Depression or lazy

[Jimmy]

Hi folks, maybe someone has had this problem. I had a quadrupal bypass and a St. Judes aortic valve replacement December 13, 2004 I was always a little overweight (about 30 lbs) I'm only 5' 6'' and weighed 180 lbs for a long, long time (I was a long distance trucker) when I found out that I needed all this work I sold my truck and retired (I was 62) in the 3 months prior to surgery I started to eat right, quit smoking, started to walk once a day and lost the 30 lbs. now the problem is, ever since the surgery I have been in a state of depression I still try to eat right most of the time, but I have almost a normal diet (red meat only once a week) but I will not or have not exersized since, I talked to a therapist but that didn't help one bit. I have now ballooned up to 200 lbs. My Dr. put me on Prozac 1 month ago and somedays I don't feel too bad. I know that I should feel that I have a new lease on life and I want to but I just can't get to that place. I should be so happy that I don't have to work anymore that I can sit on my deck in the summer and enjoy the sunshine but I don't want to get out of bed in the morning. I realise how important it is to walk to streach the new arterie to give a proper supply of blood to the heart. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Jimmy

 

[Blanche]

Jimmy:
You may be lazy, but even if you are that would not account for your depression, which is very real. Depression is something that is very common to people who have had a huge trauma to their body, such as folks who have had heart surgery. If the Prozac that your doctor prescribed is not helping and you do not relate to that doctor, it is time for you to get another doctor to deal with your concerns. Prozac is not effective for everyone, but there are other medications that have been successful in helping people with similar concerns.

The last time we heard from you there were some concerns about your INR. Have those been solved? As I recall, you had some problems with your diet last June. Have you made changes tht have helped? The things that we eat and drink can have such an impact on our sense of well-being and on our mental health.

Wishing you the best,
Blanche

P.S. I hope you do know that you should not mix alcohol and Prozac.

 

[Freddie]

Hi Jimmy, I'm 16weeks into recovery and I did go through a time (not so long ago either) when I simply didn't care. I have slowly picked myself up by finding what I kinda like to do. Try going for a drive and find a different park away from your home, park your car and go for a walk. Find a different location every time. I think once you have your energy built up, you may feel better. You'll have to give yourself a push. In my case my family was suffering so I had to do something to have a happy home.
Good Luck

 

[WayneGM]

I had a friend who didn't have OHS but after he retired he did go through a bit of depression. After working his whole life, I think waking up everyday with nothing really constructive or purposeful to do takes it's toll on you after a while. He just wasn't happy being on a permanent vacation. He thought he should be as that is how we are conditioned to think about retirement, but he wasn't. At the same time, he didn't really want to go back to work, at least the kind of work he used to do. He ultimately decided to find a part-time job doing something completely different, around something he really enjoyed. He started working 2 - 3 days a week at a local golf shop as he enjoys golf. He doesn't need the money, but it gives him a sense of doing something constructive and he's met a lot of new people who share a common interest. Now he looks forward to the days he goes to work at the golf shop, and he also enjoys the days he has off much more. The little extra he does make working at the golf shop goes towards green fees when he does golf and spoiling the grand kids. Anyway, it didn't stop there. Through somebody he met at the golf shop he got involved in a community volunteer group which also keeps him busy. He's really enjoying an active retirement now.

Anyway, long story short, perhaps you need to find your "equivalent" of the golf shop to help you have an active retirement, and find that new lease on life. It doesn't have to be a part time job, it could be volunteer work, anything to give you a reason to get up in the morning to do something you can feel good about. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[Bina]

Hey Jimmy,
You have been through alot and need to take some small steps to change what is bothering you.
I'm not working either, I would like to work part time but maybe next year. In the meantime I have some hobbies, some pets, and I like this group alot
Maybe a neighbour or little dog would like to walk with you a bit.

My friend is losing weight with the meat and veggie diet. No bread, no pasta, no sugar. He can't exercise alot because of bad knees, but sitting in the sunshine with a big salad and good book is just fine.
And, hey, summer is short in Ontario...........soak up that sun

 

[Cooker]

Maybe a neighbour or little dog would like to walk with you a bit.

