A little down...

[supershae]

So I've always suffered from a depression and anxiety disorder and take medicine for it. I was doing really well before my surgery, and now 1 week out I'm really struggling. I don't know if it is because I've kind of been cooped up in the house or what, but I just feel really down and depressed. I should be happy. I've lost almost 35 pounds. I'm just not though. Is this normal? Did anyone else have this problem?

[Joanne]

Shae,
You just had major surgery, so it's an emotional time. Some people report the anesthesia meds making them feel off for a little while. It's also typical to have a little "buyer's remorse" early on because you're just not feeling great yet.

There are other physical reasons, too. Massive weight loss can cause "hormone dumping", which can make you moody and depressed.

If you're feeling that bad, talk to someone about it and see if your meds need to be adjusted. From a recovery standpoint, try to take it one day at a time for now. Hope you feel better.

(Hugs)

[hoosiermama]

Hey super,

It's gonna be OK. There is a let down after surgery, you have been working up to having this thing for a long time, it's finally happened but you aren't thin yet. Dang it all

You have hormones surging through your body at a great rate than usual (I don't understand this part but I felt it). I'm a peaceful soul but there were times I think I could have committed extremely violent acts over the last couple months. You are on a roller coaster.

1. Accept that you are going to have hormones.
2. Get an antidepressant or an increase to current meds.
3. Get out of the house. You are right there by Wallymart, use it. Walk the store 3 - 8 times, as much as you can.
4. Be good to yourself everyday and be patient with yourself. If things get really rough, call Dr. Brenda

[yorkie]

Hey Hon, congrats on your successful surgery.
I think honestly, its probably a combo of possible things.
Did you stop or miss your medication before or just after surgery? I know I missed about 2 weeks of my anti depressant when i was in the hospital for complications and the sudden withdrawal sent me for a loop.
add to that, alot of people have a depression or surgery blues due to the anti climax, pain meds and anaesthesia....
keep an eye on it and if your symptoms get worse or change suddenly, put a call in to your surgeon/psych doc, it may be the dosage needs tweaking.

Yorkie xx

[Deleted]

You sound totally normal to me. You have suffered trauma. You have had bazillions of chemicals put into your system, many of which have psychoactive components. You are eating next to nothing and probably not sufficiently hydrated.

All this adds up to feeling MISERABLE for lots of us, both physically and emotionally. Not to mention that you are now absorbing your meds differently (well, depending on which meds and which forms).

Have you talked to your psych doc about this stuff yet? Might be a good idea to do so sooner rather than later.

[callmeEJ]

*hugs*

You just put your body through an ENORMOUS amount of stress. Surgery is NO JOKE. You will probably be feeling all sorts of abnormal feelings. This, strangely, is normal!

Also, as others have said, the massive weight loss is making your hormones go haywire. This is also normal. I have had bouts of depression/anxiety for years before my DS, and the weight loss brought it all back in full effect. Which meds are you on for your anxiety/depression? I'd recommend talking to your noggin talk and talk about alternatives. I know that some folks find that time-release meds are no longer effective after their DS and have to find something else.

And if you're feeling cooped up, can you get out of the house for even a minute? Walk around the block?

[supershae]

Thank you all for your support and advice. I am going to call my psych doctor tomorrow to set up an appointment. I'm on Celexa and I think I need to have it increased for a while. I was on a higher dose about a year ago and was doing well so we decreased it, I think I'm going to see if I can increase it for a while.

I went to church tonight and saw a bunch of people which helped. I got to walk around and talk to people other than my parents and my boyfriend which was nice. So that made me feel a little bit better. I didn't realize how much it took out of me though. As soon as I got home I plopped down in the recliner and I am still here. haha

Again, thank you for all of your support and advice. I am so thankful for this site and the people that are here. It has really, truly helped to get some of those questions answered that the doctor can't answer...only someone who has been through it can really answer those questions.

[callmeEJ]

supershae, I'm on Celexa, too, and I am taking a higher dose now that I was pre-op. Granted, I had been off it for a year when I had my surgery, but my doc thought it might be good to raise the dosage b/c of the malabsorption.

Edited to add: Also, I'm glad you got to get out for a little bit and feel a little normal! Good job taking care of your mental needs. Keep that up, ok?

[kingy]

Matey I was right there where you are now. At a week out I felt miserable, then I picked up and a month out I went the same way. I didn't stop taking my anti-depressants at any stage and after speaking to a few other DS'ers realised it was completely normal for all the reasons everyone has already posted you. All I can say is on those days, get yourself out of bed, bribe, weasel or cajole hugs from anyone who'll give them, go out in to the world and get some sun on your face and in no time you'll be on the other side of it. Funnily enough it kind of reminded me of when I was pregnant and I would sit in bed crying for no apparent reason and getting annoyed with myself because there really was nothing to be sad about... gotta love those hormones! Hope you're feeling chippa soon.