Depression After Tonsillectomy
One challenge that many tonsillectomy patients don’t anticipate is depression after surgery. Even people with the sunniest of dispositions may find themselves in a dark place after enduring the hardships of surgery and its recovery. **Before discussing the topic of depression after surgery any further, let me say that if you are under a doctor’s care for depression before surgery, be sure to work with them to plan treatment after surgery.
Tonsillectomy Recovery- Day 17: Why don’t I feel better?
Tonsillectomy surgery, like almost any other surgery, requires more of your body than normal. The healing process takes energy. After tonsillectomy, eating and sleeping become difficult. This makes the healing process more of a strain. I have tips for both eating and sleeping on other pages. For now I’d like to address the almost inevitable event of depression after surgery.
Two weeks of battling pain, not getting enough sleep, taking narcotic pain medicine, and being removed from your normal social interaction can have a profound effect on your mental state. Being prepared for depression after surgery can help you feel better.
Doing your best to stay nourished, get sleep, and stay ahead of pain will all help. I further recommend planning some simple daily activities like a short walk outside, a relaxing bath, a daily television show. These simple activities can get your mind off the discomfort, give you something to look forward to, and give normalcy to an otherwise abnormal time.
Another trick to beating depression after surgery is to record your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Oddly, this seems to release the struggles a bit. I also suggest participating in the online forums and offering others support. As I’ve often said, when you shine a light for others, you also light your own path.
Finally, let people in. Family, friends, health professionals, even co workers have more compassion than you may realize. Let people help. Ask for help in advance- before you have surgery. I personally would be delighted if a friend asked me to run out for Popsicle’s or chewing gum because they’d run out during their tonsillectomy recovery. Help others to help you. You’ll both benefit.
Finally, try to remember that this is temporary. How you are feeling in the midst of your recovery is not how you’ll always feel. Try to imagine the better life you’ll have without the problems the surgery will have corrected. Again, you can read of success stories in my book and on the forum.
Take care,
Greg
Today is day 11 since surgery (1/6/14) & I’m back feeling a medd, I thought yesterday I was better so I went out bc my kids had a dentist appt & I regret it. I suffered from a headache/earache,etc. Im now groggy want to eat like normal now & everything I eat doesnt taste the same & I end up hurting something in my mouth/throat…I don’t have anymore prescribed medicine which i was only on ibuprofen & acetaminophen w/codeine which wasn’t strong enough… Im now taking extra strength tylenol but this whole journey has been complete HELL! & I’m wishing this would be over!
Hi, I am a 21 year old female who just got the surgery on January 3rd (so today is day six.) I have struggled with IBS my whole life, and this oxycodone is definitely not helping; I have not had a BM since the day before my surgery (so almost a week now) and I am beginning to feel bloated and sick. I have been eating semi-solid foods since day two (like macaroni, chunky soup, scrambled eggs and soft, baked pastas) but I am so sick of all of these foods; they feel either too salty and artificial, or too sweet and calorie dense (like the smoothies and ice cream.) I just want salads and cheeseburgers and vegetable stir fry and sandwiches…I’ve been taking a stool softener every day, but I am still completely constipated and am contemplating enemas…
I have been an intense athlete my whole life, so being cooped up in bed for a week has really made me feel awful about my body and I feel so antsy to get both back in the pool and back on my snowboard. I really want to stop taking the medicine because I am tired of the groggy buzz it gives me and I’m tired of laying around in bed all day, but the pain is too bad without the oxy.
