Had surgery a week ago and ever since i have been suffering with depression and panic attacks.

[Pickmeimfluffy]

Hello everyone im new to this forum and just wanting a little help and advise.

I just wanted to say thankyou for reading this to anyone that has been in the same situation as my self.

Through out my life i have suffered from depression and anxiety but after a recent operation things took a turn for the worst. Im a 25 year old male who has recently gone through three operations in the last six months however my last operation on the 11th of April 2017 things took a turn for the worst. I was having a Septoplasty due to not being able to breath through my nose , i was a little worried going in but nothing to out of the blue. The procedure seemed to go well however as soon as i woke up from my general anesthetic i woke up with massive panic attacks and a week later im not feeling any better. These panic attacks hit me with out no warning they hit me when im trying to sleep, I have and over whelming feeling of worrie and panic that i just cant shake. I have cried for the first time in 10 years i feel like an absolute mess.

i dont know if its the drugs that was used to put me to sleep ?

I dont know if post operative anxiety is a thing i just dont know

i just want some advise and someone to talk to

Thankyou for reading

[Ken1]

Hi Pickmeimfluffy! (Ps nice name 😉 )

So honoured to be able to respond to your post. From personal experience, I know that panic attacks are absolutely the opposite of enjoyable and no doubt the only thing you want to do is get rid of them.

Because it does seem they've occurred as a result of something to do with your operation, I would not feel ashamed or hesitant to ask your doctor (preferably one associated with you/your operation already). Already being pre-disposed to depression and anxiety, there is probably a reasonable explanation as to why you're suddenly experienxing these panic attacks and hopefully by sharing what's happening, you'll be able to get to the bottom of it and learn how to stop them/control them.

The last thing you want is for this cloud of panic to continue to follow you and grow darker. I think it's amazing that you've been able to identify it and speak up so quickly!

I would definitely advise seeing a doctor, but if you also need help managing the attacks in the meantime, there are countless coping mechanisms out there! I will share a few:

- Try not to put it off, no matter where you're feeling you're having a panic attack. Find a safe place and let it pass and KNOW that it will pass

- If you understand how your brain works best, that's a great start to being able to control your panic attacks. A great technique is to logically step through your thought processes. WHY are you thinking the worst possible thing? Is the worst possible thing actially that bad? How likely is it to happen? Understanding that your brain is being TOTALLY irrational is also helpful!

- Definitely easier said than done, but if you can learn (somehow) to appreciate this experience (whether short or long) will allow you to develop new skills and techniques, then that will be a strong motivator for overcoming them.

All that said, there could be a medical fix associated with your surgery - I'm not a doctor so I have no idea though!

Please reply back if you want to talk about your panic attacks. Also would love to hear your progress. Whether short or long lived, they're not something I believe anyone is worthy of having to deal with.

[Pickmeimfluffy]

Hello kev1 i appreciate you replying to me so soon it really means alot to know that people out there are offering advise. Im sure there is a logical explanation into why im feeling like this straight after surgery however that doesn't help the feelings that i have.

I do see my self as a pretty strong person however after this operation i just feel like a weak little kid with no idea what is going on with in my own mind and can only wish that with a little bit more time and my operation to my nose healing that i begin to feel better.

i have booked into the doctors tomorrow and im going to try maybe see a neurologist in the upcoming week to maybe shed some light on my situation.

I again want to thankyou again for your reply and am happy to keep you posted and in touch.

[Simona]

Hello : ) My son went through something very similar some years ago. He has ADHD but at the time he was unmedicated.

He had surgery to remove his adenoids and tonsils in the one go because he suffered from night time breathing difficulties. The surgery went good except it really affected him mentally. He woke up from the operation screaming and it took 2 nurses to hold him down. He was clearly traumatized. For a week and half he suffered terrible panic attacks at night. He would be crying and absolutely terrified like the world was about to end. Initially I thought he's having delayed reaction to the general anaesthetic.

It was very difficult to calm him down. He couldn't tell me what was wrong except that he was scared. he just cried and cried and I held him and tried to soothe him back to sleep.

I hope it stops for you soon. It must be so frightening and exhausting

[Pickmeimfluffy]

Thank you Simona for the reply i can imagine that must of been horrible for you to see and to go through.

I hope my case is just as simple as a delayed reaction to some medicine or the fact that the procedure is to do with the breathing. The hardest part for me is that its so out of the blue with no real explanation. I hope your son is all better now and recovered and i hope that i will find my feet and feel good again.

Thankyou for the reply

[Ken1]

I totally understand you feeling weak because of this but just remember that it's not you, it's the situation and you are still the strong person you say you see yourself to be!

Hope thr doctors went well for you! Awesome to see you taking those steps to find answers for yourself.

Looking forward to seeing how you've gone.

Bonnie

[Pickmeimfluffy]

Hello thankyou for the reply. Its been nearly three weeks since the operation and i definitely feel better however the panic attacks do still creep up on me every now and again. The doctors said it could of been a reaction to the drugs used to put me to sleep however they normally only last in the system for around 24 hours.

Im not sure what has triggered this for me but im determined to make them stop as thats something i dont want holding me back.

Thank you again for the reply's even the smallest things help 🙂

[Ken1]

So pleased to hear that you're feeling better!

Your determination is amazing. Keep searching for answers and you'll find out the causes.

All the best!