MOOODY!!!??

Anyone else having trouble with mood swings? I may have asked this question before but this is really driving me crazy. I actually have to Make myself smile. I wasn't all sweetness and light before surgery but I feel like I could chew nails in half!! My husband says I'm like living with a pitbull and he never knows when I'll snap. My sister agreed with him. She said I need to give him time to adjust to the surgery and I knew he was having concerns about it from the get go and that he fell in love with me and my body before surgery. That isn't entirely true though because when we married in 94 I was NOWHERE near my surgery weight. I mean I was big yes but I'm closer to my marriage weight now than before surgery. We've been fighting CONSTANTLY and it's upsetting everyone around us. I try to hold back but it feels like the anger just wells up inside me and I explode and trust me the explosion is felt far and near. Lately I've been shouting and screaming ALOT. What in the world is wrong with me? If I were standing beside me I wouldn't even try to start up a conversation....!! It's that bad! I feel like I'm angry at the world I told my mom I need a vacation away from the kids, away from hubby time to myself. I wonder if that will help?? It won't be happening for at least another 8 or so months when we move home so we'll see. I think my face is stuck in a permanent frown..... Is anyone else experiencing anything like this. My husband suggested I see a shrink but I don't think I need one. I'm not comfortable talking over my feelings while some stranger is staring me eye to eye. I was hoping that coming here and talking to people that have been and are going through what I'm going through could shed some light on it for me. It's almost like being preggo again. One minutes I'm nice and laughing and the next look out for the teeth!! Thanks for letting me vent, Jamie

Jamie, Of course I am pre-op, so I have no first hand advice, but I just read a really good book about a woman who lost 170 lbs, and it's about how she dealt with her body image and all the adjustments that come with wieght loss. It was very interesting to me. You might find some help there. It's called "Passing For Thin" Author Frances Kuffel http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767912926/sr=8-1/qid=1152498472/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7245362-0363810?ie=UTF8 Julie

Hey Julie thank you for the tip I'm headed to check it out right now..I pm'd you. Hugs, Jamie CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR UPCOMING SURGERY!!!!!

Hi Jamie, I'm preop, so I cant really say I know what your going thru, but man have I had my share of moodswings. They are horrible. My poor lil doggy even hides from me. And no i dont take it out on my dog lol I just snap at my fiance. I think he does stupid things or that he just doesnt think straight, when in reality, its probably me not thinking. Anyway I just wanted to let you know that I will say a prayer for you. Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Jamie, I went through the same thing when I was losing weight quickly. When I asked about the mood changes I was told that we store hormones in fat, so as we lose weight the hormones are released into the body. I think for me it started to clear up around 3-4 months out. It does get better. Right now your still trying to adjust to get used to the new life changes. It takes time, but it does get better. The only advice I can give you as far as fighting with your DH, is try to keep in mind that he is still adjusting too! Give him a chance to get used to your quickly changing body, life style, and moods! When you feel like your about to explode try taking a short walk first, get away from the things that are upsetting you... It will give you a chance to think clearly whether its worth being upset about. Your still pretty new to the changes. It will get better though! I promise it gets better. The mood swings will eventually calm down and you will begin to feel more normal. If you need anything call me. Im always here if you need me! Amber

Dear Jamie, I've noticed some mood swings as well, if not as serious as yours. But I'd ask that you rethink going to a counselor. It is a safe place to talk about whatever you need to (and they rarely stare you down eye-to-eye!). It can give you the opportunity to have that "think this through" time. It is hard to do that in the moment or when we are so busy there is always something else to deal with. And the process can even teach you some new coping skills for handling your mood swings without taking it out on your family. Take the time to find someone you are comfortable with--it make take a couple of visits to know--and use them as you need them. I know I tend to shut down when I'm stressed, and I had a really stressful summer ahead of me a few years ago, (comprehensive exams for a Ph.D. program), so I started seeing a counselor just to keep me on track. It was great and turned what could have been a horrible, ego defeating experience into something I actually felt confident about and enjoyed. Best of luck, Sally

If two people you love and youself tell you are unreasonable to be around maybe it is time for help. Sounds like you need a little medication short term to me. I take medication and it sure helps. It just means your chemicals are out of whack, not that you have failed in some way. Looking at it that way can be a burden lifted. I am sorry you are going through this. Hugs, Loris

Boy, do I understand about moods - most of my adult life I have had to deal with them. They are no fun! I've had YEARS to learn how to deal with them, and I highly recommend you talk to someone. Not your family, not your friends, but a counselor. I know you said you didn't want to do that, but by talking to someone who is not personally involved with you means that, eventually, you can be freer to get angry, yell scream, anything. The counselor won't take it personally and may see things from a different perspective that you never thought of. For me, I was holding in a lot from my past that I never even realized was affecting me - my moods were out of control until I got help. It was REALLY hard for me to take that first step and contact a counselor, but it was the best thing I ever did.

Jamie, I definitely have problems with mood swings on occasion. I am a widow and live alone and can feel very depressed at times. But, where I have the most problems is at work or while I'm doing my radio show. Seems I have a much shorter fuse when something goes wrong. What saves me is that I take Prozac. My surgeon warned me that I may need it after surgery and she is right. It doesn't cure the mood swings, it makes them easier to deal with. I'm not yelling at anybody, but, I sure have felt like it. Anyway, as our hormones rage through us with the loss of fat, we go through this. This is normal. But, we have to protect our jobs and relationships in the meantime. I know my daily early morning exercise routine has helped as well. I do the worst on the days I miss the exercise for whatever reason. Big hugs to you! Lori