antidepressants

Hi Everyone! I'm having some trouble and was hoping for some advice. Before my surgery, I was taking wellbutrin xl - 300 mg and zoloft - 100 mg. I decided that as of the day I had surgery, I wasn't going to take any medication anymore, and just stopped. About the 3rd month I realized I needed some help and started taking wellbutrin again. After several attempts to get the correct kind of wellbutrin and the correct dosage from my pcp, we finally got it right. I have felt much better. But, I am finally ready to admit that I probably shouldn't have gotten off of the zoloft. I'm wondering if any of you are taking zoloft, and if so, did you have to change the type and dosage after surgery? I've been stalled on my weight loss since before Christmas, and am afraid that going back on zoloft will make really make my weight loss stall, if not gain. If anyone has any information orinput on the zoloft, please let me know. I'd really appreciate the help! Thanks! Deanna

Hi Deanna. I haven't taken either, but I did want to give you a ((((((HUG))))))!!! We can all use one some times. ~Diana~

Thanks for the (((((((HUG))))))! I needed that! Deanna

Hi Deanna, I was/am taking Zoloft also. I actually saw a Psychiatrist pre-surgery about the medication. He suggested I wait a year to get off the zoloft. He said we go through so many physical and emotional changes (sometimes related to the physical changes, hormones, etc.) that it would be good to stay on them. He suggested remaining on the meds for a year to 18 months til our bodies physically stabilize. As for the dose, they kept mine exactly the same. He said after about 18 months I could try to go off, with supervision of a doctor. Worse case scenario if I don't do well, I go back on the meds. I wish you luck. I'm in Texas also, if you want to e-mail sometime. Take care, Bridget.

Hi Bridget! Thanks for your response. It's nice to know that I'm not alone. I've decided to go ahead and start taking it again. I'm making an appointment with my PCP for a checkup and to make sure there won't be a problem with it. It was really hard for me to admit that I "need" to take the Zoloft. It made me feel like a failure. Although, in my heart, I know that isn't true. I've been stalled on my weight loss for so long, and now that I'm going back on the Zoloft I'm terrified of gaining weight. I guess I'll just have to work a little harder. Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I can't tell you how much I enjoy being able to talk with other people who are going through the same things that I am. This site has really been a blessing for me. Take care and have a great day! Deanna

As a nurse and a former user of zoloft I take can tell you that zoloft is well known for causing weight gain. I had switched to lexapro about a year before I decided to have surgery. I too decided to try going off of my meds about a week ago as I near the 6 mo post op point. I have become evil and for the sake of my family I am going back on them. I know that fall and winter is the worst time of year to stop mood meds because of the lack of sunlight that already causes depression. I think I will wait until spring at least before trying this again and also I will review with my surgeon and PCP before stopping or changing meds. Good Luck!