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Anxiety/Depression after spinal fusion surgery
Spine Health | Last Active: Apr 2, 2024 | Replies (35)Comment receiving replies
I've thought about this discussion a lot. After some online researching, I've come to the belief that one potential side effect of a major surgery - and most spinal surges would qualify as "major" - is a form of PTSD. I looked up PTSD symptoms and I exhibited many/most of them after my surgeries...Might be fairly common?
I wish the medical professionals would help patients understand there may be some PTSD and offer suggestions on management. PTSD is a real thing and specialized treatments can be a great help.
Even 20 years later - understanding if you have unresolved PTSD can lead to useful treatments.
Replies to "I've thought about this discussion a lot. After some online researching, I've come to the belief..."
I have PTSD but for another more serious reason and the cause of it was found innocent and I've come to terms. I think any continued thinking about my surgery has a lot more to do with whether or not my degenerative disc disease which continues to worsen and at 70 is par for the course will affect the fusion. This is especially true because there have been falls because of seizures, and right-sided weakness because of TIAs over the last 20+ years and I still have pain in all parts of my back because of compression fractions and a full-fledged broken back at T8. It is medical doctors that get me through now. Thanks for your idea,
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Agreed, I think I have this, and the impact of such major surgery was completely minimized by my surgeon who said before the surgery I would only need 4 weeks to recover!! It is now more than 9 months on and this was surgery of a magnitude I did not fully comprehend as it was completely misrepresented. No kidding I have PTSD and others would too, the surgeon never had this surgery so he looks at it like a piece of cake for him without considering what the patient will have to go through after. It is ridiculous that spine surgery is practiced this way.