Question:
Help. Feeling very depressed and anxious after Lap RNY.
I am 2 weeks post-op Lap RNY. I am very emotional........crying, depressed, anxious, panic attacks. I do have a history of depression and anxiety and take the antidepressant Cymbalta for the depression and Xanax for the anxiety. I spoke to my doctor today and she is going to switch me to Zoloft. I was so excited to have this surgery.........I couldn't wait. I never expected to feel like this. Has anyone been through the same experience? I really need some words of encouragement. — KCooper22 (posted on September 5, 2008)
September 5, 2008
Yes I too have had the same issues our body do not process the meds the
same way and they really want us to take a liquid form of meds as the
cymbalta does not come in a liquid form the does I took before surgery make
me feel drugged up so we are having to split the cap. in half this is
working better for me and I am almost one year out and just now in the last
two months able to take the meds as they were too big and I could not get
them down I feel for you as it has been a rough road for me too Cindy
— toyotawife
September 5, 2008
I think what you are feeling is very natural. You just went through a
MAJOR surgery that is going to give you a LIFETIME of changes. You are
overwhelmed that you went through with it, made it through fine, and now
your journey is really beginning. It's okay to feel overwhelmed by the
whole thing--it is a HUGE decision, a LONG process, and a LONG journey!!!
Give yourself a great big hug, or have someone give you one who has
supported you the most through it and tell yourself "I DID IT...I'M
GOING TO MAKE IT...AND MY LIFE IS ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER AND BETTER FROM
HERE...AND I DESERVE ALL THIS GOOD IN MY LIFE AND FOR MY BODY AND HEALTH!!!
Good luck to you and keep the faith!
— ALafferty
September 5, 2008
I had the same thing happen, I remember my husband was driving by a stupid
hot dog stand and I burst into tears and the joke is I dont even like
hotdogs all that much!!! I felt like when I was pregnant and couldnt
contain my emotions. How are you taking your Cymbalta? I was originally
taking 60mg once a day and the doc suspected it wasnt getting all absorbed,
so they switched me to 20mg capsules three times a day, and I noticed a
huge difference after about two weeks. It DOES get better. It's like
someone hit you in the head and you go whoa... what in Gods name did I do
to myself. I am only seven weeks out, and finally I am able to drink a
little better without pain, and eat a little better too. Keep up your
head, this was the best decision you made and you will look back and wonder
what the big deal was... at some point! Jennifer
— jenniknowles
September 5, 2008
Although I have never been on medication I can understand how you are
feeling. I can count on my hands how many times in my adult life that I
have actually broken down in tears. Sine my sugery 8/28 I can't seem to
stop. I have no idea what is causing this, but I wish it would stop. I
know how you feel. I have no control over my emotions at all. I am also
getting angry very quickly. Not a good thing since I already have a
"irish red headed" temper.
— phyllismmay
September 5, 2008
You are losing massive weight, quickly. Your hormones are stored in your
fat cells. So guess what? Your hormones are being released back into your
system - so you are going to be a crazy person for a month or so. I was. I
wish someone would of told you about this. I had a 6 month education class
where they told us about so many things (side effects, cause and effect
issues, etc.) that could potentially happend after surgery - so I was ready
for it all. The good news is it gets better. I would keep on your meds and
even change things up to get more help through the rough patch. Good luck.
Know that this is VERY normal.
— jammerz
September 5, 2008
I agree with all of the other authors and just would like to add that you
could be mourning the loss of your best friend..... food. Sounds strange,
but it is true and very common. I suggest reading the book "The
Emotional First Aid Toolkit" by Cynthia Alexander. A Psychologist who
specializes in obesity. She delves into depression and helped me
understand as well. I had depression and anxiety before along with a food
addiction, after WLS, I still do and just have to work meal my meal, day by
day to get through it. Things are much better now and they do get easier,
but I understand when you are under the blanket of depression, it is hard
to see the forest for the trees. Hang in there. Keep us informed. You
can contact me if you'd like to keep in touch.
Best of luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
September 5, 2008
I went through something very similar. I chose accupuncture and exercise
as my outlets and relaxation. I really did sleep day and night and put
comforters over my windows so that I would not see the light. I went
through this for 3 weeks, I realized after journaling that I was mourning
the loss of food and the throwing a fit about not being able to enjoy my
favorite foods whenever I wanted too. That's my story, not that you can
relate, I suppose my point is to find a true outlet and stick to it!! Best
of luck. Contact me anytime.
