2 years in October.....feel horrible

[CherokeeGirl]

Hi all...been awhile. I had a sleeve done Oct 6th 14...I am still at 173...and no matter what I do I can't get past it. I am having serious issues with my knees...and right hip, so I am having to use a cane in the house....but what worries me is, I feel horrible, depressed, no energy dark circles under my eyes. I'm getting my protein a take my vitamins at least five times a week. I was sick and out on steroids which really messed with my head. Agitated, panic attacks...had to go off them...I just feel so blah....

[feb20sleeve]

Have your doctor check to see if you are anemic. I was sleeved Feb of 2015, so about 18 months ago and recently discovered I had severe anemia and had many of the symptoms you are describing despite having normal protein, b12 and folate levels. Hope you feel better soon, sending good thoughts your way

[mellowjoy]

I had a vitamin D deficiency a couple of years ago. I went to the doctor because I was feeling depressed. If you aren't still getting your blood work done post surgery you may want to have that done. I would contact your doctor, they can help.

On the weight loss it's difficult when you have limited mobility. Maybe try some chair exercises. Any movement is better than no movement.

Good luck.

[Kindle]

Like others suggested, I would have bloodwork done if you haven't already (I do mine every 9-12 months).

CBC
Metabolic chem panel
Folate
Zinc
B12
B1
Iron/ferritin
Vitamin D

Also ask about checking hormone levels.....thyroid, estrogen, progesterone and ESPECIALLY testosterone. I had similar symptoms...extreme fatigue, depression and couldn't think clearly.....turned out I had low testosterone. It had nothing to do with my sleeve.

[Mbenson5]

I never thought about testosterone! At this time of life (and it looks like we are all around the same age), hormones can be the nasty culprit of some problems... I am so sorry you are feeling so bad, Cherokeegirl! I would def not let your dr dismiss your symptoms. If they do, there are lots of others who won't. Hope you get some relief and feel better!

[Kindle]

I never thought about testosterone! At this time of life (and it looks like we are all around the same age), hormones can be the nasty culprit of some problems..

Yes, hormones are a very powerful driving force in our lives. Unfortunately the medical community has yet to recognize the significance. They acknowledge the link between libido and testosterone, but not all the other symptoms it causes. Women our age go in, complain of depression and not wanting to have sex with their husbands and they prescribe antidepressants without ever testing hormones. I only lucked out because my PCP's wife struggled with the same thing and SHE's the one that discovered the testosterone link to her symptoms. She had been struggling for years and was pretty much diagnosed as bipolar before she finally discovered the real problem....low testosterone, thyroid and estrogen.

She consulted with specialists at Mayo and now uses testosterone cream, estrogen patches and thyroid replacement. All of her symptoms resolved! So when my therapist wanted to put me on Wellbutrin, my PCP checked my hormones and while all my other levels were fine, my testosterone was very low. I, too, started the testosterone cream. I still take Wellbutrin, but the two together have literally saved my life. Two other girlfriends I sent to him because of depression, fatigue and mood swings also had low testosterone. Of course the insurance companies don't recognize either the diagnosis OR the treatment, so we are all on our own paying for everything. But well worth not living in a black hole anymore.

A male friend who was an avid mountain biker started suffering from fatigue in his early 40's. Didn't have the energy to carry out his normal work/play activities, was sinking deeper and deeper into depression and according to his wife was lashing out violently, which wasn't like him at all. His wife was very concerned because his family has a history of suicide. Turns out he had the testosterone levels of an 87 year old man. Once on replacement therapy, his energy and personality returned to normal.

My best friend committed suicide at age 47. This is an age group where the suicide rate in men skyrockets. One theory for this is linked to the normal drop in testosterone levels men experience as they age. Their hormone levels start to shift and suddenly they are trying to deal with emotions that us women have been dealing with since puberty. But it's new to them and they have no coping mechanisms. Some men buy sports cars, divorce their wives and start taking viagra. Other men kill themselves. Obviously not as simple as that, but definitely another way to look at mid life crises.

PS I also dropped a couple pounds and maintenance is easier once I started testosterone replacement. Low levels are also linked to weight gain.

[sraebaer]

How much weight did you lose? If you're height is average or tall, that sounds like a nice weight to maintain for your lifetime. I know I stopped losing, and stayed there for 2 years now, I feel it's where my body is happy. (And I'm happy too.) See a doctor, and work with them, they can help you emotionally. According to my psychologist depression is a fairly common problem after weight loss surgery. Get help!