Anyone else depressed after spine surgery?

[NancyC]

I hope this is the right place to post...

Did anyone else find that they went into a BIG depression after surgery? Mine was Feb. 22/11 and just this week I find I am SO depressed. I cry every day, don't want to get dressed, eat, sleep or anything.

All I do is lie on the couch, chain-smoke (despite quitting for 20 days prior to surgery and while in hospital) and drink endless cups of coffee. And I cry.

Did anyone else feel like this? If so, what did you do about it?

Thanks,

Nancy

[Katie]

I hope this is the right place to post...

Hi Nancy, just a thought...you might get a better response if you started a new thread about this. Not that this is a bad spot to post, but you would probably get more replies to its own title.

But to answer your question...I have had a tiny inkling of what you are going through. I went into a deep depression after my second daughter...more post postpartum depression but the end result was the same. I eventually got help from my family doctor and that helped immensely.

You have gone through a big shock, both physically and emotionally. There are a lot of hormones galloping through your system right now...anesthetic does weird stuff and it takes a while to completely clear from the body. Plus you are probably expecting things to be much better than they really are right now. I went through that too, and could not come to terms with how restricted I was for the three months post-op. After all, I waited years to get this life changing surgery, so I should be able to go out and weed the garden, play with the horses, go for long hikes in the woods, right? Emotionally I wanted to do all that so much, but thankfully my common sense side of the brain kicked in. But it was very hard to swallow.

Plus even though it is officially spring, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of SAD being an issue here. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) where we sink into depression because of the lack of exposure to enough sunshine. You are emerging from a long dark winter.....so maybe getting one of those ultraviolet therapy lights would help, or just sitting out on the deck on a sunny day will help too. It sure won't hurt in my experience I have felt so good emotionally the last few days after being out in the garden, cleaning out the winter garbage and planning where the new flowers will go. Couldn't walk straight for awhile, as it wasn't an activity I was used to, but worth it

Hope this helps.

[hooperleo]

Nancy, meds can put you into depression too! I too became depressed as I couldn't see the future after my L4-5 S1 fusion in 1984. Family support helped me through my issues and I enjoyed 25 years of little pain and exciting work. My auto accident in 2009 took all that away however: I can see the light and know that one day soon I will be back to normal. Don't give up, learn how to say no and not feel guilty for it.
Best of luck
Leo

[Cindylou]

Nancy, I am so very sorry you have sunk into this deep depression since your surgery. Katie is so right in saying how much toll the body takes after it has been under the knife. I think the first step, recognizing the problem, you have already done. Now, for step 2. Do you have any support system there where you live (like a close friend, family, neighbor, church family, etc.) who could help you locate a professional counselor/therapist? Possibly even your family doctor or your surgeon could help you locate a specialist. I would even consider calling the hospital where you had surgery and asking if they offer any type of social service follow-up or therapy, for a recent patient, such as yourself. And then don't shy away from telling them, when hopefully, they ask what problem (s) you are experiencing. I would also like to humbly offer that chain smoking and drinking coffee all day are also a recipe for disaster, as regards to your physical health, mental health and recovery. Try and add a few glasses of water in between your coffee intake. Also, although it would be nice to see you quit smoking again, and I do believe you can, there is a time and a place for everything......and now may not be the time to quit, since you are struggling with such depression. One thing at a time, you know? I do hope these suggestions can help even if just to point you in the right direction. And meanwhile, do get outside if you can, to enjoy some of the spring weather. It will do wonders for your soul. Even my indoor dog, 10 year old golden retriever, cancer survivor and recently diagnosed w/dementia, seems to inherently know the value of sleeping on our screen porch again, with the sun basking on her body. Be kind to yourself Nancy, during this rough patch. God bless, Cindylou

[NancyC]

I want to thank eveyone who answered this thread. It must have been a combination of the drugs, and the hormones. I am feeling MUCH better now - even though I just found out that my surgery didn't work, I am still not depressed. Weird, huh?

But I can't thank you enough. Bless you all.