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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BearNCrow on October 13, 2009, at 22:53:03
I am having surgery in a few weeks. It is relatively minor -- outpatient, only under anesthesia for 1-2 hours, 4 week recovery but basically just sex, lifting and strenuous activity limitations. Not expected to need heavy pain meds.
I had 2 major surgeries on the same day this past June. I had to stay in the hospital, was under anesthesia for around 6 hours, out of work for 6 weeks. I was on hydrocodone for several weeks.
About a month or so post-op, I became manic. This lasted for 3-4 weeks and was followed by a mixed manic episode. I quickly became depressed and suicidal. Became hypomanic briefly and then I finally stabilized. There's no way of knowing if the mood cycling was due to the surgery and anesthesia, the hydrocodone, just being bipolar or a combination of any or all of the above. All I know is that it was one of the worst bouts of mood cycling I've had, and I'm 32 years old.
I am nervous to be undergoing surgery again, even though it is on a smaller scale than the June surgeries. I am relatively stable right now albeit the insomnia I've been dealing with recently and the mild feelings of vulnerability and sadness I'm experiencing that are common for me this time of year. I have some MAJOR transition coming up in January -- I lost my job 2 weeks ago and am moving from Los Angeles to Cincinnati and will be living apart from my wife for 5 months, having to look for a new job, find a new pdoc and therapist, live with my in-laws, etc.
I really want to stay as stable as possible in the time following surgery and throughout my upcoming life transition. This surgery will be life changing so it is a must. But with not knowing what caused my most recent mood cycling, I am worried that surgery will/can trigger destabilization.
Does anyone have any experience they can share with me or tips on how to stabilize my mood post-op? I am talking to my pdoc tomorrow about my meds and whether we should beef up anything preemptively. Surgery could be as soon as 10/23, so I don't have much time for preemptive measures. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.
Posted by Phillipa on October 13, 2009, at 23:45:02
In reply to Upcoming Surgery - How To Stabilize Mood Post-Op?, posted by BearNCrow on October 13, 2009, at 22:53:03
I have a feeling that the talk with the doc might come up with some answers. I'm sorry you have so much going on now. Please let us know what happens. Love Phillipa
Posted by jane d on October 14, 2009, at 3:40:19
In reply to Upcoming Surgery - How To Stabilize Mood Post-Op?, posted by BearNCrow on October 13, 2009, at 22:53:03
I wonder if this is a common experience.
Something similar happened to me several years ago. I was only under anesthetic for about an hour, spent nearly a week in the hospital afterwards and wasn't on any pain meds after the first day. I'm not bipolar and I didn't get manic but I went into a bout of depression (not my first) immediately afterwards which I think was triggered by the surgery.
I don't have any answers but I hope that since you're having relatively minor surgery this time you will be OK. And that your doctor has some suggestions to help insure that. I'd love to hear any recommendations you get.
jane
Posted by bleauberry on October 14, 2009, at 16:47:42
In reply to Upcoming Surgery - How To Stabilize Mood Post-Op?, posted by BearNCrow on October 13, 2009, at 22:53:03
My opinion, it's the hydrocodone. Don't underestimate the power of that drug.
This is the end of the thread.
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