Struggling - depression vs. hormones?

Hello my fellow lightweights.

I have been reading just about everyday, but not posting much.

I am beginning to feel like I might be a tad bipolar since surgery or premenopausal? Something is out of sorts. Seems to be a monthly theme since september, had surgery july 29.

Had a good weekend being able to see my grandkids and my DS and DIL from NJ.

Had a family get together for the nephew's 5th birthday. should be feeling great, right?

BUT, feeling sad and a bit negative. I know I have had alot of stuff going on, but these mood swings are something else. Started my period yesterday, and thinking, maybe it is just hormones. Or is it something more? It seems like my physical symptoms of pms are gone. My breasts do not swell and hurt like they used too. I dont break out or have insomnia prior to my period. My periods do seem to be heavier and last about 7 days. I just had a gyn appt in september  and all is well. 

 I just feel down in the dumps, and other days I feel like I am on top of my game. I just dont get it. I think I do need to call psych and schedule an appt.

Has anyone else felt like this?

Even at work where I feel the most centered, I am really struggling and praying throughout the day to stay positive and pleasant with my patients.  And praise God, he has given me the grace to make it through a couple of rough days and tough patient's families.

Thanks for listening and letting me vent.

~Maria

I struggled for awhile after surgery.   I was depressed and crabby.  I felt that if I were told I was about to be struck dead...I would have welcomed it.  Not suicidal....but not caring much about living.  I thought my thyroid was wacky...but it was normal.  I finally snapped out of it after about 4 months.  Not sure what caused it or why it went away...so I guess I am not much help other than to say I understand!

Maria, I hope you feel better soon.  Your gyn can do a blood test to see if you may be premenopausal.

Did you have to see a counselor prior to your WLS?  if you did, can you make an appointment with them?  If not, I would try to find someone to go to.  Lots of people have to take something after having WLS.  I know holidays can be a rough time for some people.

Please take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing.
Linda

I'm sorry, Maria.  You've had struggles on and off ever since the surgery.  I don't have any advice, but hope that you'll get the help you need soon.  

Peace to you,
Rosa

 Hi Maria,  I'm sending big hugs your way.   

I was feeling up and down emotionally in September and October.  I think I'm feeling better now.  I thought it was because Zach was here all summer and then I was alone and feeling a little blue.  Now that I'm on thyroid meds, I think I'm starting to feel pretty good.  I don't know why these things happen or why they go away.  People say that so much of our hormones are stored in the fat and as we shed the fat, those hormones go back into our system.

I personally think that (for me personally),  I ate a lot of my feelings.  So it would make sense that they are still there and saying hello again.  If we used to eat our feelings,  where the heck do they go when we put down the fork.  Post WLS is so much more than learning new eating habits, I think it's also about learning new living habits, without our protective shield.

I hope you find someone to talk to about this and do whatever is necessary to feel better.  Thank you for coming and sharing with us.  I had been wondering where you had gone off to.  Please don't stay away and keep sharing what you're feeling.

Again, big hugs!!

heyyy Maria ,
im so sorry u have been feeling bad
i was just thinking about u too . maybe u need an anti-depressant??? u can talk to ur reg family dr. i know my brother went on them last year and he did a 98 degree turn for the better. hes so much happier now. i hope u feel better and get to the bottom of why ur feeling down.

Thanks guys!

You are the greatest bunch! Love you!!!!

I did have preop psych, plus some extra sessions for borderline depression. Working on mind over mood work book for my negative thinking.

I just cant believe that this has happened every menstrual cycle since surgery. It is irritating. Maybe I just need a little something to level me out, I dont know. But I am calling psych today and maybe the gyn too.


Big hugs!

Maria

Hi there-

I haven't had wls (thinking about it) but I felt my hormones were "off" after having kids. So I got on anti-depressant. Let me tell you--it's greatness! You don't feel uncontrollably happy--you just feel normal and normal is a GREAT feeling after experiencing depression. 

That  said, I would have your thyroid checked (like another poster mentioned) because I know that can really affect weight loss and your emotions. And also--checking your hormones and knowing whether or not you're going through menopause could give you a sense of peace. If you are going through it--then you can know that it's just a temporary situation.

Pam :)

Maria, so sorry you are going through this.  Looks like you are headed in the right direction to get some help.

My dr group suggest that everyone having surgery take an antidepressant. They did a study a while back that showed the takers weight loss was greater than those who didn't take them.  I thought long and hard but did it.  I have never been on any psychoactive drugs before.  I do think it has eased my journey, mood-wise and therefore maybe helped with any emotional eatting that may have occured otherwise.   

Maria, I'm swinging lizards for you! I know both of them are very hard to live with.