Anti-anxiety pills

My GYN has prescribed Xanax for me b/c she thinking that my Depo shot is causing my increased nervousness & panic attack-like episodes. I am not sure that I agree (b/c the symptoms began long before I started Depo) but I am willing to give anything a shot. What I would like to know is: what has been the general reaction to anti-depressants/anti-anxiety pills on gastric bypass patients? I have been reading the info about Xanax online and I can't seem to find any specific info about its effects on WLS patients. Feel free to respond off the board if you like. Thanks, I would appreciate input.

Hey Christine, I have chronic depression, I have had it all my life. I have been on various types of antidepressants. Xanax did not work well for me, made me to wired. I am on Zoloft right now, and a very low dose now after years of being on very high doses. It does make me tired though, but it helps with my depression and my nervousness and panic attacks. If you don't like the way you feel talk to your doctor and have them try a lower dose or something else. Make sure they monitor you with this. I go to my psychiatrist every so many months to make sure I am okay. Just be very careful with antidepressants, some are very strong and may make you sick. Talk to your doctor and be sure this is right for you. Good luck sweetie. Hugs KimC

Well my dear Xanax is a short acting benzodiazapene, which is helpful if you have occasional panic/anxiety, but it can be addicting, and it also has side effects of drowsiness, making you a bit loopy etc., I think it won't have any difference in a gastric bypass patient- since it is a short acting. What i want you to think about however, is the frequency and intensity of these episodes. If we are talking that you are feeling this way daily, and the Xanax is needed more than a few times a week, I think you may want to think about stepping up to the next level- an antidepressant like Paxil, which is very helpful in anxiety relief. It also has been prescribed for hormonal/pre-menstrual mood changes, which if it is the Depo - you are having. I think you also need to think about the Depo- is this really the right b/c for you? Maybe you want to consider going off it and using something that you have more control over- like the pill which can be changed (dose type etc) easier- where Depo is less controllable as its a long acting injection - the absorption rate can vary and you don't always know how it is going to effect you, There is also the whole change in diet, habits, not having food to fall back on for comfort etc., and also possibly just chemical changes in your body from weight loss.

Gotta love having a nurse on board Peter