Depression

[rosegal]

Has anyone experienced bad despression from having their valve surgery? I'm two years post-op from Mitral Valve Replacement, got a mechanical valve and I can't seem to shake this depression, I spoke to my doctor and his response was you'll get over it in time.... he didn't seem too concerned at all, I have a feeling part of this is that I can't sleep due to the loud ticking, so of course I'm always tired. But to regret having my valve replaced is a bit extreme, I never had these problems before the surgery. The fact that I have to have my PT/INR checked so much bothers me since I have no insurance and it's all out of pocket, along with the med's I take everyday.
Am I just overly paranoid about this depression thing?

 

[afraidofsurgery]

Depression should be treated!

Depression should be treated!

I have not had valve replacement surgery yet, but I have been treated for depression, after struggling with it for over 15 years. If your heart doctor won't take your complaints seriously, find a good psychiatrist, family doctor, or perhaps even your OB/GYN would help. The antidepressants available today (most are SSRIs - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are very tolerable, widely prescribed, and effective in many people.

Depression after heart surgery is a well-documented phenomena! Unfortunately some doctors and people still have the mindset that depression is not a physical or medical disorder (which it is), and therefore does not require treatment (which is foolish).

I say don't suffer! Ask friends/relatives etc. to recommend another doctor to help you or find one on your own. My psychiatrist is a really really nice, funny, personable young woman who is so easy to talk to, she's awesome.

Good luck and persist!
Patty

 

[Marguerite53]

Rosegal. There are many in this "community" who have dealt with some form of depression after their surgery. As I'm not close to surgery yet I cannot give you any personal help. You can look on the main forum page under Reference Sources for links. OR you can try a Search on depression. At any rate, be patient here....there will be others along to talk to you and give you first hand advice. Welcome to our site!

Marguerite

 

[Shine_on_Syd]

be happy

be happy

As you probably know depression can be caused by the ways our brains are wired. Some people have a lot of success with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), therapy or a combination of both. I have found cognitive therapy helpful and the wisdom of Buddhism and Tao. They all say that how we feel is controlled by our thoughts. And we have control over our thoughts.
If I lived in my father's generation, I probably would not have had the medical technology available for aortic valve replacement. By now my aortic regurgitation would have lead to congestive heart failure with a very poor quality of life and premature death.
I thank God every day that I was blessed with such a wonderful and skilled surgeon, great medical technology and a fine hospital. I keep a picture of my surgeon on my bulletin board and find it hard to be depressed when my life was saved by OHS.

 

[mile high]

Depression is an outcome for many valve replacement patients. I was 1 1/2 years post surgery before I realized there was something that wasn't right. My cardio group has a psychologist as part of their staff who works with heart patients. I met with the psychologist over a period of time to discuss what was going on. Having never experienced this before, the use of medicine (paxil) has taken care of the depression. As described above, the chemical imbalance in your brain most likely caused by stress (hello, heart surgery) is in many cases the main cause. The medicine along with meetings with the psychologist have worked wonders. It takes time, but the fog lifts and you have a better understanding of yourself in many aspects including what has occurred to you by virtue of your surgery.

I would strongly recommend seeking out a professional to help you with this. You will, over time, be amazed at where you were and where you will be as the treatment goes forward. Good luck.

 

[hensylee]

Rose, depression is commonly connected with heart issues, as mentioned above. We have had quite a few who speak of depression being part of their leftovers after surgery (and before). Some far more serious than most. I hope you can find some answers and treatment because you need them for complete recovery. We will support as much as we are able; after two years your doctor(s) should have taken steps to help you out. Keep telling the doctor, do some net searching, present your findings to the doctor - maybe then... we can only hope you will get help from someone. Don't give up. And stay with us. We have lots of information and support. blessins.....

 

[della_anne]

I am suffering from mental problems due to my open heart surgeries and a heart condition. Although I am not suffering from depression, I am suffering form anohter form of mental illness - Anxiety. I have total symapthy for anyone with open heart surgery and have any type of mental illness to deal with. That is the hardest part to deal with in having had open heart surgery. At first you have no idea what is going on just that ' something does not seem right' with the way you feel and interact with other people. My best advice, don't be afraid to seek help. Don't be ashamed or upset because you have realize that you have a mental problem. Just accept the fact that yes you have been through what most people have not been through or ever will go through in their life. And realize that it is NORMAL for someone to go though mental illness who had been through something as drasic as open heart surgery. We are truely different because of it, but that doesn't mean that you should just accept what comes out of it. If there is something wrong then you need to address it. Otherwise it can cause problems later and its better to adress them now instead of later. Otherwise it will cause more problems.


Danielle

 

[Nancy]

Mitral valve problems can cause anxiety problems and it is a physical problem which has been well documented in the cardiology field. In addition to that valve surgery and other heart surgeries cause depression in many people. Combine that with the medical problems themselves and the accompanying worry and you have a classic nasty mix of anxiety and depression.

I don't think it's something you can "pull" yourself out of without some help in the form of medication.

Call your doc and ask about getting on some anti-depressents. They help tremendously.

life's way too short to suffer when it can be relieved.

 

[Big-Chuck]

depression

depression

well being 6 days post surgery I cant speak about depression but I did notice during my stay in the VA Hospital that there were veterans in there who were in so much worse condition than me that I thanked God for what He had given me. Does that mean in the next 4 to 6 wks of recovery time I wont get depressed? No, not at all. Just gives me something to reflect upon is all.