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Thread Title: Post Surgical Depression?
Created On Tuesday November 11, 2008 6:04 PM


postscript2
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Tuesday November 11, 2008 6:04 PM

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Hi All:

Well, this one has taken me aback! I was on "top of the world" until the last few weeks. Much of the pain is gone (of course I'm still on meds)--but as I face another surgery, I'm feeling quite depressed! Feels like the "post partum blues"--excitement at first and then that "sinking" feeling about returning to work: "if, when, how and where..."

It seriously just crept up on me--Anyone else gone through this??? All I want to do is sleep... Back to square one! Maybe I overdid it, I don't know? My range of motion is getting better, but the shoulder is acting up-darnnit! If UR approves the P.T.-I should be starting this week... Haven't driven for over 9 weeks. Saw my PMD yesterday and the incision, he thought still looked very "fresh", i.e., he thought I had this done 4 weeks ago, not 8 weeks. The PTP says take off the "hard collar" for good, but the P/A says "wean off of it..." I just wish I could get a straight answer. My problems are minimal compared to most of you, so I apologize for my whining.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I guess laying "idle" for over a year and a half has me greatly out of shape, physically and emotionally. I'm not giving up, just looking for some input. Sorry to be a "bummer..." The economy has me scared "S***less!" But I don't want to start a political rant...


Anyway, these lyrics express my sentiments:

"Great White"
"Face The Day"


I don't want to face the day the day, today

Long nights leave me stranded
Black visions, danger signs
No love- I need protection
Feels like I'm on a production line
Daggers of dawn, cold hearted day
Why does if have to be morning?
Cover my head, stayin' in bed
Too late the luckless warning

Outside the screaming city
Red lights, hungry eyes
Sucks like a space invader
The vacuum of it's lies
Stealin' my strength, stealin' my time
It's raining in a world of traders

Let me keep on sleeping
Forget that I'm alone
One day of faceless living-
Is twenty-four hours too long
I don't want to face the day

Give me the night, it's more forgiving
Hold back the light from my eyes
Please stay invisible darkness
Can't see the tears that I cry
I know it's comin', loaded with nothing
Trapped in a tunnel of time

I don't want to face the day
The day, today...

LCS

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50lake6
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Wednesday November 12, 2008 7:48 AM

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Check the medication that you are taking, while post surgery depression is not uncommon and you start to feel overwhelmed by what lies ahead of you, many of the medication used for pain, and muscle relaxors can cause depression. You should make sure you notify your doctor of this side effect and he can change the medication.

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postscript2
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Wednesday November 12, 2008 3:25 PM

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Thanks 50 Cal!

I've been on the same medication as "pre-sx," so even after surgery, I didn't get anything stronger and I'm already weaning off tiny bit at a time, i.e. not 12 Norco, down to around 6-8.

It's frustrating to try to get back up to full speed post this type of sx. I think every night about what I'll accomplish "tomorrow," and only to find that I can't lift, push or pull or reach as I anticipated... I guess I've set my goals too high! Hopefully the P.T. will be able to help me "adjust" and direct my activities accordingly.

I guess my biggest fear is the next surgery as I've already had two other surgeries that failed to the same shoulder, for "impingement" syndrome. This time it's a "tear..." So it's not going to go away.

Also no clue as to the return to work thing. But good idea and thanks! Likely PTP will change the meds on the next appt anyway.

Take care!

LCS

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50lake4
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Thursday November 13, 2008 8:29 AM

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Oh boy thoes Norco used to take allot of them glad to hear you are weaning down. In my experience as an adjuster I can tell shoulder surgeries are one of the most complex injuries to deal with. It is not unusual to see 2 to 3 surgeries for the same shoulder repair. Since you are still recovery just take baby steps. But I will share that when I took Norco I felt great however when I started to taper off I was very depressed and everything just seemed too too much to deal with.

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TOBDNCNG@aol.com
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Thursday November 13, 2008 11:14 AM

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I have to take a second anti-depressant after my surgeries. Just my system and the way it works. Have you talked to your doctor about that?

The being out for a long time has a detrimental effect on your body, and if you are a sensitive one like me, then you may need something extra.

Usually about 6-8 weeks after surgery, I have to be very careful because I become suicidal.

I hope you will tell your doctor about this. It can be helped.

Glowing,

Marygrace~

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Xman
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Thursday November 13, 2008 2:01 PM

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I know how you feel PS2,

After working in the same field for the past 20 plus years and I now find myself wondering; what now?

After all of the surgeries and all the medication, compound that with all the time away from doing what I know best, I am now facing the challange of getting my feet wet in a new chapter of my work life.

During the whole time I've been on work comp I've been in school, but I still don't know how to get back on the horse.

After all of the WC (which is still onhoing), I feel that I am climbing up a steep muddy hill during a huricane and I felt the feeling of pointlesness.

What do I do, how do I do it, and why should I, or Can I do it.

Lord give me strenth!!!

I went to my doctor and she pointed me in the direction of a psychologist, this isn't WC related in my case but if you can somehow show a connection; you know the legal mumbo jumbo. If not for my WC injury, the this wouldn't be happening. Maybe they can foot the bill.

