Stress coming out that never did before...

I don't really know if I know what I am asking - just fishing I guess. Does anybody notice that things bother them more or in differnet ways since they had weight loss surgery? I mean, I used to be able to handle stress but lately I have been getting angry really easily , getting upset really easy and just in the last month I started having panic attacks. I went to my doctor about 10 days ago and he has prescribed Xanax as needed but I am wondering if I might need to see a therapist also. My doctor is a great doctor and has been friends with my husband for probably 20 years but he is new to me (I was sticking with the old doctor until I got past my surgery) so he really does not know that this is new for me - he understands that my mom is going thru chemo and I have a teenager and kindergardner so he has no recommended anything else right now- I was just wondering what you all think- I am just under 14 months out and down 130 pounds total. Thanks Terri

I am more short tempered than I used to be. I think is just the lack of nutrients. I noticed in the past when I would do low carb diets I would be the same way. Lack of energy doesn't help me either.

Angie, Thanks for your reply- I too think some of it could be the nutrients but I really eat a good variety of foods - some times I don't eat enough and then there are weeks where I will be starving and eat every 2 or 3 hours. I don't really eat junk- sometimes I will eat a few cookies but most often I will eat veggies as a snack. Have a great day! Terri

Terri, I've noticed some of that kind of behavior in myself, too. I figure some of it comes from not being able (or at least trying) not to "eat" my stress. That was my old coping mechanism and I still feel myself falling into those old habits sometimes, but I try very hard NOT to eat when I'm bored and/or stressed. Not easy, but I'm working on it. I firmly believe that counseling or therapy is a great investment in your future. If you're having panic attacks, seeing a therapist might be a good idea. You know you're dealing with the normal "life" stresses plus you're dealing with the drastic changes in your personal life b/c of wls and now you're also dealing with your Mom's health issues. Honey, I'd be a total basket case in your situation so don't be too hard on yourself. Take your meds & check into couseling/therapy. A few visits might be all you need to get a grip on the changes in your life. Hang in there and let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Vickie J.

Vickie, I think my company has some sort of program where I can get a few visits for free and then it goes over to your benefits- I am going to look into it. Of course finding the time to go will be another stressor. By the way, mom's surgery is tomorrow to repairt the hernia and get rid of the bowel obstruction. Terri

Terri, I hope you will take advantage of your company's program. I know finding time in our busy schedules is difficult, but not taking time for ourselves & our health (physical & mental) are how we became MO. So take care of yourself!! I'll say a prayer for your mom & her surgery. Hugs to all of you! Vickie J.

Terri, you definitely have enough of life's stressors to be causing you a problem. It probably would be a good idea to look into some counseling or therapy if you feel like you need it. One thought I had the minute I read your post was have you had your labs checked lately? The reason I say this is in my preop labs they just discovered that my B1 (Thiamin) level was extremely low and in my research to try to see what the symptoms/causes were I discovered the symptoms can be very similar to what you are describing. For myself, I almost fell over when I started reading the symptoms because it sounded just like me! I had to start taking a loading dose of Thiamin today and then will taper off to regular daily dose. I hope I see an improvement in how I feel. Now I'm a little concerned that I will have trouble keeping my lab values regulated once I have the surgery. I'm going to talk to my doctor about that. Anyway, if you haven't had labs checked in a while it might be a good time to do it just to make sure everyting is in order. By the way, 130 pounds is fabulous!! I hope you can get to feeling better so you can enjoy the new you! I love your last pictures. Betty

Betty, You know, I have had normal labs but not any by my surgeon- I am wondering myself if there are other tests that should be done for me since I am a GB patient that other patients don't routinely need. My other labs were great except my iron was low. He did a b12 as part of another test but not a seperate b12 screening and I did not know anything about B1. Time for a followup with my surgeon anyway so I guess I will have to call and have them order some labs before I come in. Thanks Terri Oh and thanks about the pictures- I actually need to take some new ones- those are from September but they are pretty close to where I am now.

Terri - You are NOT alone...you have kinda vocalized something that I have been going through for some time!!!!! I experienced this at 4 months out and thought it was under control but now again at 18-19 months it's rearing it's ugly head again and I feel outa control, angry alot, feeling like a failure, bulemic, causing myself to get sick more often by making the wrong food choices....it's a MESS. My job is part to blame...been trying to find something else since I've done the same job for 7 years and am ready for a break and having thousands of aweful changes at work and I've been soooo close to walking out of the job but something is holding me in. Yes, I am seeing a therapist who is helping and I thought I was overcoming some issues but I guess Im not ready to fully letting him go. I feel like I've had some panic attacks as well at work and have felt (suicidal) a times all but for a moment. Thankfully will be seeing the therapist this week. I hope we can get over....some people don't seem to have this problem. But thank you for voicing it!!!!!

Ruth, I guess I just need to find someone I feel comfortable talking with. I am good at hiding my feelings and not telling people things that may make them feel badly about me. I always want to represent my best self- I don't know why I care what strangers think about me but I do. Thanks for the post and for your support! Terri