Nightmares

Why am I depressed? I am recovering great, have lost over 20 lbs. in two weeks, my hubby is fixing me delicious yummies, my kids are beautiful, I am a stay at home mom with very little stress. I should be sitting back enjoying life. Yet, I feel indescribably sad. I have a dream that keeps haunting me.(ok you dream analysts and freudians) I am at my old job (an elementary school) only it is more of a composite of many schools in which I have taught. I have lost all the weight and look fantastic; only NO ONE NOTICES!! Old friends, family, say nothing. Then I see them crowding around a corner of the cafeteria. I go over to see what they are buzzing about. It is a fabulous buffet. All my favorite foods are there: Shrimp, Sushi, Steaks, Shishkabob, Stuffed Cabbage rolls, and more. Then I see my surgeon, who shakes his head no, and hands me a cup. I taste it and it is warm mush. He smiles at me in approval. I throw it across the room and dive onto the buffet table(right in the middle of the cheesecakes and petit fours.) But the table turns into a hospital bed. I get tangled up in the ivs and nurse call button cords, and I begin to bleed from my incisions. I scream. Then I wake up. Cold sweat. Usually tangled in the covers with my husband saying" Wake up, you're having that damned nightmare again!"I actually broke a slat on the headboard in my sleep because I grabbed it in fear. Do I need a rubber room or what? Anyone else dreaming weird dreams? Lou Ann

Lou Ann: I guess I am having nightmares, as well. My sister came into my room in the middle of the night and I was wondering why. She stated that I was screaming in my sleep. I don't remember any of this. I am not too concerned right now.

Hi Lou Ann, Are you having crying spells also? I think this all very normal, I mean afterall, we are entering a whole new world. Two weeks after my surgery I went through a mourning period. I think I was so grief stricken at losing my best friend, my companion, my extra curricular activity, that I just had to come to terms with the realization my life will never be what it was. THANK GOD! After I had my little pity party, I made a committment to always stay positive about this. I had this surgery to change a very old and debilitating habit, to improve my health and to learn to live life to the fullest. It will get better, I promise... Take care, Shar

I feel your pain. I have been dealing with the depression myself. I have felt very down, but I have been told it gets better. With the nightmares, are you still on pain meds? When I was on the pain medication I was having horrible nightmares. They were never as deep as yours, but they were there. I think it may be your mind helping you deal with the loss of food in your life. I hope this time will pass for you, I am sure it will for us all. Jenn

Thanks. I hope it passes quickly. I am not taking pain meds. anymore Lou Ann

Oh Girl.... I am so sorry you are having such bad nightmares. I too had them for about a week after surgery and it was so embarrasing to wake up to the nurses standing over me wondering if I was OK. LOL! I am over 2 weeks out and mine have finally gone away! My doc says the mixture of our body chemistry changing, our hormones readjusting and the purging of all the toxins in our bodies coupled with stress, fatigue and a bit of guilt will make ANYONE have nightmares! LOL! So no, you are not alone! However if they get worse and do not go away to the point that you are not getting sleep, why not make an appt. with your local support group or behavioral health office just to make sure that there is not something going on that you are not aware of? Perhaps your chemistry is so far off that it needs a push in the other direction. You never know! Hope things get better! Jamie

Lou Ann, I haven't had a nightmare like yours, but I have had dreams. The night before my surgery I dreamed about chocolate. It was very vivid and I could recall every detail in the morning, but can't tell you anything about it now. I know a night or 2 after surgery I had some kind of a dream about food, but can't remember anything about it either. I haven't had any that I remember since coming home from the hospital. I'd say if you keep having this same dream, talk to your surgeon's staff and if they can't help, get in touch with a therapist. Our dreams are often our subconsicious dealing with things we haven't resolved when awake. Hang in there and try not to break the bed again.... unless it is for a totally different reason Vickie J.

Hi Lou Ann I too had a night mare 8 days post op. It scared the heck out of me. I spoke with friends and family. Then I reached out to my therapist. She let me know that the loss of the food is going to come in all different ways. She also said that this too shall pass. Prior to reaching out to her, I would just weep. That too is part of the grieving process of not having my food to comfort me. The good news is each day is getting better. Keep reaching out to friends peace, Sandy