DEPRESSION
Hi and welcome to the group, I'm glad you've found us here. I am the resident nurse, and started this group for people just as you to reach out to others in their recovery. Depression is common post bypass surgery, so please know that you are not alone. I am sure that several of the bypassers will share their experience with depression with you, and that might help. Prozac takes at least 6 weeks for you to notice any change, so try to be patient. Anti-depressants work very well, but they do take time. You are doing other things that are quite beneficial in fighting depression - eating well, exercising, being part of a group - so I anticipate that you will beat this well before 14-16 months as you were told. Keep in touch with us, ask as many questions as you'd like, you'll find this to be a wonderful support group. Take care, Ann Ann McCrea, RN
In a message dated 10/22/2001 11:28:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time, jameshrutherford@... writes: HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD I WOULD GO INTO A POST DEPRESSION WHICH I AM IN AND IT IS NO FUN... Having had two CABG x5 I can tell you after first I was ready to celebrate - "Great to be Alive." After second was depressed and "Why Me." Try getting hold of a copy Coping With Heart Surgery and Bypassing Depression by Carol Cohan. I think that would help. Also like my 2nd surgeon told me "we have only bypassed your heart disease, now it is up to you to prevent recurrence." Though recently there have been some bumps in the road tomorrow I celebrate 13 years post 2nd CABG. I am 64 and just came back from 35 mile ride on my bike. Harry K Harry K
In a message dated 10/22/2001 1:30:45 PM Central Daylight Time, HKopcf@... writes: << Also like my 2nd surgeon told me "we have only bypassed your heart disease, now it is up to you to prevent recurrence." Though recently there have been some bumps in the road tomorrow I celebrate 13 years post 2nd CABG. I am 64 and just came back from 35 mile ride on my bike. Harry K HarryK...CONGRATS on your anniversary!! I don't post much here but I have followed your progress. You are such an inspiration. SharonP
it. Thus far it has made for very interesting reading. Jim JHR222@...
In a message dated 11/1/2001 11:00:27 AM Eastern Standard Time, jameshrutherford@... writes: it. Thus far it has made for very interesting reading. Jim Jim, Hope it is helping you with your depression. Two activities at opposite end of the spectrum that helped me were exercise and cooking. I started cycling for exercise and wanting to improve my diet, I started cooking low fat specialties from a health book. Gave me a lot of satisfaction that I could cook something low fat that tasted good. Harry K
John, Do NOT stop any of your meds without first checking with your Doctor(s). Some meds need to be decreased S L O W L Y to prevent other effects. 'AL'
Ed Im glad you raised this...Whats happening here is its not depression but such a lack of motovation and lethargy. Kinda like waiting for a big day, it comes and somehow the aftermath is just yucky. Maybe its like the crying jags???? Im on a anti depressant so the crying has stopped. Im resting more now than after the operation. Go figure. I get confused a lot too. But I have learned to laugh that off cause it can be funny. For some reason I thought it was still June and made a silly comment to a woman and she looked at me like I was a mental case. Are you having any problems with odors..I threw away all the dial antiseptic soap...It just reminds me of the operation. Maybe some day we can all laugh at this. or at least giggle.
