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Depression in Heart Disease

Posted by jeffer @jeffer, Dec 10, 2016

My son has congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy. He isn't sick enough to be a transplant candidate yet - but will ultimately have to have the transplant. He is severely depressed and won't ask for help, won't attend a support group, is lashing out at the doctors and nurses at Mayo and I'm afraid for him. Is anyone else dealing with this? My son is 48 years old.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 19, 2016
In reply to @cynaburst "This is a great blog piece I just came across about some non-pharmalogical ways to deal..." + (show)
@cynaburst

This is a great blog piece I just came across about some non-pharmalogical ways to deal with depression for heart patients. Perhaps some of these ideas may be useful? I have also found medication to be very helpful when indicated.
https://myheartsisters.org/2011/08/05/non-drug-therapies-for-depression-in-heart-patients/

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Great blog to cite Cynaburst. This blog is written by @carolynthomas.

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Cynaburst, Alumna Mentor | @cynaburst | Dec 19, 2016
In reply to @cynaburst "This is a great blog piece I just came across about some non-pharmalogical ways to deal..." + (show)
@cynaburst

This is a great blog piece I just came across about some non-pharmalogical ways to deal with depression for heart patients. Perhaps some of these ideas may be useful? I have also found medication to be very helpful when indicated.
https://myheartsisters.org/2011/08/05/non-drug-therapies-for-depression-in-heart-patients/

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I am a big fan of @carolynthomas and Heart Sisters. I follow her on Twitter and find her articles very informative and well researched.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 20, 2016
In reply to @cynaburst "This is a great blog piece I just came across about some non-pharmalogical ways to deal..." + (show)
@cynaburst

This is a great blog piece I just came across about some non-pharmalogical ways to deal with depression for heart patients. Perhaps some of these ideas may be useful? I have also found medication to be very helpful when indicated.
https://myheartsisters.org/2011/08/05/non-drug-therapies-for-depression-in-heart-patients/

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Me too.

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Sensation | @Sensation | Dec 21, 2016

Depression can be bad for the health specially if you get too angry or upset about it. Cause for me my Blood Pressure Spikes up High if I get really angry or overly upset. And that's even with medicine, emotions can be a dangerous combination if they get out of control so it's best to find a way to cope with that. Anyways I hope the blog or something here works for your son.

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jms7 | @jms7 | Mar 7, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @oldkarl, I’m sorry to hear that you feel like this. It sounds like you’ve taken..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @oldkarl,

I’m sorry to hear that you feel like this. It sounds like you’ve taken the appropriate steps to seek care at Mayo Clinic. Our physician experts have likely reviewed your case with their colleagues at all times, and sometimes their review may lead them to determine that Mayo Clinic cannot offer any further treatment for you at this time.

oldkarl, I know that your advice to @jeffer for his son comes from a good heart, and is something we all may have to face someday. But I would also like to add that living with a chronic illness is a challenge, and it's normal to feel grief or depressed as you come to terms with your condition and its implications.
@jeffer, you have already taken the first step, that is, reaching out to a wonderful community for support, and staying connected.
I do hope that some of the members and mentors will join this discussion soon.

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I love your attitude. When we have a sense of acceptance over our condition, we are really just stepping into our purpose. When we can share our experience with others and take charge best we can, we encounter so many blessings; new friends, medical professionals, new strength, new appreciation and gratitude for our lives. Keep up the great attitude and update on how you are doing. It's amazing, when we reach out to others, we immediately make ourselves available to support, friendship, hope, laughter, etc. all the things we need to heal and really live life to the fullest!

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Sensation | @Sensation | Mar 8, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @oldkarl, I’m sorry to hear that you feel like this. It sounds like you’ve taken..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @oldkarl,

I’m sorry to hear that you feel like this. It sounds like you’ve taken the appropriate steps to seek care at Mayo Clinic. Our physician experts have likely reviewed your case with their colleagues at all times, and sometimes their review may lead them to determine that Mayo Clinic cannot offer any further treatment for you at this time.

oldkarl, I know that your advice to @jeffer for his son comes from a good heart, and is something we all may have to face someday. But I would also like to add that living with a chronic illness is a challenge, and it's normal to feel grief or depressed as you come to terms with your condition and its implications.
@jeffer, you have already taken the first step, that is, reaching out to a wonderful community for support, and staying connected.
I do hope that some of the members and mentors will join this discussion soon.

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Well I'll try to keep this kinda attitude but there are times when I'm really ill that I can't. Cause lately I've been sick off & on. And unfortunately I can't afford treatment.Been waking up at night with chest pain again, only thing I can do is take my nitro. And lately my blood pressure has been way too low. My Doctor lowered dose of my Metroprolol pill that I take at night, but that hasn't helped bring my bp back to normal. I do have to go back soon for a regular checkup, and when that happens I'm gonna let her know it hasn't changed, but that can create another set of problems, cause if my medication gets lowered I'm afraid my Blood Pressure will go back up, and that's when the bad chest pain happens all the time and the breathing problems. But I try to keep a positive attitude when I can.

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Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | Mar 8, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @oldkarl, I’m sorry to hear that you feel like this. It sounds like you’ve taken..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @oldkarl,

I’m sorry to hear that you feel like this. It sounds like you’ve taken the appropriate steps to seek care at Mayo Clinic. Our physician experts have likely reviewed your case with their colleagues at all times, and sometimes their review may lead them to determine that Mayo Clinic cannot offer any further treatment for you at this time.

oldkarl, I know that your advice to @jeffer for his son comes from a good heart, and is something we all may have to face someday. But I would also like to add that living with a chronic illness is a challenge, and it's normal to feel grief or depressed as you come to terms with your condition and its implications.
@jeffer, you have already taken the first step, that is, reaching out to a wonderful community for support, and staying connected.
I do hope that some of the members and mentors will join this discussion soon.

Jump to this post

It occurs to me @Sensation that your medical team could be more aggressive, reacting -- on time -- with changes in your symptoms. Updating your therapies might be weekly (sometimes daily) as symptoms change -- not monthly or quarterly as sometimes occurs. Tell your doctor of your personal concern that your blood pressure might rise back up if your medication is cut back (or cut out altogether). What has your doctor told you about why Metoprolol is the right medication for your hypertension? About where your low BP comes from?

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