Depressed?

[Roger1950]

My husband had an AVR four weeks ago and has become quite depressed in the last few days. He is scheduled to see a pyschiatrist next week (a good thing). I am wondering how common depression is ; I would imagine it is fairly common and how others have dealt with it.

[Tom F.]

It is very common after OHS to have some form of emotional reaction. For some, its depression. Others, it may just be heightened emotional response to things. If your husband's reaction is too strong, then he is doing the absolute best thing by getting some help. He has been through a lot with this type of surgery, get him the help that he needs.

[Barry]

My understanding is that it's very very common, and that at least part of it is a response to the anesthesia. If he's started up any meds relatively recently, you may want to do some research on them - depression isn't an uncommon side-effect with some cardiovascular drugs.

But remembering back what it was like to be 4 weeks post-op, feeling pretty down could be considered a reasonable reaction: You can't eat, you can't sleep, and your sex drive stinks. Besides being robbed of life's three great pleasures, you're in pain much of the time.

[LisaD0365]

I was very depressed when I had my MVR....nothing helped....(my family even tried giving me BOXES of chocolate...sweet family....but stupid family....which means...I ate all of the chocolate....went from a size 6 to a size 18... :eek: ) Took me awhile to get over the depression....not efven going to talk about the weight gain.... :D

[Nancy]

Just about as common as the leaves on the trees. For some it lifts after a little while, while others have it long term. There are so many wonderful meds for depression now, there's no reason for one to suffer, life's too short.

This surgery really throws your system into a tizzy.

So tell your husband he has about a ton of company.

You take good care of yourself as well. I know how hard it can be for the loved ones to see so many changes happen all at once.

Glad he's seeing a doc.

[ALCapshaw2]

Depression after Heart Surgery is so common that it has it's own book by J. Jude, M.D., et.al. entitled:

"Coping with Heart Surgery and Bypassing Depression"

Check your books stores or library.

'AL Capshaw'

[hensylee]

Ask any cardiologist; heart disease and depression often go hand in hand.

This is a subject that often appears here on the forum and all answers are as shown above.

Usually, their depression eventually lifts. So there seems to be some light at the end. Good wishes in his complete recovery from this.

[Rich]

For me it was the realization that a man-made device was keeping me alive.
That all passed pretty quickly and as Nancy said life IS too short so enjoy what you have while you can.

[geebee]

Like Rich, I had a few moments with the "mechanical" inside me. I got into a crying spell one day worrying about whether the "valve would stop". Not realistic I know since the valve isn't "motorized." As long as my heart was working, the valve would work.

However, depression and the like is NOT realistic. It is emotional which is often unreasonable, irrational and off the wall. It is VERY common after OHS and needs to be treated.

You go through so many roller coaster rides getting ready for, going through, and recovering from OHS. This takes a toll both physically and mentally. The physical is automatically addressed but the mental part is secondary. My second OHS was done at a hospital that automatically send a staff psychiatrist to visit all OHS patients in the recovery room and each day until release. A practice that should be utilized everywhere.

[hayden]

My doc gave me lexapro which has helped....he also told me to think about living and not dieing....

[Bionic Valve Tim]

I had depression issues before (and unrelated to) my valve surgery. It's obviously a tough issue to have to deal with, and I can't imagine how much tougher it would be right after OHS.

Be sure to speak to a doctor about it--it is *very* treatable, and there's no reason to suffer through it.

Incidentally, part of the definition of clinical depression is persistence, usually more than a couple of weeks. Until he's had it a little longer, I think it's generally considered part of our natural ups and downs (a funk, having the blues, feeling a little down, whatever). That, of course, doesn't help the patient feel any better.

Try http://www.depression-screening.org/ for more information.

Tim

[Barry]

Things may have changed since then, but when I was a mental health worker I was trained to give a patient a referral to see the shrink for medication evaluation if the depression was coupled with vegetative signs and had lasted more than 6 weeks.

Vegetative signs - can't eat, can't sleep, sex drive stinks - tend to indicate that something biologically-based is going on.

As I noted in a previous post, though, a bit of a reality test may be in order: The stuff you go through post-op is pretty depressing stuff and it would be weird if you felt on top of the world.

