Post op delemna ( seeking help and advice)!!!

Posted by wwjd @wwjd, 6 days ago

I was feeling depressed,low energy,no motivation then I had a seizure in 2017 .scan found a baseball size meningioma in front part of brain.
After removing all but residual they recommended radiation but I chose to watch and wait.I felt 💯 better for the first 3 years,then I started feeling the way I had previously ( no ambition,no energy,anti-social)during the winter months and seems I would come out of it in the summer.
This last year which is 7years post op all I want to do is sit in my recliner. I’m only 66 years old and this is very depressing,anyone have a similar situation???

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Since the meningioma wasn't entirely removed, perhaps your next step is to get another scan to make sure it isn't growing again.

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@mkoch

Since the meningioma wasn't entirely removed, perhaps your next step is to get another scan to make sure it isn't growing again.

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Just had an MRI in September they said it’s all clear

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I agree having Studies to see if your meningioma has reoccurred is solid advice.

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I am NOT a doctor so I will not offer medical advice. I just wanted to share that I am 8 months post-op. with very similar meningioma size to yours. Mine was the right side of my brain and I am still relearning to manage my emotions again. That's what affected me the most after surgery. (Once I could find my balance and walk on my own etc.) I recovered very well. In the past, I had suffered from mild to moderate depression. I never thought about killing myself or got extremely sad, I just kind of stopped doing things and had zero energy. Seemingly , very close to what you described. I was on a small dose of meds. I was feeling great and thinking with greater clarity without the Tumor so after speaking with my doctor I worked my way off my depression meds. After about a month I was slipping back into my old habits and not being as successful even though my thoughts were much clearer. I have realized that I will need a little assistance to balance my moods maybe for the rest of my life. I am back on my low-dose med now and talking to a therapist. I am also looking into Cognitive Remediation Therapy and Neurofeedback Therapy. Science and scans are amazing in telling us about the Tumors, but I am finding so much is still unknown about the brain, maybe talking to a professional is also a good step. I'm proud of you for reaching out in this forum. I am reading a book called "My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor PHD. She is a neuroanatomist who suffered a stroke and fully recovered. As a regular guy working in the mining industry, I find her book with understandable science very comforting. I have to continue to work on my emotional balance, mental health, and healing from my surgery. I hope this may help and finds you better today. Sincerely, Good luck to you!

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ddrury44: Proud of you, as well, for being so honest about your own mental health challenges. And what wonderful advice for all of us struggling with highs and lows after brain surgery.

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Back in 1992 I had a tumor removed from the right temporal lobe of my brain. Within 10 days of the surgery I got severely depressed. To make matters worse... within 2 months I had 3 suicide attempts. I was placed in the psychiatric ward to get rid of my depression. It wasn't until they tried me on Lithium that the depression went away. I was diagnosed with bipolar illness and got fantastic counselling. They said if I still felt better in 7 days, I would be released on condition that I see a psychiatrist on a weekly basis. What a Godsend that was. My psychiatrist was superb. She encouraged me to love myself and my depression truly lifted.
To this day, I never suffer from depression any more. I love myself and my life. from what I hear... good psychiatry is hard to find. I was blessed with a loving psychiatrist. Amen!

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Hi, I am 21 months post op from a resection of a Oligodendroglioma from the right frontal lobe and have had the exact same lack of energy. Literally found myself only wanting to see it in the recliner and watch tv. The last month or two I have been forcing myself to get up and do things, most of which, just leaving my house at least once a day. I feel like it is starting to help but it has been the hardest part of my recovery. I explained to my doctor that it’s almost like my body just wants to give out when I try to get up and do anything. He tells me it’s just part of the recovery, but I feel like it’s been so long since the surgery that I should be over the exhaustion by now.

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@stephaniefossum

Hi, I am 21 months post op from a resection of a Oligodendroglioma from the right frontal lobe and have had the exact same lack of energy. Literally found myself only wanting to see it in the recliner and watch tv. The last month or two I have been forcing myself to get up and do things, most of which, just leaving my house at least once a day. I feel like it is starting to help but it has been the hardest part of my recovery. I explained to my doctor that it’s almost like my body just wants to give out when I try to get up and do anything. He tells me it’s just part of the recovery, but I feel like it’s been so long since the surgery that I should be over the exhaustion by now.

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The first 2 years after surgery I was ambitious,energetic,very social and outgoing but started declining and now 7 years later I am anti social,no ambition,low energy,and no confidence in myself,I don’t want to get out of recliner

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