Oh my god!

[kbheart]

I just wanted to add more about counselling. It's like medication, sometimes you have to try several different counselors or therapists until you find one that works for you. I was lucky to have a therapist before my surgery who was dealing with his own chronic health problems. He knew the fears and losses that go with major health problems. He helped me realize how normal my emotional reactions were.

Sometimes it takes more than an MD to know when a person needs medication and when their reactions are normal. I don't think most MD's take enough time with their patients to really know the difference. If you're suicidal, it's an easy call, but usually, it's more complicated. I'd want the opinion of a counselor or therapist or psychologist.

I hope you find the best medication and the most caring helpful counselor!! And if not, keep trying!!

 

[martinandamanda]

Hi everyone

just to update on the situation. Martin has now started citalopram andhas been on it for over a week. early days but he has not been too bad. we have had family all week staying so distraction has helped. we decided to buy a tent this week and have booked a couple of weekends away with friends over he coming weeks which might help to get away from it all. He has a meeting with the doctor and councillor this week and I hope this helps. I also sent him to Kickboxing again, which is what he did before his heart surgery. The lady who runs it is my best friend and she won't allow him to spar or do contact so he should be OK. He really enjoyed it and I think it made him feel human again.

Anyway thanks again for your all your support.

Amanda

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hi everyone

just to update on the situation. Martin has now started citalopram andhas been on it for over a week. early days but he has not been too bad. we have had family all week staying so distraction has helped. we decided to buy a tent this week and have booked a couple of weekends away with friends over he coming weeks which might help to get away from it all. He has a meeting with the doctor and councillor this week and I hope this helps. I also sent him to Kickboxing again, which is what he did before his heart surgery. The lady who runs it is my best friend and she won't allow him to spar or do contact so he should be OK. He really enjoyed it and I think it made him feel human again.

Anyway thanks again for your all your support.

Amanda

Ah yes, Physical Exercise is also a good anti-depressant!

Walking, Hiking, Bicycyle Riding, sports, etc. all can be helpful.

There is an excellent book on Depression following Heart Surgery written by J. Jude, M.D. et. al. Title is something like "Coping with Heart Surgery and Bypassing Depression". See the REFERENCE Forum or do a Google Search for J. Jude or "Bypassing Depression" and you should be able to find it.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[MarkU]

I just wanted to echo Al's comments regarding exercise. It's helped me a lot to get through some pretty nasty bouts of depression after my AVR.
I was also fortunate that I had a hospital counselor talk to me prior to my surgery, telling me what to look out for. Up until that point I really hadn't been aware that it was going to be a problem.
Six years later I still get some 'blue' moods on occasion - not sure it's something that you ever completely get over.

Mark

 

[bvdr]

Amanda, I am so happy to read that Martin seems to be doing better. I've been through some really tough things in my life but my heart stuff isn't near the top of this list. What is there though is the period of time when my husband went through a major depressive episode. I can't even begin to express the darkness of those days and how now, years later, we are thankful daily for the gift of mental wellness. It sounds like Martin's was caught much earlier and that is a very very good thing. I remember taking life minute by minute and each of those with prayer. The medications took many weeks to work and had the side effect of such drowsiness but now he has adjusted to that and is doing very well. You are in my prayers for sure!

 

[SumoRunner]

It was over 15 years ago for me and I can't recall how long it took me to get out of it, but I did suffer from deep depression after the OHS. It didn't begin to set in for 6 or 8 weeks, but it deepened for many weeks thereafter. My wife tried to get me out of it by planning a vacation to Palm Beach, FL for a week in December. I only remember not enjoying any of it. I was miserable the whole time.

There was no sudden recovery, no single day when it all just got brighter, just a slow, gradual improvement. By six or eight months out I was back to normal.

 

[martinandamanda]

Thanks for your replys. We have been very lucky as hubby has been offered regular Councilling sessions and he seems to be doing ok. I think the house move has not helped as we are finding it hard to settle into the new area. I guess stress/depression makes things ten seem times harder .

Thanks again

A & M

 

[briansmom]

There is a chart somewhere (I remember this from college) that gives a point value to stressful things happening in life. Death of a loved one was the number one stressor. Divorce, marriage, having a child, and major illness in the family were the 2nd most stressful. Buying a house, moving, changing jobs were next on the list. It sounds like you guys have been hit pretty hard all the way around. Depression seems pretty normal for your situation.
I am glad that the counseling is helping.