I have missed all of you and BT soooooooooo much in the past 2 months. I had a spinal fusion in July, which went well, except for a few complications not related to the spine. I have missed all of your advice, freindships, care and concern so much!
Now, I am going through the post surgical depression and was hoping someone has some suggestions as to how to deal with this, and make it go away!
I did not realize that vicodin needed to be tapered, and went from 6-10 a day, to 6 a day, to 2 a day within a week (I was feeling much better!). I started crying for no reason and that was it! It can happen anytime, anyplace, and if I talk about crying, here come the tears! I am pathetic!

I have an appointment with my PM tomorrow, whom I have talked to for advice. I was going to completely quit the vicodin (I thought it was causing the crying), but he is having me take one a day for a week. I am taking 3 valium a day for muscle relaxers (the real ones make other people around me cry). He has also upped my zoloft to one extra a day.
I have felt so good physically, and this mental depression is so unlike me, and also, how do you fix it? I cannot find the right word to describe how awful it is. I have been on the verge of calling my surgeon and begging him to send me back to work on light duty, part time.

I have books to read, jewelry to make (looking into Christmas ornaments in case we do an exchange again), home projects to do. I have no want of things to keep me busy.
I am also driving and can get out of the house, which I am trying to do more of.

So, I have one more question--Zoloft now has a generic called Sertraline. My blues started before I got the generic, but does anyone have any info on this? I know some generics do not do the same as the name brand name.

Thanks for letting me vent! I have come to the computer everyday since BT crashed, hoping it was back. I cannot believe it took me this long to find this, but I am so glad I did! I hope all of you are doing well, and am going to read on, and catch up!
Thanks in advance for any advice you have!
Carolyn

Welcome Carolyn I am so glad your surgery went well and wish I could help you with the depression, but I think you realize it is one of the meds so that is a big help.

I was on Vicodin and Lyrica and felt not myself the entire time I was on the two, but the Vicodin was only at nighttime to help me sleep, so when I stopped cold turkey both the Vicodin and Lyrica, I only had a mild withdrawal.

Hope someone helps you with some good information and nice to see another familiar name on this board.

Jyes

Are you feeling that you don't really know what to do with yourself staying home without focus? That while you have things to do, the structure of work was a better anchor? Because I get the feeling you are saying something like that, that you kinda wish the doc would send you back on light duty.

Well, why not? If you're feeling physically well, and can physically do your work, maybe that's what you need?

Also, Valium is a real depressant, and can be contributing to your depression. It's not a great muscle relaxant, but is a great cns depressant. So if you're (not anxious, you might want to get off it.

The Zoloft can take a few weeks to really kick in.

(I was back to work in 4 weeks after my fusion in February. I had a comfortable chair, which was the most important part. I'm not sure I would have wanted to stay home longer, not to mention the fact that I need the income. )

LizaJane

Yeah, I think I just need to be around more people, and have a little more of my old lifestyle back. My family thinks I am crazy to think I can go back to work now, but I think a 4 hour day would be do-able. I see my surgeon 9/22, and am so tempted to change the date, and see if he will send me back to work on light duty. I think my boss will be very accommodating, because he is a great man, and he also had back surgery a couple of years ago!
Thanks for the post, and hope your fusion is behaving, and doing what it is supposed to do. I think what they do to us is pretty techy, and amazing!
Carolyn

Hello,
I too was on valium 3x a day after my spinal fusion in june and as soon as they switched me to lyrica the crying stoppd?? I have never taken valium prior to the surgery. Glad to hear your surgery went well, my pain is worse then before (back) and now have severe leg pain in legs....my doctor orfered a nerve coduction study?? The Lyrica helps the leg pain but I feel like I just left the bar at closing time right after I take it

Sorry to hear your feeling blue, Carolyn, but great to hear that your better physically! If the increase in zoloft doesn't help, you might consider changing the valium. Unless you've used it before without this reaction.

Hope it all gets straightened out soon, and you're back to the wonderful life of painfree living!

Take care.

Hi Carolyn,
I had fusion Sept.5 and have some depression according to my family doc.
Mine did start back in July when I lost my husband to cancer. I knew I was needing this surgery then, but I had to wait until I thought I was ready for it. As you know surgery is a big adjustment and I just couldn't handle it for a while. Doc put me on Alprazolam for anxiety. I also took Cymbalta for depression and neuropathy, but had to stop it temporily (sp) because of leg pain and take something else. I don't want to take these meds any longer than necessory.

You have the right idea.Get out all you can and enjoy life. I plan to when things get back to normal. Loosing a husband is hard too and now I am in the process of selling our home and farm. I have a saying: If God brings you to it, He will bring you threw it. It is working for me and you sound like a strong person to me. You will be ok and we will pray for you to keep positive.
Hugs,
Billie

Billie, I have kept you in my thoughts and prayers, also! What you have been through in the last few months, I admire your strength, and don't know how you have handled everything. Especially losing your husband. I hope you are doing ok, and not too lonely. I think that would be the hardest to deal with? How are you feeling physically, since your surgery? Is your church still helping you? What kind of fusion did you have?

I quit taking all of the drugs except my antidepressants. I took alprolozam (SP?) for a few days to help with the anxiety. I found that drug to help the most. I do not think Valium was good for me. It is funny (ha, ha) how some people react differently to different drugs.
I did see my surgeon this week, and he released me to part-time limited duty work for 6 weeks. I have been to work the last 2 days, and I feel so much better, mentally, and am feeling good physically, also. I think I just needed part of my "normal" life back. The depression has gotten much better!

I hope selling your home does not become too difficult, and makes things easier for you.

I am also praying and pulling for you, and hope you get better every day. Keep us posted, and I will look forward to hearing from you!
Carolyn

Carolyn, I woke up this morning with severe back and leg pain. All meds have worn off. I can stand the pain. The slight's move makes it hard to think! People that have never been like this before, ought to get on there knee's and thank God for the blessing. I've got it all iced down now and hopefully time will help pull me threw.I find it very hard to think this is hernia. Whatever it is I must have it fixed, even if it means more surgery.

Yes, it is very difficult to get things done without Bob around. We would have been married 47 years this Sept 26. I dread the holidays most of all. I have been busy though and can't dwell on the past at this time. I have people coming this morning to make another bid on the house & farm. The Bible says He will never give us more than we can do, so I am standing on that promise.
I do hope you get better each day as time goes by so fast. Stop and smell the roses and reflect on all the good days God gives us.
Best Wishes,
Billie

Hi Billie,
I have thought of you often and have wondered how you have been doing. I am sad to read of the loss of your husband. I also know that your faith is strong enough to get you through all that you have faced.

Just a few words to let you know you have been in my thoughts. Please take things as easy as you can and let your body rest and heal.

Deborah