Depression

Posted , 13 users are following.

Hi all. I broke my ankle on 18th August. Following surgery on the 23rd August I have managed to resume work albeit part time and still non weight bearing. I have coped reasonably well with help from my amazing husband but in the last few days I have been overwhelmed by feelings of depression. I cry at the drop of a hat and am really struggling to come to terms with my loss of independence. I know that this is temporary (though they say full recovery will take over a year) and that there are millions of people in a worse position than me. But somehow none of that matters. I just feel miserable and sorry for myself. I know that there is nothing anyone on here can do. I guess I just needed to let it out. Thank you for listening.

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

  • Posted

    I can sympathize with you this type of injury really gets you down,I had a Maisonneuve injury to the ankle and leg at the end of January this year and I am still not getting about great,I lost my job as a postman due to this injury as I wouldn't be able to walk the 12/13 miles a day any way soon.Lost my mother in law and my brother this year as well. Coupled with the injury and feeling useless at not being to the things you take for granted,It can really get you down.But my good wife tries to keep me upbeat.Hope you can see light at the end of the tunnel.

    . Regards Chris

  • Posted

    Ok one thing you have to be is positive. You have to stay focused in getting better and listening to how long it may take. I fell in a climbi g accident in Peru. I fell over 10 meters and broke 3 bones in my ankke tendons below the knee were torn and dislocated one of my hands. I am not that young but physical condition was great at time of incident. I am a 54 year old mountain guide and I have always pushed myself to overcome all obstacles in life no matter what they are in my life.

    Now at 5 montgs to the day from surgery I am doing well I exercise every day and do my best for helping alone my recovery. Eating well not eating the wrong foods and keeping a positive attitude.

    Of you were not active before now is a good time to start.

    I have bad days but I push through and do not lose confidence. I

    I have a page zip kept to myself in Facebook just called broken ankle I think. If y o u have a chance and can find it look at it. I am just showing stuff I can do.

    Keep a good attitude and you will do well

    • Posted

      Thank you Michael. I am 55 and not really very healthy. My only exercise is walking and I can't do that now 😥 I am trying to stay positive but it is hard

    • Posted

      I am 54 years old , and you will get threw it , the worse bit is loss independence and you will get it back slowly . I broke my ankle in 3 places and damaged my ligament but I can walk with air boot , and today my first swim . I used to road bike daily to work but not for a while
    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply. It's nice to know I am not alone x

  • Posted

    So sorry you are feeling this way.    I did not have surgery but I totally relate to the loss of independence.    I too, have an amazing husband who is taking care of me while I recover and I am not returning to work until around October 20th so I am basically being a couch potato for now.    I've noticed I cry easily right now as well.   As soon as someone sends me a message to ask how I am...I cry.    I am only 12 days post break and have to wear a boot and thankfully it was a complete but clean break so a full recovery is expected.   I am an emotional mess but I blame the meds.  smile     I have no clue yet what the recovery period will be like or how I will be walking once this boot comes off.   I still do not put weight on it and use crutches, a walker or a wheelchair to get around the house.   Sleeping with the boot is a challenge but I am getting used to it.   On October 20 I get more Xrays and see how I am healing.   I guess by then I should know or have an idea how long it will be before I am walking normal again.   It's all new to me and I did not go through surgery so I can't really relate to what you are going through post surgery but I can send positive vibes your way.  Hang in there and hopefully before you know it, things will be back to normal.    And feel free to let it out......it's not good to keep emotions inside.   That's what we are all here for.    Stay strong! 

  • Posted

    Dear Brom100,

    I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know you are not alone. I broke my ankle on June 19th and tore all my tendons ,had a plate and four screws put in and it has been one of the hardest recoveries I've ever gone through. I think anyone that has suffered depression knows what you are going through. Many people don't understand what is like. My advice to you is try to find things that give you happiness and do them even if they are small. There have been days where I didn't want to get out of bed because I felt like I was an inconvenience everyone but I forced myself to get up and at least go out on the deck and get some fresh air. It doesn't last forever but when you're going through it it feels as though it will.

    You are not going crazy! My recovery has been long and I am still not back at work full time. I go to physical therapy twice a week and manage to get around but the pain is still there. I have been also told it can take up to a year. Please do not give up hope. I dream of the day when I can walk normal again. This website is a great place to come or inspiration and when you don't want to feel like you are all alone. I wish you well in your recovery and hang in there .

  • Posted

    I am sorry your feeling this way. I am 11 weeks post surgery and I had similar issues. I could. It take care of my kids was lonely even with family support and just sad. Crying helped me and some gains helped. Hang in there once you get weight bear it will be better. I found that made me work harder once I could because I wanted to be better and independent. Also do not beat yourself up for feeling the way you do it's a hard situation to be in. Sending well wishes for recovery and independence soon.

