Lynn's Posts

Focus on the positives, the new life you have and all that is ahead. Talk to your friends and family around you and let them know what you are going through. You are at that key turning point in your recovery. God pulled you through this far and will continue to be with you past this time.

I have heard so often that heart patients, no matter what the procedure, suffer from depression. If you've been on Welbutrin for this long, and it's not helping, maybe some other prescription might work better? Since I haven't had it done yet, I don't know anything except what I've been warned about by several people.

I agree with Lora Lee Peterson: If you've been on Welbutrin for four months, it may be time to try something else. Also, doctors can only do so much for the emotional aspects of any illness. Sometimes talk therapy helps in addition to anti-depressants. Sometimes cardiac rehab programs help with the depression by providing socializing time or group talks. Barring all that, that's what this site is for; to provide a listening ear. Please let us know how you are doing.

Hi Lynn, I am sorry to hear you're going through this. Are you doing cardiac rehab? If not see if you can join a program or a gym. I felt many times better emotionally as soon as I started cardiac rehab, and this is coming from someone that hates gyms and structured exercise. In fact, it's made me feel so good that I am already shopping for a gym to join once rehab is over so I can keep on with this wonderful new habit of 6 AM exercise 3X's a week! I swear to you, I am not even a morning person and I am doing this, it's amazing. lol Hugs and good thoughts to you.

Depression can be mild or severe and can happen anytime after surgery. When I think about it, especially after my third surgery to remove fluid from around the heart. When I went in I did not feel that bad but by the time they took me into surgery and I kept getting nauseated going unconscious going into A-fib was the only time I have ever felt like I may die. It has been 4 weeks and it still gets to me. I know the feeling will disappear as my strength gets better.

Thx so much ..... did rehab 20 times and this wave didn't hit me until I was feeling better.. it snuck up and bam! My cardiologist said he sees this more often than not .... I will continue with a trainer at my gym next week because I was released to do so. Yay.. My doc said depression can happen because yr body is confused and getting used to the new valve and reacting to the trauma of surgery...... i should plan 6 months to a year to feel my maximum. anyway thx everyone you guys made me feel better. I love this site. Facebook for heart patients. :-)

Sorry to read about the depression Lynn. I think it is relatively common. I didn't experience depression for the first couple of months post-op because I was laser-focused on recovering. But then I did become mildly depressed...grief over the loss of an animal companion set it off. You're not alone. Hang in there and take one day at a time. It gets better.