My 17 year old daughter was diagnosed last November and had surgery just after Christmas. Doctor said she could go back to college Feb. 1 but I don't think we had enough information to make that decision. She's up at school now and I think she's depressed - is this common after surgery? How long does it last. How long before she's back to her old self academically?

hey beachbum-

i am also in college and i had my surgeries this past april. i took the summer off and started school back in the fall (august) but i only took one class just so i could back into the routine of school again. i found that it helped me and this spring i am taking my regular load. is your daughter taking a full load right now that could be a little over whelming. sorry if i was not much help but just wanted to share my experience! best of luck!

christy

Hi there...while my daughter isn't in college "yet"....she returned to kindergarten for the second time.  And I noticed that she couldn't "think" as easy, coordinate things, or even "write"...it was a period of trying to get back to her old self emotionally and mentally and physically....and feel good about herself....then the academically stuff became easier to tolerate.   While I don't have MM myself but when I was very sick with B12 defiency (lack of oxygen in red blood cells)..symptoms like MS....I couldn't even read a book, or help my kids with homework...it was SO over my head.  And took me a good year after they started giving me B12 shots to have a clear head, feel good about myself...and finally read a book (to retain the story throughout).  So I kind of understood how Cara felt and just let her be, color, play, fun stuff first.   Your daughter "will" get better but any "work" done on the brain always needs alot of time for it to heal, return to its old self....but only better.

Will keep you in prayers.

hugs,  CarasMOM

Dear Beachbum,

Welcome to our MM family!  I am sorry for the circumstances that brought you here, but very happy you found us!  I will respond to your post as best I can.  

Your questions are difficult to answer, as each patient's recovery varies.  It's really an individual thing - one patient's experience may be entirely different from the next.

My 18 year old daughter had her surgeries at the end of her junior year of high school (June 2004).  She was 17 at the time.  She resumed school for the start of her senior year, and is doing well academically.  We have watched closely for signs of depression, but rather have seen more of a "pensiveness".  She's remarked several times that she can't believe she had two brain surgeries.  Once she mentioned a remembrance of what life was like before we knew about Moyamoya.  At best, the experience is shocking to accept, even knowing that it's the logical solution to the problem.

My heart goes out to you and your daughter, especially if she's away from you, as it sounds.  If she had her surgery in December, it's certainly still very fresh, and my best advice to you is to keep an eye on her.  Ask her how she's feeling, and let her know that she's not alone with this disease.  Often times that's the hardest thing, especially with a teenager.  It's perfectly normal to be a bit "down" about it . . . let's face it, this is not something that she planned or expected, and it's a difficult road to travel.  Has she ever taken a look at this site?  It may help her to feel not so alone if she sees and corresponds with the Moyamoya community here.  We have great shoulders for support and big ears for listening to problems.  She should feel welcome, as should you, to lean on us anytime!

I hope this helps.  I know you're concerned about your daughter, and unfortunately there is no set formula to give you for her expected recovery.  My advice is to keep the communication open, make sure she knows you're there for her, and offer help when you think she needs it.  Please don't hesitate to post again.  My very best wishes to you and your family.

Hugs,
Jill      

Dear Beachbum,

I have mm & had surgeries when my oldest daughter was in 9th grade.  When she started college 3 years later, she went thru a depression, being away from home, away from the safety of family & still worried about her mom as well as all the "newness" of college. I would imagine your daughter has some new fears that she didn't have before the diagnosis of mm, what she can or can't do, how will it affect her future, etc.  If she had a stroke or sometimes just after major surgery, the % of individuals who have depression afterward  is quite high.  She may have less energy than she used to, I know after my surgeries I still needed a nap in the afternoons to regenerate my energy.  All of these things can certainly bring on depression.   She maybe could talk to a counselor at the college where she is attending.   I agree with Jill, who said having mm can be a shocking experience to accept, (even as a grown up I found it the same way!!)  I found a counselor who happened to be a nurse/counselor after my stroke & surgeries who helped tremendously.  It's a great idea to have your daughter come on board here~~she can have lots of questions answered here as well as ongoing support.  Good luck with your daughter; let her take her time getting back into the full swing~~maybe let her drop a class or two if it becomes too overwhelming.  I'm sure they have medical reasons to drop classes.. debs

