Question
Sharon,
I'm 49 and in pretty good health.  I had a congenital hip dysplasia that was replaced 19 days ago.  I'm working hard at my exercises but am feeling myself slip into depression.  What should I do?  Thanks.  --Jenna,

Answer
Dear Jenna

When you have your surgery, you feel as if your life is spiraling out of control.  You feel as if you have no control of anything and that causes the depression.  As you start to begin to do little things again, even things as simple and going out for a ride in the car or going back to work part time, you will find the depression eases.

Each time I get my hips done, I ask for an anti depressant.  I stay on it until I start to gain back my control and start to get back to my life.  Ask your doctor for an anti depressant, it's not a sign of weakness asking for it, it's a sign that you want to be proactive in your health.  I use Celexa when I have surgery.

Just think of this thought too, you are three weeks into recovery, you have about three more until you start to get the OK to go back to your normal life again, at a slow pace.

You're halfway there!  Ask your primary for celexa.  Your ortho can't give it to you, or might feel uncomfortable giving it to you, so if you have a PPO, you can go for mental health counseling, or if not, ask your primary doctor to prescribe some for you.  It will take about a week and then you will start to get stronger attitude.

Trust me.

Sharon