CAD & Depression

[babits29063]

Is it common to become depressed after being told that you have extensive premature coronary artery disease, this was 14 months ago (just turned 50) I have become to the point that I just want to give up completely and continually think that I would be better off not here approach my GP with the depression issues just could not tell him that I am tired of being tired and want to quit he prescribed lexapro took it for about a week can't deal with the way I felt so stopped I am already on so much med's (norvasc, toprol xl, nitro, tekturna, asprin, plavix,  aldactone, imdur, crestor, cafate, reglan, kapidex)  on top of the heart issues I am anemic and stomach issues. I just want to quit. and I am afraid that if I let the doctor know how depressed I am then they will think that it's all in my head, which is usually the way I get treated when I first end up in the ER always ended up in hospital. I am truly tired but I also tired of not wanting to be, I don't know how to approach this issue

[Jaquta]

If your head isn't in the game it is easy to lose perspective of everything.

Have you considered how all this stress may be putting additional stress on you?  If I were in your situation, and I'm glad I'm not because likely I would be a basket case, I would be looking at ways to relax and to take back control by making lifestyle changes.

You mentioned stomach issues -could the blood loss be coming from there?
I guess your doctor would have had that investigated.

Do you have anyone you can turn to for support?  Friends, family?

Just from reading what you've written it sounds as though a lot of things are being done in reaction.  Would setting small, achievable goals be helpful to you.

I feel pretty powerless to help.  I feel like I see a lot of myself in your story, maybe not so much physically but emotionally.

I feel exhausted trying to access support for my mental health issues.  I think after a while you begin to lose trust and confidence in the health profession and in yourself.  I've gotten to the point where I feel as though I am just existing and not living.

Having read your posts though I see there are things that we can both be doing to help ourselves.

Thankfully this is an expert forum so hopefully the doctor will be better able to advise.

If you would like to chat feel free to message me.  Also, there are other forums where you may be able to find additional support for your physical issues.

[babits29063]

Please I need to know if the feeling of not wanting to be to the point that all I can think of is not wanting to be. Could be due to the CAD and the medicines or am I truly losing it. I am to the point of calling it a day forever, Especially since my doctors can't decide what is causing the problems it scares the world out of me when I get told that I could have a heart attack if I ignore the chest pains but at the ER I'm treated like it is not real the last time they sent me home and told me it was absolutely not my heart two days later end up with stent #10 and told have blockage that they can't treat to narrow.  I am now starting to have anxiety attacks I have never had these before, all I want to be at this point is dead I am tired of all this and I don't know which doctor to talk with, Did mention to GP that I quit the lexapro after a week and he suggest another anti-depressant but that was the extent of it. And if it is the CAD and medicine will another Med help.

[babits29063]

Thanks for all the advise I still am quiet confused and just so down, tired of being tired just need to know could this be due to CAD and all the other medical issues that have been going on. and do I need to tell the cardiologist or my primary, and how do I approach it. Just can't keep going.

[babits29063]

Forgot to mention 3 months before being told that I had CAD I had a TIA which the doctors don't believe was the first one, and have been told that I may have had another since then.  And Have been told that the stents will restonis and I could have a heart attack at any point, this all has created undue stress, They have not figure out why I become severly anemic have been run through the gambit of medical test, they start IV iron therapy plus I get blood periodically (I also have maglinat high BP) my systems is falling apart.  And now I feel like I am losing it.

[Jaquta]

I'm not sure how common but pretty common I expect.  I had a therapist who was involved in research on rehab from cardiac events.  A lot of the people she saw were anxious and depressed.
I once had a severe asthma attack and it took me a long time to regain my confidence.
I think a lot of people have this perception that once you leave the hospital you are fine.  I think that in many cases recovery begins at home.

That is a lot of health issues and it is perfectly understandable why you would feel the way you do.

A lot is in your head.  How you think and perceive things, etc.  What being sick means to you?  Your perceived losses, etc.
That wasn't meant to offend but to highlight that what we think and feel can contribute to our overall health.

Anemia can also impact on mood.  I have been iron deficient and I know how that dragged my mood down.  Being tired all the time doesn't help either.

I think being open and honest with your GP is the best approach.
I think the safety issues are a huge concern and need to be addressed.
I would be getting the anemia and stomach issues sorted.  Having resolution on those may help you feel more in control.
I would probably be asking for a referral to see a psychiatrist and be asking for psychotherapy.

I think the easiest way to communicate your distress is to just talk about it.  I think the more you hold back the more anxious and depressed you will become.
Writing stuff down and giving it to your doctor could be another option.

Dr Gould, the former expert on the mental health expert forum, once told me that it is emotional damage, not physical damage.
Once you start to work through your issues you will start to feel better.

Talk to your doctor.  If you don't feel like you are being heard, talk to another one.