anti-depressants after surgery

[roadster]

In the last three weeks I've gone from having no symptoms prior to my annual exam to finding out that I have a 10cm mass on my ovary and will be having surgery in two weeks.  I've been reading about everything to expect in the coming weeks and I'm becoming overwhelmed at how my life is going to change.

My job is 100% travel which means I live out of suitcases and spend Sunday through Friday in airports and hotels.  My job requires me to be on my feet for 8-10 hours training people so I probably won't return to week for quite awhile.  I'm incredibly active and working out is one of my best stress relievers.  My weekends are spent swimming at the river, canoeing, hiking and all kinds of other stuff outdoors.  I had a three week trip to Alaska that is now probably not going to happen.

A friend of mine is an RN and knows the level that I'm used to running at.  She suggested that I talk to my doctor about getting anti-depressants for after surgery.  This whole thing has been so fast.  The U/S was scheduled by my family practice and my gyn read the results in front of me when I returned for the results of a colposcopy after an abnormal pap.  She couldn't believe that I didn't have any symptoms.  Now of course I have all kinds.  

I haven't really discussed anything with the gyn.  We decided on the surgery over the phone and now I have a week until I meet with her.  My list of questions just grows and grows.  Any experience with anti-depressants?  Should I push for them if she hesitates?

[Tybear]

I started taking anti-depressants last month after trying to deal with the emotional upheaval I went through with a separation, Ovarian cancer diagnosis, and a hysterectomy all at the age of 26. They have helped me so much and I don't know why I didn't go on them sooner. I am also seeing a councellor, as I don't think a pill is the solution, but rather a tool that enables me to effectivly deal with my reality. It is not a drug to be taken lightly and certainly not without reason. I would not expect that you would need them for after your surgery - just lots of rest and relaxation!

[chandrika]

My opinion is do not take anti depressants, of course that is only from my experience, but I have read oline of many many who have had the exact same experience. Especially with the ssris.

Strange actually as for years I was telling the dr of period pains and abdominal pains and was told for years it was just PMS never given a scan and told to tale anti depressants to deal with the pain.

I now know that my pain wasnt depression and was in fact real not in my head as my dr thought, but for this reason I do have experience of the ssris and it was not good.

They can really mess up your emotions and head, stay in your system for up to a year and a half even after stopping, causing all kinds of quite serious problems and emotional instability.

If you look up on the internet dangers of ssris you will find hundreds of real life stories of people who have taken ssris and not only had negative reactions like, feeling very angry and all kinds of things they are not used to, but also after stopping those things taking a while to go away.

So they are no panacaea and I would say if you can deal with your op without antidepressants then do so, as you could end up with more probs.

Best Wishes to you.

[scoutshadow]

I think your healthy lifestyle will be a bonus when it comes to the recovery side.

I lead a fairly healthy life and am now 3 weeks post-op.  Yesterday I went driving for the first time.  Only a short drive but it was physicaly doable.  At two weeks I went for a walk (about a mile) with the aid of a stick and really enjoyed it.

The worst is coping physically and mentally with the exhaustion because you were up for 6 hours instead of 4, but your body soon gets used to this.

I read a report once that went on about the effects of anesthetics.  It stays in your body in small quantities for quite some time and can cause depression.

Certainly have some antidepressants around but be aware that everyone undergoing surgery will experience some degree of depression.  

All the best to you.

[kitten22]

Ok, please try not to worry? if Tascha was here she would tell you the majority of cysts are benign - 99% in fact and I guess with your friend being an RN she's telling you the same thing. I know you said your pap smear was abnormal too but it doesn't necessarily mean anything bad. I know it's a shock and it's hard to hold onto that thought when your whole life has been turned upside down, but you are a physically active person and that helps greatly when recovering from surgery, everyone recovers differently and depending on whether you have a laparotomy or laprascopy your recovery will be different however the most important thing is to remember to take your time and put your feet up and not do anything until your feel ready. The drugs you are given can make you feel depressed afterwards but if you know that's what it is, then it does help to deal with it, also it takes the body approx 6 months to fully recover from surgery as it's such a trauma so please give yourself time to adjust.

