Question:
My panic attacks are short-lived, but I have recurring depression. How will I cope ?
— eahumphries (posted on May 19, 2008)
May 19, 2008
I have the same problems, I have just had to be diligent about taking my
meds and keeping my doctors involved in my progress. I have serious needle
phobias and truly dreaded being in the hospital. I made sure that I dealt
with every possible scenario involved in not only the prep (do your
homework about your surgery and surgeon) and what to expect in the
hospital. For me, knowing what exactly to expect helped alieviate some of
my phobias and concerns. Inform your doctors, and the hospital staff that
you have a panic attacks and that you suffer from depression. Take your
meds and realize if and when you need to see the doctor about adjusting
anything.
My prayers and good thoughts are with you.
Keep your eye on the prize... good health awaits you and the best is ahead.
— Jeanne Aldrich
May 19, 2008
I am not quite sure how to answer this question. In what capacity does
this have to do with weight loss? Are you concerned about the ability to
take your medications? If so, then there are surgical options that do not
inhibit the way that medications work such as the Lap Band, the Vertical
Banded Gastroplasty, and the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. Are you
concerned about the long term effects of weight loss? in most cases, the
long term effects of weight loss have been overwhelmingly POSITIVE in
regards to depression. Evidence has shown that in many cases, obesity has
contributed a great deal to many cases of depression. The researchers are
not sure if it is due to a chemical imbalance or because of the societal
factors involved that cause the obese to feel like second class citizens
quite frequently but whatever the cause, when the weight is lost, quite
often, so is the depression. If you are not already seeing a mental health
professional, I would highly recommend that you do so. They would be able
to help you in the diagnosis and treatment of whatever disorder you may be
suffering from. Fortunately our society has become more accepting of metal
illness than it has been in years past and the stigma of seeing a mental
health professional is not as strong as it once was. If you are suffering
this much that you are fearful of how you will cope, you may need the
professional help that a mental health professional can give you.
If you would like to do some research concerning your weight loss options
check out my Profile Page at http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/hubarlow/ .
Look for my blog post titled "Surgical Options." If you can't
find it on my main profile page, look in the March Archives. Use this as a
start for your own studies.
I wish you the best of luck,
Hugh
— hubarlow
May 19, 2008
Hi
I have mild anxiety and I worried about this too. I was afraid that every
time i felt strange, it would cause me to have some anxiety. I then
realized that as I lose the weight, I probably would feel better.I am still
afraid of dumping because those symptoms might freak me out. I am not
normally depressed but I have felt blue the past few days. I am only 2
weeks post op and everyone tells me that this is normal. Just take one day
at a time and keep your focus on the big prize. Hope this helps.
Arden
— bikermama
May 19, 2008
When you get on the right antidepressant it will help with both. Panic
attacks are always brief. Getting adequate sleep and daily exerxise helps
both too.
Nancy Nurse
— nancycarle
May 19, 2008
I had a major panic attack in the hospital before surgery and have been
living with depression most of my life. Depending on the size of the
pills you currently take your doctor might have to prescribe it in a
different form or a different medicine all together. You have to be honest
with your doctors though as well as yourself. My medication stayed the
same brand wise but the dose was lowered by more than half and I seem to be
doing okay. But... it's the honor system... you have to honor your body
and respect it. Treat it the way it deserves to be treated by taking your
medications daily, not skipping does because you feel okay or you forget...
in the long run your depression will hopefully become less and less as
your self esteem grows. Perhaps see a counselor ?
— Danielle T.
May 20, 2008
Your question does not give much in the form of details, but you can take
meds in pill form. One pill at a time at first. Now I can take and
handfull of Vitimuns with no problem. I got depression from the weight
loss and they put me on Lexapro. It is a very small pill and is easy to
take. I will come off it when my weight loss is over. In the mean time
RNY WLS took me off 19 other drugs.
Best of success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
May 20, 2008
Hi Emily, thanks for writing. I get panic attacks sometimes, and I just
refuse to give in to them and wait them out. This may not work for you,
but this is what I do. When I get depressed, I get in bed, sleep for a day
or so, like I am ill, and then I remind myself that I have a life to lead
and that I can choose to respond to my depression or do what I know is
right. Then I do the next right thing. I get up and feed my family, work
on my daily chores, and find something that gives me a small amount of
pleasure (a frozen coke) or a hot bath or something that means a lot to me.
I am a Christian, and being a Christian is not easy, but I choose Christ
every day, and I am always glad I did. It doesn't stop the depression from
coming, but My Savior promises to walk with me, and He does every day.
There is no greater love than my Savior's love. I know this may not help
you, but I am just sharing how I deal with those things when they come my
way. Take care and I wish you well. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
May 20, 2008
I had a Revision to RNY this year. Back in 1995 when I had my stomach
stapled, they had me in Pre-Op and I had a panic attack. They cancelled the
surgery. I had flown in for it.. The Doctor put me on Xanax, which helped,
and I had a Hypnosis session with a Psychiatrist to help me relax, etc..
When I went back for the surgery, the Psychiatrist sat with me in Pre-Op. I
just kept telling myself, "just get this over with, and soon it will
only be a memory". And it was true - I got it over with and now it's
just a memory..... Let others help you..family, friends, the people here on
this website, Psychiatrist, medications like Xanax or Valium, prayer,
whatever it takes to get you through, and soon, it will all be behind you,
you'll be healthy and happy and it will all just be a memory...
— Gina S.
May 20, 2008
Welcome to the club my friend. I have had Depression my entire adult life
and panic attacks for about the past 15 years. I am very diligent in
keeping appointments with my Psychiatrist for my prescriptions and my LMHC
for my talk therapy. Especially in times where there are bumps in the road
as we all know, there are always going to be bumps. I just know that I
will need help for the rest of my life in this area and do what I'm told.
I must also say, the more weight I lose, the less depressed I seem to be
and my doseages change.
We also need to prepare ourselves emotionally for life's stressors and deal
with the emotional issues that surround them instead of medicating with
food like we always used to.
If you do feel a little more depressed, jump on it, don't ignore it and
deal with it asap.
Good luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
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