Good Morning, I tried to send an attachment but I guess this is not allowed here soooo I thought I would send this note and anyone interested in seeing why you have depression and what is available to help other then drugs, I can send the article privately. We all know that neuron's are brain cells. Neurotransmitters are how the brain cells talk to each other. Stress depletes neruotransmitters from working right. Or it is called a chemical imbalance in the brain. "2 amino acids" a day restores the balance in the neurotansmitters. As levels are restored you notice that you ; sleep better, think more clearly, slower to anger, more at peace and relaxed, you become Positive, focused, motivated. This article goes more in depth about how amino acids work, causes of depression etc. I have seen here where a few have said that the Dr's now are relating depression with heart surgery. That really doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. When the body goes through a major change, invasion etc it is no wonder depression sets in "for some". If you would like me to send this article to you privately just let me know. nancy
In a message dated 9/7/03 5:44:09 AM Central Daylight Time, sunshinepipeliner@... writes: << If you would like me to send this article to you privately just let me know. nancy If the article is not too long, you can COPY and PASTE in text block of a message to the board. 'AL'
Hi Ed, You are sooooo BAD. I just went and looked up in the article about Oxytocin to see what it said. lol : ) Thank you for your help on the URL. Hope it helps someone. nancy
You think you have it bad, You should see me. I can`t work anymore and I live on a fixed income.When I get a 20$ raise for my disabality payment. Mu gas bill goes up 20$ my elec goes up 10$ my insurance goes 15$ and water has gone up as you can see I am falling farther behind. Something has got to go. Cable will go first then internet service then the phone. When Bush sighned that bill for Medicare my insulin went from 25$ a bottle to 75 dollars a bottle. All you tax payers will be giving the LILLY Co. 50$ for nothing and I will still have to pay the 25$ for my insulin. They want me to pay 600$ so I can get full coverage. Where and the hell am I going to get that. I have lived in my home for over 30 years and it looks like I will have to walk away and let it go into forcloser. I get 1202 a month and my house payment is 517$, car Is 225$ Car and house insurance is 150$ My Insulin is 13400$ for 3 MO.Gas is 117$ water is 150$ Then there is the phone, trash and food.My house needs a lot of work and I can`t afford it. This is where my stress is comming in. It is making me sick all the time. Steve.
I am having problems with depression. I understand my surgery is only five weeks old, but I hate all the changes I have to make in my life, smoking, etc. I never liked change before this. I get so depressed when I am alone at home sometimes, I keep telling God to take me now (in my sleep). I do not want to die in pain. Is that weird or what? I have never been afraid of death anyway. Will the depression ease up? Some days are great and I think everything is going to be ok, then a day or two passes and the depression comes back in full force. What to do? I am ready to cash it all in. I do not want to live like this. I know I am being selfish and it could be worse, but I do not like this at all. Any advice would be appreciated. Karen in Chicago
In a message dated 12/14/2005 1:48:54 P.M. US Eastern Standard Time, Karenique@... writes: What to do? I am ready to cash it all in. I do not want to live like this. I know I am being selfish and it could be worse, but I do not like this at all. Any advice would be appreciated. Karen in Chicago Its been 3 years for me and I still have those days a lot.. I feel like my heart stopping ripped out my soul... and I have so much nerve damage some days it feels like my chest was cracked a week ago... but some people do awesome so just hang in there it is all so new I was in the hospital a whole month look how far YOU have come.. God bless and keep you Rose in Indiana (grew up in Chicago)
To Everyone Who Responded, Work takes my mind off the depression. I love the people I work with and we have fun, so that always makes for a good day. It is when I get home alone that I sometimes I get depressed. Also, my boyfriend committed suicide in July. So I have that and the bypass surgery to deal with. What a horrendous year 2005 has been. Hopefully, 2006 will be better for everyone. The pain is getting better week by week and that helps me a lot. Thanks for everyone's advice. What a wonderful group of people. Thanks to everyone and good luck. Happy Holidays to all! Karen in Chicago xxxooo
Karen, Lets hope 2006 is a great year for everyone. We can all pull together and support one another and see what happens. Really sounds like you are doing better than most recovering from your bypass so don't get discouraged. Ann
Boy can I relate to not wanting to be here. I had those feelings off and on for about 18 months and now when I get sick from anything I get all down again. I call it my pity trips. Time really does help and this group is a real life saver. Stay with us and tell us how you feel. Believe me we have felt and heard it all so just let it all out. It helps just to vent a little sometimes. You are doing good and just know it will get better but slowly for most of us so be patient. Ann
I was visiting my family doctor today and I asked him about what causes depression in cardiac patients. He said that when there is some damage to the heart caused by surgery or by a heart atack, the heart releases certain chemecials that cause depression. He said that it is not caused by the bypass machine. They treat the depression with anti depressants. I hope this information can help some of you Sharon
In a message dated 2/15/2007 10:26:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, kaylee1@... writes: You are the captain of your own ship, Gino. amen Gino