Jimmy,

Walking is great for the body, mind and soul. And Bina is right, it really helps to have a partner....two or four legged. Good luck.

Tom

 

[WayneGM]

Hey Jimmy,

I just realized were practically neighbours. In fact, I rode through Paris yesterday taking the scenic route to Ingersoll. There' a nice restaurant we go to once in a while there, "Robert's".

 

[hensylee]

sounds like depression to me. You must find something that interests you. Try several different things. Volunteer. I know a fella who is Navy retired pilot - he started delivering meals on wheels and now and then takes a vacation to somewhere he hasn't gone before. I sometimes just drive to town to be around people. Of course, church might be an option. There are lots of friends to make there and always jobs that need filling.

If you are feeling better some days, the antidepressant might be helping. I take mine daily and it certainly lifts the dark shades and brings in the light.

 

[MaryC]

This is coming from someone who exercises 4-5 times per week without fail every single (stinkin') week - come rain or shine.............I still have to push myself and remind myself why I need to exercise. I often think how nice it would be to not have to ever exercise again - then I remember how bad I feel when I miss several days in a row. You need to set a goal and log your exercise. Eventually it becomes a habit that you miss when you don't do it. Whether it's depression or laziness - the exercise will help both.

 

[Marguerite53]

I don't know much about depression (but I am definitely overweight!), but it sounds like that may be what is going on for you. Please remember that depression is truly a physical and chemical thing. The best thing you can do (on top of what you are already doing) is get some fresh air, abit of sunshine and some exercise. That will get the good chemicals going in your body. It took me a long time to figure out what I could do for myself. I'm stubborn and not athletic so gyms and classes were not for me. I found a wonderful running track at a local public school, and I walk it with friends in the early morning. The birds are chattering, the breeze is sweet....it's very good for me. I'm sure walking in circles is totally unappealing to most, but I like it.

You retired from a very demanding job. It took a lot of your attention and probably was a source of some stress. Maybe your body misses the routine and the stress. Be kind to your body. Do not berate yourself about your weight, and don't worry so much about it. But think of how you can help it adapt to your new life....how can you give your body something familiar....some routine....some goal.

If you can't begin to see the "glass as half full" please look into trying a different drug! There are lots of them and they each seem to appeal to different kinds of people. Maybe this just isn't the right one for you!

Best wishes!! Please keep us posted. We're happy to listen and we're always here!!

Marguerite

 

[jds]

Need something to replace the job you left

Need something to replace the job you left

Hi -

Your description sounds like depression. It may result in part from leaving your job. Did you find something to take its place in your life? Volunteer work perhaps. If all you have is daytime TV, that could depress anyone. For many years, your job was one of the anchors in your life. I would recommend trying to find something like it - meaningful work as it is called - to show you that you have a purpose and value. Hunt around a little - the first thing you try might not be the right thing so try something else. Almost everywhere you can help in schools (reading to kids) or helping with the elderly at a senior center or meals on wheels or ..., helping with animals at a shelter, etc.

John

 

[Elcarim]

Jimmy... talk to your doctor. What you are describing sounds a lot like depression to me. I have been there, and 18months after I had my 2nd AVR I started having anxiety attacks. The road to normality is hard, you have to work at it.
Taking the sort of actions the others have mentioned will help, but you do not have to do this alone. You have been through a lot. Finding a new purpose now that you are not working will really help you.
Hobbies that are productive are really good, you need a purpose, a reason beyond 'it's good for me' that helps you get up in the morning. I have chickens, ponies and goats that I have to get up for every morning. This sort of thing might not suit you depending on where you live, but perhaps a small food garden or if you like working with wood you could make wooden toys or furniture to sell, that kind of thing. Restore an old motorbike, perhaps, something that sparks your interest. And a dog that needs to be walked or let out in the morning is another great idea. As others have said, volunteer work can get you out of the house and make you feel useful. But remember also to do something just for you. After everything you have been through you deserve it.

 

[Bina]

chickens, ponies, goats and dogs will cheer up anyone