Question:
Depression and long term post op

Any long term post ops who have been treated for major depression for many years, start having a relapse. If so what worked.    — A L. (posted on September 30, 2003)

September 29, 2003
I have been on antidepressants for over 15 years on and off. I went off after surgery but relasped after about 6 months. I was started on a low dosage of lexipro with good results and more importantly no noticeable side effects. Best wishes
   — Monika W.

September 30, 2003
I have been on Zoloft for about 6 yrs now. I went off of them after surgery due to be so sick during the first 6 weeks. I have been back on it now for 2 weeks and feel so much better. Some people just need antidepressants - I have a tendency to be depressed easily anyways. Zoloft works best for me and helps me to have a balance in my fluctuating emotions.
   — laurab

September 30, 2003
I put this in my post just now on the message board: A loser - Re: relapse of major depression...hopefully you're on anti-depressants. Anyone with a history of major depression needs to be on anti-depressants for life because major depression tends to recur. Your doc will most likely up your dose for a while. Also, continue with talk therapy...if you don't go to therapy, it would be a good time to start. Just some humble opinions from someone who has dealt with major depression for over twenty years. <P> I hope you get it under control...I wish you all the best. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 30, 2003
I have controlled depression for about the last 3-4 years. I have been treated for depression since January 1995. Because my depression had been undersuch good control I have not experienced any major relapses but I have had a few days her or there where for no reason it wa a very blue day. However, I went into surgery with so much of my baggage out inthe open that I think that has helped a lot. <p>I lost about 200 lbs in 94/95 and ended up with a severe depression that took 4-5 years to get under control. As the depression got worse the weight gain continued. I contribute my getting to a comfrotable place with my body and my depression by keeping on working with my psychiatrist to find the right meds and then the right dosage. I also have been in counseling this entire time and now is not when I would choose to stop it. I may be in counseling the rest of my life as I find it a great help in my life. In the past few months I have had different issues come up related to the weight loss and wondering why this will be different etc. etc. Things that could have easily sent me backwards again. Fortunately I am able to put these on the table and let my counselor help me work through them before they sabotaged my WL again. Granted this time I have the tool to help me but if your head is working against you the tool ain't gonna save you, in my opinion. I see my counselor about every two weeks right now. I think I am having more issues arise lately because I am getting closer and close to 240 lbs which is what I got to last time. I'm sort of afraid to hit that number as I wonder if this time will be different. I know in my heart it will be but my head isn't so sure. It's amazing the games our heads can play with us. <p>My recommendation to you is to get in touch with your psychiatrist or whoever is dispensing your meds. Maybe an increase is called for. Also get into counseling if you aren't right now. Use the professional tools out there to help you through this time. This is not a failure or a weakness on your part. It is a chamical imbalance and no different than diabetes as far as being a medical condition. I know for myself I feel wonderful on the Celexa I take. I am so able to deal with things in life now and have a much more balanced life. I will likely never get off depresion meds but I don't care. I don't ever want to go through what I did before and do not wish it on anyone. I am on a large dose of Celexa, 60mg, but it works good for me. When I went from 40-60mg about 2-3 years ago I could really tell the difference the extra amount gave me. <p>You may also be running into some seasonal affective disorder (I think that's the right name), where an increase in meds would help also. That's why we increased mine. I always was more depressed from about Thanksgiving till my birthday at the end of Janurary. So one year we decided to increase the dose through the winter. I had no problems that year and we just decided to keep me on that dose as I felt so good. So let your doctor and a counselor help you to feel the best you can. Good luck and feel free to e-mail me directly if you want. I hope you are feeling better soon!
   — zoedogcbr