Depression after surgery

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debster913

debster913

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
1,117
Location
California
Hi, all--
Just wondering if any of you have experienced some level of depression after your surgery. I've been mostly OK except for a few post-operative worries, but yesterday I was really anxious and cried. I'm staying with my parents until the cardio gives me (hopefully!) the OK, and I only see hubby for a couple hours a day when he stops by after work. I think a lot of it is that I miss my husband, and Aunt Flo might be to blame, too.

Thanks for your replies,

Debi (debster913)
 
Hi Debster,
For what it's worth (I am only 9 days post surgery and 6 days at home), yes, I have experienced feelings of depression. My first post after returning home asked about feeling irritable after surgery. That's what I felt most (at least psychologically). But I also felt moody and at times depressed. I had the same surgery as you -- mvp repair. You mentioned crying. I never cry, but, the night I got home I learned that a friend had died and I just fell apart. As my wife told me when I calmed down, I was not myself.
 
When I had my "exit interview" at the hospital with the physiotherapist for Cardiac Rehab I (the in-hospital regimen), he said he thought all post-ohs patients should be put on antidepressants for 6 months after surgery, because depression is so common among them. He was very adamant that I call the doc if I got depressed. I didn't; but many many people do. I wouldn't have hesitated to call & get antidepressants if I'd had trouble with depression.
 
I didn't have surgery, just nursed justin thru a few. I think alot of it probably has to do w/ not being home yet and missing your husband, house, routine ect
it has been about a month since surgery rihgt? how are you doing? are you able to take care of yourself if you were home for the hours your husband is at work? maybe that would help you feel like you are getting back to normal so would feel better, (of course I could be completely worng :) ) Lyn
 
Depression

Depression

Debi,

Most of us had some emotional ups and downs after surgery. There is something about OHS and the heart/lung machine that affects emotions. If you think about it your body has just been severly assaulted. I experienced intense anger after my first surgery.

I was in the hospital after my first surgery for a very long time, most of the summer, 2005, so my husband was only able to get over to see me after work and on the weekends he did work at home. That's how he deals with stress, he does projects to stay busy. Anyway, it did get lonely. The second surgery this past January was in Houston and I live in San Antonio so obviously my hubby wasn't there all the time. When you're sick as long as I was, life has to go on.

Anyway, don't worry about feeling depressed, it should pass. If it doesn't in a while, there are medications that can help with depression.

Take care and focus on getting better. Remember, eat, sleep, walk. THat's all you should be thinking about and doing right now.

Barbara:)
 
Rbacher, sorry to hear about your friend's passing. That has to be tough, especially after surgery.

I do feel better today. My mom called our GP for anti-anxiety meds for me yesterday, but I haven't taken them yet. I can take care of myself, but my husband and I don't have air conditioning at home and in this 100 degree-plus weather, I'm better off staying at my parents' for now. I'm just looking forward to the day I see my cardio, and hoping that he gives me the all-OK.
 
I know how important AC is, especially when you are healing and it is this darn hot. . would it be possible your husband spend the night maybe on weekends or in the middle of the week? Lyn
 
I suppose he could, but the bed I'm sleeping in is small length-wise. I'm 5'8 and hubbs is 6'4, so he can't stretch out...but we spend the whole day together on weekends and every other Friday (his day off). But I can say that having him around has eased some of this post-op anxiety.
 
Emotional upset of one form or another is quite common after OHS. It is a subject often discussed here. You just need to get passed it, in time you should be fine.
 
My thinking that is is more of guilt than depression ...for me..it was..I day I had no heart symptoms..a week later, I was home recovering from OHS...:( Life was going on without me.... Family life, ect...and I was so weak...and couldn't join in....I had not found VR.Com..so I had no idea it was going to be a slow recovery...after, 3 weeks my family took me to see my Grandson play ball.Very hard for me, the long walk to field, car ride, ect..but when I returned home...I knew, that life would go on..and I would be better.:) ..Every week got better.After 4 weeks, my Grandson was back spending the weekends with me. It was summer..but..I would take him to pool, ect.(sat underneath the cabana)Felt weak..if I was outside near the pool.(sun) Georgia summers can be brutal with the heat/humid...6 weeks post-op..family drove me to Alabama to see my Daddy.....After seeing him..I felt less guilty.all uphill after that.:D Bonnie
 
I experienced no depression whatsoever. Not because I'm this over-the-top cheery person. I'm just optimistic and positive and though I was weak, and fragile the first 2 weeks out of the hospital, there was a logical reason for it. That's how I thought of it. I was well-aware of the trauma my body went through during the operation.

The key is simply to stay around people that are going to positively reinforce you. And don't focus on the surgery you just went through, instead, focus on where you're going from here. "Better days ahead" -- that's what I would say to myself when something (or someone) tried to get me down. Try it! :)
 
Hayden

Hayden

I lived in Anderson S.C. before moving here to North Ga. Mountains .. that is a true story about Radio..the young man...he lived in Anderson.... I loved the movie..:) Bonnie
 
some have it, some don't, but it's common and we have heard of many in past years right here in VR. Some needed professionals to help. The general concensus was, if you need professional help, get it. The antidepressant meds are very good these days. Good luck.
 
Debi. As everyone has said, it is not uncommon to experience depression post surgery. I'm glad that you have gotten some anti-anxiety medication. With someone there to keep an eye on you, why not try it? It could really help.

If you choose to go to cardiac rehab that will be very helpful, also. They will be watching you so closely, medically, to see how you can push yourself, your new body. It is very reassuring. Also, exercise is always good for any kind of depression.

I'm just over 3 months out and didn't experience any depression ..... but ....... I suddenly find myself feeling very unmotivated. If I don't pop out of this "mood" (and I am in total menopause, so I have to consider that, too :( ) soon, I will consider it depression and will seek some guidance with it.

It is tough being without your husband. It is wise to stay in a cool environment. In 6 months, this will be history!! Try not to think about it too hard. I did a lot of sleeping!! That's what got me through my limbo.

Can't believe I've never heard the term Aunt Flo..... I like that one! Many women have said they have the "mother or all periods" right after surgery. Good luck with yours! And yes, it certainly could be that your hormones are intensified. But that shouldn't last long, so be open to possibly needing some help.

Let us know! Take care.

Marguerite
 
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