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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Help! Very depressed - one more surgery
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Help! Very depressed - one more surgery
by laneybuns, Jan 25, 2006 12:00AM
One more comment on my situation as I don't want to "hog" the site at all. But, I had a big development yesterday. I went to see my surgeon with my MRI results. My L1-L4 discs are completely herniated. (I have already had L5-S1 fused 3 years ago). And, I now have the beginning of scoliosis. So, my 8th back surgery in 3 years is on Feb. 20 and it is a brutal one. Complete lumbar fusion - 4 discs - as well as straightening my spine. I truly trust my doctor as he is the Chief of Orthoepedic Surgery at the best hospital in Houston's medical center.
However, not only am I worried about the norco but I am very sad about the 4 to 5 hour surgery and 5 day hospital stay with a 6 month recovery of the above surgery. Sometimes I just feel lost and helpless. And, I am not a helpless person but like to be in control.
The surgeon also told me to gain weight (I am 5'7" and now about 115 pounds) so that the large amount of cages, rods etc. in my back doesn't bother me so much. In other words, get some fat to cushion. This is not easy for me either as I have always been very thin.
Thanks to all for listening again. It is so nice to be able to get it all out sometimes.
laneybuns
However, not only am I worried about the norco but I am very sad about the 4 to 5 hour surgery and 5 day hospital stay with a 6 month recovery of the above surgery. Sometimes I just feel lost and helpless. And, I am not a helpless person but like to be in control.
The surgeon also told me to gain weight (I am 5'7" and now about 115 pounds) so that the large amount of cages, rods etc. in my back doesn't bother me so much. In other words, get some fat to cushion. This is not easy for me either as I have always been very thin.
Thanks to all for listening again. It is so nice to be able to get it all out sometimes.
laneybuns
Doctor's Answer
Lisa
my sister is going through similar stuff as you all right now and i have found a new hope and thats the reason i am posting this. Please look into amino acid therapy, go to your book store, get this book by Julia Ross called "mood cure". There are natural ways of dealing with anxiety and depression and thats through 5-HTP and amino acids and without any side effects.
Also, read this articles,
http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/Nelson4.html
http://www.fibromyalgiacfsstore.com/healthnews305.html
good luck to you all. Please do not stop your medicines cold turkey because you will go through hell. The key is to start amino acid therapy and then slowly wean off the prescription medicine. Amino acids r available in nutrition food stores and GNCs