What about Depression???

Hi Everyone:

I am now 3 weeks post op from TAH....still have my ovaries, so I am not taking any hormones. I am, however, starting to feel depressed. I am thinking it may be a combination of the cold, snowy weather and my lack of mobility.
I am so used to having a hectic lifestyle with all the hats I wear and now, I am relying on others to do things for me.
I wonder if it is like a cabin fever thing? I am obssesive about a clean house and now I can't vacuum or do too much, because if I do I am in pain.
I had a bladder infection 1 week post op and I am on antibiotics,. So, who knows, it could be anything!
Everyone I have talked to that has had this done, says they are so happy they did it and they feel great, but I am wondering why I am so depressed.
Also, does anyone else get the stabbing pain in their incision area?
thanks! tiggeroo

I am 5 weeks post op, PVH, bladder repair, hernia removals. I started having stabbing pains at the incision and they said it was spasms so put me on anti anxiety med. I took it for a few days and the pains stopped.

I am blue also because of the quiet. i am not used to being sedentary. I miss the gym and am hoping I will get the okay to exercise soon.

I hate all the snow and cold. A warm vacation would be nice.

Thanks Marshwon:

Yeah....the snow and cold just adds to the blues.....and not being able to work out and get those endorphines going is hard too.

Soon, we may miss the sedentary times as our lives get crazy again. I am really trying to see this time of rest as a gift.

tiggeroo

And in addition, grateful that our woes are less serious than some of my friends........

Thanks for responding. Knowing I am not alone in this travel is helpful. This is my first time being sick in 54 years and it is an experience in "patience".

I had my hyst in May. I became very depressed and also had terrible anxiety. I wasn't used to doing nothing either. I couldn't keep still for long. I ended up going on zoloft for several months. For a while there I thought life would never get better, but it did!!!!
I had GB surgery 4 months later and now the prolapse surgery last week, but no depression here. I think we need to find ways to keep ourselves occupied while recovering. Recovery doesn't last forever and before you know it you will be back doing the things you love.
I went up to the local college today and put in my application for enrollment and get scheduled for my placement test. The hyst gave me a whole new life and a chance to catch my dreams!!

Enjoy your time off, because it will go fast!!

Happy healing
Peggy

Gosh, where to start.......... Only my opinion, but I think that knowing we were headed for a Hysterectomy before hand is depressing enough, then, to actually have the Hysterectomy, the Gods can be cruel at times.

I know I've struggled with problems, both emotional and physical for years before my Hyst., and I will continue to. But I have found a regimine of meds that work for me.

You might want to consider some short term therapy, even if you made the decision to have the Hysterectomy, you can still grieve the loss. It was a long hard journey for me not only to find out what was wrong with all my female parts, but then to have to decide to get rid of them, so to speak. It has been especially hard, as I have a bad pregnancy history, and this to me was just another slap in the face.

I am still not sure how I feel about having my Hyster., some days are good, some days, I am climbing the walls. I too think part of it is/could be cabin fever, but part of it is also grief, for what was, what wasn't, and what will never be.......

hey Ladies

I have no snow down here. Your all welcome to come visit and have a recovery party!!!!!

I am about 15 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Tomorrow will be 75 degrees. I am 4 weeks today and could use some company.

Best wishes!!

Misty

Thanks for the invite, Misty! I need something to feel better! Physically, there's just a little pain/discomfort and a lot of fatigue. Emotionally, I don't know who I am anymore. I'm trying to avoid antidepressants (my only real option since I don't want to take ERT due to a family history on both sides of breast cancer), but I really need something to bolster my spirits. My DH is going to have a prostatectomy on 2/8; my father passed away on 11/12 from lung cancer after I (not he--he didn't realize what his problem was) stuggled for a few years with his Alzheimers--maybe that's the reason for the depression in addition to lack of hormones after my 11/29 TAH/BSO...???!!!! Florida sounds wonderful--I'm sick of winter and illness and feeling so low. Wish all of us hyster sisters could get together for some time in the sun! I have some family in Bradenton and St. Mary's, Florida; they've asked me to visit, but with my DH's problems, and all that was awaiting me at work after 8 weeks off (my recovery was slower than anticipated), not sure we can make it. I want to be back to my young energetic self, but 9 weeks post op and I feel 9 weeks post 90...! I pray this too shall pass! Seems like all I want to do is cry.

thanks for letting me vent... boy, do I need a vacation from the dark side of life!!!!

I am starting into my 3rd week post op. The surgeon told me to expect depression, and wanted me to "experience it," he said this is a part of the healing process and if I didn't feel depressed there can be emotional problems down the road. Every time I saw him in the hosptial he asked me about it. Yesterday, I was to go to my 2 week post appt, but he canceled, me due to a surgey. I did see my internist, because my Mom has the flu and I went for the ride to the doctor, who squeezed me in for the post op. The very first thing he asked was how I was emtionally. I would check with your doctor and ask him to assess you. You'd had major emotioanl events in your life recently, so I think what your experiencing can still be expected, call you doctor see what he says, and remember we are all here for you.
Take Care, Jeanne

Hi Ladies,
Having suffered depression before my surgery, and I must say it was quite bad, I had a grieving process to go through before, mine was the whole second child thing. A lot of changes happen as we realize that this is the end of one road, one that many of us have travelled for years. It is an end to a life we have become accustomed to, or just put up with. Many dreams are lost, and many hopes gone.

Once we have the surgery, it seems to be a finality to so many things, a big one being the whole motherhood issue, and the whole woman issue. We grieve the loss of those hopes and dreams, because now we know, we will never see them happen. Even women who had complete families, wanted this done, and were ready in every way. I was so ready to go ahead, and yes I told my doc I was ready to give up the dream of more kids, but no, when it happened, it hurt big time. Even today I know I didnt want more kids, it now isnt even an option for future.

Along with that, our lives are turned upside down, and completely changed. We were busy women, who now find that we have nothing to do but watch TV, read or lay around and watch the dust bunnies multiply. Doing a simple task is completley exhausting and the four walls generally start to close in about 10-14 days....Expanding our minds with knowledge is beyond us, as we cannot remember our DH's names, let alone what we are trying to learn. As we lay there, for a few days, we realize our lives have changed irrevocably, and we are no longer who we were. Which is another complete loss. Many of us have grown in many positive ways, but not immediately. It took us time.

I found inner resources within me, that showed me my inner strength, which I never had before, well never knew I had...I found I did not want to be the way I was. 4 months out and I am still growing and learning who this chick is!!

We are bound to go through some form of depression, not to mention hormonal changes. I personally think it is more likely than not that every woman who does this, is going to suffer some depression. Use that depression to become stronger, to change the parts of you that you dont like, eg. learn to say that simple word so many of us cannot say "NO!!", and reevaluate your life. Remake that wonderful woman you were, into a woman you can value, love and be strong in. Use the depression, which can be difficult to do, but if I can do it, anyone can, and remake that 'old' you....

I wish you all well, and hope that the depression gives you a chance to really heal well, in all aspects. It does get better, you may have one rocky road ahead, many of us have gone down it. I sure have and if you want the map, let me know...I will do my best to help you get through it!! Feel free to pm me, and I will share my experiences...

Hugs to you all
KAt