I have depression and I'm now seeing a psychiatrist for it. Even on meds I have 2 weeks where I'm still pretty depressed and then 2 weeks where I feel super good. The problem? When I feel super good, my appetite is gone and I get full on small amounts of food. If I over eat I can tell b/c I can feel the pain in my chest from the band. When I'm depressed though, I'm hungry all the time and I eat constantly. I never get that full feeling, or any pain in my chest at all. It's like my band isn't even there. How is that possible?

I have another appt with my Psych doc Friday and I'm planning to see what he thinks about this also but really, when I'm depressed and starving I would for sure feel pain if I was actually over eating right?

Congrats on the TT, and your almost at goal, that is Great !

When I first went to my seminar, I couldn't believe how many people were Depressed.

We learned that it is because the Hormones are all over the place. I believe that, because I seen it happen to me.

The thing was, that once we loose the weight, this was suppose to go away.

I don't have much of a problem with it. I love feeling upbeat.

I'm not a specialist, but 2 weeks on, and 2 weeks off sounds Hormonal to me.

Maybe you should talk to your Surgeon, or Nutrionist about obesitey, and Depressin related from Hormones, and see what they say. Also ask your PCP they might have a idea.

We had to puchase a thick book called our Bible. It's all in there, includeing Depression that is Hormonal.

I hope this makes some sense, because you have no control on this one. That's why you should try to talk to who I mentoned, besides your shrink. Make sure He's related to WLS. Then he might know something.

Wishing you only the best, take care, Shirley.

I actually did wonder if it was hormonal but my PCP said no. I've had it for 16 years now. I see my OB/Gyn again next month so I'm going to ask him about it also.

I am a new bandster but i tell ya what i can so totally relate to you. this past week has been bad. real bad. and same issues. mine is hormonal i have pcos and i believe seasonal as well. hope you get some answers soon. you've done wonderful.

Congrats on the TT, and your almost at goal, that is Great !

When I first went to my seminar, I couldn't believe how many people were Depressed.

We learned that it is because the Hormones are all over the place. I believe that, because I seen it happen to me.

The thing was, that once we loose the weight, this was suppose to go away.

I don't have much of a problem with it. I love feeling upbeat.

I'm not a specialist, but 2 weeks on, and 2 weeks off sounds Hormonal to me.

Maybe you should talk to your Surgeon, or Nutrionist about obesitey, and Depressin related from Hormones, and see what they say. Also ask your PCP they might have a idea.

We had to puchase a thick book called our Bible. It's all in there, includeing Depression that is Hormonal.

I hope this makes some sense, because you have no control on this one. That's why you should try to talk to who I mentoned, besides your shrink. Make sure He's related to WLS. Then he might know something.

Wishing you only the best, take care, Shirley.

what is the book called?

It's a book that was put together by all the specialists at Henry Ford Bariatric Center.

They simpley call it "OUR BIBLE" It has a lot of nfo. in it.

I actually did wonder if it was hormonal but my PCP said no. I've had it for 16 years now. I see my OB/Gyn again next month so I'm going to ask him about it also.

See ! Even you think it's Hormonal...

I'll bet it probabley is.

I suffer from clinical depression before and after surgery. Mine is not related to the weight it is do to the missing chemicals in my brain. But it is easier to manage with my meds and not adding being overweight on top of too. I did 3 years 2/week conseling and learned some great coping skills. See a MD and a shrink too I agree the Bible is to best place to read if you have depression and there are many, many books out there for depression. Just don't let people“tell all you gotta do is change your way of thinking”. They don't know what they are talking about. On the two weeks when you want to eat do something else instead, do something for yourself instead of giving yourself food. Ask about wellbutrim it really helps with depression with out weight gain. So/most antidepressants cause you to crave carbs or some weight gain. Drs seem to think you can be happy and fat or skinnier and depressed. Cheri

See ! Even you think it's Hormonal...

I'll bet it probabley is.

I think it is but my PCP said that hormonal depression is best treated with Prozac. I was on Prozac for years without much of a change. Ive had a hysterectomy but I'm wondering if it is hormonal if birth control pills would help. I'm hoping my OB/GYN will know more about that and be able to help me.

I suffer from clinical depression before and after surgery. Mine is not related to the weight it is do to the missing chemicals in my brain. But it is easier to manage with my meds and not adding being overweight on top of too. I did 3 years 2/week conseling and learned some great coping skills. See a MD and a shrink too I agree the Bible is to best place to read if you have depression and there are many, many books out there for depression. Just don't let people“tell all you gotta do is change your way of thinking”. They don't know what they are talking about. On the two weeks when you want to eat do something else instead, do something for yourself instead of giving yourself food. Ask about wellbutrim it really helps with depression with out weight gain. So/most antidepressants cause you to crave carbs or some weight gain. Drs seem to think you can be happy and fat or skinnier and depressed. Cheri

Currently I'm on Wellbutrin 300 Mg and Lexapro 40. At first the Wellbutrin curbed my appetite and cravings but now it really doesn't do that anymore. Ive been on it since August.

Sometimes different SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, etc.) work different for different people, so if one didn't work, it might be worth trying a different one considering how (relatively) benign they are in terms of side effects/etc.

Depression can be a genetically-influenced condition that is exacerbated by stressful life events, or it can, for some people, be more situational (i.e., change the situation and you're no longer depressed). It sounds to me that yours is more the first type. For most people with that type, an antidepressant plus cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy in combination have been shown through systematic research to be the most effective in reducing or eliminating symptoms.

Also, if you haven't already, consider talking to your doc about your "up" periods-- how up are you talking? Do you feel normal, or do you feel extra energetic? Low grade hypomania, if uncontrolled, can actually make the depression worse.

Good luck!

With the highs and lows as described, is it possible that it is manic depression (a.k.a. bipolar disorder)? If this is the problem, I believe that it is most often treated with both mood stabilizers and anti-depressants. Perhaps that is a path you could explore with your PCP and your psych if the hormonal depression isn't the answer.

I have suffered from severe depression for 5 years now. Recently had med changes that sent me for a spin into symptom hell for 3 months. I have been reading a lot into symptoms, treatment etc. and it seems that Bipolar really needs both types of meds to be successfully treated.

I also think this sounds hormonal, I take Prozac 2 weeks before my period for this issue. The ob/gyn will be a good place to start if they think this could be part of your problem. Good Luck!

Okay here's an update, I saw my psychiatrist again and IryshGreene is right. He said I am bipolar. He started me on a mood stabilizer and my world is already a much happier calmer place:) I'm glad to have an answer and to be feeling decent for now.

Glad it was Diagnosed, and Treated !

Great to hear your feeling better...

For me, I was recommended to keep a journal and just kind of write down how I'm feeling that day and corelate it with my hormones and what not. My ob/gyn thinks I may have PMDD (which is like super PMS lol) so she put me on Seasonique where I only get three periods a year and it seems to help. I see her in May so we're going to sit down and see if it's something more, or just PMDD. But I totally know how you feel and sometimes it's wonderful and sometimes it sucks!

PS congrats on the TT and augmentation! I bet you look fabulous!

I'm so glad you are finding relief! Hope it keeps up!