Low mood following hip replacement

So sorry to hear . I hope you are feeling happier soon. I was ok after my new hip. Take care.

It is quite common to feel low after major surgery which is exactly what you have had. Just because we discharge patients very quickly these days doesn’t mean your body hasn’t gone through the mill so to speak. When I was working on the wards I used to tell patients that they could go through a phase like this. Anaesthetic and sedation alters the blood chemistry and nobody really knows why but it can alter your mood. I had back surgery 18 months ago and after about a month I was the same, weepy and really feeling down. My nurse friends told me it was normal and I did feel better over time. Just keep resting in between your walks and physio and I’m sure in time you’ll start to feel better, however if you don’t and things get worse speak to your GP. I think you just need time to recover

Thanks for your quick reply LullyDully after I had it I felt great for three weeks so I can’t understand why I have suddenly become low in mood, I’ve looked online and apparently 50% of people feel low following Surgery but they don’t warn you about it beforehand.

Lesley I can totally identify with you!
I had the same problem at five weeks. Hip was coming along fine and then wham- I had the most awful feelings of depression. Just not me at all.
Mentioned it to practice Nurse and she pointed out that the tablets I was taking to stop a blood clot were known to have side effects- such as causing depression.
Surgeon didnt believe in his patients wearing elastic stockings or tummy injections etc- however I had to take the tablets for six weeks.
Two weeks after completing my six week course , the feelings of depression just stopped.
Hope you feel better soon, and you can enjoy life again with your new hip!

Thank you so much for the reassurance everyone, these feelings are so alien to me and the hip has recovered so well,
I’m so surprised to find myself feeling like this, I’ve just stopped the blood thinners, although I did have to wear stockings for a month.
I think it would be a good idea if they warned you beforehand that there’s a possibility of feeling like this.
I’m looking forward to feeling better now thanks to your replies, now if only I could sleep at night !!! ? ???

It can take quite a long time to get over a general anaesthetic, Lesley60 (words of wisdom from a retired surgeon friend). It seems to me that it's a good idea to blame the way you feel on the aftermath of surgery, whether or not it's that which has caused it!!

Then try to accept that it's not your fault, and be indulgent and kind to yourself. Hopefully one day soon you will realise that you're actually feeling better.

I'm glad that you are much improved physically.

You have been through a tremendous amount. Be a couple of weeks maybe? How about keeping a mood diary, then you can see if there is any pattern or cause for concern.

Do you have anything good to look forward to Lesley like say a holiday?

If not maybe you could consider booking something even if it’s not til next year?

I have also heard that low mood is common after operations and hip replacement is major surgery after all.

The main thing is to not be too hard on yourself for feeling like this. Your husband and family will know it is linked to the operation and will be supportive I am sure!

Good luck.

You’ll get over this and soon you will appreciate the wonders of a new hip. No more pain, limping, sleepless nights, no more dreading the operation which you now know has transformed your life.
My new hip is still going strong after 22 years. You are still recovering but be positive and look forward to your return to normal life soon.

I was told it was the anaesthetic wearing off. And it could take quite a while. Once I knew this I felt better!

Thank you so much everyone for your kind replies ?

Message withdrawn at poster's request.