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Old 11-05-2008, 11:42 AM #1
Ashika1 Ashika1 is offline
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Question Depression Post-Surgery?

Hi everyone. I'm new and my name is Candice. I'm 52 years old. I had surgery to repair an unruptured aneurism on September 11th, after they found it in an MRI while trying to determine the cause of vertigo. It turned out my vertigo was caused by permanent damage to my inner ear from an ear infection. I feel blessed that the aneurism was found, and could be repaired. It went well, and my physical healing seems to be going well, too. I have a wonderful circle of support from friends and family, and co-workers. I've been off work and won't return until the end of November.

I want to know if anyone else has experienced depression and anxiety after coming through surgery? I can't make sense of this. For a few weeks right after surgery, I was elated and happy, and was laughing alot, just happy to be alive.

NOW, for the past few weeks (maybe 3), I am in such a depressed state, my sleep is all over the map, insomnia, and generally just feeling hopeless, useless and yet, I know intellectually that these things aren't true. My family doctor wants to put me on Ceprilex, for my depression, but I am unsure of taking them, as there are numerous side effects. I am feeling sad, and cry at the drop of a hat, for no reason. I find myself spending a lot of time alone.

I started seeing a counsellor this week, because I can not deal with feeling so low, all the time!

What I want to know is, do others experience this after brain surgery and is this normal? I want it to pass. I try doing one or two productive things/day, however my energy level and motivation is low. I manage to get to the gym about 4-5 times per week. This makes me feel marginally better, but the effects don't last.

Anyone out there who has had these post-surgery symptoms?

Thanks,
Candice (Ashika)
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Old 11-06-2008, 02:57 AM #2
Jess.t123 Jess.t123 is offline
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Hi Candice yes I too battled with depression panic attacks and anxiety however I have come through the other side and am ok now. Jess.xxx
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Old 11-08-2008, 01:53 PM #3
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Hi Candice,
I am not surprised at your reaction. I had an MRI due to sudden facial drooping almost two yrs ago and they found my aneursyms. To actually realize your own mortality is a hard thing to cope with. I'd find someone to talk to... possibly a friend that has had serious health problems or a therapist. It is really helpful to vent. People near you often feel that you have "been fixed", look fine, and need to move on. It takes time. Sarah
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Old 11-21-2008, 05:39 AM #4
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Hi Candice
I am just wondering how you are feeling now. I only read your post today, and it moved me. Depression after annie surgery is very common. Not only have you faced the prospect of dying, you have had major surgery and someone has been mucking around with your brain - the thing that makes you, YOU.

So, there are quite a few factors that are affecting you. There is a physiological reaction to your brain chemistry after the surgery. There is a psychological reaction to facing your own mortality. Then there are self-esteem issues that arise from feeling that you look like cr*p, (after my clipping surgery I looked like a creature from the black lagoon), and the issues that relate to temporarily diminished mental capacity, memory, emotional lability etc.

There is no shame in this - many of us have depression after (usually around three months or so). Talk to your doctor and see if there is a medication/treatment that will work for you.

My thoughts are with you, know that there is support out there.

Hugs

Lyn
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Old 01-19-2009, 08:36 AM #5
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Hi Candice,
I am very sad to hear that you are suffering depression after surgery. I also suffered badly from depression after my aneurysm was clipped and I later learned that the epilepsy medication I was prescribed was the reason my mood changed so radically day-to-day. I would recommend that you seek advise from your Doctor. Tests can be done to establish if any medication you may have been adivsed to take, is the correct dosage; or perhaps another drug may be prescribed in its place. Be articulate with how you feel, if your Doctor seems un-moved by your situation - seek out another Doctor.
It took me 3 days from when I stopped taking Dilantin (almost 1 year after surgery) to feel like "the old me". I was very surprised, it seemed almost impossible that these little tablets were in fact hampering my recovery and not enhancing it!!!!! It took me about 3 to 4 years to feel that my life had gotten back to normal (my surgery lasted over 7 hours) and I can say that my life is pretty good, so 'hang in there'!!
I have read on other web sites; aneurysm survivers' journals and one common recurring comment was that all of us sufferd depression and we all took epilepsy medication. It seems that there is a possible link between these two situations.
I wish you the very best Candice
Tess - Australia (age 42)
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Old 01-26-2009, 01:22 AM #6
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Hi Candice,
I also had depression,still deal with it off and on. Lynn said it all,we all go through this. It's been almost five years and I still look for the old me...can't find her but learning to live with who I am now. Hope you start feeling better soon.

