Candice...Hello, and I understand completely what you are going through. I, too, had a very large aneurysm found due to vertigo. My dizzy spell happened while I was driving, which scared the he!! out of me. After a cat scan, I was off to the neurologist. One cerebral angiogram confirmed it, large unruputured aneurysm behind my right eye. Two stents put in, second one because the first stent moved, and on Dec 4th, after a 6.5 hour surgery, 18 coils were placed.
Now, I'm told I'm good. I have headaches everyday, I am anxious, depressed,
yes, I do feel all alone in this. I fear driving because thats where it all started.
My family Dr has put me on Zoloft, also Lorezapam for what he says is Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder. I lost my job because of all the time I missed during surgeries. Right now I want my life back, but I dont know how to get it, I cant imagine going back to work right now. So, I, too, spend alot of time alone, have my crying spells...ugh!!
I'm grateful that my surgery was a success, I know that it's a miracle, and I am thankful for that. Sometimes, though, I find myself wishing that they had never found the aneurysm. I know I'm going to get through this though, and so will you...will do it together. It's wonderful they have this support group, so we do know we're not alone in our journey here. If you need someone, to talk with, to vent to...I am here, know that your not alone. I'll pray for you, myself, and everyone else out there that is going through this. My name is Laurie....

HI Candice
Yes I think that this is very common. I had a ruptured brain annie and it has been almost 10 months and just now am coming out of the depression. I do take Zoloft which has helped tremendously and I do take trazadone to help me sleep. Good luck and I am happy you are here!
Stacey

post surgery depression
 

f:grouphug:I got my group hug fr reading all of your reponds. I am a year and few months past my clipping surgery...and this has been a bad day....Then I will have my good days...and trying to find the old me, don't know if I will.............thanks to all of you,
Blessings, Sage

Hello Sage

This was an old thread - but so true. I had my aneurysm clipped in 2004, and I know that there were lots of dark days (and nights when I couldn't sleep).

There are lots of reasons why depression is so common after brain surgery. Not least because you have been through a life threatening surgery, but because I think you lose a lot of your identity when you have to depend on others and find yourself different from the 'you' that you have always known.

There are the cognitive effects - poor sleeping, poor memory, trouble sleeping, difficulty finding words (although YOU know what you want to say), physical effects - like having a massive scar, hair loss, weight gain (particularly if you have been on steroids), weakness and generally feeling like cr@p. Added to that, you are trying to cope with people who have no idea what you are experiencing that expect that it is something like recovery after getting your tonsils removed.

Of course, we can't discount the fact that your brain has had a massive insult and some doctor (even if they are great - like mine was) has been messing around with the very thing that makes you YOU.

The whole thing is a recipe for depression, and if you are experiencing that, I hope you have seen a good doctor, and have someone around that you can REALLY talk to.

Keep in touch and remember that if you come to this forum, you will get support from others who have been through, or are coping with this journey now.

Regards

Lyn

Candice- I to continue to experience the things you mentioned, I had a ruptured aneurysm repaired in Dec. 2008. The doctors found 2 others and I have since had them all repaired by clips or coils. Have had at least 3 strokes and feel much like you do. I "look" fine so many people do not understand . I have joined a brain injury support group, and it seems to help at times. It still sucks, but at least I know I am not alone, and neither are you

Hi Candice
 

Welcome to Neuro talk. I am sorry you have been through so much. I want you to know you are not alone in this depression. This can and does happen with many different medical and surgical problems. I don't know exactly what happens, I only know it happens to many of us. I have had cervial problems and multipal surgeries, and battle depression as you do. I also have council and medication. I come back here and I do receive alot of help and support. What you are doing, by going for help, is the best possible thing you can do. Not all medication works for everyone. sometimes it takes a change or two, to get a medicine that works. You doctor will work with you to make sure you take something that will help. If the first one doesn't, allow him to try a different one. Don't be afraid of the medications. Even if you had an unpleasant side effect, you won't have take that particuar one. Do give it a try. I have gotten much better since I started with sertraline, this was the second one I tried. I do wish you all the best. Ginnie

I can relate to what you are going threw. I had a ruptured annie last January. I am not only suffering from depression (I believe) but other physical stuff. No diagnosis as to what the other stuff is and it bumbs me out even more. I get headaches, stars, ringing in ears, wierd outta-body stuff. Numbness, tingling and the list continues. I was advised to see pysc and have yet to follow up. Its alot to rap your head around. I am constantly reminded how lucky I am to be here. I should have died according to those around me (sometimes I think their right). I struggle everyday with normal activity, not because of physical imparement, but mental (I think). I've been on lyrica and metoprolol. I stopped taking them when they could not give me a diagnosis as to why I should take them. None of the above compares to being alone tho. The worst for me is being alone. Everyone tiptoes around me, avoid me like I have a plague. That hurst the most and Im sure it contributes to my emotional well being. If you have a support network, stick with it, seek medical help when needed. I sit everyday trying to remember that awful feeling just before my head popped. Living in fear that its waiting to get me again. The neurosurgeon assured me that it would not happen again, but the physical things Im expererience says other. I encourage you to get all the help you can. If you are taking meds, take them, talk to your dr's about adjusting them if needed and continue to talk to those who are supportive of you. Do what you deem best for yourself and Im sure in time it will get better. I still believe that even I will get better, just as soon as I find a good neurologist and perhaps pyschologist/pychiatrist which ever comes first. My prayers to you and anyone else that stands in need of prayer, even myself. God bless, please keep us posted as to how and when your issues are resolved. HUGS!!!

Hello Sah
 

Hello and I sure am glad you found NT. You are not alone. There are quite a few people on the site that have your medical problems. I am so sorry that this happened to you. I know some of the fear about it that you live with. I am sorry people have not responded to your need in your life. You find out who your friends are when you get sick. Keep posting here. SDFenser, has annies too. He can be a good source of information and support to. Don't hesitate to keep in contact with him. He is a fencing champion, and also stuggles with what happened to his brain. I will also chat with you any time. I have spinal problems in my life, and walking issues as well. Keep in touch. I care. ginnie

Thank you Ginnie, that meant alot to me. I get stubborn sometimes or upset because I feel like no is listening either because of no response or slow response. I will continue to visit NT. I need all the support I can get. Im no longer ashamed to admit that. Perhaps, I will have the strength to seek professional help beyond the uppidy neorulogist in time. Im afraid they might want to commit/admit me. Finally got that off my chest, Whewww.... Exhailing.....It feels good to breath, it feels sooooooo good to breath! Love and hugs to everyone!!! WOW! HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGS TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!:grouphug: Thank you!

Hi Sah, PM me
 

Yo are not alone. PM me and I will give you my home PC address. I will try to give you a little more upbeat talk that way. I will listen and so will SDfender. You are not alone. We all suffer to some degree, and some folks just get wrapped up on certain threads. I kinda make the rounds. ginnie