  • Posted

    I think I can reiterate what many have said here. We feel your pain and can (truly) appreciate and empathize with your struggles. Me, nasty pilon fracture, 2 surgeries 6 pins and a plate, 2.5 months of basically sitting and sleeping in a recliner. No sleep and hardly and relief to the pain. Family members do the best they can to comfort, but the long nights where no amount of TV or reading helps. It was so difficult and frankly what little relief I could get was true empathy from those who've been through this, describing their struggles on this site. I could better understand what could be in store as well as helpful suggestions to pain relief and recovery. And seeing "the light at the end of the tunnel" from those who have been through this. So I will I tell you what they told me. I'm It will get better, promise. 6 months later, I'm among the bipeds again, more functioning everyday. No marathons in my near future, but so much better. You are not wrong to feel the way you do. This is one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through. But you too will come out on the other side. Take care and good luck

  • Posted

    I completely understand. Trimalleoar fracture right ankle 8/14, antibiotics and surgery on 8/25. 22 year old daughter helping me as much as she can (while working plus taking over my caretaking duties for elderly mother ). Still NWB in cast and broke down crying once. Had a bad night last night with weird shooting pains in my inner ankle. Frustrated and feeling a little down. Hoping xrays next week are good enough to get out of cast and into boot.

  • Posted

    Hi Brom,

    Me:  Fractured ankle (and other injuries) from holding down brake in car accident on 6 AUG.   Went to shock trauma for three days and had surgery with 'external fixation device' and two weeks later bounced back to hosptial with nasty infection.  I have gone from couch to walker to wheelchair to knee scooter and I feel your pain - big time.  I hated being dependent on my husband and he was so kind and patient.  I am the one who usually runs the household and I never imagined myself like this.  That said, try and remember those YOU have taken care of and remember as well that all of this is temporary.  Each day I set a few goals (rehem pants, wash hair, or organize insurance) so that each day I felt productive and in control.  There were days when I felt low and I tried to remind myself that each day I was healing inside.  Hang in there and please reach out to this group.  You WILL get there - day by day - as others have.

  • Posted

    Hi. I can relate. I have moments where I feel very sad about my situation even though I am progressing. I also turn to the thought of the people who suffer so much more than I have but sometimes it's not enough and I simply feel sorry for myself. It's moment to moment, some times I'm elated that I'm feeling a little better, and other times I think about the moment I fell and wish it had been different. Take care of yourself. It will get better. Reach out to friends, family, this group and professionals. You are not alone! I've dealt with a lot in my life and this is the hardest recovery I've ever experienced.

  • Posted

    Thank you all so much. It is so good to hear that I am not alone in how I feel. I am feeling a bit better now but expect that I will go down emotionally again. Here's to all of us. May we challenge everyday and have a successful if not speedy recovery xx

  • Posted

    Wishing you good luck with your journey through this!☺
  • Posted

    hiya,i know just what you mean,i had an ankle fusion 2 years  ago after an accident ihad 13 years before,the one thing ypou have to remember is the deppresion is mostly caused by the body saying its had enough and needs a rest,what youve suffered is a massive trauma and shouldnt be taken lightly,tiredness equalls deppresion even if your not mentally tired,so dont think of it as deppresion try to acknowladge it more as its time for a rest,by addopting this attitude it really helped me to understand what was going on in my body,remember.........when a body is damaged in any way the brain starts to send out messages to make you tired so that you rest,unfortunately for most people in the modern day we have such busy lifesitles that we just dont know when to stop,i tnink what your feeling isnt depression its fatigue,they feel the same but if you can recognise this more as fatigue than the other it should help a lot,good luck and stick in there,it will get better
    • Posted

      Omg you are so right. Thank you so much for your advice. It really helps to know that other people have experienced it and got through it xx
    • Posted

      I'm and very active 70yr oldwho has never been in hospital before. Broke left ankle 5 weeks ago, also small bone in right foot. Had stiches out last week and am now in two air boots which I can take off at night and wear a foot/ankle guard. No weight bearing for 4 more weeks on left. Then partial for 6. I truly identify with Brom100 and others regarding mental state. I was very interest to read your post about depression and accidents. I'm not a depressive sort of person, so the feeling of utter helplessness was new to me. Thank you for discussing how trauma and tiredness affect us, it has helped. Still get down, but am able to justify the feeling better than before. Barbara

    • Posted

      hiya,i do hope you get a speedy recovery and heal well,the deppresion side of things can be overcome trust me,just keep your mind active and rest when your body tells you,the normal signs to look out for are fatigue and deppresion,just dont fight it and have a kip,after my ankle fusion i also came down with microscopic cholitis (a very bad stomach disease) it was nothing to do with the fusion but was really bad all the same,its bad enough running to a loo as it is let alone being in plaster haha,then shortly after my wife (ex) decided that she had had enough of paying the bills and looking after me so she asked me to leave and for a divorce,i had to leave her and my two dogs who i loved very much,my point is that it taught me that depression is just a state of mind that can be overcome if thought of in a different way,which is what i did,i decided that when i felt down or upset it was time to rest and recharge the batteries.it helped me cope through what was the toughest time of my life so far,being only 38 i also knew that there were probably a lot more and worse to come,well that was a year ago now and although i still have my stomach condition,arthritis in my foot,hips and lower back (from carrying the injury for so long without treatment,my fault oops haha)my mental state has gotten stronger than ever before,so im not going to start preaching about the fact that there are always some people worse off and please dont think that,the reson i try to respond to people on this forum is because i remember what it was like to wonder what was going to happen next,will i walk again,will the pain ever stop and will i ever feel like my old self again,and to be honest of course you will it just depends on your body and inner strength,good luck to you,will spare a thought for you each day
    • Posted

      Thank you for your response. You really have been through the ringer. I hope you are coping and moving forward. Xx
    • Posted

      Jamie, you have gone through quite a bit all at once! Love your idea about framing things in a different way. Take care and wishing you luck in your journey!

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