need help

ok, my mood swings are more out of the norm now.  I am snapping at my children and I HATE the way I sound!!

I am frustrated way to easily, up and down, up and down.  Going to call my PCP today but wanted some advice.  I have taken Effexor and Cymbalta (seperate times) in the past and both had side effect of weight gain and definitely NOT easy to get off of .   I am trying to avoid that.  Any suggestions for what has worked for some of you?  I would like the weight gain side effect to be at a minimum but also want to keep this anger/frustration in check as I don't like it at all.  

Please help!
Thanks in advance
ann marie

I have taken several anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds over the years, but never since surgery. I did take Chantix to quit smoking (both pre and post-op) and I could not tolerate it after surgery. It made me horribly sick. Everything affects me more since surgery.

Ann Marie, I'm so sorry you're feeling this way.  I can totally relate.  After feeling blue for awhile now, it suddenly occured to me that I'm wearing my nerves on my Sleeve.  Not sure why I didn't realize this sooner.  It's the holiday season which can be tough for anyone, but for me being single I really feel a little lonely.  What I realized is that in the past I have used food to buffer myself from intense feelings.  I was a healthy eater but overeating even fruit and veggies is a great way to keep all those feelings at bay.  Now my Sleeve won't allow me to overeat, unless I turn to sliders which I just don't want to do.  It's a slippery slope and I don't want to slide down into holiday carb fests.

What helped me was to talk to a friend on Sunday.  We both spouted all the things we were angry at.  Whew, I didn't realize I had so many of them.  By that night I was able to sort out what was really bothering me which was that I felt very vulnerable without my old pal "food" to buffer me from the world.  So I've embarked on a journey to be very very kind to myself this holiday season and to be willing to phone a friend and talk about what's going on if I feel myself getting blue/snarky/angry/annoyed  etc.  You get my drift. 

I think that some of the mood swings are a normal part of hormones being released as we let go of the weight.  Who knows what the heck we've been storing in our fat cells?  Clearly, not me!

I've never been on anti-depressants so I'm not much help with that but I want you to know that you're not alone with what you're feeling.  I encourage you to get the help that you need so that you can be sweet to yourself and your family.  I bet your doctor can recommend things that could be helpful.  Maybe just getting some time to yourself everyday where you can pamper yourself would help you feel renewed and better able to cope with the ups and downs.

Whatever you do, keep coming here to talk about what's going on.  Talking is wonderful medicine, particularly when there are so many that can relate to what you're saying.

  Use all the tools you have to make yourself feel better.

awwww Ann Marie,
i have to commend you that you see that there is a slight problem, and u want to rectify it .
my DH was on anit deppressants for a long time and it took a long time to find the right one that would work for him. i agree with our sweet Lee as well but u just may need a chill pill so all i can say is the right pill will make u feel like urself again my brother is on paxal 10 mil hes like night and day he was very depressed after our brother passed almost 2 yrs ago from a drug overdose and the meds has helped him to cope and wanting to wake up and livce again i wish u all the luck in the world. how old is ur children?

They are 4 and 7 (both with special needs, I have a brief story in my blog on my profile).  So I definitly need to keep patience and calm in our house!  I am doing pretty good at stuffing it down most times but feel the anxiety working up and sometimes I just boil over and yell.  I hate doing that as I just am so proud of them and how far they have come, so I just feel this useless anxiety.  In the moment something seems so important but in reality these are stupid little things that are meaningless, so I can reflect and tell myself to just chill, but in the moment .... I don't know...

awwwww sweetie,
4 and 7 are tuff ages let alone with special needs. again , i commend you . please listen to seaview and get the right meds. your gonna be ok i just know it may God Bless your children

i'm sorry you're going through a rough time. surgery and holidays can be a rollercoaster combination. a few years prior to surgery i was going through a rough time, i took wellbutrin for about a year. i found it helpful and did not have any weight gain. i hope you feel better soon.

 So I would not worry about the side effect of weight gain...the depression will cause you to eat and gain weight too ...so I take celexa...have for years and took it through my surgery and still....am at goal...take my antidepressant and am thin and not depressed...take your meds...depression is an illness ...not something you can just snap out of.....treat it...just like you treated your obesity...you will be fine with the meds...the weight gain has to do with overeating ...not the pill.......my message is take care of yourself and treat whatever condition you have...it's time to start taking care of ourselves ....depression only worsens as we age and then the hormone shifts...oy vay...best of luck with your decision...SEAVIEW

 I also think you should see a psychiatrist for your meds...a PCP is not trained to diagnose depression etc...also there are a lot of meds out there for a lot of different symptoms....a full history and proper diagnosis is a good idea...my two cents...SEAVIEW

Anne Marie, I am sorry you are feeling this way. Stuffing it down will make thinks built up and when you let go will come out very strong. Try to deal with staff as they come, maybe will aliviate for you. Take a chill pill if you need or try to mediate, yoga, exercise or make sure you have some time alone, just for yourself. We as women learned how to be good mom, good wife, good friend but not how to be good to oouselves first. Take care my friend!