ooxx
Mimi
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Old 01-26-2009, 08:24 PM #7
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Hi Candace,
What you are going through with depression is very common, whether you had coiling, clipping or rupture, the depression afterward is common. My thoughts on it are I always felt I was this really healthy person that would never get a life threatening illness, but it happened and in a moment my life changed considerably and will never be quite the same. The big thing i feel I lost was that secure safe feeling that nothing bad will ever happen, because it can and it did. This is something that I have learned to live with, and do battle with down feelings still after 4 years, but it is much better with time. You will be fine, just give yourself time and try to focus on the good things in your life.
Ruthie
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Old 02-02-2009, 05:47 PM #8
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I had my surgery in July of 2005, and I still have alot of anger, anxiety and deppression stemming for the whole experience. I go thru my phases were I will be fine for a while then drop into a funk thinking about everything and then being paranoid about my future health. So its most definetely normal to have these types of feelings. And I know first hand that its difficult to discuss these feelings with people who haven't experienced this type of traumatic event. I've even had a few people have the nerve to say that I use my experience as a "crutch" and that all those feelings are "just in my head". I was like "WOW, really? Lets see how you would feel after having an aneurysm at 27 years old". I've tried "medicine" and to tell you the truth I find talking to others like me to be the most theraputic. But you gotta figure out what works best for you.

There are going to be those times where you feel depressed and confused, but always remember we are all here for one another. In some way we are a type of family here, brought together by our common experience. So if you should ever need us, we are here.

Last edited by BAlive; 02-02-2009 at 09:31 PM.
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Old 05-20-2010, 04:16 AM #9
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Question Could I be developing a brain aneurysm like my father did?

Hi. I too had surgery had surgery for an inner ear infection that became horribly infected and I became violently ill on March 9, 2010, I saw my doctor on March 10 and on March 11 he fit me in his surgery schedule because I was experiencing nausea for the first time in my life that was so bad I couldn't even hold down water. I had the surgery then I became violently ill that night and my 17-year-old son was so concerned that he called 911 in the morning and went to the hospital with me where they gave me anti-nausea drugs and he took the day off from school to spend the day taking care of me. Then I came back for a follow-up appointment with my doctor on March 19. He was so concerned about my physical symptoms and my state of mind that he wanted me to stay in hospital, but I was worried about what it would cost, so I convinced him that I try being at home, being taken care of by my daughter, which turned out not to be a very good idea because she was having some very serious problems of her own, recovering from a gunshot wound to the face by an unstable (and now in jail) boyfriend. I wound up having a very bad reaction to the anesthetic (I always do) and the anti-nausea medicine and I suffered many falls, the last one being so bad that I had a slight concussion when I was sleep walking (more like sleep running...something I never do under normal circumstances) and I plowed head-first into the bathroom door with my son doing his best to catch me and he tried to pull me back from hitting my head, but I still got hurt. I tried to take care of it myself, but I had to go back into the emergency room and they kept me in the hospital for a couple of days for observation. Since that time I have tried desperately to get caught up with all of my mother's taxes, bills and appointments while trying my best to help my children and I am so despondent about the reception I've been getting from the people around me that I don't know where to turn. I didn't have a brain aneurysm that I know of, though my father, whom I take after, died from one when he was only 74. I am 53. The cat-scan they did looked "fine" they said, but the vertigo has been pretty bad at times, though I am finally getting some physical therapy for that. My main problem is that of trying to get back into my normal routine and I haven't had much sympathy at all from my family, they seem more concerned about all that I haven't been getting done for them. I was told to get rest and to get help to get back on my feet again, but I've been easily upset and depressed and I am astounded at how cold some people have been towards me since this happened. I had to use a cane for awhile and I've been having trouble talking, writing and typing as well, though thank God I still have all my number, math and music abilities (strong points of mine) in tact. I am depressed and frustrated and I feel like there is something possibly more wrong with me and like I'm not progressing as I should. All the bruises on the outside are diminishing, but I still seem to be a mess on the inside. What should I do? My family is getting more and more and frustrated with me. A psychiatrist I saw a couple of times said she couldn't help me and I'm not even sure why. I just know that I am not myself and I'm scared that I might not ever return to my former self, though some tell me that I am showing some signs of improvement. I don't smoke or drink and walking my dog was always my calming behavior and I'm having a lot of trouble with that. What can I do to make things better? What is the matter with me? Why do I have such an awful time with anesthetic? How do I find out if I am developing a brain aneurysm like my father did? Thanks for your helpful information, I hope you are doing better. --Candace Mc
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Old 05-21-2010, 08:26 AM #10
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Hi Candace

It seems like you have had - and are still having a really rough time of things at the moment.

If you are still frightened, and have a family history of aneurysm, you should ask your doctor if you can have an MRA (which is painless and looks at the blood vessels in you brain) and also an MRI (which will identify any soft tissue damage).

This should give you a definitive result regarding anuerysms and also check for anything else that may be going on in your brain.

I hope you find the answers you need.

Cheers

Lyn
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