[Raecee]

For me the depression was and still is an issue I work through. I give myself a pep talk, throw the covers off and get out of bed. I have to remind myself that although my husband cannot comprehend how I feel, He and our daughter still love me. It has been almost a year now since my MVR and most days I am terrific, but I still have bad days when I want to strike out at others and be totally left alone. I find that listening (reading ) here helps me to feel stronger about the entire situation, and that although I have a "mechanical" devise helping to keep me alive... I AM ALIVE !! :D
The support I have found here, even if I am a quiet one, has been stupendously strong for me and others. Knowing that you are all here to listen and give strength through your oppinions and thoughts gives me an extra boost.
Stand Strong w/ him, Love Him, and Be Patient w/ him.

[Nancy]

Rachel-

You don't want to go through all that surgery just to live a sort of shadow life. You deserve to ENJOY your new reborn heart and your life after surgery. You haven't mentioned anything about getting on some antidepressants, but they are a miracle for those whose depression doesn't lift in a reasonable time.

GO, ENJOY your life, gets some help, and put it behind you. This is something that has help for.

[Debrinha GT]

There's also another thread on the POST SURGERY forum called MOOD CHANGES AFTER SURGERY which I think you might want to check. I really hope your husband cheers up soon and is able to enjoy his new life with you! Best of luck!
Débora

[Dr. Stupid]

I had AVR in June 2001. I was back in work by mid August 2001 - desk job !
There have been numerous times when I thought enough is enough, I hate this and wanted to end it. These thoughts decreased with time for me, and now I am looking forward to running a 10k and half marathon this year, followed by a full marathon next year.
If its of any benefit I still get scared now thinking about things. I have my checkup next week and echo, and am NOT looking forward to it at all - simply in case they find anything untoward.
Paul

[hensylee]

I have my checkup next week and echo, and am NOT looking forward to it at all - simply in case they find anything untoward.
Paul

Do we ever completely get rid of that small dread that they might find something at our next checkup? We used to discuss that but haven't for awhile. Best wishes on your checkup. Hardly anybody ever has a problem when there's a checkup. But we do worry about it. It's like climbing a wee mountain.

[Debrinha GT]

I know the feeling only too well! Here I would definitely apply the saying: "Once bitten, twice shy!"
Débora

[Dr. Stupid]

Had my checkup - complete discharge ! Apparently I'm fine tuned to the hilt !
Got to go out and enjoy life, with plenty of exercise, and no cigs or beer.
Paul

[Kahunaz]

I had AVR about 6 months ago....I had several complications (a hugh decub. ulser on my butt..and foot drop and numbness)..I went to rehab for some 2 1/2 months with a contrapion called a wound vac on my butt...VERY VERY uncomfortable...and I still have an open wound and still can't walk unassisted. So needless to say I was depressed...actually my wife saw it more than I did....made an apptmt. for me to see someone..and it does help..It really does

Hope everything works out for you.

Carmen

[Gemma]

Jim had to go back into hospital 4 weeks after his AVR with atrial flutter - very nasty experience, especially the drugs they injected him with to stop his heart. It hasn't happened since as he takes sotalol to control it, and opinion is divided over whether it would ever come back, even without the sotalol, but...

Since then, he's been fine most of the time but if his heart rate gets high (eg if we're walking up a mountain!) or he gets sick (eg with a bad cold and overwork which leave him feeling faint/tired/sick), he starts imagining the worst (my mum, a counsellor, says it's called catastrophisation) and thinks he's going to end up in hospital again. Obviously this is not a normal response to the situation he's in. My heart rate is always way above his when we're doing anything but I don't bother about it as I've never had the flutter thing.

So, I'm going to ask his cardiologist at his next appointment if he can either A) convince Jim these are normal occurences and to be expected, and that even people with normal hearts experience the same thing, or
B) ask about the possibility of referring him to a counsellor.
It's been going on long enough and I really think he needs to stop living his life in fear. He even said himself he knows it's an illogical reaction, but once he starts thinking that way he can't snap out of it. :( I don't think drugs are the way to go for Jim but I'm really hoping there's something his cardio can do to make him accept he's OK.