Depression after general anaesthetic
 

Has anyone experienced this? I had an operation on friday and since then I have felt really out of sorts. Initially it was because I couldn't take my meds for a couple of days as they would have reacted with the morphine I was on. Though now I'm back on them properly. I don't feel like 'me'. I'm tearful, anxious and getting angry quickly. I never used to get angry.

I am dealing with pain from surgery too so I know that's a lot of factors that can make me feel depressed. I just wondered what others have done about it? I guess I can only wait and see but sometimes I feel like it's unbearable.

I would say that the way you are feeling isn't because of the anaesthetic, but because you've been off your meds and it'll take a while for the levels in your blood to build up again. It can really throw your body out of whack if it's used to getting meds and then you have to stop them suddenly! Being in pain will also make you feel generally awful. I'd say stick it out for a while longer and if things don't change, then go see your GP. I hope you feel better soon!

It might take a little while longer to get the meds up to a therapeutic level in the body.

One of my triggers for depression is feeling unwell not necessarily ill unwell but kinda feeling out of sorts like generally feeling run down etc.

Sometimes being gentle with myself over the subsequent days-weeks makes the difference and occasionally I've needed a short term adjustment of my meds if things are still not right after a couple of weeks

Could you make yourself a list of some soothing activities that might help?

Thanks guys. I'm trying to do self soothing things. I've got my dressing gown on so I'm warm and I've been relaxing reading a book. Going to watch Bake Off soon. It's just hard to try and tune out the pain and the weird sad/anxious feelings.

Thanks, that makes sense!

No, have never used drugs apart from cannabis.