Posted by mist on August 18, 2001, at 12:52:34
In reply to Scared, posted by akc on August 17, 2001, at 16:01:28
akc, along the lines of what James was saying, it wasn't clear to me what you think triggered your suicidal feelings after your last surgery or would this time—meds, pain, hospital atmosphere, being in a situation of relative powerlessness, being more alone than you'd like to be at a time like that?
I have gotten more depressed when I've had pain from various causes, anything temporarily disabling, and even colds. Feeling I can't do the things I normally can makes life seem bleak and pointless, even though that feeling is out of propotion to the situation because the pain, etc. will pass.
It sounds like the situation with your knee surgery might be simpler and less traumatic than the circumstances surrounding your gallbladder operation. Do you think it would help to tell yourself if you feel suicidal (in addition to talking to someone else about it) that you've been there before and the despair will pass once you begin recovering noticeably from the surgery?
And I agree with James about having your doctors work together regarding your medication.
I wish you luck dealing with the situation and hope that your stress level will be as low as possible as your surgery approaches. -mist
> I found out today that I have to have some surgery on my knee. I knew it was coming. I have had both of my knees scoped before, and was familiar with the pain. Anyway, now that the diagnosis is for real and the surgery is for real, I'm scared. It has to do with my last surgery. Almost two years ago, I had my gallbladder out. The whole incident came on suddenly. I was in intense pain for three weeks, on narcotic pain relief for that time and for about a week after the surgery. I was already in a bad depression before the gallbladder attack started. Anyway, about two weeks after the surgery, I attempted to take my life. While things are much different as far as the pain and the narcotic pain relief this time, I am still nervous about what might be triggered by another surgery.
>
> Just needed to share this with someone.
>
> AKC
poster:mist
thread:9784
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010817/msgs/9806.html