Depressed/Mad

Hey girl thanks for the advice. I have a counselor I've been seeing for over a year for food addiction and have an appt with her this week but she gets to hear everything that goes on with me and I keep a notebook full of my thoughts then we discuss them.

Cindy,

I'm so sorry that you are struggling. I can appreciate that you didn't expect things to be so difficult, but I truly believe that this too shall pass. I have to say that I agree with everything that Shauna had to say. Stay with the full liquid diet and work hard with that to get as much protien and nutrition as you possibly can while allowing your body to heal. I found that I was struggling with significant fatigue for the first couple of months. This too shall pass; in the meantime be gentle with yourself. I understand your frustration that they didn't 'find anything' when you saw the Dr, but I don't think that it means that they, we or you think that you arent struggling. It does mean that you are likely to get through this without further intervention and that, my friend is a good thing. Lastly, but probably most important ... I understand more than most about hating to be on meds to 'feel normal', but you are literally putting your physical and mental health at risk by going off your meds right now. Please seek medical care for your depression. You need it now, more than ever because of the incredible strain you are under and the emotional swings caused by the hormone swings you are experiencing. It is not a sign of weakness to use medication to treat a medical problem. I hope that you will reconsider and talk to your Dr about resuming your anti-depressants.

While you are struggling so, I suggest that you make a list every morning and every evening of at least 5 things for which you are grateful. The list doesn't have to have new items on it every time. It can be as basic and simple as being grateful that you can feel the sun on your face, that your children care about you, that you've lost xxx lbs., etc... I know that this can be challenging, but it's doable and can be both empowering and effective.

Thanks Barb you always give good advice and I'm going to do the 5 grateful things. As far as the anti-depressants go I had a bad experience with Paxil a few years ago and when the doctor took me off it (was on it for over 2 yrs) I was so upset and everything that I said would come out all wrong and I would just cry and cry,I felt like I was going crazy and I even had a ex boyfriend to take me to the doctor and tell them he thought I was going to kill myself no I don't think I could have done that but my mind felt like it. Then I refused to take anything else and when my Mom died they gave me Zofolt and I took it for about a month and stopped on my own, then about 6 months after my Daddy died they gave me Cymbalta and I was on it for about 6 months and gained weight and didn't feel like it was doing me much good and then the lastest was the Lexapro but the doctor put me on it for night sweats and in the beginning it didn't make me feel hungry and it did seem to help with the hot flushes and he never increased my dose past 10 mg so I can't say it was really helping me or not. I'm feeling a little better today so I'm going to see how this week goes and once I get pass the period before I go back on anything.

Hello dear Cindy!! I hope you're better on this beautiful Monday morning!
I'm seeing that WLS causes so many side effects that we never even think about or are told about! Thank GOD for this forum and the wisdom that abounds here!
You hang in there sweetie. I'm praying for you and sending  you big HUGS!!!!

Thanks Pam for the prayers and hugs I always can use them. I am feeling a little better today and headed to the gym.

Cindy, what you are feeling is perfectly normal.  Your body has gone through a major reroute.  You had complications.  You are adjusting.  That being said, I hate that you are struggling so much.  I remember how discouraged I was with the post-op nausea, and how disappointed that I couldn't stand to even look at some of the foods and drinks that used to be my favorites without wanting to vomit.  You are being flooded with hormones right now, you are off your antidepressants, also you are likely somewhat dehydrated and your electrolytes are probably out of whack which can also adversely affect your emotions.  Shauna gave you some EXcellent advice about staying with what you can tolerate.  JUST FOR TODAY.  It won't be like this for the rest of your life.  What will help with both the depression and the fatigue is to get in all the fluids you need (64 oz should be your goal) and protein about 40-60 grs daily minimum however you can get it in.  I hated those bullets too and all the protein supps made me gag, but I got them in because they helped me heal and they helped me move on to the next level.

Also think about reevaluating the decision to go off the antidepressants.  Surgery is not a cure-ALL...  Folks with diabetes take insulin and nobody thinks they are morally deficient or weak because of it.

God bless our children.  They have such wisdom to offer sometimes!  Wonder where they get it...  Be nice to your son's mother... it's the only one he has.  I used to find that easier to think of than being nice to myself.  PM me if you want my phone number.  I will be glad to talk more with you if you like.  YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS!

Thanks for all the helpful advice.

Cindy
If you are ever up this way give me a call, my husband is deployed till February and its just me and the dogs and I have a super flexible work schedule (I work from home) we can take out my new Spydey and go for a ride!!

Darcie

Thanks Darcie, where is Richlands at? Also would need a number if you want to PM me.

 IM just gonna add my little two cents from the mans bench Cindy. I am about a month ahead of you and pretty much in the same weight bracket. One of the things that has kept me sane is establishing a routine that was a bit more demanding on me as I got healthier. I am taking short steps to keep it in place and add things only as I can handle them. They had me on Welbutrin for a year prior to the surgery and so far since then I have not needed it but it could still be in the cards for me down the road. I am still working on my diabetes and even though it is miles away from where it was it still irritates the heck out of me. I have had to replace alot of my old ways of doing things and try to challenge myself to doing different things I could not do when I was so huge. Just take one day at a time and as the challenges present themselves to you take satisfaction that you can overcome a great deal of things as you already have. I have always believed the road is not smooth for a reason. If it did not have a few holes and bumps it would be so boring. Seize the day tomorrow and add one little thing that is new. Best wishes as you become the new and improved you.