Depression Question...

[Jessie127]

Hi everyone,

  I have a question does anyone else go through depression stages....I had an AN 1.7cm removed in August of this year and every once in a while I feel that even the smallest thing bothers me or I get really sentimental and cry and I feel it's a bit more than before.

Thanks,

Jessie

[luv2teachsped]

Hi Jessie: Welcome to the board. Yes- Many of us have depression.  What you have been through is a major trauma, not only medically but emotionally as well.  I had my surgery in May of this year and also went through a divorce.  My doctor recently put me on Zoloft, and life is good again!   I still have my moments, but I'm not crying myself to sleep every night and hiding away at home.  I think everyone(including me) is under the impression that depression means "feeling sorry for yourself", and nothing could be further from the truth.  Please don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.take care- luv2teachsped

[Boppie]

Jesse, Ask your doctor for meds for depression.  Tell him how you are feeling.  There are good prescriptions that are not habit forming over a short term.  Your doctor will monitor what you take and the dosage that fits you just right.  You deserve to feel good again.  Depression is another part of a big surgery like the one you have endured.

[wind6]

Hi Jesse,
 Glad you found your way to this board. I have found so much support here its really incredible. I also had my surgery in August and also had problems with depression. I am taking Wellbutrin now and it has helped me very much. Like many of the others here, I still have my days that arent so good but, my good days are more often than the bad.
Have you read that this surgery is considered a causal factor for Post Traumatic Stress disorder? I didnt know that until someone here posted about it. I then looked up the symptoms of PTSD and sure enough..I fit the mold.
I hope that being here and finding people that really do understand what you are going through will help you.                           Sherry

[LoriW]

Hi Jesse,

   It's been almost a year for me and my surgery and I still sleep alot.  I get depressed, but since I have alot of animals at my house something funny will happen to make me laugh again.  Animals are the best medicine in the world. 

[antoinette]

Hi Jessie,
This could be a leftover reaction to the anesthesic chemicals, Many post surgery patients go through a little bit of depression even when outcomes are perfect, which is now more and more commun.
I do not think it is related to the "loss" of your little companion AN. (smile)
if your doctor knows about it, did he suggest anything for vitamin deficiency. I found great help with B complex lately. It was a fast miracle.
antoinette

[Kathleen_Mc]

Jessie: Depression is very common anoung A.N. patient's. I myself have suffered depression off and on since my initial surgery in 1990. I actually have been diagnosed as having P.T.S.D. and was treated for this, the main element was the depression. Over the years there has been times when there is not an issue and then at other times I require antidepressants and they are very helpful.... when I am particularily troubled by the experience of having had "brain surgery/a brain tumor" talking is also very helpful, my family doctor is wonderful. I am hoping as I recover fully from the surgery I just had to remove the regrown tumor I will be able to get things back in order and leave this all behind me once again (as I had before I found out about the regrowth). Talk to you doctor, there could be a chemical depression in play here which required medication to help or you could just need some "venting" time. Kathleen

[Battyp]

HI Jessie,
  I think we all suffer from depression to some degree after what we have and are going through!  I was on effexor for over 10 years and since my surgery have not had medication for depression but found on certain days I felt like I was in the exorcist with my head spinning around and going beserk as I'd get frustrated over not being able to do things...now i just leave the floor dirty and ignore it as I still can't clean it!  I wouldn't hesitate to go back on depression meds but after being monitored by my doc he doesn't feel i need it and is just as amazed as I am after my 10 year plus  history with depression. 

[gardnergang103]

HEY JESSE,
 WELCOME TO OUR WORLD, YES DEPRESSION GOES RIGHT ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO DEAL WITH, TAKE ALL THE ADVICE, AND YES YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR DOCTOR GIVE YOU MEDS FOR DEPRESSION. MY M.D. COULDN'T FIND ONE THAT WOULD WORK SO I HAD TO GO TO HIGHER HELP A SHRINK!!! TAKE CARE AND ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR NOT ALONE..                                                   GARDNERGANG103

[Mary]

Jesse,
Try and think back before you found out you had an AN.   You might find you had depression all along.   I really hate that word " depression".   People think you are going to kill yourself when they hear that word.   There are many types and levels of depression.   Some people can manage their depression without meds.   Some need slight help and some are major forms of depression.   Sometimes people don't know if it's depression or anxiety.   You need to first determine which you have if either.   Keep a journal for a week or two.   Track what happens before and after your feelings.   This will help if you go to a doctor.

