I'm wondering if anyone has suffered post surgery depression after a relatively routine back surgery. In other words, after quick recovery and no physical problems. Also, is there any research being done on the subject that anyone knows of? Finally, if depression did occur, how long afterwards?

hi there. dont think weve met yet. welcome to the boards!!!! everyone here is really caring and helpful . feel free to ask anything. as far as depression goes. I didnt have any after my surgery , but i did get depresssion and anxiety after having my 3rd child at 33. I went to see my doc and she gave me 2 different kinds of anti-depressants to take. 1 to help me sleep and one for the rest. I dont know if you've spoken to your doc yet, but i'm sure he/she could help you if you go tell them whats going on with you. A lot of people have depression. dont be embarassed or afraid to ask for help. its actually a very common thing. I know myself the meds have really helped me even out my moods and help me to sleep. good luck and i hope you feel better. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

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Michelle

[This message has been edited by bikerchic420 (edited 12-07-2002).]

Hi there http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif and welcome ...
I hate to be a downer after Michelle's positive post...but...I have been through 2 surgeries and do get very down at times. I still have pain that at times makes me not want to function.
I hurt,I feel much older than I am (37), I feel a part of my "mobility" has been taken away...i've lost my career because of this injury, the nerve that was compressed for 11 months during the rupture is "dead"...I just feel like I have lost something that I will never get back.
I have always been very active...THIS has changed that.
Geez...I hope I am not the only one who feels like this http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif
Anyway...I try to focus on the positives when I get down. Like....some people are much worse off than I am...I made it through 2 surgeries....I AM still mobile...it "could" get better.....I just keep reading here and see people who do live without pain after much more extensive surgery.
Lots of great, caring people here who have been very inspiring to me.
I wish you the best http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))

Actually, the person that has had the surgeries is my husband. He has had three...the first in 1990, L5S1, and the second in 1991, L4/5 and the most recent this year in April, with a re-injury on L5S1. After each one I noticed a pretty pronounced negative outlook. He is still pretty mobile, but does have back discomfort, though I swear the man has a pretty high threshold for pain. Which is why I'm wondering if any research has been done regarding physical (i.e. chemical imbalances) triggers and depression. I read at some point that back injuries can cause chemical imbalances, but that was a long time ago and I can't quote the source. I do know, though, that things that would not have bothered him a year ago definitely bother him now, and I remembered after the last two surgeries it was quite similar. Thanks for the advice and concern, though. This is a great forum!

thisisgettingold im so sorry to hear about your troubles!! i for one can totally relate. I am only 35, have 3 children,10,5 and 2. i also run a small home daycare. lately with my back problems i have barely been able to do much of anything. I still feel depressed bacause i am used to being "supermom" I know its been really hard on my kids because their whole world revolves around me. some days i just feel totally useless. and i am down to about 100 pounds right now because of the stress and pain meds taking my appetite away. i dont sleep much anymore either. and i will probly have to tell all the people who depend on me to watch their children that i may need to take some time off. Its very frustrating and i feel your pain beleive me. and sadback, I am sorry to hear about your husband. Im sure the surgeries have a lot to do with his depression. Its hard to lose mobility and to be in pain all the time. it gets really frustrating. You should have him talk to his doc. there are so many medications out there right now that can help him. also try going under a search engine like google or ask jeeves. type in depression after surgery or something similar. I'm sure you will find useful info. also try posting on the depression boards. Im sure there are many people there who could help. just my thoughts. you might also want to tell your hubby to try posting on these boards. I know it always makes me feel better to talk to other people who understand what im going thru. it cant hurt right?? all the people here are very caring and understanding and helpful too. see if he'll give it a try. im sure there are a lot of people who would welcome his input. tell him to hang in there and that hes not alone. u hang in there too hon. i know its not easy for you either!! come in here and rant or just talk anytime you want. we all care about each other here !!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif in the meantime i will pray for both or you!!

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Michelle

[This message has been edited by bikerchic420 (edited 12-07-2002).]

[This message has been edited by bikerchic420 (edited 12-07-2002).]

