Hello out there.

I'm just wondering if anybody out there has had an issues with their anti-depressant/anti-anxiety meds as far out as almost 2 years post-op. I could see there being an issue right away post-op, but I have had no problems until now. I see the nurse at my GP's office on Thursday, but I'm just wondering if there is anybody else out there that can tell me if this has happened to them as well.   Thanks, Karen

Hi Karen,

I'm not sure which meds you are taking and how long you've been on them, so this might not be 100% relevant.

If you are taking a benzodiazapine for anxiety (like klonopin, ativan, xanax, etc), people tend to build a tolerance and need more to get the same effect.  One med that seems to help some with anxiety but doesn't have this problem is buspar.  It didn't work for me, but everyone is different.

Some antidepressants just stop working after a time.  This seems to be especially true of ssri's.  The technical term for this is antidepressant tachyphylaxis.  I prefer to call it med poop out.

Neither of these are weight loss surgery related.  Its just how it goes.  Talk to your prescriber and see if they have any ideas.  They may increase the dose.  They may add another antidepressant that works on different neurotransmitters.  They may switch you to a different med completely.

I took lexapro successfully for a long time when it stopped working the way it used to.  We increased, but once I maxed out on the dose with no improvement, we ended up switching to a different antidepressant.

Until you find a med (or med combo) that works well for you, continue doing everything you can on your own to help boost your mood.  Exercise is good for both depression and anxiety.   I know that sometimes its the last thing I feel like doing, but even short bursts of doing just a little *something* help a bit.  Also I noticed when depression creeps in, thats when i start craving those processed refined carbs-- the last thing that I need to be eating.

So while this may not be related to weight loss surgery, doing the things we're supposed to be doing since surgery anyway may help.

--Becca

 


 

Hi Karen,

Sorry for the late response.  Yes,  I am about 5 yrs out and need my meds adjusted about every 6 months or so.  Every time, my doctor does dictation about my absorption of anti depressants being the possible cause of needing the change.  I don't think its actually proven, but definitely suspected. I wouldn't question it, I would just go with the flow, because the most important thing is just to feel better, not to measure the amount of mg you take.  Kinda like you are not your dx, you are YOU so dont focus on it, just focus on life.  If you are on a mood stabilizer, they normally check your levels.  I never had a low issue until i had Rny.  so my absorption with those is effected for sure.

I dont know if this helps, but this is my experience.  best of luck and i hope youre on the right track now.

boxermom

 I have not had surgery yet, but I can tell you I've been on an anti anxiety anti depression med for about 13 years.  About every 4 years I have to either up or switch my med because it looses it's effectiveness or my body. Builds a tolerance.