I have been paying out of pocket, but it is helping.

Another thing, maybe you can ask your doctor to see if you and your meds have run your course. You may have developed a tollerance to the meds, I went through a few pain pills. If you find yourself needing more and more, it may not be what you think it is, remember the human body is an amazing machine and it just may be a tolerance buildup.

anyway take care, find something to do like a new hobby or workout program and try and ease your way back in at your own pace.

X





Edited: Thursday November 13, 2008 at 2:07 PM by Xman

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postscript2
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Thursday November 13, 2008 2:44 PM

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Thanks for all of the comforting thoughts and sharing your experiences.

50 Cal, I've been an adjuster for over 20 years and have many years of hearing rep experience. It's great to see you posting on this side!!! At least "I" appreciate it. It seems that when a C/A gets injured, they are tatooed with a "loser" sign across the forehead. As for the Norco, good point. I know that I'm dependent upon it--I've been taking it for a year now and only 9 wks post surgical. That's a long time for the meds to stop working. That's why I'm trying my best to cut back, now. I wouldn't have thought that this was causing the depession--must be a "chemical" thing?

TB: I have already had my anti-anxiety meds increased and this helped tremendously. Sorry to hear that you have had such severe reactions to surgery. Hopefully you won't have any more?

Hey X Man:

Long time not chat!!! How the heck are you? You echo my sentiments exactly. I've been trying and trying to scope out something I can do other than go back to the same job I had for 20 years. It's scary. It's like trying to run a marathon in the sand with cement shoes! Over the next few weeks, I'm planning to cut back again and I'll see how I do. Thank God, they didn't give me oxycontin, like after my shoulder surgery. I'd have to be thrown in rehab! Still a year of Norco is a very, very long time. If I could just wean down to Vicodin I'd be thrilled. Good luck with your new job endeavers-I wish you the best!

Well, take care everyone. You are all "troopers" and thanks again!

LCS

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ScooterMan
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Sunday November 16, 2008 2:10 PM

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PS I noticed you also posted about your sleep pattern. Poor sleep and narcotic dependency are a vicious circle. My experience:

You take the meds to ease the pain to try to get some sleep, but they often interfere with the sleep itself, so the sleep you do get is not good sleep. So, you are tired all the time. This tiredness, along with the pain, leads to withdrawal, which leads to further symptoms of depression. Poor sleep increases general body aches and pains, too, which makes your injury pain seem even harder to tolerate. This makes you want to also take more meds. Then you are living like a zombie.

Someone once said "get a life". It sounds very harsh. But, thruth is, the closer you can function to normal, the more normal you will feel.

Set your alarm. Get up as though it were a 'normal' day. Have coffee, breakfast, read the paper. Set a routine with a timeline of things you will do every day. 7 am rise, shower, dress, 8 am breakfast, 9 am walk 1/2 mile, 10 am read paper, 11 am rest, 12 lunch...etc....fill up your days with 'required' activities. Even if they are just 'check the mail'. But do it on a routine. This will help you stay out of the procrastination/depression rut that we tend to fall into when the structure of our working life is gone. Well, it helped me, anyway.

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postscript2
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Sunday November 16, 2008 4:30 PM

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Hi Scooterman:

Thanks for the wonderful advise! I tend to stay in bed, for say, 12 hours, to "avoid" taking meds... But when I finally drag my sorry butt outa bed, then I'm right back where I started, "doubling" up. I'm actually rx'd 12 Norco a day-but that's too much and I'm trying sooo very hard to beat it!!!

The problem is, what to do when I get up that early? Well, you gave me some great advise. Even if I just "get up"--I can take breaks along the way. I'm really going to dedicate this week to trying it. Can't hurt, right???

Here is the problem: I don't like TV and it's difficult to read anything on these meds... So I either sit here on the I-Net or try to overcompensate by cleaning, etc. and then it's all out of balance. I need to break up my activities during the day, vs 10:00-2:00pm or the "cleaning" thing! As for my "eating" I only eat "dinner" and always end up eating "something" around midnight--which I'm sure is not a "great" idea.

I've some other problems that may be interferring with my recovery-but don't want to post them.

I appreciate your thoughtful comments and will try my best to start off the week on a "new" schedule.

I also think that the "holiday's" are getting me down, as usual... Born on Thanksgiving Day-turn "50" on Thanksgiving Day and then there is Christmas and my 3 children's B-days all in the month of December... AND, my mom passed away 11 years ago on 12/27. So injury aside, this isn't the best time of year for me.

Older family is not in good health, etc. I need to somehow "separate" these things from the injury and deal with it. Usually at this time of year, I'd be canning and making jellies and jams and delictable treats. Just don't have the injury. I tend to get these little cuts and burns, on my arms from just doing the dishes and cooking...

God Bless and Take care, and thanks again for responding. If you all got through it, then I guess "I" can as well!

LCS

Edited: Sunday November 16, 2008 at 4:42 PM by postscript2

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