Did You Have Worsening Depression / Anxiety After Surgery??

Sheila. I am sorry you are struggling. I have same gastro issues after my RNY. I either developed or got worse IBS-C. The digestion and assimilation of nutrition is really affected. I most likely have SIBO and Candida and that triggered IBS-C plus other issues including leaky gut and food allergies - sensitivity.

Unfortunately - as far as I know - my condition can be controlled but not eliminated. The small intestine infection can be managed by diet and medication - antibiotics and antifungal medication.

I have a good doc who works with me and helps me manage my condition. Once every few months, when the SIBO is really out of control I take a 2weeks treatment of antibiotics and antifungal then after that is over I take bunch of probiotics to rebuild good gut microbes colony. I am an experiment. I am finding out that I need to rotate probiotics to get the best results.

Last year I was losing weight and had a problem with tolerating food. After the treatment and good diet - I was doing much better. I even gained 15 lbs - and a lot of it is muscles. (Working like a mad woman with a PT)

Gut health really affects moods, serotonin and dopamine production. Everytime my SIBO gets stronger - my moods and ability to function is severely affected. There is a lot of work being done to find the connection and try to fix it.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4662178/

https://www.google.com/search?q=depression+gut+connection&oq =depression+gut&aqs=chrome.3.69i57j0l3.12614j0j8&client=tabl et-android-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

The gut biota can help managing stress, depression and anxiety. At the same time - stress can affect the gut biota.

I hope you find the answer.

I was on meds for both years before and to this day.Surgery didn't help or hurt me

YAY! I would LOVE to just maintain! That is what I'm hoping for at this point.

Thank you for responding!

You have had some really awesome answers, so I can't really add to it except to say that the only change with my meds was switching from extended release to sustained release, and then a year later I needed an increase in dosage. Other than that, I've done well with my depression for the most part.

I developed some pretty heinous anxiety last year which I'm almost 100% sure would have happened regardless of my having surgery.

Yes - this has been an amazing thread. It's everything that I had hoped for when I put myself out there and asked the question. I am so sorry to hear about the anxiety. It can be so debilitating. Are you starting to get it under control? Are you doing ok?

Aw, you're sweet to ask! I'm doing much better at this point thanks to a great therapist-and some nice Xanax to get me through the worst moments.

Better living through chemistry, indeed!

I had surgery four years ago.

I have had anxiety and depression since I was a kid.

This may sound kinda crazy. But I am not sure if my depression is worse than it was before surgery. I think it is just life changing and how to learn how to deal with it.

Before surgery I went for food to comfort myself. And alcohol.

So learning to cope with life has changed. I am not in my room hiding with my food and booze.

Learning how to cope after surgery I have had some bad days. Also some amazing days. Things I couldn't do before I can do now.

I have to work daily on my focus of taking care of myself. Some days I do not want to leave my house. Were on other days I don't want to be in my house. I want to be out so I don't have to deal with life's problems.

For me after surgery I was on a rush seeing my progress and then it slows down. Now I am learning to be comfortable in my own skin.

I take meds for my anxiety and depression have been since before. I also see my therapist every two weeks.

I do see my gyno for biodentical hormones two times a year since I had a full hysterectomy when I was 45. They help.

Dealing with life's curve balls are different then they were before. I can deal with before I would hide and make someone else be the adult.

Having the surgery I do believe saved me. Not just my obesity. But has helped in my life. I would have never admitted that I was an alcoholic. I am two years sober next Wednesday.

Just keep an eye on your moods. We are changing our stomach with the surgery. Not our heads.

Seeking help for your emotions has helped me a lot. Seeing a therapist does help.

Coming here and seeking support and giving has helped me also.

Best wishes to you.

TWO YEARS SOBER! Happy Birthday! I come from a long line of alcoholics (thus, I don't drink) and I know that struggle. That ALONE is an amazing accomplishment - I don't know you and I'm so proud of you!

I will definitely keep an eye out. And warn my people to keep an eye out! I might have to find another therapist in my area...I think that would be an amazing idea.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me.

I weened off of antidepressaants prior to my surgery. The one I took was quite caustic (I had learned that from prior reflux on it). That was 6 years ago this month and I have not felt the need to go back on them in that time. I don't know if it were the chemical changes or physical but I have been much better. I even went through the loss of my father one month out from my roux-n-y (June 2012) and it was not more detrimental than it would have been to my estimate. Good luck with your revision!

I'm really nervous about going off them at this point. It's so nice that they are WORKING! My prozac does give me reflux, but if i don't have a stomach, that would become moot! :-)

I love hearing your good news and love talking to people that are so far out. You are amazing - keep up your progress and awesome attitude!

Sheila