Question:
Does taking an anti-depressant matter?

I am pre-op and have had anxiety/depression for years. I have only been on meds for it once in mylife and that was five years ago. Recently with all of the doctors appointments and worries I am becoming more and more depressed and am having panic attacks more and more. I know that when I go to the doctor I can expect trembling, dizziness, muscle tension and a few other syptoms. Sometimes I can't breath and want to just escape. I am going to the doctor the 16th and was wondering it I asked for meds would it b a strike against me for qulifying for the surgery? And will it affect the psyche evaluation, I mean by admitting I have a problem can they tell me I won't be able to handle it even if I know all of the risks and changes that have to be made and I am prepared to make this decision? Thanks.    — Caroline C. (posted on April 12, 2002)

April 11, 2002
On the contrary, admitting you have a problem is a sign of mental health. You don't need to suffer so much, there are wonderful meds that many of us take that enable us to live full and anxiety free lives. Go for it and don't stop after surgery.
   — faybay

April 11, 2002
Hi Caroline. I have been on and off anti-depressants for 7 years or so. I have been taking one steadily since July 2000. It did not affect my chance to have surgery, nor did it affect my psych evaluation. It is true, it is much better to be aware that you have this situation then to try and hide it or deny it. I had my open RNY on 2/11/02 and am very fortunate that everything went quickly and with no problems as far as getting approved and getting my date. Good luck to you!
   — Jennifer G.

April 11, 2002
Caroline, I have been on anti depressants and anxiety medication for ten years. The fact is that depression and anxiety are a comorbid of obesity in many cases. It won't hurt your chances, it will even help some if you are having difficulties with insurance...these drugs are not cheap. Good luck, and get the help you need. These conditions should not be taken lightly.
   — Laurie V.

April 11, 2002
Hi Caroline - I can fully relate to what you're going through. I too have suffered from depression with anxiety for several years. Following a misdiagnosis of manic depression(from a pulmonologist I went to for sleep apnea!!!), my psychiatrist has categorized me as simply having a "mood disorder." I have fought the notion for a very long time, fought taking the meds since the misdiagnosis put me through a year and a half of pure hell where I was on half a dozen different meds which made me much worse than I was to start with. I now take 40mg of Celexa and an occasional Xanax .25mg (Xanax can be quite addictive, so be careful there). The key is that I have come to accept my mental/emotional limitations as the same type of illness as high blood pressure or diabetes, I need medication or I cannot function, period. Once in awhile I need a little extra help, that's when I take the Xanax. The Celexa helps so that I don't end up in a deep depression again. When I told my psychiatrist a few weeks ago that I have researched WLS for several months now and would like him to write a letter to OK it, he was incredibly supportive. I believe it's better to admit you need some help and get that help before being sent to a WLS psychiatrist who does not know you. Even if my surgeon's office needs me to be seen by their psych, I will be able to do that while I'm feeling my best...on my medication. I won't go into the WLS surgeon's office in denial or during a full blown anxiety attack (you and I both know, that isn't a pretty site). Good Luck to you, you are not alone. :) God Bless - Anna
   — Anna L.

April 12, 2002
Caroline: I have been taking an antidepressant now for several years and it has made a MAJOR difference in my life! Part of my problem stemmed from going through menopause, but the rest is from my being obese. (Imagine going through this while trying to teach teenagers!) If you have the problem, take the medication. Your PCP can start you out with something "light" and increase it if the need arises. I now take Serzone and it has done wonders.
   — Gail G.

April 12, 2002
Wow!! This is a super question. Many of us know that Depression and anxiety can sometimes go hand in hand with MO. Even the thinest person would have these problems if they were treated as badly as MO people often are. But for those people like you who are apprehensive about it I hope they read your question and these answers. Depression and anxiety are a serious comorbidity of MO and this can only help to make doctors and insurance companies realize that you need this surgery. I have heard so many post-ops say that they are able to go completely of meds after loosing even just part of the excess weight. Being MO can really mess up your mind as well as your body. I have been on Effexor XR and Wellbutrin for a long time for depression and anxiety. Like one of the previous posters I was misdiagnosed as manic depressive. They kept giving all kinds of meds that were not working. And these people were PSYCH DOCTORS. Finally my pcp said it didn't sound like I was manic depressive but just depressed with severe anxiety. She put me on my current meds and I feel wonderful. Please see your pcp as soon as possible. DON'T put this off. I promise you will feel so much better!! Good luck to you and God bless!!
   — Karen W.

April 14, 2002
First of all thank you for responding. I was really hiding this for a long time because I, in all honesty, am so ashamed. I suppose its normal to go through a whole list of syptoms once you actually realize you need help. On top of it all of the medical problems are finally coming to my attention now because I am forcing myself to go to the doctor and asking questions despite my extreme nervousness and fear. It seems like the more I talk the more I find out. So far I am more unhealthy now than I was a year ago simply because I never said anything and it really, for lack of a better word, sucks(what you don't know won't hurt you when in reality it will kill you). I am doing this because I really want a "normal" life. Simple things everyone else takes for granted like walking a long distance! When my friends call and wail about being fat because they have gained ten pounds I want to scream at the insensitivity of it when it really isn't thier fault. Always tired, never feeling good and having aches and pains at only 18 years old was really starting to make me a bitter person. I looked at my health, my quality of life and realized something had to change. If I failed another diet after a long line of failures I just knew I would go mad. Ultimately I had to make a decision and I think I have made the right one.
   — Caroline C.

April 14, 2002
I just wanted to add one thing. There are many anti-depressants out there. I tried several before I found one that worked well for me. If you start taking something and it doesn't seem to be helping (give it a few weeks) talk to a doctor about it. They can switch to another and then you can see if it works. Please don't assume that because one didn't work for you that none of them will.
   — garw