Additionally, my whole life has been riddled with health problems, and this is the 4th surgery I’ve had in my 21 short years of life, and the 8th anesthesia-requiring procedure. In the past, for EVERY SINGLE one of my procedures, ONLY my parents have remembered. I once had a boyfriend who was supposed to pick me up from the hospital after my laparoscopy, but ended up sleeping in late that day and forgetting all about it–then refusing to apologize or even come visit later that day. I have had friends promise to bring ice cream or movies after procedures and text me the night before, then randomly not heard from them for an entire week later when they finally text saying, “oh hey, did you ever get that surgery…?” This time, my current, lovely boyfriend was there for me every single step of the way and I am super grateful for all he’s done for me. But for some reason, it still wasn’t enough. I had countless “friends”, coworkers and professors who all knew about the procedure and I have not heard from a single one of them yet. I am so appreciative for all that my boyfriend has done, but I still feel so abandoned, unloved and forgotten about by everyone else.
Everyone I know is out traveling, visiting family and friends, going on ski trips and enjoying their last week of semester break, whereas I have been stuck in bed–alone–for a week. My boyfriend visits when he can, but he works full time, so I’m really home alone most of the day. I feel so spoiled and despicable for feeling so needy and selfish, but I can’t shake this sense of worthlessness and depression which really just hit me like a brick today. I am not sure how to handle these emotions.
It is the end of recovery day 10 (post-op day 11) for me and let me tell you, the recovery was tougher than I could imagine. I had every problem from an ER visit on Day 3, to vomiting, being unable to urinate, getting an oral yeast infection and so much more. Thankfully, today the pain is finally subsiding and it was my first day without the pain meds. I was able to eat very soft pancakes and mac and cheese which was my first solid food in over 10 days. I should be so happy right? Instead, I’m so depressed and my body is spent and I just don’t feel happy. I cry because I’m so depressed and I even went off on my family last night who have all been here since day 1 taking care of me (so unlike me). I just thought everything was so much better, but now I’m depressed too.
Hang in there, Melissa, and just try to take things one hour, one day at a time!! The depression can be horrible, but constantly remind yourself that this is happening b/c you are coming off meds, and have been through SO much physically and emotionally. Tell yourself that you just need to get through a couple more days and the depression will begin to dissipate. That is how I got through it. I was totally unprepared for the depression, but I knew for sure it was due to coming off the meds, and being in recovery mode. Try to have people around you that can support and encourage you. Your goal is to make it through just one day, or even one hour at a time!! You can do it!!! :o) Think positive!! :o) Soon this will all be behind you and you will feel great! My tonsillectomy recovery was easier than yours, but it was HELL! Fifteen months later I am SO happy I had it done, and I am so much healthier. I never seem to get sick anymore! :o)
I could not agree more with Sue. (Thank you for coming back Sue!)
Melissa – Thank you for sharing your feeling so honestly and openly. I have been finding myself so angry, depressed, crying, sad attempts at yelling with no voice at my Husband. He has been here every day with me non stop at my every beck and call. Yet, I found myself crying and telling him what a horrible person he was today for eating Wendys in front of me and not thinking about the fact that I havent eaten in two days. I believe that everything we are all going through psychially will always turning emotional ESPECIALLY when you dont have to concentrate on the pain as much. Also, as Mary stated, coming off of any narcotics like this will put you in a withdrawal stated where you are depressed. The last couple days I had to visit the ER and they did give me a shot of Adavane. It is an anti-anxiety medication that helps calms nerve and relax you. If you still feel this way maybe that might be something you would want to ask your Dr about. Hope you are having a better night!
Hello everyone!
oh my, there are so many depression-causes to fight after surgery. First, the trauma of the surgery, then all the anesthesia and meds to detox in the days/weeks after, not the mention the neurotoxins and all the junk that gets released through surgery that might take weeks, months even, to detox; the frustration of being out of your normal routine, missing friends and events, etc etc. Toxins are depressants, and on top of that, so many of the soft, cold foods that we eat after surgery are full of refined sugar (a depressant for many). We miss out on our usual steady diet of meats and vegetables that sustain our minds and bodies.
