Depression after surgery? Also cymbalta absorption?

I've had a lot of surgeries and know that depression after surgery happens, from the anesthesia and everything. I'm definitely experiencing it right now. It's more intense this time for some reason. I'm still having a lot of pain 2 weeks out which isn't helping at all I'm sure because it's not making me very mobile.

But Ive been on Cymbalta for about a year since my grandfather died when I got very depressed. It's worked very well for me. Since I'm experiencing such an extreme low right now I'm wondering about the absorption.

Does anyone else take Cymbalta and have they had any issues? My Dr knows I'm on it and doesn't think there should be a problem. But I'm a hot mess over here so I'm just wondering.

I don't know about Cymbalta and the absorption but you may be battling the extra challenge of all the hormones that are cruising through your body as you lose weight quickly and the fat cells release the hormones.  It's more than just the effects of surgery and sedation.  It may be that the medication is working as it always has, but you have an extra, temporary hurdle.  I know I've never had an issue with depression but I felt quite depressed for a couple months after surgery.  Everyone on these boards, and my surgeon told me it was the hormones, almost like postpartum, and it would go away soon.  And it did.  In the meantime, make sure you are taking very good care of yourself, utilizing your support system, and doing things that make you feel good.  Hope you're feeling better soon.  

Hey Melinda! I feel for you! I had surgery the exact same day and I too am on depression meds. I've been a little down myself but I'm just chalking it up to the fact that we just had major surgery and everything is different for us right now. Everyone keeps saying it'll get better and I know that's hard for us to imagine when we feel this way. But then I see someone post a success pic and it does help!! I personally don't think you need to change your meds or anything I think we just need to hang on day by day!!!!!! We can do it!!#

Cymbalta is it "delayed release" medication, which is slightly different than an extended release medication.  Cymbalta has a coating that prevents it from starting to dissolve in the stomach and that requires the environment of the intestine to dissolve, but once it starts dissolving the action is immediate rather than extended over many hours as in an extended/continuous release medication.  Many people find they need no change to their Cymbalta post-op, but some do.

Basically that means that it is possible that you're not absorbing quite as much of it as you were before your RNY.  It is also possible (more probable, I would think) that the increase in depression is more from the combination of the effects of anesthesia, the emotional upheaval that can result from mourning the loss of food and trying to adjust to not being able to sue food for anxiety/comfort, and the extreme physical stress that your body is under (since not only have you had surgery, but you're eating very little while your body is trying to heal).  At just a couple of weeks out, it isn't likely that you are already experiencing the so-called post-op "hormone dumping" from rapid weight loss, but that cannot be completely ruled out as a contributing factor.

Depending on the dose you are taking, you might be able to take half a dose twice a day instead of a full dose once a day. It also might also be necessary to increase the dose, change to a different medication, or add another medication in combination with the Cymbalta.

Get in to see whatever doctor prescribes it for you and take to him/her about how you are feeling.

Lora

Like you, the first post-op months were difficult.  I would describe it more like post-traumatic stress syndrome than depression.  I lost over 200# feeling like I had been a long-time prisoner let out of solitary confinement.  At six months post-op, I was slowly weened off my depression meds; there was zero issues stopping.  Freed from obesity and living a healthy lifestyle has me feeling well again.

Do you deal with a real PTSD ? 

I would never compare post op WLS surgery depresion, that eventually goes away, with a real drama PTSD some people go through.... 

PTSD is a real mental health problem, it's not a description of someone with temporary hormone irregularity.   Sorry, but there really is NO comparison between the two

I am sure there are a lot of young men and women we have sent to war who would would love to have a couple of months of feeling sorry for themself, only for their blues to disappear six months later!

Thank you to both for your response; I meant no disrespect to war veterans nor to people who have experienced other kinds of trauma, being very careful to use the word "like."  I have read the definition of PTSD (Mayo Clinic) where they used words "anxiety," "difficulty adjusting," and "hard time coping."  I stand by my attempt at trying to describe how I felt things like that.  However, I will be careful to refrain from doing so again as to not offend anyone else.  Thank you.

I too take Cymbalta, however, I have not had my surgery yet - I am scheduled for May 19th.  My surgeon told me to break open the capsules and put the medication in applesauce and take it that way.  Maybe if you try that it will be absorbed better.  Just take it one day at a time and surround yourself with positive things.  wishing you all the best....hang in there.

The manufacturer of Cymbalta very specifically says NOT to open the capsules!

I am not telling you not to follow your doctor's instructions (although I do wonder why he would tell you to do something that the drug manufacturer says not to do, and would recommend that you ask him if he is aware of that), but I want to make sure that OTHERS understand that they could experience some very unpleasant side effects (or worse) if they open delayed release capsules, especially with a small pouch. Cymbalta has an enteric coating specifically to prevent it from starting to dissolve in the stomach.

Lora

ETA: Here is the link to the manufacturer's information on Cymbalta.  Look at the note immediately  under the "Dosage and Administration" heading.