Why cronic depression after open heart surgery?Thank you very much?

Answer 1

About 50% of patients who have cardiac surgery suffer from depression with about 20% having a major depressive episode.

The reason is unclear, but a quick look at what goes on can yield a little light on why it might happen.

First, this surgery is like hitting someone with a truck. They are hurt, they have no energy, they can't do anything for themselves. They often have a tube in every orifice and a few new holes are made just so we have more tubes.

Sleeping is hard, even though they are exhausted. People are in and out of the room at all hours of the day and night. The pain will wake them from sleep. Many have had trouble sleeping at home. If they're obese and prone to sleep apnea or their respiratory status is questionable they may be on CPAP or BiPAP machines at night which can be poorly tolerated by some.

Over the next few days, the patients relearn how to do normal tasks in new ways so they don't hurt themselves, like how to sit up without using their arms. They usually don't have much of a appetite. Having a BM is considered a major event - but don't strain doing it!!! Eventually the tubes are removed and they start getting out of bed.

Every move is an effort. Walking to the doorway for the first time seems like running a marathon, and during this phase, physical therapists are considered the devil incarnate.

Finally they get to go home. Now the reality sets in. They're in a familiar environment, but have trouble navigating it. Things they took for granted before, now they can't. They can't drive, they can't lift over 10 pounds and there are restrictions on sexual activity. They are also on a ton of new medications or new doses of the old ones.

They start to realize how fragile their life is. They are now going to see their regular doctor, their cardiologist and also the surgeon for follow-up. They may also have to see an endocrinologist or a pulmonologist for newly diagnoses or undertreated conditions from before.

And this is just for the patients whose surgery goes well.

Answer 2

I Understand Being On a Heart-lung Machine, for Any Amount of Time, Can Result In Depression.

Answer 3

You probably were in LOT of stress before surgery and maybe even after, this causes you body to use stored energy, The stress reaction helps the body deal with stimuli perceived as a threat, This response to stress requires that large amounts of stored energy be released quickly. Overall, this response is an inefficient use of the body's energy, as the body must use energy to regain a homeostatic state and replenish the depleted stores of energy. Even with ample supplies of energy, the ability to resist chronic or prolonged stress will diminish until a state of exhaustion occurs.

YES, you are exhausted, stress took all you energy, REST AS long as you can, take vitamins, eat well, avoid too much sugar, Eat protein. DO WAHT YOU LIKE TO DO AND DO IT OFTEN.

I hope this helps.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Hi. It is always hard to see your own mortality. Some folks get to focusing on it.