Here are some options that might not cure depression, but just might give your body a boost for recovery:
Cold chicken and/or beef broth (organic boxed is easy, see Greg’s store)
Soft cold pumpkin, yams, sweet potatoes with stevia, honey
Hummus with organic olive oil
Purred food, cold/cool soups (enlist grandma here if you can)
Smoothies with organic frozen berries
Spinach, apple and carrot juice (if you don’t have a juicer, simply blend the vegetables on high, and cool until the vegetable fibers separate and drink the “juice” left over)
Cod liver oil or Fish oil (if you can stomach it, helps the mood)
Natural pain relievers, like Arnica (I’ve heard of both cream and pellets are fab), camomile, et al..
By far, detox baths and Vitamin C are the best! Just remember to keep your throat super cold..
Don’t worry, this too shall pass and you will be flying again in no time!
Love, Eliza
Hi Greg, can’t thank you enough for this site, it has really been a godsend to follow going down this awful road of recovery. I am a 53 year old woman who had her surgery on July 8, 2013, so today is day 18. I thought I was finished checking your site daily once I was reaching day 14. I was off the pain meds on day 12, and on days 14 thru 16 I was feeling fantastic. Felt alert, energized, sleeping good (finally). Now yesterday and today (days 17, 18) I find myself feeling a bit lost, fatigued, foggy and weepy. So I see your section on depression after the pain meds, (I was taking tylenol/codiene mostly, and some hydrocone during the really bad bad days) but I just wanted to ask wouldn’t that have hit me right after stopping the pain meds and not 5 days later. As soon as I saw this section, it made sense as that is exactly how I have been feeling. Those few days I was leaping out of bed in the morning, last 2 days not so much. I knew something was different but I couldn’t put my finger on it. My tonsil surgery was for obstructive sleep apnea. They were huge and 1 was growing abnormally. My family reports that my breathing has drastically improved during sleeep. So once I was able to sleep the whole night in my bed I was sleeping so well, and I was so energized by the improvement. I’m really hoping this difference I am feeling is the depression and that it will go away soon. So ready to get back to my life. Thanks again Greg
Hi Maureen, Thanks for posting and the nice words. I think what you’re feeling is totally normal. I really didn’t feel myself for a month. I mean, think about what your body and mind have been through- cutting and burning of your throat, days and days of pain, poor diet, lack of sleep, and a complete unravelling of normal activities. Give yourself some time. Cry when you need to. Sleep when you can!
I had sleep apnea too and my wife is glad to not have the snoring, and I feel rested. (Unless I’ve been up late celebrating- lol)
Take care and be good to yourself. You’re awesome.
Hi Greg, thanks so much for responding to my question. I like how you made me think about all my body and mind have been through, wasn’t really looking at the whole picture until you pointed it out. Happy to say I have had several good days now in a row and am feeling really good. I had my last follow up with my ENT this afternoon and he pretty much said I am good to go. Said my throat looks great, I looked great and I seemed much happier than before my surgery. So glad I went ahead with this surgery, it is proving to have all been worth it. Thanks again Greg for this great site and you Greg are also awesome!!
To Greg and Maureen,
Thank you for sharing your experiences with the rest of us. I had my tonsillectomy on July 17, 2013. I have battled with Step most of my life. In December I was diagnosed with Rheumatic Fever. My Dr. thought this surgery could possibly prevent a relapse with RF. Anyhow, I noticed eight days after my surgery and after stopping the pain meds (hydro w/Tylenol) I felt very down and weepy. This scared me because I also take Lexapro for anxiety/depression (PANDAS). I do wish the surgeon would have mentioned that depression is common after this surgery. It is day 13 post op and I feel a little better. Please tell me I will continue to recover and that this is normal-Thank You. Also, did any of you experience nights sweats/shakiness?
Hello Weymouth13- Sorry you’re feeling this way. It is indeed quite normal. I felt the very same things. It passed. I felt better. You will too. Just give yourself a little time.
Take care,
Greg
p.s. you can also get feedback from others who went through this on my face book page:
Maureen you have made my day- Your post exudes positive feelings. I can tell you are doing better and I am so happy for you. Thanks for the kind words. Please stay in touch.