Depression and Bypass - Pls read??

[Andrea73]

Apologies if this isn't the right place but I'm looking for some advice. Before I had my bypass I had a history of depression but it was managed to a certain extent. Since my bypass 2 years ago my depression has got a lot worse. My doctor has told me it is due to not getting nutrients from food, or not getting comfort from food like I used to but it is mainly due to the antidepressants not getting absorbed properly in my system.

My question is does anyone else have this problem since surgery? If you do, what medication do you take now?

I'm really at my wits end trying to get myself back on an even keel.

Many thanks for reading and hopefully responding.

 

[Mio]

I've had a band, so may not be the same, but since having my op back in September I've been given my meds in liquid form which I've found much easier to take and assume that they get absorbed quicker/easier than tablets.
Also, I've really tried to up my fruit intake, which I know sounds utterly daft, but I swear it's helped with regulating my mood (especially at this time of year which is always the worst time for me). If you have problems in winter as well, I also *really* recommend getting a lightbox - I wouldn't be able to survive winter without mine, had it for four years and I'm a totally different person now! And getting out and about every day, even just for a ten minute walk around the block at lunchtime, really gives me a bit of a boost.

Hope you can find something that works for you, I know how crippling it can be and life is too short to spend it under the duvet x

 

[Caren]

this worries me too, ive been on prozac for about 22 years now, when ive tried to come off them in the past ive got depressed again, so god knows what will happen lol

 

[Mio]

They'll take a note of all the meds your on before your op and prescribe them to you in liquid form post-op (at least, that's what happened to me!)
Am still on the liquid form of my meds (Citalopram) but am off all the others :-D

 

[mazbrad]

big hug for you andrea.im sorry i cant advice as never been on medication for depression. had it over the years on and off , heart goes out to you as its horrid. im sure when u see team on admission they will lan te best route for you. hope all goes well and tc x

 

[flowerofshona]

this worries me too, ive been on prozac for about 22 years now, when ive tried to come off them in the past ive got depressed again, so god knows what will happen lol

Snap Caren i have been on prozac 23 years and will be on it for life as i make no seratonin (had spinal tap to check), spoke to my GP about getting it in liquid form he said see what the hospital say ! i struggle with the prozac caps anyway as they get stuck in my thoat sometimes.

 

[TwinkleTwinkle]

Can't offer any useful advise to you ladies, but hope things get better for you all soon ... I have heard light boxes are invaluable too. ((hugs to you all)) xxx

 

[Andrea73]

Thank you all for your kind replies. My specialist doc says there has been a dramatic increase in patients who had had weight loss surgery suddenly getting mental health problems and they're not sure why.

I'm seeing by doc on Friday so will ask about liquid form tablets.

With regards to the light box - where did you get it from? Do you hire or buy it?

It is such a horrible illness because people look at your thinking you look alright but deep inside you feel absolutely rotten.

Thanks again though I really appreciate it. x

 

[lyndajoan]

hi andrea sorry i carnt take your depression away i wish i could for all you lovely ladys, i to suffer deppresion so i am really interested in the reply posts, as some said i think your meds will be prescribed in liquid form, and as for the light box i think you will get one from boots, good luck with getting that and you are dead right in saying people look and think you are ok but really in side you feel like screaming, just to let you know you are not on your own with this depression as you can see by all the other posts their are a lot of us that have sufferd from this horrrible thing. take care and let us know how you get on. sending you a big siber hug. xxx

 

[TwinkleTwinkle]

Thank you all for your kind replies. My specialist doc says there has been a dramatic increase in patients who had had weight loss surgery suddenly getting mental health problems and they're not sure why.

I'm seeing by doc on Friday so will ask about liquid form tablets.

With regards to the light box - where did you get it from? Do you hire or buy it?

It is such a horrible illness because people look at your
thinking you look alright but deep inside you feel absolutely rotten.

