any blackouts from alcohol afterwards? never before but common now. Also I know I look better but see myself the same in the mirror. how bout depression?
211843
I don't know how far out from surgery you are, but you shouldn't be drinking.  Our stomachs aren't made the same anymore, obviously.  The bypass passes the lower half of the stomach, including the pyloric valve.  A normal-bodied person can drink for a while, with the pyloric valve opening occassionaly to allow the stomach contents into the small intestine for digestion and absorption.  A bypass patient doesn't have that pyloric valve, so the alcohol passes fairly quickly, all at once, into the small intestine.  It's like a drain in a sink.\n\nSurely you know all of this.  \n\nDepression is pretty normal.  If it's very bad, you can talk to your doctor about getting put on some type of antidepressant.  As for the self-image, it's normal too.  This surgery doesn't do a thing to help our issues with food itself, and as a result, it doesn't help with our issues with our self-image.  The only thing I can say that helps is time, but not being very far from surgery myself, I'm not at that point yet.\n\nI wish you the best of luck.
383194
If you have been feeling blue for weeks on end then yes talking to a therapist will help you out a lot.  He/She may even send you to a phyciatrist for anti-depressent medication.  But, try and do with out the meds, unless you absolutely need them.  The have all kinds of side effects and it may take you months to figure out the best meds for you.  The side effects run from low libido, unable to have an erection, it may cause suicidal thoughts, it may make you drowsy, it may make you wired etc..Try the therapy first.  Also, if you don't exercise, get into a good exercise routine.  Exercising releases endorphins in your body and it make you feel less depressed.  Also, force youself to smile. I know is sounds ridiculous but it works.  If you actually try and smile it sends a message to the rest of your body that everything is good. It also releases endorphins.  Another thing that is good is try picking up meditation or yoga.  This will help clear your mind and relax you.  Try drinking more water also and cut back on alcohol if you drink.  Alcohol just makes things worse because it is a depressent.  Another thing powerful thing is connect with your sprituality.  Get involved in church or your temple or wherever you go to practice your religion.  I hope all this helps. Just hang in there and talk to your therapist.  I also suffer from depression and these things seem to help me a lot.  I don't take meds any more.  Just hang in there.  There are a lot of things you can do.  Take care and God Bless.
365009
Demand a second opinion. Positive note I had similar symptoms for years rarely a day off. I had a brain scan, a EEG and other tests turns out I have hemiplegic migraines - very scary. I have an aura with mine - a bad taste often triggered by what I eat or smell. Gloss paint sends me off my legs for up to 2 weeks. I was investigated for having a stroke! Go back an see your Dr if symptoms don't improve and demand further tests! Have allergy/ sensitivity tests done, mine showed my triggers as being corn, melon, larger etc. I changed my diet and took FEVER FEW natural health supps and have made a fantastic recovery, with the occasional relapse. I f your symptoms are new to you and you have had no further investigations than a DR appointment, go back and demand more. Take a friend or relative with you if your reluctant to push the issue. You only have one life - enjoy it. Luv J xx
95713
i have been taking welbutrin for over a year now. but after reading your side effects, it does come to my attention that i find myself looking for things that i have just seen. i joke that i spend half my day looking for things. i too have a hard time remembering names, etc and when i am really tired i tend to think one thing and say another. do you think this could be a side effect. other than that i feel it does help with my anxiety and stress. i am a female 43 years old......lisa foster, minnesota.
120338
Already a lot of good and not so good answers... Don't use alcohol, I did that for years. I don't drink now and sleep better. Stress, is the main thing that keeps me awake now, but only occasionally. Don't smoke either. Feeling secure makes you feel secure in your bed. Do everything to make sure your home is secure obviously. Financial security is important - people do lie awake worrying about money. Emotional security, knowing people care and love you. That's more difficult. But generally speaking you get back what you give out in that department. Obviously avoid stimulants like caffeine in the evenings. When you go to bed tonight. Think about me! A mysterious romantic Englishman - and let your imagination run wild! Even if you don't sleep - it'll make staying awake much more enjoyable. But after a while - maybe 8 hours - you'll get bored with me and nod off! Incidentally, it's 3.05pm in the afternoon now in England. Not the early hours of the morning! I haven't had lunch!
368805
Sweetie, I think you're not just stressed ... I think you're also depressed.  It's possible you're drinking to cover up, or drown, some emotions you don't want to deal with.  Please see either a professional (such as a counselor) or someone you have a lot of trust in (such as a pastor or priest) and have a really good heart-to-heart talk with that person.  If you are indeed trying to drown out your emotions / problems, they'll only become worse.  Eventually, they'll still find a way to surface ... only by then you'll have added the additional problem of having compromised your health and safety.  Just the fact that you got drunk enough to fall down a flight of stairs should tell you that your drinking is getting out of hand.\n\nAs for your back, well, you already have a history of back problems, so I'm sure the tumble didn't exactly help your back.  Just because it isn't all that sore yet doesn't mean that it won't be ... it wouldn't be unusual for the pain to set in in a few days.  Besides, you may have had enough alcohol in you to mask the real pain.  Given that you heard a crack, it might not be a bad idea for you to have a quick check-up with your doctor, just to be on the safe side.\n\nAs to your drinking chums ... well, if they're **really** you're friends, they'll understand if you tell them that you feel the need to back off on the heavy drinking and give your party-hardy self a chance to rest up and re-coup.  If they can't understand that ... well, then I hate to tell you this, but they're not really your "friends" and you don't really need them in your life just now.  Real friends - good friends - will always want what is best for you.\n\nPlease take it from this old party-hardy girl and get yourself to someone who will listen and can help you figure out why you're taking the risks you're taking these days.  \n\nAbove all, please be careful.  These just aren't the days when a young lady can get sloshed and be safe ... there are only so many times when you'll be able to beat the odds.\n\nI wish you the very best, dear.  Good luck.