I am 28 and had surgery November 3rd.  I went back to work December 1st but it is still a lot harder than it used to be!  I have problems thinking of words a lot and if I don't write things down, there are gone!  I have Post-It notes for my Post-It notes!!  
I can completely understand how things can be overwhelming for your daughter.  I'll echo Jill: this is not something any of us expected!  I have an extremely demanding job and it was actually my boss who led me on the path to diagnosis.  He thought at the time that I had an aneurysm and my first response to him was "I don't have TIME for an aneurysm!"  We still laugh about that one but the truth is it's tough to get back to a "normal life".  I know my mom struggles with the balance of looking out for me while at the same time not treating me as though I will break.  I can imagine it's tough for you too.  Just let your daughter know there are others on this roller-coaster ride and what she feels is normal.  Any one of us is more than happy to talk to her (and you!) anytime.
Chelsie

When I went through my surgeries I was 28.  I took off of work for 5 weeks due to the stroke I had after my second surgery (couldn't talk, couldn't type, couldn't write).  When I was comfortable enough to go back to work I went back part time and eased myself back into a normal schedule.  Take time, you deserve it - and health comes first.

-Shar

I had a stroke right after my first surgery. After I got back home and back to work I had a lot of anxiety and mood swings.  I waited for things to get better but they just didn't.  I finally went to my family doctor and perscribed Paxil.  Things are a lot better.  I didn't want to admit I needed medication but depression is a medical problem.  Teressa and Dr Stienberg both agree and said that a lot of people have a depressed mood after surgery.  I am going to take it for about a year and them try going off of it.  I am happier and my wife is happier so if your daughter is still having problems go see her doctor.  I hope this helps.

David

Hi Beachbum

I think that it is perfectly normal to experience depression after surgery.  I had my two moyamoya surgeries in April, 2004 and June of 2004.  As a result of a prior misdiagnosis of cerebral vasculitis, I was on a large dose of prednisone from May, 2003 until September, 2003.  Little did I know at the time, this caused a permanent bipolar disorder.  When the depression came on after the second surgery, it was very severe and disabling.  I would highly recommend that your daughter see a therapist and a psychiatrist.   I hope that you can discuss it with her.  The psychiatrist can monitor her medications (he or she will eventually get the right dosages and medication although it takes time to do so).  The therapist can help her deal with the depression, the anxieties, the worries, etc. that may be
making it difficult to deal with daily life.

She needs to realize that this is not her fault----her physical, mental and emotional health are so important.

I wish you and your family the very best and will keep you in my prayers.    PatM

HI Beachbum,

I have found the same thing with my mother.  She takes medicine for her depression which has worked pretty well.  Without it she is miserable and cries often, so it's  important for her to take it daily.  I know there are many out there and she tried different ones till she found what worked best, so the Dr. could decide on that one but it really should help that depressed miserable feeling your daughter might have.

Hope this helps!
Connie

Beachbum,

   I, also, battled with SEVERE CLINICAL DEPRESSION soon after my surgeries. A good deal of mine was due to my Kepra. Unfortunately, in a small few, it can cause depression. But, I am now on Depakote for both my depression and seizures. It seems to have worked well. Remember, each one of us, tends to recover and cope differently. I'm sure your daughter's neurologist will have a good recommendation for you. Take care.

Lee

Hi Beachbum,
 Our son Mark seems to be depressed often.  I think it's from a few things.  First I know the anti seizure med(Keppra) makes him feel dizzy and sluggish.  He can't go back to work even though he was released by Dr. Steinberg to do so.  Because of the seizures he experienced post surgery.  New York says no.  So he's quite concerned about his income.  The state won't let him collect unemployment either although he does get disability insurance.  And I know when he looks at his appearance he gets down.
 But he's with us and will heal and if everyone around him stays positive and is up, he's good.  I think the best we see him is when he LAUGHS.  That seems to be the best medicine.
 Stay positive and LAUGH, it's contagious.
                          Ron