I've been on an AD for about 2 years now since my grandfather died and haven't had any major depressive issues, I've had a lot of stuff happen during that time including a serious cancer scare. Which actually is what led to RNY eventually. But for the last month I've been dealing with some stressful stuff - nothing to do with my health - major job stuff and money stuff. I've been feeling more and more depressed, I haven't had an issue with absorbing my AD at all because I would have noticed before now. 

My question is since I've lost about 70 pounds is it possible that some of it is hormone related? I've been wondering if I should try to switch AD's but I haven't had an issue on this one before now so I'm hesitant to do that. 

I wouldnt rule out an absorption/dosage issue just yet either.

If your mass is smaller, your dose may be too high. If it is extended release, you may not be absorbing. Notably, back in the day, they used to give stimulants to hyperactive kids..it sort of reved them up into depression (weird I know).

Question: are you biochemically depressed or is your depression situational?  I have/get situational anxiety and/or depression.  Once the situation has passed, I typically go back to normal. But, I have very poor coping skills when in the situation.

At any rate, i was watching a 600 lb life show and girl used to self-soothe her anxiety with food.  Just a few weeks after surgery, she checked into the hospital with chest pain. She literally had a panic attack, thought it was a heart attack, and this occurred because her main coping mechanism (food) was gone due to the RNY.

Could that be happening to you?

I am not asking these questions to be rude, I am rolling them around with you. Sadly, I am not that familiar with your past history  to be able to answer these myself.

If it is a situational/coping mechanism thing, you may need a counselor.

PS. There is no shame in counseling. I am going today becase this PCOS thing has me a bit down-in-the-dumps, worried and ruminating (as if I could think my way out of an endocrine disorder...). 

My mass isn't smaller I wouldn't say, and we've tinkered with the dose until it felt right. 

I have situational anxiety and have for years but am depressed - I've dealt with that for years as well. I just didn't get on medication until my grandfather died, it coincided with a Nuero issue with migraines that I have as well. It wasn't a great time. 

I do know what panic attacks feel like because after cancer I thought I could be having a heart attack and had to go to a cardiologist and wear heart monitors and such but turned out it was panic attacks and anxiety, so this is definitely not that. 

I have no shame with seeing a counselor or therapist and have done so in the past, I haven't found anyone in this area that I like that works for me. What's worked for me has been the meds for the last 2 years, which is why I'm concerned now.

It definitely could be hormonal. I have been taking Effexor for years for anxiety/depression/ started them when my dad died, after the surgery was having huge anxiety issues, couldn't sleep and....would see my family doctor who assured me it was due to the major crap your body has to adjust to with fast massive weight loss, it took me about a year before I was feeling better. I feel great now, you will too, it just takes a little extra time

congratulations on your surgery! You will start to feel great😎

I have no idea what the cause is, but hormones could certainly be the culprit. Our bodies go through a lot of changes due to both the surgery itself, and the weight loss.

Please talk to your doctor! I think it could definitely be hormone dumping but maybe an adjustment in your meds is in order.

I was a complete mess in the beginning but things did even out about the 2 year mark for me.

Yes, there could be a couple of things in play here. When I had my psychological evaluation, the therapist made a particular point of telling me that if I sensed symptoms of depression, to pay attention to the feelings I was experiencing. 

Why? He explained it this way: As we lose weight rapidly, our endocrine system takes a while to catch up with what's happening. And that's where the hormones are produced that affect our moods. More than likely, the endocrine system is saying, "Hey, what's going on here!" and the levels can be all out of whack. It takes a while for hormonal production to adjust. Meanwhile, we don't know what hit us.

So it's entirely possible that your dosage of medication and is off kilter (how do you like these highbrow medical terms?) - it's not your imagination. Get it checked out!

I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow actually so I was going to ask him about it anyway but I just wanted to know what others experiences were. He's not the one who prescribes the AD though so I'll talk to him about hormone dumping but if it is that there isn't much I can do about it I don't think. My emotions are kind of a mess which with my job problems right now isn't a great thing. 

Depression sucks. I would talk to your PCP and if you have a therapist to talk to it may help. I know I need a mental tune up once in a while. 

I am 6 months out and I have crazy hormonal issues. During that time, which is now 2 times a month, I cry alot. No real reason. Sucks but I would have it all checked on by your doctor.