311380
I have a family member in AA. You're doing fine. The reason people tell their stories is so you have something to relate to and you don't have to feel alone. Most of the people in the program are really great people and will help you with anything if you just ask. And just so you know its OK that you relapsed  5 times, people do that you are just human. Just as long as you don't give up on yourself and, yes, keep coming back.
2937
You may be experiencing a subconscious effort of your body trying to tell you to stop feeding it poison, or you made an ass of yourself. Or, since alcohol is a depressent, and guilt can be a result of a more depressed attitude, it really could be the alcohol. Take more vitamins to replace the ones you sapped, that could ease it... or don't drink alcohol. And yeah, I usually feel bad about drinking the next day 'cause it's bad for me and I make an ass out of myself.
516896
Being a retired mental health practitioner with 20+ years experience, I can tell you from all that psychiatric and counseling care I provided that one who is diagnosed as having a bipolar disorder SHOULD NOT be "getting hammered", if by that you mean drunk from alcohol or other drugs, whether they are on medication or not.  Alcohol and other "street drugs" offer no long term remedy from a long term illness.  Contrarily, they offer only severe cyclic affective disorders which only exacerbates the problem.  I have had clients who came to our clinic who have used alcohol to "self-medicate" their bi-polar disorder, but finally turned to a regimented care since they could not control their alcoholic intake and the destruction caused by self-medicating with alcohol and other illegal drugs really made a mess of things.  I hope I have made this clear for you without being too wordy.  God Bless you.
273391
I have a different emotion the night before my period. One night i cried all night because my dad didn't tell my mum she looked nice before they went out and another i completely lost it because my sister used my new unused toothbrush. Have your monthly meltdown. If it's infront of family who cares. I just steer clear of friends and boys, may freak them out.
566751
In a word:  NO\n\nI think your friend's story of a man having an accident the day after he stopped drinking is pure coincidence.  Alcoholic problems are usually described in the sense when drinking effects (poorly) other areas of your life.  So if you are talking about drinking in excess before you go to sleep and likely suffering a hang over or having not enough real sleep, it will likely make it very difficult to perform your job the next day.  \n\nStudies have shown that drinking a glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away.
195786
I suffer from depression and have been treated with Prozac for the past 9 years.  Getting professional help with medication was the best thing I ever did for myself.  I am now also taking Welbutrin along with my Prozac for a recent chronic depression issue when I lost my job.  Fortunately, with the medical help and a therapist, I have rounded the corner and getting back to a more leveled / normal life style.\n\nThe positive thinking helps, but it will not replace the other tools that I have found (i.e. medication. regular follow ups with my doctors and counseling as needed, along with self help groups).  Life is better and manageable.  However, I did have to come to the acceptance level that I have suffered from depression on and off all my life.  I became a self medicating alcoholic, got into recovery and did not find real peace in my life until I sought out medical help for my depression.  \n\nI will be on meds the rest of my life for depression.  It is a better alternative than self medication.  I will continue to use positive thinking along with other help I have found.  \n\nThe sexual issue is part of the side effects from the medications. This should be reviewed with your doctor.\n\nGood luck, you will find a balance through out these issues in your life.
561815
I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I hope you'll get better really soon. Thank you for taking your time to tell us a little bit about yourself. I just wish there was something more I could do to help you through this.\n\nGod bless you and keep you safe.\nTake care and have a nice day :)
453233
There are several people in my life with drinking problems, my Grandpa  is the only success story I know of. They say that there is never a cured alcoholic, they are recovering for the rest of their lives. Alcoholism is a disease, and many people take it lightly because drinking is socially accepted. The way my Gpa stopped was by getting really, really drunk beyond the point of sickness, and he says his secret to 'recovery' was just remembering the feeling of that night. He immediately stopped drinking, and started chewing gum incessedly. He did attend AA mtgs and said that suprisingly, they really did help. He also said that the fact that my Gma attended the alinon mtgs helped alot bc he didn't feel as if he was all alone. You have to remain patient and not stress out the alcoholic to the point that they would want to drink. Remove all alcohol from the house, even if its a wine cooler. Living with an alcoholic is a very difficult thing. I hope this brings some insight. Good Luck
473428
As a therapist (in training) I would offer this bit of advice.  Examine why you might have been depressed? Think wholistically.  What are issues going on in your life? Family, friends, relationships, school, career, etc.  Perhaps if you can help identify and work through the underlying issue of depression, the subsequent addiction may subside.  \n\nJust from your post I can see many strengths! You are willing, and have the drive (motivation) to change.  That's amazingly powerful and you can make greater achievements simply because you have the self motivation.  You also do not want to self-medicate or rx-medicate.  That's also a great strength.  This will help allow you to process why you may be experiencing depression, with a clear head (how can you self-examine when you are high or drunk?).  \nHowever, sometimes medication (perscribed.... not self-medicated such as alcohol, drugs, etc.) can really help, and help some people get to a more rational-mind-frame to better aid their self-exploration.  Hope that helped in some small way!\n\nGood luck! And know you are not the only one.
209798
Yep I get a massive migraine after drinking alcohol.  I think it shuts something in my system down.  It's just not good to everyone.
282998
You're probably fine. I've gone through this before and it passed after a couple of weeks. Go find something fun to do. \nAnd it's not depression, everyone wants you to believe you're depressed.