It has been two months since my surgery, i guess i am doing okay physically, still need a cane, and still suffering some pain. My biggest problem now is the constant depression i have, i have cried now for four days and cant seem to stop, is this normal?
I think post op depression to a certain degree is normal, perhaps talk to your GP about a short term medication?? Wishing you some joy Connie
I think most of us have had our depressions spells after our surgery at one time or another. Mine was about the two week mark, but I still have some here and there. If you feel it is causing you too much problems or pain I would talk to the doctor about something to help, at least temporarily. I was already taking something for depression prior to my surgery (from the pain and not being able to get around, also had just lost my dad), and now I am 11 weeks post op and still can't get around. Getting my other hip replaced next week. Gosh, who wouldn't be depressed? Hope you feel better soon. Wishing you happiness and laughter. Barb
Oh Connie - big , big hugs.
This operation and recovery journey is really tough and I think that the hardest part (after week 1) is dealing with the depressing reality that this is NOT a quick fix and it will take time and hard work to get back to where we want to be.
So many people have posted here about how emotional this is and I was one of them. For me it was the total dependency on others, the recovery stretching ahead of me, a little bit of relief for surviving this far but also the fact that I had another hip to get done.
I think it is important to get family and friends to help cheer you up, to deliberately set up activities that you enjoy (we had several movie and concert nights with non-alcoholism margaritas, etc., a jigsaw on the go all the time and (I admit) some binge watching of Game of Thrones.
However, see your doctor if it is getting too rough as there are no medals for just toughing it out if it interferes with your recovery.
Big hugs,
L
Ps - I am at 5 months, and preparing for hip #2 in September. Hip #1 is about 80 % and probably would be better if not for the bad right one. I spent the day with girlfriends at a favourite haunt north of here walking , shopping and enjoying some overly sunny weather. But walking for about 5 hours ....
This will get better.
L
dear connie,
warm welcome to this wonderful forum of hippies - no better support group of people then here - we have been there , done that, some about to start this journey and many like you, in the process of healing from this major surgery -
it is normal and nothing is wrong with you - no need to defend your self, not even to yourself, or try to explain it -
it has been a long road leading up to the surgery (unless you broke your hip) - the pain one had to deal with, slowly losing mobility etc.
you made the decision and had the surgery - it is not going as fast as you expected and feel disappointed - out of nowhere come the tears - I made frequent visits to pity city as well -
I also believe that the body is in a state of mourning the loss of an old part ...
I agree, maybe ask your GP for some medication to get you through it -
come here anytime okay ? You are not alone ....
big warm hug
renee
Dear Connie. So sorry to hear you are struggling with the pain and depression. I can relate as I have been having issues with depression since about 8 weeks post op to now with so many physical symptoms too. I think that the aftermath of surgery and recovery can leave one feeling down like never before. Anyway today is the first day that I feel somewhat normal in about 2 months so I want you to know there is hope.
Have a good talk with your doctor. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, and rest. still do your exercises and activities, get the right meds to give you relief from pain and depression. This is individual for everyone. Eat well, maybe be have a protein shake or liquid nutritional shake if you don't feel like eating. Massage therapy can also help relieve the pain and tension stress you are likely also experiencing. I don't have the answers except to offer you support and encouragement like the other caring people on this forum.
Take Care,
Cathy
Oh Connie poor you
I had my total hip replacement three weeks ago and have never cried as much. I know is completely normal but very tough still. I am fed up with people saying "my friend /uncle/etc had this surgery and we're running about in matter of couple of weeks! !" So very unhelpful and frustrating. I think a lot of tears are due to total frustration as to how limited we are with all precautions, etc. Do speak with your gp if your feel same way after few das.
I have found this forum so reassuring that we are not alone with our recovery.
Look after yourself and take care
Tracey xx
I don't think it is uncommon - I had depressive times, something I never ever suffered from before.
Fine now at 7 months.
Graham
Tracey, You did not give your age, but i am 74 (no spring chickee, anymore). I do understand the frustation of people telling me about those that they know that bounced right back, and would do it again in a heartbeat. I seriously would not do it again. I am prone to suffering from depression and do take efexer for it. However, this has been a severe attack, I am going to call him Monday, life is too short to be sad. I hope your recovery is quick.
Cathy, Ty for your reply. I do have efexer since I have had this depression problem for years. I am going to call my dr. on Monday. I know this is temporary, and i am so happy to have a place to go and vent my frustration.
Hi Renee, Your naming us a group of hippies made me laugh, actually, i am 74 and did live during the hippie period. I also loved your analogy of our body mourning the loss of one of it's parts. What a great way to look at it. I had experienced a lot of pain in my right hip and three years ago, had an arthrogram, and have not had any pain since, which even my Doctors find hard to believe. So when the left hip started hurting i thought no bigee, had two arthrograms, and neither one worked, I held out on the surgery all that time. I am 74 and this is my first surgery, so I should be thanking my lucky stars instead of feeling sorry for myself.
I got a tattoo, and dyed my hair purple, in an effort to spice things up. lol. I know this too shall pass, and i do appreciate a place like this to come talk. God bless.
Hi Connie. I like your spirited reply to Renee. You are a true hip hippie.
not to be a prescriber but I read that cymbalta is good for pain and depression.
Hang in there. At 74, you obviously have been a trooper.
Cathy😊
Thanks for your reply Rocketman. Reassuring as ever to stay the course and the light at the end of the tunnel will come. Did you say you took meds for the pain in the later stages or not. I have been taking Tylenol extra strength for the past 3 weeks but I think that has its own issues for constipation plus not really helping.
How are you doing these days?
Hi Cathy, Ty for your reply. Still depressed but not quite as bad, going to go to the Dr. on Monday and see what he will do. You are so correct that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. A realy old friend had to have his leg amputated about the same time I had my surgery, I think of him often and realize my situation could be worse.
I have come to the conculsion that our body doesn't like the surgery very much, even though it does do sooo much good long term.
Lack of sleep, a foreign part now occuping the space where our body used to have red blood cell replacing marrow, Dr laughed when I asked him is their any side effect's of that piece of steel in our body, the side effect of the anthestia, even spinal, and just the whole shock of the surgery, the heavy painkillers they have to give you.
And you wonder why you are depressed.
I think we all suffered to some extent with depression, after surgery, and I was amoung the many.
Morning Connie
I am 53. I am so pleased that you will ring your gp tomorrow morning. So important that you look after yourself. Stay strong, you will get there even if it takes time.
With love
Tracey xx
I think most of us are real hippies !!! I am 68 and lived the life !!!! who knew then huh !!
I wish we could all get together -
well, we actually are in spirit - holding hands and laugh out loud !!!!
Cathy,
I stopped taking the painkillers (Tramadol, Coedine, Paracetamol / Tylenol) quite early - in the first week after coming out of hospital.
Putting this into context, I was fully weight bearing the day after the operation, and have never regularly taken even headache pills.
The only pills I had to keep taking were the blood thinning Rivaroxaban to prevent DVT.
I am now nicely on the mend - I can hardly believe it is now over 9 months since the original operation, and 7 months since my failed revision. Commuting in and out of London, walking up escalators, using the pushbike daily ..... yes there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Hi Connie,
I am in my 8th week now and still have good and bad days. It all seems to be very normal amongst us hippies so at least you always have someone to talk to here 
Take care
Jacqui