Sorry for not being around

[A New Beginning]

hey everyone.

I am sorry i have not posted in sometime. i occasionally visit the sight, but i have been dealing with being depressed.

I am EVERYDAY thankful that my valve was fixed, but for some reason i just cant cheer up. I am 29 years old and have read to many horrible stories (some great stories) with having babies while being on coumadin and having a mechanical valve. I dont know what is wrong with me, is it normal to be sad, i mean, i am happy, but i just cant show it.

then, hearing the valve sometimes freaks me out, i feel so stupid. All i seem to do right now is cry, please someone tell me why this is happening.

I had surgery in July, i should be over this by now. plus, this past weekend, my inr was 4.1 and i freaked!!!

i know this whole thing takes time, but how long, how much time before i get use to this and get out of my head about having a baby. I have one beautiful, healthy baby girl, but i would love to have another one - is this wrong of me.

i was looking for a local support group for women of child bearing age, but i cant find anything. i even thought of going to talk to someone, but i really dont want to hear, i understand what you are going through when they really dont because they have or are not going through with the same thing.

sorry, i just needed to talk to friends.

Aja

 

[Karlynn]

You should definitely seek out help with the depression. It's VERY common for people to have these issues after heart surgery and just like you did something about a bad valve by getting it fixed, you need to seek out help for the depression.

There are many effective ways to treat depression, so please don't suffer through it.

 

[Bina]

Aja, I was also depressed for a few months post op....probably going through winter didn't help at first. But it does get better, some of us just need more time.
Regarding children, I'm the Mom of one daughter and I treasured having that experience. When I felt the need for more, I began to help out other Mom's by looking after their new babies. I've helped out with dozens over the years and filled my need for babies in that way. It's so much fun and kept me busy.
Regarding your INR of 4.1 that is just silly to freak out. A small adjustment may be needed, that's all.

 

[DebbyA]

"I had surgery in July, i should be over this by now."

You had a serious surgery, and depression is a known side effect. The only should for you is to get help with the depression.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

 

[Eva]

Aja,

Anxiety and depression are normal emotions we go through after any life crisis...it is known that all heart patients go through depression, and your wanting another baby and unsure of the consequences or how to have one while on ACT is adding more anxiety than normal. Normally these emotions resolve themselves with time, sharing them with family members and friends, But if you find yourself STUCK in one emotional state, it will be helpful to talk to someone who can be more objective. I dealt with depression from the moment I knew about my surgery and I think I had light depression from the moment I knew I had a leaky valve and I would be facing surgery one day. You can vent as much as you need to, but please, do not let those emotions overtake you and ruin the blessings of being healthier than before.

With prayers

 

[kfay]

Aja, I encourage you to talk to your PCP about how you have been feeling. If I had feelings of depression 6 months post op, I wouldn't hesitate to seek help. As others have posted, it is very common.

As for having more children, I know that I have read about a couple of people on here who have done while on coumadin. I can't think specifically who they are right now, but hopefully, someone else can help us find them so you can get in touch with them. I think you need to have a talk with both your cardio and OB/GYN before you try and get pregnant so that you make sure you have people on your side who are knowledgeable about what is going on. Also, you just need to make sure that your heart itself is up to carrying a baby. Obviously, there are other options including surrogacy, adoption, etc. If it is something you are determined to make happen, it will. It just won't be as simple as the last time.

Please let us know how you are doing.

Kim

 

[A New Beginning]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I am going to talk to someone, I just had to get on my own insurance because my husbands insurance company decided that i needed to be on my own through my own employer "probly because they paid for my surgery and inr machine "

i am waiting on a call back from the health insurance. I in the meantime, i have been excercising to try and put my mind on other things.

Thank you again

Aja

 

[terodac]

Depression

Depression

It is all so normal, I have lived your fears! That is all it really is Fear, and it comes from your major heart surgery. Noone understands it until they go through it and live our lives everyday. You should go get some help from a medical doctor that is familar with this type of depression, make sure they have some experience in the field of OHS. It is very normal to feel the way you do. I still have my days but I know how to work through them, and some days I just can't. Give yourself some credit your body is in shock overload! Take Care! Face your fears!