Post surgery depression

[Sueed]

I have had open heart surgery and replacement of two valves in May 2017. Though so much time has elapsed without any complication but I have forgotten the feelings of happiness. Any solution to help me.

[Nathan53]

Hello Sueed and welcome to the forum. Your post was brief but my gut feeling from what you have said is that maybe this feeling of forgetting what happiness is like has crept up on you, which is not surprising after such major surgery. Even without complications it's major trauma both physically and emotionally. Have you thought of some sort of talking therapy. You could ask your GP for a referral to a Clinical Psychologist especially if you have had this feeling for some time. Maybe as your body has fully physically recovered the neglected mind has surfaced and I think lots of us on here have experienced that. What used to give you pleasure / happiness? I am just wondering if there is anything you can rekindle. Have you family friends you can talk to? You will be able to experience good things in life again but maybe the first step is to ask for help from GP or perhaps look at paying for some counselling if it is within your means - if that's an option take a look at bacp.co.uk. Take care and repost your thoughts or message me if you prefer.

[Ianc2]

Hi Sueed

Look in the mirror, hold your head up and say to yourself:

I am one of the lucky ones, I live at a time where open heart surgery is well practiced,

I live in a country that has a National health Service so I didn't have to bankrupt my family to pay for it.

I was able to be offered post operative care and to be able to get fitter, at no cost to myself

I have had a good look at dying and a lot of people worked very hard to make sure it didn't happen They gave me the gift of life.

Now the world is open to me and I am going to make the most of it. I know that life is fragile and that "This day thy soul is required of thee" so I must get out, go for regular brisk walks , dance, go on trips, chuck my bad habits, get a new lifestyle, go to the theatre, learn new things, dig the garden, plant flowers, decorate the house.

Go on a cruise/train trip/pilgrimage to Campostella, walk in the alps, go to the opera in Verona, Join a choir and pretend I can sing, build a new garden shed, Join the National Trust, have days out, etc.

I had mine done at the Royal Brompton in 2014 at the age of 69. Before I could barely manage to walk. Now I have done most of the things above. I am lucky in that I can afford to do most things. I bought a fitbit and indulge in friendly competition with my friends and family and I have a little voice in the back of my head says "GOYA" - Get off your Ass'.

So you got lucky - make the most of it?

[Trevor1964]

Hi Sueed. Be kind to yourself. I agree totally with the other two replies. Try to find an environment which makes you happy and the chance to meet new people. Your have a new start. An excuse to be different. People will be very supportive. It may not be easy at first but it does get easier over time. Create a change and just see where it takes you. Remember a significant % of us share your feelings.

Good luck and keep us posted of your progress

Trevor 1964

[IgottaStent]

Its common to have depression after a heart surgery. Someone has been playing with your life support engine and you have survived. First its Ok to feel depressed and maybe a bit bewildered You may reflect on many things past and future. So see someone who can help you gather these thoughts and move forward. To some people these events mean we go get life with more attitude. Others become more reflective. Its worth checking out which meds you are on and their side effects as well. Statins made me depressed .