Re: Pep talk?

[Guest guest]

Kathy, I have tried every antidepressant invented...nothing worked like Effexor, then I switched to Pristiq. Everyone is different, but that stuff literally saved my life. Pamela

From: kathyinbk@...Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:36:14 +0000Subject: [ ] Pep talk?

Hi everyone - Well I guess I'm just in the need for a pep talk. I am going through my second 4 week post-op depression. My first round was fairly mild...this one is worse. It's bad enough to interfere with my pain meds working. You all have seen the commercial..."Who does depression hurt?" Well at the moment it's hurting ME! And I'm already on an antidepressant (Wellbutrin) to keep me from smoking. Somebody please tell me this is a SHORT term occurance and any other advice you can think of. I can't belive I'm so depressed. I should be singing from the roof tops because I'm standing up straight again... & all I can seem to manage is to cry. Maybe I just need some human contact. Damn this living & recovering alone !!! Sorry for the rant...I just need someone... other than my dogs, to talk to.Sincerely...................Kathy

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

I am sorry I have been away on winter vacation and just catching up. I know how

surprising this boomerang type depression can be. I had a link up in the links

section on post operative depression but the link was dead. I have refreshed it

and provide it for you here:

http://harvardmagazine.com/2000/07/an-understandable-compli-html

If you " google " the key words " post operative depression " you will find more

information, but for me...the best medicine was really just knowing that what

was going on was real, and normal and that I could then monitor my own feelings

for signs of which direction the depressive feeling were going.

It was helpful for me to understand that the pain medications I was on for the

first 3 months were probably contributing to the way I was feeling. By the time

I was off them and my physical abilities were improving...so was the

weather...so that helped too. I think my biggest blue period came closer to the

4-6 month post op time frame when I just thought I was not going ot have enough

energy to see that first year of healing out. By then I was not getting much in

the way of support....most everyone assumed I was back to normal and the helping

hands were just not there. I did manage to get through it, mostly with

concentrating as much energy on myself...making time for my exercise...walking

and the pool, and sharing here on this group. I also learned that most people

are not ill intended, and they are not mind readers and if I asked clearly for

whatever I needed people were more than willing to help....but I had to learn to

do that...asking for help is not my style!

Anyway....alls is to say....its real, hopefully this will pass but please be

sure to talk this over with your physician if it persists or prevents you from

doing the things you need to do to heal. This year is going to be full of

challenges where you must place your needs first...if you cant move from

depression, then your body cant heal....so dont let that cycle get too

entrenched!

I also personally am a huge fan of " Ellen " for fighting the blues!

Take Care, Cam