Check your family history.   Does anyone in the family have depression?   Depression can be very genetic.

I hope this helps.   Keep the faith.

Mary

[Nancy Drew]

I am just newly diagnosed with 4x5 mm AN so don't know about depression post surgery.But I feel like I am at the bottom right now which is concerning to me since I have bipolar disorder that has been under control for many years.I am seeing my psychiatrist next week to check things out so I can stay on top of the depression.In addition to finding out about the AN, I have other stressors going on.My husband is getting layed off the end of this month (I don't work right now), but he might be able to stay on with the company but in another state.I love where I live and don't want to go so he might just go temporarily until something else comes up here.I don't think I can take a move with all of this going on anyway--especially the thought of having to change doctors.But, with my husband leaving I will be losing a big part of my support system since my friends don't really "get" this.My extended family lives far away so can't count on them.I will probably travel to where my husband is from time to time, but it won't be the same as having him here.With all of my husband's changes going on, he hasn't really had the mental capacity to absorb all of this AN stuff.He will most likely be leaving here in a couple of weeks, and I am scared to death.Right now I am in the wait and see mode because the tumor is so small, and I don't have any hearing loss.However, I am tired all of the time, cry a lot, and feel so alone.I am glad this forum is here so I can hopefully find others who can really relate.Anyone else out there with a pre-existing mood disorder and having trouble coping after having had stability in their mood?

[Larry]

Nancy,

You will find that there is great support on this site. Treatments are getting better all the time as well. Your AN is very small at this point but it is important for you to be strong about it. I had an an removed (in theory) 3 years ago and it has regrown but it is is small (bigger than yours) and I am now just waiting to see how it develops. research is still early but with the advancements of MRI's and CT scans these days, accurate measurements are important.  I have been told that my an might not grow much at all for many years so its best to wait.

I have empathy for your depression. I am a very strong willed person and have tremendous "power of the mind" however, from time tio time, it gets to me, particularly when i am alone (I think its a male thing to not be seen to be weak lol). I have now realised that what i have is not going to simply vanish and that its ok to have weak moments. In fact its good to let it all out. I try and make sure that I keep as busy as possible. Mental trauma is always difficult for friends to fully understand. My wife has sufferred depression and she has been good support for me.

I think its important for your husband to keep working and the distance is an issue but you don't need the stresses of unemployment as well. Make sure you read up on the various treatment options and preferred specialists to see. Keep an open mind to either surgery or radiation and be careful about articles that downplay the other as they have hidden agendas.

Stay positive, have regular MRI's and keep busy.


Larry

[Nancy Drew]

Thanks Larry.Just what I needed right now, encouragement.Actually I do feel better after learning today that I have a sinus infection and not new symptoms appearing from the AN.Never thought I would be happy to have a sinus infection!!!How interesting that your AN would grow back and hopefully it will stay small and hybernate for the rest of your life.That is what I am hoping for myself and everyone else out there.But, the reality is that they very well can grow and each of us will have different outcomes.I am already feeling better knowing that I have a place like this to vent and get advice.My best to each and every one of you.  Nancy

[okiesandy]

Nancy,

It does not seem to matter if you are a w&w surgery, or radiation. This is a very common thread. I waited 9 months to finally get some kind of treatment going after many setbacks. I work a high stress job and everyone except the people on this board thought I was handeling this beautifully. NOT!!!! One day at work I went into the restroom to cry twice. I had only cried once before during all of this. Then I went out side and called my PCP and said I have to have some help. I can not do this alone. I had told my neurotologiist that I was not sleeping and was having panic attacks and was depressed and he said sure, some people are. I have a word for him and I don't think I can use it here.  My PCP put me on Xanax for a short term. All of the aggression, depression, panic attacks and such have gone down to a level I can deal with. When I go back to see my doctor now that my CK is finished we will see what meds I will need to deal with. Can't stay on Xanax for long. Hey, I can't believe I held it together as long as I have. Look at all of the things we go through. Who would not be depressed?

Sandy