Question:
Has anyone else switched from Effexor XR to Lexapro post-op?
I had to be cold-turkeyed from Effexor XR post-surgery due to the tiny grains in the capsule. I've been on Lexapro for about two weeks now instead, and am in my worst depression ever- like a bumbed-out robot, only worse. I can 't tell if it's from withdrawing from Effexor, or that the Lexapro isn't for me, or dealing with the new surgery, or a combination of all? I am totally miserable. thank you for your help. — Postop_nurse (posted on August 3, 2003)
August 3, 2003
I'm 4 months post-op and have been on Effexor SR before and ever since my
surgery. I'm feeling just fine emotionally. I did hear somewhere along
the line that we should not take time-released capsules (which I believe
Effexor SR is) and I've been reluctant to switch to the tablets as I am
feeling so good. I hope we get a response from someone who knows what the
scoop is. Good luck to you!
— Vicki S.
August 3, 2003
I had my surgery 10-17-02 and my doc is still trying to get my manic
depression under control. They have put me on triliptal, and now lexapro
along with my buspar. I haven't gotten any better the past 2 weeks but I
haven't gotten any worse either so hope the 2 new meds(triliptal &
lexapro) are starting to work now. Some people do experience depression
after surgery so hopefully it is just a combo of the two for you and the
meds will start to work. My doc told me it could take up to a month to
start to notice any changes with the new meds. Hope this helps.
— Angie L.
August 3, 2003
This is stricly my opinion. My daughter was put on Lexapro and it just did
not help her. My psychaitrist is not crazy about the drug Lexapro. I deal
with depression and the Prozac has worked well for me. Just an opinion.
Hope your feeling better soon.
— Karen Renee
August 3, 2003
I was taking Effexor pre-op. I was weened off about a week before surgery.
I used liquid prozac for a couple of weeks post-op then went back on my
Effexor with no problems. Look up Effexor on www.medicinenet.com. I
believe I read on there that the capsules can be opened and sprinkled on
food. Good luck.
— Margaret G.
August 3, 2003
I can swallow the regular effexor no problem. Can you try that?
Inga
— [Deactivated Member]
August 3, 2003
I took the lexapro for 5 days and i was like a walking zombie. i couldn't
take it at all. i went back to celexa and was pretty wiped out from that
too. my dr has given me effexor to take again, but not the time released. i
haven't started it yet. my sister has been taking the time released since
her surgery and has had no problems...
— candymom64
August 3, 2003
Just a correction -- time release Effexor can be opened and sprinkled on a
spoonful of applesauce or yogurt to be swallowed. But it shouldn't be
sprinkled on food to be chewed since that will break up the
"mini-pills" and cause the medicine to be released at once
instead of over time.
— Laura K.
August 3, 2003
Hi Barb, I use to be on Effexor before I had my surgery, and I had side
affects from being on it, I know every medicine can give you some kind of
side affects, but it was worse. I had to try a couple of diff
antidepressants before I found the right one that suit me. Finally my doc
put me on Lexapro and I have been on it for about a year now, and still
taking it after surgery which was 6 mths. ago. And, it takes abotu 4-6
weeks they say before you reaaly start noticing a change and starts to
work into your system like any other antidepressant. I really like Lexapro
though it works wonderfully for me than all of the other ones I have tried
which was quite a few. But, I also believe you should be on one that best
suits you adn if the Effexor was working for you then tell your doc to put
you back on that, or at least give this new one a couple of more weeks to
see if it is working on your system yet! Good Luck to You!
— Melodee S.
August 3, 2003
Hi - Original poster here - I want to thank you all SO MUCH for taking the
time to help me with this! Let me also just clarify something - my doctor
opened the Effexor XR capsule and saw the granules and said no way - I was
under the assumption he was afraid the granules wouldn't dissolve quickly
and might stick in my staple line. Then the psychiatrist refused to let me
have the regular effexor and crush it, saying he would only approve of
extended release. I don't know when if ever I can use the capsules. Thank
you all again!
— Postop_nurse
August 3, 2003
Hey there~ The doctor that took you off the Effexor XR should KNOW that you
just cannot quit this particular antidepressant. One of the major side
effects of this is depression and anxiety. You should have been tappered
down, then switched over to Lexapro. Also, between withdrawing from the
Effexor, getting a high enough dose of the Lexapro in your system will take
anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, so try to give it a bit more time. If w/in a
week, week and half things aren't better you need to contact your doctor.
Best of Luck....<3
— Marni
August 4, 2003
I haven't had my surgery yet but from my own use of 20mg of Lexapro it
don't work for me but my doctor is afraid to change me since I take other
meds
— cameo
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