Question:
Has anyone found a good solution to dealing with depression?
I am about 2 1/2 months post op (Open RNY)and was fired from my job at 3 weeks, for having this surgery. My dr. put me on 50 mg. of Zoloft before the surgery and has since increased it to 150 mg. The increase causes severe headaches. The depression is pretty severe. I have lost my comfort (food), my job and my insulation (fat). Anyone that has any good ideas, I welcome them. — acleveland (posted on March 1, 2003)
March 1, 2003
Take this time to focus on YOU! Go for long walks, read books, sit in the
library and read magazines. ANYTHING that keeps you from sitting at home
with too much time to think. You'll find a new job, but my advice would be
to take as much time as you can afford, and focus on yourself. Get as much
exercise as you can stand, because it helps with depression.
— Diana L.
March 1, 2003
Make sure your anti depressant is NOT a TIME RELEASE one. I had to change
my Welbutrin SR to Welbutrin as time release would'nt work for me anymore.
— Danmark
March 1, 2003
EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE. It is proven to help alleviate depression. I
know it's hard to get started, but once you start, you will be so happy you
did. Just DO SOMETHING.
— Angie M.
March 1, 2003
Only thing that worked for my depression pre-op was Prozac and lots of
therapy.
— Kathy J.
March 1, 2003
If the Zoloft isn't working and you've given a fair chance to get in your
system then asked to be switched to something else. I also got headaches
and severe insomnia from Zoloft. By 5-6 weeks I did not know where to put
myself. I have been on depression medication since 1995. I have taken a
total of 5 different kinds (zoloft, trazodone, Wellbutrin, Paxil (for 10
days) and Celexa. I have been onCelexa now for 4-5 years, I'm not sure
which it is. Celexa has been the best by far for me. My depression has
been under very good control for at least 2-1/2 years and reasonable
control for another year on top of that. I am actually on a high dosage,
60mg, but we worked up to it slowly and it was amazing how that last 20mg
pushed me over the top back to a very normal life. I have been doing very
good since surgery. I had max part of 2 days when I was sort of weepy and
just had to let the emotions flow. After that I felt great and back to
normal.
<p>I know it is hard until you find the right medication and get up
to a full therapeutic dose. The suggestions the other poster are great.
Getting yourself out of the house, even when you really don't want to, will
help a lot and exercise is always recommended for helping with depression.
<p>If you are not under the care of a psychiatrist I would strongly
recommend getting with one. PCP's know a lot about depression but
sometimes they just don't have the depth of medication knowledge necessary
to get you onto the road to feeling better. I also would highly recommend
counseling. It just helps so much to have someone to talk to and bounce
things off of. I have been in counseling sincd 1995 also. I find for me
that seeing my counselor about once a month just helps me work through any
new issues but mostly for me is a great sounding block. I have a high
stress job and it has a lot to do with my depression, but it also has a lot
to do with my personality and personal issues.
<p>Food ultimately isn't your friend or providing comfort as it made
you unhappy and drove you to seek surgery, so try really hard to find
something new. Do you have a good friend that you can talk to or do things
with. It is difficult to not have your job to go to right now, but ideally
starting a new job when your not feeling well doesn't usually work out too
well.
<You don't need anything else to worry about right now but when you are
feeling better you might want to pursue being fired for having surgery if
that is indeed the reason they gave. I personally understand what a tough
time this is right now. I can only tell you if you keep working with your
doctor's to find the right medication and keep taking it even once you feel
better, life can be good even with a diagnosis of severe depression. I
long ago accepted that I need to be on medication for this disease and if
that's what it takes to make me feel good and enjoy life, then so be it.
Feel free to e-mail me if you wish. Chris
— zoedogcbr
March 1, 2003
Talk to your Dr. Is a Psychiatrist prescribing ? If not, maybe that would
be more appropriate thn a genneral practitioner or internal medicine Dr.
Perhaps a different drug or a combination of drugs is in order. Also, You
have a real lot going on. Although I KNOW very well depression has a
chemical imbalance component, bad situations can make it worse. It may be
difficult to treat the depression when your life is in such stress.
Exercise is found to be as effective as Medication for many mild to
moderately depressed individuals and a very helpful adjunct to medication
therapy for the more seriously depressed. Ihope you find an answer soon.
— **willow**
March 1, 2003
After reading you profile < i think you should be in touch with the
labor board, and an attorney who deals in wrongful firings. several laws
appear to have been broken by your employer.
— **willow**
March 1, 2003
I agree. You need to contact the labor board and an attorney. You are
covered by the Family and Medical Leave
Act (FMLA). Not to mention the privacy violation by your boss telling
everyone what surgery you had.
— libra966
March 1, 2003
I had to try 6 or 7 different antidepressants till I found one that really,
really works for me. Wellbutrin is the one for me but everybody is
different. Hang in there and tell your doc about the headaches and ask him
to try something else.
Can you do therapy too? It really helped me.
— M. B.
March 2, 2003
Prozac has been my life saver. Also excerise will help you. I know its
hard to motivate yourself when depressed, but it really does work
— barbara A.
March 2, 2003
According to my therapist, there are 2 important avenues for dealing with
depression: antidepressants, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (i.e.,
exercise, dealing with self-defeating thoughts, etc.) Antidepressants are
especially useful for those with the physical symptoms of depression (over-
or undersleeping, decreased libido, etc.). I agree with the previous posts
about consulting with a psychiatrist who specializes in medication. There's
no reason to suffer side effects when there are so many medications out
there. I'd also recommend a book called "The depression workbook"
which has a lot of practical exercises, but you may need a therapist as
well to help you get stabilized.
Also, I read your profile and was shocked that you were fired from you job
(from United Way, of all places!). I'm no lawyer, but it seems you must
have some kind of case here. I wonder if obesitylaw.com could help?
— sjwilde
March 4, 2003
Thank you to all who answered my cry for help. I will see my PCP this week
and maybe she will change my meds or suggest something else.
I am 11 weeks post op now, and as of today I am down 52#.
Also, for those of you that suggested excercise. I go to Curves 5-6 times
a week for a 30 minute workout. The excercise both helps and sometimes
hurts.
Sometime, it is a chore just for me to get out of bed.
— acleveland
March 4, 2003
Anne, asking if anyone has a good solution for dealing with depression is
like asking if anyone has a good solution for dealing with cancer or a
heart attack. Depression is a serious medical condition, and needs serious
treatment.
If Zoloft is giving you headaches, your doc should try another
antidepressant. It can take months to get the right medication and the
right dosage. Be patient, keep a diary of side effects and your mood, and
give the medication a chance to work.
You also need therapy. You've been through a lot in the last few months,
and you need professional help. Please get it at once. (If you are in the
Baltimore, Maryland, area, e-mail me privately and I will give the you the
next of an excellent therapist.)
I'm not saying this to be mean or harsh or scare you. I've been severely
depressed, all the quick fixes in the world won't get you well.
BTW, I agree with other posters in that your employer probably violated
several laws. I don't like to encourage people to go running to a lawyer
just because they've been fired, but your case is so outrageous that you
MUST fight those people.
Kasey Jones
— Kasey
March 4, 2003
Honey, hire an atty ASAP! & good luck with your doc. Sometimes the
anesthesia can increase depression. I was a MESS my first three months.
Sending you loads of hugs & empathy.
— LionGirl2k
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