Michelle, it makes a huge differance just knowing one is not alone in this. I also have 3 children (13,6 and 4) whereas before I could run and play with them...roll around in the floor acting silly....now it's "watch mommies back" "mommy can't, her back is hurt"...you know the language....it just sucks and can be very depressing.
AND..lol, where as before a trip to the store with all of them was no big deal??? Now I just cannot handle it. So many changes......
And I agree...Sadback he should talk to his Dr about the depression.
Thanks again Michelle http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif and Sadback keep posting http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

(((((((((((hugs))))))))))))) to you both

awwwwwwwww no prob this!! a lot of us moms feel that way. just keep up the posts so we can try to keep our sanity together!! even put my name in the post if you like. that way we can keep in touch better. you know i feel the same way you do!!! if we keep up all the posting and updates i know it helps me. i hope it helps you too!! hugs for you as well. i hope we both feel better soon. maybe soon enuf we can roll around with our kids and be "ourselves" again. Ill pray for both of us. cant hurt right??? good luck to ya. im sure we'll talk again soon
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

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Michelle

Just out of curiosity, how many of us have 3 kids?? I'm going through the same as all of you and I have 3 kids (17,12 and 5)! There's no way to avoid depression when we're dealing with not only running the house we always did but added with 24/7 pain. I truly believe as long as we all stick together and support eachother, we'll all pull through! Take care!!

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your friend, out2lunch

Sadback: I too had depression after each surgery (I've had three on my back); I slept badly and just did not feel like myself. It took a couple of weeks to begin to feel normal again. I think anesthesia takes its toll, not to mention the whole operation itself. I did not know about this forum after my surgeries; if I had I think I would have felt much better knowing I am not alone. You will be so amazed at how comforting the give and take here is. The people here are amazing. Vent anytime. ~ Jill P

sadback,
Maybe its the meds he is taking making him moody. I know when I take pain meds my moods are all over the place. I am so sorry he feels so down http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif It will get better keep a postive outlook for your husband even if he doesnt have one for himself, maybe it will rub off on him! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif
I also have 3 kids 19 months,4,7 years old all girls. I miss being the mommy and wife that I should be... depression comes easy when you are hurting and want to lead a normal life and cant. It is like life is passing you by....just got to try to look at life on a postive way....atleast it isn't one of my children suffering I couldnt bear that.
Keep your chin up http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
~luvbunny~

All you moms, it must be hard. It's always better to think of the positive side of things. That's the best way to combate depression..I find.

I guess it's better having kids prior to a back injury than after one though right?
I am 25 & haven't had kids yet.
I'm not sure what I'm in for, but kids are certainly not in my immediate future.

I know this sounds like I'm being negative, but don't worry. I had not planned to have kids until I'm closer to 30. I am hopeful that by then I won't be having these problems anymore or at least not as severe.
If that's not the case then I will find another solution.
It's important not to beat ourselves up over things we have no control over, but to make the best of things. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Do you know the serentity prayer? I'm not a religious person, but my friend who has even more severe back problems than myself wrote it down for me when I was having a bad day. I still read it whenever I feel like I'm losing control over a situation.

I don't know about you, but as a control freak it's easy to get depressed when you lose control.

omg juniper you hit it right on the head about the "control freak" thing!!!! that is just so weird. that is EXACTLY what i am going through right now. I am basically the rock of my home. I have always done EVERYTHING myself and usually keep the house running pretty smoothly. now i am depressed because the house is a mess the laundry is piled up . the grocery shopping doesnt get done right because my husband does it now. But you're right i have lost complete control of my house and everything that happens here. i guess its hard to be "supermom" and then be basically useless all of a sudden due to these unforgiving back problems. it is so easy to be depressed. ya know I was bawling my eyes out this morning because i feel like a failure today. but after coming here and reading some posts and replying to others i now feel a ton better. i can get thru the rest of the day and maybe get some stuff done around here!! i love all of you guys!! thank god for these boards if i hadnt found them , the men in white coats may have come to get me a long time ago to put me in a straight-jacket and take me to the nearest mental ward!!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif Either that or i would have found the nearest closet to hide in while i drooled all over myself and pulled all my hair out!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif LOL oh boy think my meds are making me silly anyway got to go . im decorating today for xmas. have a good day all http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

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Michelle

It is so weird how our lives all sound the same!I'm having a difficult time with things here too. I also was the one that ran everything in and around this house! My biggest thing though is that noone wants to help me anymore, I try to do as much as I can (which isn't ****) then I get depressed and feel like a failure 'cause I've done so little and used to do so much! I hate having to ask for help so if I have to ask over and over I get even more depressed! So now I don't ask anyone for anything, then get down on myself for being able to do what I need done! What a vicious cycle I can't seem to break! If anyone has advice as to how to break this cycle please let me know!! Take care!

