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Has anyone ever had DEPRESSION/ANXIETY after sugery???

myanjoshmama
0 Recommendations

Hello everyone,
For those of you who dont know, my mother had VATS (URL) on 7/2/09. She had NSCLC Stage 1b. She has been recovering excellently! After the surgery, about 8 weeks post op, my mother was still kind of down in the dumps and emotional. Which was understandable. Then it passed. She got back to doing and enjoying her everyday things. Then about 1 month ago it seems like she is back in a slump. She feels she is depressed, always anxious, esp in the mornings. Her doctor said it is normal after a major surgery like hers. Has anyone else went through this? She also stopped smoking on 6/18 after about 50 years! Thank you so much.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Surgery Motrin Ibuprofen Lexapro Remeron Anxiety Pain Sedatives Depression Xanax Percocet Zoloft

12 replies

Munker

I think what your mom is going through is normal. When you hear the three dreaded words "you have cancer" your life is never the same. It's been over a year since my surgery and I still have bad days. Your mom may want to consider an antidepressant to relieve some of the anxiety and deppression even if it is only on a short term basis to get her hormones back in balance.

suebanj

Going by me, it sounds normal. I had Upper left lobe removed on July 7th...I really am feeling physically quite well except for some shortness of breath down here in the Humidity in Florida. But my mood swings are another thing. I can be wonderful one minute and the next I've had what I call a "meltdown"...The dr. did put me on prozac...not sure it's working that well. I have been on antidepressants for years but had stopped taking them about 4 months prior to my cancer dx and was doing quite well. So yes,,,,the word cancer, even though they believe they got it all via surgery and no further treatment is a scary and depressing word...But I must say each day does get better and I'm appreciating each day alot more!!! I am so grateful that they caught the cancer early.

ACS

I think a better way of phrasing your question is: has anyone not had some level of depression and anxiety after being told they have cancer?
Surgery only adds to this scenario as it is major trauma in itself and it often takes several months for that to settle down.
Some of the natural aids are useful here: bach flower remedies, homoeopathic sedatives and perhaps even Xanax in small doses.


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myanjoshmama

Thank you all for your responses. I will keep you posted on my mother's progress.

jennyjk30

My dad was originally stage IIb, and after his lung surgery he became very depressed. the doctor put him on Remeron, which is an antidepressant. It seemed to help, plus it also causes weight gain, which was a definate plus for him. I would talk to the doctor about screening for depression.

Blessings,
Jenny

myanjoshmama

My mother's Dr put her on Zoloft at first and it did not agree with her AT ALL. So know she is on Lexapro. She has only been on it for a week. I hope she can find a medication that will work for her.

Ritamarie

I am 3 months post op. I did not have the VATS Procedure. I had the traditional surgery. Pain ongoing under my left breast & at the incision site. I was given Xanax for the anxiety & just recently told by an internist to take 3 (600mg) of motrin every day & call him in 4 weeks. I had Stage 1,no chemo,no radiation. The pain is horrible. Maybe the Xanax will work for your Mom. It takes the edge off a little bit. Hope she feels better soon.

Rita

nheepdanes

May I ask where in Florida you are in? I am near Daytona. Do you still have any pain? I am having a horrible time with rib pain where they moved them. My surgery was on 7/29. Thanks
Nancy

nheepdanes

I am also in a lot of pain. I have been told my so many that this is the worst surgery going. Tell the doctor that the Ibuprofen is not controlling the pain and you need something stronger. I am taking 2 Percocet every 4 hours and it is barely controlling my pain in the rib area. It is riduclous what these doctors put people through with pain.

suebanj

Hi Nheepdanes....I live in The Villages, west coast just south of Ocala...
I can honestly say I really don't have any pain anymore. My operation was 4 months ago today in fact!! I do sometimes get those phantom shots of pain around my left breast and also around the scar. My breathing is getting much better too since the humidity has been much lower...
They didn't break any of my ribs but I guess they did move them somewhat..... I think after reading some of these boards, I am very lucky with the pain I haven't had...

teacherN

Rita, I am so sorry you are in such pain. My first month post VATS was pretty horrible, but then I started a lidocaine patch for the pain below the breast-----nerve pain I was told. Tell your doctor, Rita. You should NOT have this much pain.
Hugs xoxo
Nancy

Ritamarie

Hi Nancy, Thanks for the response.I am going to ask the Dr. about the lidocaine patch. It sure would be a help. It feels like this tightness & pain will never go away. I thought I had a high tolerance for pain,but now I am not so sure. I also want to thank all of you who have responded to my inquiry.It certainly helps alot to know that I am not the only one. For awhile I thought they made some kind of mistake with my surgery,but I dont think I had all of the facts about the post op pain & how long it could take.
Thank you all & God Bless
Sincerely,
Rita

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