Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

[Guest]

I am wondering if it is normal to be depressed after major surgery and an 8 day stay in the ICU with an episode of confusion due to alergic reaction to medications used?

I had surgery for an adominal aortic anyurism. I was in surgery for over 4 hours, and was given morph. for pain control. I developed an allergy to it and just about everything else they used. I had no food or water for 8 days, was kept in bed, had an ng tube that was taken out 5 days post-op and then reinserted because of vomiting. It was all pretty unsettling and I was becoming delusional on the 3rd day. That lasted for 2 days. After meds were stopped it went away, however it left me with many unpleasant memories. I've noticed that I am quite depressed going into my 7th week after surgery and having a great deal of trouble getting things done, no motivation. I have no pain at all, physically okay, other than fatigue. Please help.

[Guest]

It is not normal, but it is common. If after seven weeks its not going away, I would bring it to the attention of your doctor and consider medication or therapy.
[quote] I am wondering if it is normal to be depressed after major surgery and an 8 day stay in the ICU with an episode of confusion due to alergic reaction to medications used.

I had surgery for an adominal aortic anyurism... [/quote]