— bariatricdivalatina
September 5, 2008
I havn't had my WLS yet, but I too suffer from depresssion and anxiety.
Everytime I have had any type of surgery I have went through some of the
same problems..you might say a flare-up. It will pass as your body starts
healing, but it might not hurt to try a diff. antidepressant. I have had
to have mine changed lots of times. Your body changes, our nutritional
intake changes (esp. right after surgery) and you've had a lot of drugs in
the hosp. during surgery that your body has to clean out....it all takes
time. Just dealing with the increased pain can send our depression into
that black hole, as well as having the 'post' op blues (like the postpartum
blues after giving birth). I know I will be so excited, scared you name
it, building up to my surgery that even though I want it, there will be
that little bit of a let-down afterwards that can cause depression. I got
it bad after my first child was born, and again after my hyst.
I have found that using some sort of yoga or meditation (and it can just be
concentration on taking deep slow breaths), or something spiritual, reading
or watching something that will help take my mind away for a while and most
importantly ... find something funny to laugh at. Your favorite comedy or
sit-com or just a bunch of those funny e-mail stories that seem to go
around..Laughing really does raise your mood level.
Have some family or friends come over and help keep your mind active with
them and their problems, or get on-line and keep busy reading and answering
posts. Helping someone else with their problems can make yours seem really
little, besides helping others raises our self-esteem which depression
seems to take away from us.
Hope this helps some.
Using these types of things help us get through until our body gets going
again.
— angelvh2
September 5, 2008
Oh yes, Honey..been there..done that..think I am going back again!! Like
people said before, you are not alone.I too have had and sometimes still
have mood swings..I can be talking to you one minute and the nxt minute be
grouchy and not want to talk. No one told me this before surgery, which is
odd because I was on an anti-anxiety/anti-depressant...Anyway..onece your
hormones start to level out, it will slow down. I am only 4 months out
LapRNY and I haven't had as bad of mood swings the past 2 weeks..they come
and go...Good luck to you..and on this site, you are never alone..remember
that!!
— gonnaB1hotmama
September 5, 2008
Have you thought about boosting your immune system and helping out your
hormones with a good powerful "liquid" vitamin / mineral
supplement like VEMMA. Minerals are great for anxiety and depression. Go
to www.TrySomeVemma.com
— [Deactivated Member]
September 5, 2008
I am suprised to hear you talk about such a similar experience to mine. I
am 6 years out and have been currently trying to find research on
prescription meds being malabsorbed as is vitamins etc. Can't seem to find
anything. Sorry for your experience but good to know I am not the only one
with this type of problem. Let me know if you hear anymore, or anyone else
for that matter. Can't seem to get a real answer from any medical
professional. Thanks
Laurel
— Laurel C.
September 5, 2008
Cymbalta is a time release med and the pouch doesn't work with it. I take
cymbalta too and I know I would of had trouble too if I have the surgery. I
checked out all my meds before I decided to research this surgery. I am
bipolar and I also have post traumatic stress syndrome and I take other
strong meds so I have to be sure. I don't want to go through what you are
going through sweetheart. God bless you and I hope you are feeling better
soon. Zoloft can upset your stomach too. Maybe the pouch is different with
the zoloft. Good luck.
— Nancy1Marie
September 5, 2008
My doctor warned me that I would get depressed soon after surgery. He said
most people go through a mourning period because food was a way of life for
them. After the surgery it's not. That is huge for a foodie like me. So
I am planning my strategy now. I go in for surgery on Monday. It is
absolutely normal for you to be emotional right now. But I plan on working
it out. If you can, be as active as possible, the physical activity will
actually help with the depression.
— cydthekid50
September 5, 2008
I am 62 year old male and I had the same experence. I never took a drug
for depression, but I found with the weight loss it is just something that
happens to your body. The end results are worth the trouble of taking a
drug for it for a period of time.
Best of success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
September 5, 2008
I will be 7 weeks postop Lap RNY this coming Monday. I had the exact
problem and I PROMISE you it will pass. I know that it doesn't help you
right this minute. The one thing that helped me was having as many people
around me as possible. I know feel absolutely great. I also found that
taking a small dose of Ativan along with my antidepressant helped. You
might want to ask your doc about getting you some until the zoloft kicks
in. My very best wishes go out to you and YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!!
