lexapro?

OK I guess I tried to fight my depression long enough, had to give in and go back on medication.  My body was shutting down as the doctor put it...I went cold turkey after being on a high dose of Prozac for 9 years, the day of my surgery I went cold turkey.  The last month I have been going nuts, I would snap at every little thing, I did nothing but cry, scream and yell at EVERYONE....I knew I wasnt feeling right but I didnt  understand why.  But it finally hit me hard when the doctor told me I was going through withdraw and because I lost 100 lbs in 6 months my body is still trying to play catch up.  She put me on lexapro..she said it shouldnt cause weight gain but I am scared to death it will.  Prozac and my hysterrectomy plus emotional eating put 70 lbs on me before I had my WLS surgery.  Anyone else on lexapro 20 mg?  Any info is appreciated.  Thanks!

Pam
Have a great holiday weekend everyone!

Pam,

I have been on lexapro pretty much since three months after surgery. I am almost a year out and I haven't gained weight from it! Remember, we do not absorb as much as we used to, even in medication. Don't get me started on my BCP!!! Still trying to figure that one out. Hope that helps. I was also on lexapro for several years before the surgery.

Have a great weekend!

Beth

I too took Lexapro for years before my surgery. I quit taking mine when I had my surgery. (Plus the other anti depressant and mood stabilizer I was on pre op) I couldn't handle taking all the pills I needed in my little pouch at that point. Make a long story short at about two months post op my hubby told me in a rather staight forward manner that he REALLY thought I should start taking my meds again. LOL I started back on the Lexapro. I am over a year out and have not had any trouble reaching goal and maintaining my weight. I have to say that I really don't think that the anti depressant has had any bad effects on me at all. I will be thinking about you and hoping for the best for you.

I take Lexapro and it doesn't cause me weight gain. I previously took Zoloft and although life was VERY pleasant...my weight climbed consistantly! I switched well before surgery, but, the weight was glued on. I've continued to take Lexapro since for OCD and the only time I've had any trouble was when I forgot to take it. On the 4th day of forgetting, I wanted to put my car into a phone pole. Not to die, or hurt myself or anyone else...I was just so mad at the world, I wanted to - make a point? It doesn't make sense, but, since I've forgotten twice... I make SURE not to forget. Now I've got a weekly pill container and put it all together weekly. No way to forget now. If I went cold turkey, I'm afraid of what would happen. I don't think rationally with the rapid drop off.

As for weight. It's great! I've lost 83# in less than 6 months and I didn't have any weight gain once I switched.

Mental health is equally important as physical health. I believe one leads to another. A person won't feel complete with one being out of whack.

Don't have any exact advice or first hand knowledge on actually taking it, but wanted to wish you luck in getting a handle on this.  Also keep in mind, depression aside, that estrogen is stored in fat and as you are losing rapid amounts of fat, your body is releasing estrogen into your body rapidly and it reeks HAVOK with your emotions.  So expect to be a little "off" for a little while longer even with meds back in place.

And, as always...have to throw my nursing two cents in (not that you asked for it, I understand) but please do NOT go cold turkey on any sort of meds, especially depression meds.  The effects can be so incredibly dangerous.

Hang in there

Thanks everyone for the info, much appreciated.  I am so glad I decided to go back on the depression pills and so are my family members lol. 

Pam P. thanks again for your encouraging words and I am thankful that you brought up about going off cold turkey.  My doctor couldnt believe it when I told her I asked for my prozac the night of my surgery and the nurse told me I was suppose to bring them with me even though no one told me that.  So that was when I just went cold turkey.  As my doc put it with all my changes going on in my body and the after effects of going cold turkey my body was losing control and so was I. 

Thanks again everyone :)

I love my Lexi....it keeps me on an even keel!!! I was on 10mg for 8 years following my boyfriends death, just a month ago I was upped to 20mg, my hormones were all over the place since my surgery! I am loving life again and thank God for the ability for a small med to keep me sane!!

Good for you for taking control again!!!