Mood swings - what would you check for?

Hi vets,

I know that hormone dumping is one of the potential causes of mood swings during the rapid weightloss phase.  I have had a full hysterectomy and am taking estrogel which I reduced when I was loosing very fast as I was very aggressive and flew off the handle when somebody even looked at me sideways.   At almost 8 months out, the weightloss has slowed down a bit (still losing - just not as dramatic) but I started getting hotflashes again which told me my estrogen levels were lower again so I increased the estrogel to get rid of the hotflashes.

I thought I was doing ok but I have had a recent and prolonged conflict with a co-worker - he's an ass (IMO) but regadless,  my boss, as we were dealing with this asked me if I was sure there wasn't something else going on because I just don't seem like myself.   (Not exactly sure what she is saying with this statement but I do know that my patience with bull**** is extremely short)   I deal with community groups and politicians and angry constituents.  I can't afford to be short with people or I might get my butt tossed out on the street.

I have always been a passionate person and I love a good debate but my moods have usually been pretty even keeled.   I don't like flying off the handle or feeling like I could burst into tears at any second.   

I don't feel depressed, my energy level seems to be back up, I am accomplishing lots of tasks that I had been putting off for a long time, I am sleeping well, I am eating well.

Is there something else I need to be looking at here?  Should I ask that my hormone levels be checked?  Is there a vitamin deficiency that could be causing this?

I'm not a vet (yet) and don't know much aboout hormones - but I can tell you, as we lose weight, we gain confidence, and the less likely we are to put up with bull**** from others....so there is that to consider also.  I think that if you are concerned about your hormones, you should get it checked to put your mind at ease.

I'm sure more knowledgeable and long-term OHers will respond also :)

Have a wonderful day!

When I was losing 25 lbs a month in the beginning, I wasn't aggressive or moody.  But when I hit the 50 lb mark, my self confidence kicked in and and I quit my job.  I am not willing to be kicked around any more by crazy people because I am morbidly obese and no else will hire me.   My bull shyte tolerance is really low.  My energy and outlook are even higher the more I allow my confidence to bloom.

I have noticed changes in my skin in the last month - such as acne break outs, and my skin feeling soft and 'sticky' to the touch.  This tells me my estrogen is swinging up (but have only lost 8 lbs in 6 weeks).  So I watch for certain body changes.  I look for PMS swings like depression, or crying jags (but have not had these either). 

I would check into Prozac or Wellbutrin (which takes the edge off of things) instead.  In explaining to my doctor what was happening, I told her I was never depressed.  Just more willing to put my food down than I usually am.  So I asked for the mellow version of Prozac that lets you sleep at night.  Not the one you take in the morning to amp you up and get your day going.  That has helped me get through my 6 weeks quitting notice without hurting anyone.  And they so test me..... 

If you have chronic pain...like I do with lupus and fibromyalgia...Cymbalta is a good choice to take care of everything all in one pill. I stared Cymbalta for pain management long before it was approved for that use by the FDA (very smart doctor), and it has worked tremendously.  I tried the others with very little success.  Just like our nutrition, not every drug works the same for everybody.  There are general parameters for everything, including the DS, but we all have unique results with everything.  I have multiple non-weight related medical issues, so a lot of what works for me won't work for someone else.

Some do experience this kind of change as they are losing.  This phase can cause some hormonal peaks and valleys, but usually levels off

I was warned my fat stores would be releasing estrogen, and there was a strong chance I'd feel that release emotionally.  So I expected to be weepy.  It hasn't really worked out that way, so far.  Instead I feel very, very male-ey.  (I haven'****ched one iota of Lifetime!) My libido is through the roof.  I have so much more energy, and am moving so much better, my outlook is very cheerful.  

Maybe testosterone up swing?  Testosterone would explain male/aggressive behavior.

I am definitely more aggressive since getting this surgery.  I am scared of myself sometimes.  I seem to be oppositional. I almost got in a fight (verbal) with a teenage boy who butt into the line at the coffee shop.  I am a 47 year old woman!!! What was I thinking. I also feel that I am being abrupt and confrontational at work.

 I was watching an episode of the Simpsons and grandpa Simpson was having a conversation with a group of people and he said "Everything everybody just said is either obvious or wrong!"  When I heard this, i heard myself.  This is how I have been thinking. I recently stopped taking birth control pills to control my endometriosis and the aggressiveness has increased so I think this is related to hormones. It has been on and off since surgery.

I used to be laid back and easygoing.  I plan to monitor this over the next few months and then talk to my doctor about it.

Good luck to you. I know how you feel.

Thanks Challie,  it helps knowing I am not alone.  You are describing how I feel to a T.   I just came back from an appointment with Dr.  Freedhoff who is an obesity specialist here but unfortunately, he is not very supportive of the DS, fully admits that he doesn't know anything about it and really not very interested in finding out.   He actually said he didn't believe in hormone dumping.  I told him I was living proof that it was very real but that was met with a little placating smile.   Totally and utterly frustrating.   I guess I will just need to keep being extra aware when I am around with others, perhaps add a rubber band around my wrist I have to snap before I am allowed to rip the guy in the coffee line's head off - LOL