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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by akc on August 17, 2001, at 16:01:28
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
Posted by Kristi on August 17, 2001, at 22:01:09
In reply to Scared, posted by akc on August 17, 2001, at 16:01:28
Hi!!!
I can totally relate. I have had 17 surgeries in the past year and a half, because of a "cloth" a surgeon left in me. I just found out I have to have another one next week..... which always sends me into depression.... and I'm scared to death!!!! Good luck, and hang in there. Prayers are with you, Kristi
> 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
Posted by stjames on August 18, 2001, at 1:07:56
In reply to Scared, posted by akc on August 17, 2001, at 16:01:28
> I found out today that I have to have some surgery on my knee. I knew it was coming
James here...
Most knee problems hurtlike hell and we are quite good at fixing them now. I just had a friend get a knee fixed, it was rocky. But now he is so happy as his knee does not hurt and he has full function.
From what you mentioned it is hard to tell if it was the pain, fear of the pain meds or an unusual reaction to the pain meds that drove you try to kill yourself, last time. I'm glad you did not !
Be upfront, get you pdoc and knee doc working together to get a plan to make this a better experience. A pain med doc would be a good option.
Pain is bad for depression and for healing. If it is the meds that are giving you problems, a pain med doc has lots of options and can find something you can tolerate.
james
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
Posted by akc on August 18, 2001, at 20:16:28
In reply to Re: Scared, posted by mist on August 18, 2001, at 12:52:34
I had been fighting a depressed episode for some time when the gallbladder thing occurred. I think what then triggered the final descent into suicidal hell was a combination of the narcotic pain meds, trauma of surgery, and the anesthesia. I had a good talk with the surgeon, who is more than willing to work with my pdoc. There are a lot of differences already from last time. First, I am not using any narcotic pain relief. Second, the type of surgery is a lot different -- a lot of IV fluids were pumped through me, while the gallbladder surgery was done by a scope, it was still a much more invasive procedure, and postoperative pain and recovery will be a lot less this time.
However, I am right now just coming out of a depression and it still is a surgery, so I think the fact that I am still scared is understandable. The effects of the anesthesia can still be a trigger. So I will probably talk a lot about it over the next month until I make it safely through it.
akc
Posted by Waterlily on August 18, 2001, at 22:13:40
In reply to Re: Scared, posted by akc on August 18, 2001, at 20:16:28
> I had been fighting a depressed episode for some time when the gallbladder thing occurred. I think what then triggered the final descent into suicidal hell was a combination of the narcotic pain meds, trauma of surgery, and the anesthesia. I had a good talk with the surgeon, who is more than willing to work with my pdoc. There are a lot of differences already from last time. First, I am not using any narcotic pain relief. Second, the type of surgery is a lot different -- a lot of IV fluids were pumped through me, while the gallbladder surgery was done by a scope, it was still a much more invasive procedure, and postoperative pain and recovery will be a lot less this time.
>
> However, I am right now just coming out of a depression and it still is a surgery, so I think the fact that I am still scared is understandable. The effects of the anesthesia can still be a trigger. So I will probably talk a lot about it over the next month until I make it safely through it.
>
> akcakc - I think you're right about the anesthesia and effects of narcotic pain relievers. Last year I had two surgeries under general anesthesia and both sent me into a depression even though I was already on an antidepressant. The first one was cosmetic and there was considerable post-op pain. I was thrilled with the results but got depressed anyway. The second was a tubal ligation and didn't involve nearly as much pain. Even though the recovery was quick, depression set in about two days after the surgery - about the same amount of time as the previous surgery. Do talk to your doctor so you'll have a good plan in case you have problems again. Hope the surgery goes well.
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