surgery.
As harsh as this may sound, you have to learn how to live with the anxiety of a heart condition.
Relax more, pray more and enjoy yourself when ever possible.

It's perfectly understandable that you have anxiety after what you've been through - triple CABG - and the reason for it. But part of cardiac rehab can be self-help programs. You might ask your cardiologist if she/he is aware of one. In the meantime, go to amazon.com and search for "post-CABG anxiety" books. A book that offers help with anxiety will come up. Review this entire page for additional information that may interest you. And as Loving Heart suggested, prayer can work wonders. Consider it.