— STEPHANIEJOHNSON81
September 6, 2008
I have the same problems as you have, I was taking zolof and I moved to
Effoxor RX75 twice a day and I not longer have this as much, only when
something realy upseting to normal people to I reach too. Hope this helps.
GOD BLESS and KEEP YOU
— LBowker
September 6, 2008
I am 5 months out and have been feeling somewhat the same way. My sister
passed away 5 years ago and I have been thinking about her more than ever
before. She was my best friend and the one person who was there for me no
matter what. I too find myself just wanting to cry because I miss her so
much. I find that since I can't cover my emotions with food as much that I
'm having to deal with issues I'd suppressed for so long. The good thing
is that I have been seeing a therapist and am discovering how to face up to
my problems instead of covering them up with food. My family's not very
supportive, so I continue to see my therapist. Keep positive and
supportive people around you while you are going through this beautiful new
journey of life. Keep posting on this board because there are people out
there who understand where you are and are here to support you. Take care.
— TEDI155
September 6, 2008
A million thanks to everyone that has responded. Your support and words of
encouragement have really helped me realize that I am not alone in my
weight loss journey. I know that I made the right decision to have the wls
and after hearing from so many others, I feel confident that this will
pass. Thanks again.
— KCooper22
September 6, 2008
I'm about 4 1/2 months out from lap band surgery. Having mood swings too,
i already had then along with clinical depression and anxiety but this is a
bit different than before. I agree that the hormone thing has a lot to do
with it and it seems to be something normal. By the way, my doctors
adjusted my meds after my surgery to make then work as best as possible.
My doctor just added a small amount of Prozac to my Effexor/Clonezepam
cocktail as I'm also having premenopause symptoms. Good luck to you and
I'm trying to take it day by day too. Sometimes I just need a day to not
have any stress at all and that's when I do the hermit thing.
Unfortunately I have no paid days off work until the new year so some days
are a bit rough. But in the big picture, I know I did the right thing and
am getting my health back.
— Mary H.
September 6, 2008
You're going through a lot of changes, and it is possible that the cymbalta
and xanax are simply not being absorbed properly into your system. It makes
sense to increase or change your medication.
Are there any support groups in your area that you are able to attend? It
is beneficial to have a support network around you, due to all the physical
and mental changes. Good luck!!
— Mandee B.
September 6, 2008
I had RNY Gastric Bypass 7 months ago and have lost 85 pounds so far. My
blood pressure and blood sugar are now very normal - without medications. I
am putting a hyperlink below, to CBS News.com where there is a 12-minute
video from the TV show "60 Minutes." it's about the benefits of
RNY Gastric Bypass surgery. It is a video well-worth watching. You can copy
& paste the follwing in to your browser:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/17/60minutes/main4023451.shtml
— Gina S.
September 7, 2008
I promise you, this will pass. I use to take Xanax, now I take no meds at
all. This is a life changing thing you did. Watch, you'll be happy real
soon.
— Kelly T.
September 8, 2008
After we have this surgery there are so many things that still run through
our minds. We wonder if we made the right decision, if things will go
wrong, if there will be complications and how we are going to feel about
ourselves afterwards. I remember being worried about how I was going to
feel about looking like a whole different person so soon after losing
weight. But I have to tell you that I feel great!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad
I went through it and don;t regret a day. Things will level out again! Hang
in there!!
Congrats on making the decision to make your life healthier and happier!
God Bless!
Angie Kimball (sillyguts)
— Sillyguts
September 21, 2008
Yes I struggled A LOT the first 2 months after surgery. In hindsight I know
it was IN PART because I had a hard time taking my medications (zoloft,
buspar, etc) and that just made my "body changes" that much
harder to endure. It was a very hard time. I cried A LOT and even wished I
hadn't done the surgery. But HANG IN THERE. It gets better. It passes!!
Make sure you take your meds ALL OF THEM everyday. Try to get fresh air and
walks in - try not to let yourself get into the slump (easier said than
done I know!!). I actually ended up in a psychiatric facility for a
while... long story... not sure I belonged there... but in the end it
snapped me out of it and got me back on my meds like clockwork so it was a
good thing. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!
— Fluffee
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