Pain and Depression
During the first couple of weeks after retinal surgery, there was eye pain, stiffness and light sensitivity but there was less pain as long as I didn't move my eyes too quickly or too often. I didn't have to take too much pain medication which was a good thing. The most physical discomfort I experienced was actually from having to lay face down which caused headaches, neck pain, back pain and pulled muscles. I just knew that I was going to need physical therapy at some point.
With the physical discomfort I also experienced moments of sadness. The sadness actually started the day I found out I needed surgery but I pushed the feeling away because I didn't have time to feel bad. I needed to be positive to get through the surgery but a few days after surgery the sadness took over.
Negative feelings about my eyesight that I thought I had resolved years ago came rushing back; I started to experience feelings of guilt because I couldn't help out around the house and because I couldn't work; I felt useless when my youngest came down with a fever and all I could barely do for him was make a can of soup; and I was also worried about how my eye would heal.
With the physical discomfort I also experienced moments of sadness. The sadness actually started the day I found out I needed surgery but I pushed the feeling away because I didn't have time to feel bad. I needed to be positive to get through the surgery but a few days after surgery the sadness took over.
Negative feelings about my eyesight that I thought I had resolved years ago came rushing back; I started to experience feelings of guilt because I couldn't help out around the house and because I couldn't work; I felt useless when my youngest came down with a fever and all I could barely do for him was make a can of soup; and I was also worried about how my eye would heal.
All of these things along with everything else that was going on in my life just pulled me into a spiral of depression and I remember wondering "Why am I going through this?!" What's worse is no one knew what I was going through mentally or physically which made me feel extremely lonely.
I later learned that what I was probably experiencing was post-surgery depression. According to Heathline.com;
At the time I didn't really consider talking to anyone about how I was feeling and I couldn't go outside or exercise but I did pass the time by watching television (the 2017 Oscar nominated movies), YouTube videos, and I even did some light reading when I felt up to it which seemed to help. What also helped a lot was dealing with my feelings. I started acknowledging my sadness instead of trying to constantly push it away.
I later learned that what I was probably experiencing was post-surgery depression. According to Heathline.com;
"Depression comes on because of a number of things, including pain and discomfort, a lack of mobility, and increased dependency on others."I've read a few articles about post-surgery depression and it's believed that people with a past history of depression are more likely to experience PSD. It's suggested that patients experiencing depression should talk to someone, spend time outdoors, maintain a healthy diet, exercise and get plenty of rest.
At the time I didn't really consider talking to anyone about how I was feeling and I couldn't go outside or exercise but I did pass the time by watching television (the 2017 Oscar nominated movies), YouTube videos, and I even did some light reading when I felt up to it which seemed to help. What also helped a lot was dealing with my feelings. I started acknowledging my sadness instead of trying to constantly push it away.
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