Posted by Kati on November 02, 2002 at 19:35:06:
In Reply to: MAZE / DEPRESSION posted by Rodger Ellison on November 02, 2002 at 18:51:09:
I havent had the maze procedure though I had three ablations and tried just about all the medications there are for afib, but my husband has had bypass surgery and also some of my friends. It's my understanding that depression after a stint on the heart lung machine is very common. The post op instructions for the by-pass stated that moderate depression for the first 9 weeks could be expected but if severe or persistent for a longer period to get help and go on an antidepressant. Depression can be caused by things that happen in our lives but it can very often be caused by an internal chemical imbalance in the brain. So there should never be any shame in not being able "to get over it." Another possibility are heart medications. For instance, I for one get terribly depressed on beta-blockers and I get mildly depressed the day after I had to take verapamil which is the only drug that works on my afib....
So dont hesitate to bring your depression to your doctor's attention and get help for it
With best wishes, Kati