who i am!

hi folks, i just thought i should introduce myself since i started this darn thing!

my name is ann and i live in virginia, right across the potomac from washington, dc.  i've been dealing with depression, anxiety, and some ptsd for many years.  i've actually been in the hospital a couple of times, which sucked, but have been stable for a couple of years now on the zillion meds that i take. \

post wls i had some depression, probably hormones or something, but that's resolved a lot.  i'm feeling pretty good since i've lost a good chunk of myself (a toddler!) since my vsg surgery in january.  i'm hoping to go down on some of my psych meds when i get significantly lighter and my pdoc agrees.

basically i'm doing okay now, but i totally know the feeling of deep depression, the awful feeling of anxiety, and the scariness of the post-traumatic stuff.

i hope that this will be a place where people feel safe talking about all sorts of feelings and challenges we face.

welcome!  ann

Glad to meet ya. My name is Doreen and I am from WI. I have battled depression for as long as I can remember. I am also a cutter. Didn't seek help for it until about 10 years ago. Since then, I have had  2 hospitalization for suicide. I really hit bottom. Because of the hospitalizations, I had to wait a year to have wls. Program policy is that is if you have a psych history you must wait 12 months and remain emotionally stable for those 12 months.  I was disappointed, but it was probably a good thing. I am not on many meds at the moment. Just went off some and trying something new. Was just dxed with ADD today. Will be starting meds for that in about a week. Trying Prozac this time along with my Lithium. Hope this combo works. I also have Fibromyalgia, high blood pressure (which has been doing great with the weight loss), arthritis in my back and knees, and diabetes (which is also doing good now. Decreasing insulin every month!!! ) As far as the depression goes? I still struggle with it everyday. I am hoping to make some new friends here as well as share and learn from others. Take care!

Ann,

First off, THANK YOU for forming this board.  Its long been needed since I would never post of this stuff on the Main Forum.  Don't want advice from those who do not know of our struggles... Unless they are a trained professional, which is hard to find on OH :)

My psych meds actually change frequently.  Trying to find the ones that have the best absortion rate for Rny issues is critical.  But ya know what, if it helps me, I will do whatever it takes...

good to meet you,

bm

 So I joined this group from the RNY page and I guess I should introduce myself too - it'd be rude to join a group and just be a lurker, right?

I'm Nicole from Germantown, MD - bit up the way from you Ann!

I'm a licensed therapist and scheduled for RNY on 4/12. Have my private practice in Gaithersburg MD. Obviously, I'm interested in supporting others on OH and frequently insert my unsolicited advice but given my professional training feel that I have a leg to stand on when I say (hopefully) helpful things. Have had a bit of personal experience with panic attacks & talk therapy and professional training in broad areas but specialize in domestic violence, anxiety disorders (big shock there), GLBT issues and health psychology. 

If anyone has any questions on the MH side, I'm always glad to give my opinion or impression. Just hoping to be helpful to anyone in need.....