Depression meds

Been working with my PCPon my Depression problem which is getting worse.  Been on zoloft 150 for some time just not working.  I have tried effexor xr 75 now and to start it worked pretty good for first couple weeks. Now it doesn't last thru the day and night.  I have a call into him now to see if we can up the amout or what to try next.  I open the capsules and put in applesauce trying to speed  the process so they don't go thru undisolved.  Any comments or idea's out there cause I know alot of us have been thru some rough times.  I had my RNY Jan 2004.  Weight still off lost 130 lbs.  At least that looks good!!!!!

First, congrats on your weight loss, and keeping it off !! :o) I tape a fairly new drug called Lexipro.  It works great for me, and it's easy to take.  I small pill that is easily swallowed.  In the past I have found that therapy works well too.  i know a lot of people that take Zoloft, and most are unhappy with it.  They feels it doesn't work for them.   Hope that helps Dana from Michigan

Just want you to know you are certainly not alone in this. I wish I could be more of a help.

I was wondering if it was really a good idea or not to take the capsules apart. It might be better to be on a pill that is not extended release, you might have to take a different dose  more than once a day to get an even  blood level of the medicine. Talk with your doctor to see what he suggests. There are many antidepressents available, sometimes it takes awhile to find one that works for each individual person. Good luck, and congratulations on keeping off that 130lbs! Sher

I've been taking Lexipro for about 3 mos now and it's working good for me....  I'm on a fairly low dose and really have though about increasing this, but want to try and work through it on my own.  I feel a lot less "sad" these days though.  My surgery was April 2004 so we're close....  I never had depression problems until after the weight came off.... and then a lot of things came down on me at once.  Actually the dr. said I probably always had depression symptoms, but I was able to use food as my crutch.... Since I can no longer do that I'm having to learn new ways to deal.....  Wouldn't it be nice if life were just more simple!!!! Keep your chin up and keep looking until you find something that works.  I had a few therapy sessions in the past and it really helped me to open up to some things.... I am planning on going back again.  We just have to be strong..  WE CAN DO IT Hugs. Janie

I am hoping to be help here, since this is what I do all day for others.  I think it is great your PCP is trying to help, most often people get the best results by seeing a psychiatric provider. THe effexor XR is extended release, which I think you realize, and interfering with the delivery system does effect how the med works so I wouldn't reccomend doing that without guidance from your prescriber. The best way to treat depressive disorders, anxiety disorders (actually, ANY disorder of ANY kind) is to work with the prescriber to address your symptoms and work toward fully resolving or properly managing the symptoms.  It is important to know what to expect and WHEN to expect medication to work. In this case, most of these meds take several WEEKS to start really working so if you don't know that you would not be able to tell if the med is really working or not.  And others have mentioned therapy, the combination is the best way to treat the symptoms. Let me know if you have other questions, I would be glad to help!