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your friend, out2lunch

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
out2lunch, in one of the above post you were curious as to how many of us have 3 children. From what I see, bikerchic420 has 3, ages 10, 5 and 2. Luvbunny has 3, ages 19 months, 4 and 7. You have three, ages 17, 12, and 5. I also have 3, however they are 24,24, and 28. I also have 3 granddaughters ages 6 months, 22 months and the oldest is two and one half yrs. old. I really feel for you all having young children. I know how hard it must be. I too am the kind of person who was always there to do everything for everybody. Working 40 hours per week and running around shopping with daughter and granddaughter. I was a non stop person until a couple of months ago. I hate to ask anybody to do anything for me. Now, I have to sometimes and it just kills me. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/gabby.gif I guess I have talked enough.
Michelle, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gifI hope you had fun decorating the tree with your little ones. Hope you get some rest tonight.
Luvbunny, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif you are so right, at least our children are not the ones suffering. I too, could not handle that.
Out2lunch http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gifHere is four of us with three children. Wonder how many more out there have three children. Oh, I read your other post. Yes, I will let you know the details of these upcoming test. I am a little nervous about the one where I spend the night in the hospital.
Bye for now, sorry about the long post.
HKC http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif

out2lunch:

I would say learn what your limitations are so that when you set out to accomplish things you have reasonable expectations. Of course it becomes more difficult when these limitations vary day to day, but be practical & don't overdo things. If you really feel your in over your head, don't hesitate to ask for help. Your kids should be able to assist you at times, make them aware of this if they are not already.
They wont know you need them unless you ask. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi sadback,
I don't think I've met you yet, so... welcome! I don't know about depression after surgery, but I think I have had the clinical signs of depression for a few years now, since I started having back trouble and osteoporosis. Pain and illness can really exacerbate depression. Also I agree with what others have said, the pain meds really lower my mood, down me out.

out2lunch, juniper, jill, luv, michelle...
I know exactly what you all mean. I was also the organizer, the person who kept everything running, the indispensable one, in my family... and now I'm pretty useless. And I only have 2 kids, not 3! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Well, here's hoping we all feel better soon.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Telzey

Hi all, thanks for the replies to my question about kids!
Juniper, my kids and husband have gotten tired of helping me all the time. It's been 4yrs and my two boys were injured as well!
Telzey, there's no such thing as ONLY when we talk about kids and chronic pain! When we live 24/7 pain, one child is enough!
Take care everyone!!

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your friend, out2lunch

out2lunch:
As the one who used to do everything in the house, why stop running it now. Try to manage things to the best of your new ability.
Basically, tell your husband being tired is not acceptable. Based on how many & the ages of your kids I can tell your responsibilities have gone on much longer than 4 years. What would you have done had the situation been in reverse? Just curious.

I understand if 2 of your kids are injured you may not be able to reley on them as much. Can I ask how badley they were/are injured?
I just want to make sure you're not being taken advantage of. You need as much support as possible at a time like this.
I forget what is your situation like? Are you seeking treaments at this time?
Hopefully things will look up for you soon. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Amen, Juniper. Sometimes we've got to let our family members know exactly which side the bread is buttered on, or else resentments build. And that's not healthy. Because you bet your bottom dollar if the situation were reversed, YOU'D be expected to step up to the plate. So what makes them any better than you, right? What makes them "exempt"? Sure, everyone needs a break from time to time, even our helpers. Everyone needs time to "recharge their batteries". And there's nothing wrong with that. But, being "tired of helping" is really unnacceptable.