Thanks again though I really appreciate it. x

Look on Amazon, honey xxx

 

[flowerofshona]

Light boxes are used for S.A.D which is low levels of vitamin D the light entering the eye triggers the Vit D to increase, Depression is caused by low serotonin in the brain so i would doubt light levels will help if its depression, i know you can get prozac n liquid form so i would think others can be made the same way

 

[Caren]

Light boxes are used for S.A.D which is low levels of vitamin D the light entering the eye triggers the Vit D to increase, Depression is caused by low serotonin in the brain so i would doubt light levels will help if its depression, i know you can get prozac n liquid form so i would think others can be made the same way

woop!! thanks xxx

 

[Fuffs]

Maybe the increased depression is due to not having the old crutch of food. Some studies say people can become addicted to something else to. Maybe some people need specialist counselling to adjust to a life that is far different to their life before.

Maybe some people also realise it wasn't their weight that was depressing them before.

I can there could be numerous reasons why people because depressed after WLS.

Really hope yours gets sorted for you soon x

 

[Andrea73]

Maybe the increased depression is due to not having the old crutch of food. Some studies say people can become addicted to something else to. Maybe some people need specialist counselling to adjust to a life that is far different to their life before.

Maybe some people also realise it wasn't their weight that was depressing them before.

I can there could be numerous reasons why people because depressed after WLS.

Really hope yours gets sorted for you soon x

Fuffs, you are spot on. I think my GP always thought I was depressed because of my weight and now that me weight is no longer there but I'm still left with the depression. I'm also more depressed cos I've not got food to turn to and hence it becomes a vicious circle.

I do think counselling should be made available for people if they need it. In my case I went private and not the NHS route so counselling wasn't suggested to me. I'm not saying that everyone needs it though.

Thanks for all your feedback its much appreciated. I've wrote myself a wee note to speak to my Doc about liquid antidepressants. I also wonder if I should contact Mr Ammori for further advice??

 

[Fuffs]

It would be a great idea to contact your team. They may have some advice.

I have been through depression, bulimia, anxiety. I have always refused antidepressants though and gone the counselling route. I feel antidepressants have their place. Just not for me.

I have no doubt I will need another round of counselling at some point post op. The same as you need your medication. Most obese people have head issues. That's how we got to this point.

I hope that can get you liquid medication. Must be so hard feeling you do not have what you need to put you back in a happy place. Depression defo sucks

 

[Fat Again]

I was told that even though we've lost the weight, we tend to still carry it around with us on our shoulders - it's hard to forget the past, especially if you've suffered from verbal abuse and loneliness due to our weight.

I wish I had answers for you, all I know is that I try to be positive and take each day as it comes.

Take care and all the best xxxxx

 

[Andrea73]

Thanks again for all your kind words.

I got in contact with Mr Ammori and he has been great. He says that they are currently researching depression links to weight loss surgery and would be interested in working with my own doctors. He also gave other advice which I'm gonna pass onto my doctors. I'm hoping that they take his advice and things will get better. x

 

[Fuffs]

Thanks again for all your kind words.

I got in contact with Mr Ammori and he has been great. He says that they are currently researching depression links to weight loss surgery and would be interested in working with my own doctors. He also gave other advice which I'm gonna pass onto my doctors. I'm hoping that they take his advice and things will get better. x

So happy to hear things will be sorted for you

 

[flowerofshona]

Thats great news
I do agree we carry past traumers around inside us, some smoke, drink, do drugs, over eat, under eat ect ect.

 

[Mio]

Me again *lol*

I got my lightbox from Ebay around 4-5 years ago for £40 (which is cheap, usually they're £70 upwards) and I love it. Usually by this time of year I can barely move, spend most of the time feeling like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders and in bed by 8pm. Now I'm up until 11pm-ish and find that even 7 hours sleep is enough for me! Use my box for 20 mins in the morning (to get me up and with it) and for an hour or so when I get home if it's not already dark by then - sometimes you can upset your circadian rhythm if you use it when you've been out in the dark. Combination of meds, lightbox and having a gym close to work has meant this is the best winter I've had (and I'm sure my op helped too *grin*)

I do agree that size/weight can hide a huge number of issues that only come to light - or are made worse - when people lose weight. I'm lucky that most of mine have been helped hugely by weight loss.

I still have "down days", of course, but compared to five years ago I am literally a different person