 |
 |
Stan... While I experienced no depression after my pallidotomy, I none the less DID get physical signs of stress, i.e. flushing, jumpy, loss of sleep, etc. which was attributed to seratonin loss or imbalance or the like (sorry - I don't recall which). Dr. Iacono, my neurosurgeon, put me on a 1/2 a 20 mg. Paxil per day, and all of those symptoms disappeared within a few hours. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it wasn't pretty darn common for most people having a pallidotomy to feel some post-surgical depression when ya consider the build up and anticipation prior to the surgery. It's almost anti-climatic after the operation is finally over, 'cause tho it IS brain surgery, you're home within a day or two and life is just "life" once again. Same ol, same ol.... with folks expecting you to be "normal" once the surgery is over. And of course, since a pallidotomy is NOT cure for PD, it's tough for others to realize you've had what amounts to a stop-gap measure. That reflects on how we feel after the surgery, I believe. Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] ---------- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Stan R. Houston Sent: Sunday, November 30, 1997 10:08 AM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: A request for help Dear Friends: It's been ten days since my nine hours in the OR for a pallidotomy, and except for comtinuing problems with walking in the "off" state, life at home is returning to a familiar routine. I have a question for other veterans of pallidotomy surgery. After a week or so, did anyone have a problem with depression? Shirley believes it may be similar to Post Traumatic Strress Syndrome, like surviving a plane crash or some other disaster. I wonder if it's similar to the post-operative experiences of many poeple who have open-heart surgery -- since both the heart and the brain are connected with a person's mortality I'd like to hear from other PWP's who've had pallidotomies and who wouldn't mind sharing post-operative psychological experiences with me. Thanks in advance. Stan Houston (54/7) [log in to unmask]