[wubbie3]

Roadster~
Just remember, just because it doesn't show classic signs of a dermoid or endometrial cyst doesn't mean it isn't. Mine had no characteristics whatsoever (barring seeing any active blood flow into the cyst), and turned out to be a ruptured endometrioma. I was also scheduled for a laproscopic but advised that there would be a good chance of turning it into a laparotomy. Luckily, she was able to remove it laproscopically (though I was told that if the instruments slipped one more time, it'd have gone to a laparotomy). So there is a possibility that it will be a laproscopic...
The other ladies are right... you feel pretty *blah* for about the first week (and don't even think about stairs!), but it improves quickly after that.
Hang in there... and though the thought of surgery is icky and kind of scary, it's altogether better to have your alien out than stuck in there.
~Marianne

[roadster]

Thanks.  I'm scheduled for a 'scopy but am told to expect a full lap as the doc thinks the mass is too big.  Having so many friends in the medical field has been both a blessing and a curse (I work in electronic medical records) - I have the U/S report and it doesn't show the typical characteristics of a dermoid or an endometrioma...no fat fluids or calcifications.  That brings up the question of whether to even start with the laprascopy.  I've read about the mass breaking up and spreading if it is cancerous.  I guess I have to hold tight until I talk to the doc next week.  It's also hard because I've only had about 20 minutes total face time with the doc.  I don't even know this woman and I haven't developed any sense of who she is.  I now recognize the need to have that comfort level with the doctor.  Thanks everyone for your support.

[turtledovemom]

I'm glad that kitten represented Tascha's regular advice...the 99% statistic is a great one.  I just wanted to add my thoughts to your recovery...and this is especially true if you're used to being a very active person.  Please please PLEASE do your best to stick to the recovery schedule that your doc will give to you.  I know that it's a wonderful thing that some of the women who post here  have resumed some of their activities a lot (and I mean A LOT) earlier than the typical 6 week period.  Everyone  heals differently.  More importantly, there's a lot more healing that goes one that we can't actually see.  If you know that you're regular activity level will be tempting you to jump the gun on this, try to prepare ahead with activities etc that will keep you occupied.  Believe me, you'll be glad that you did.  

We're here for you...please keep us posted.
peace,
Anne

[LindaF]

You need to find out first if the surgery can be done laparoscopically or will it be a laparotomy. Yes, your life will change if it's a laparotomy but within a month, you should be feeling much more like yourself. Don't get all doomsday. Is there any indication of what the mass is? If it's benign, as most are, just recover from surgery. I'd say 6 weeks of R/R would be adequate. You might then be able to go at 75-85%? I had plastic surgery and had complications to boot, and still, despite what the stats showed, was 90% back in three weeks physically. Had some leftover swelling but physically felt great. And I'm talking from the neck to the lower eyelids, no small deal :)

The post-surgery antidepressants should be reserved for if you need them. You might find you recover quite well and don't at all. The first week will be more difficult, after that you will go uphill.

I had a laparoscopy and despite being warned I might be tired for weeks, etc. I was fine a week later and certainly amost fine two days later. It's all about how you as an individual heal.

L.

[LindaF]

You need to find out first if the surgery can be done laparoscopically or will it be a laparotomy. Yes, your life will change if it's a laparotomy but within a month, you should be feeling much more like yourself. Don't get all doomsday. Is there any indication of what the mass is? If it's benign, as most are, just recover from surgery. I'd say 6 weeks of R/R would be adequate. You might then be able to go at 75-85%? I had plastic surgery and had complications to boot, and still, despite what the stats showed, was 90% back in three weeks physically. Had some leftover swelling but physically felt great. And I'm talking from the neck to the lower eyelids, no small deal :)

The post-surgery antidepressants should be reserved for if you need them. You might find you recover quite well and don't at all. The first week will be more difficult, after that you will go uphill.

I had a laparoscopy and despite being warned I might be tired for weeks, etc. I was fine a week later and certainly amost fine two days later. It's all about how you as an individual heal.

L.