Question:
can I absorb my mood stabilzers and sleep medication?

lithium, neurondin, trazadone, catapress at five weeks post op am I absorbing the above medications? I've been crushing the pills and putting them in juice, yogurt, etc. Also tried liquid versions. Not only is the taste horrible, I'm getting feelings of my original symptoms.    — phyllisbrown (posted on August 16, 2006)

August 16, 2006
i'm eager to know that answer to that question, too. i'm going to have lap band surgery and am wondering how my mood meds (lithium, celexa, seroquel, etc) will absorb. hopefully, we'll learn about this together. good luck to you!
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 16, 2006
You should absorb your meds the same, in fact as you lose weight, you MAY need less of the med. You know how when you get anesthesia they ask how much you weigh? It's because when you weigh more, you need more of the drug. Same for psych drugs. I have bipolar - take lamictal, cymbalta, topamax and klonopin. At 5 weeks post-op you're right on target to be getting feelings of your original symptons. This is because your body is in ketosis and your hormones are going haywire! Your body doesn't know what to think. So at this point, a visit to the doc may be required to readjust some of your meds. But this is temporary and you'll settle down. I haven't had to change any of my meds yet and I'm usually quite a difficult case! lol. Please go see your doc...don't suffer. Best wishes to you as you continue your journey!
   — platypus

August 16, 2006
I know Deseryl isn't a blood level drug, but Lithium and Catapress are so is Neurotin. There is a Catapress patch if it's not working orally. I had to come off my Neurotin before my surgury. I had been on Depakote also which is a blood level medication. I came off cause my doctor wouldn't do surgury if I was on it. I'm bi-polar also. Just taking Cymbalta daily and Vistaril prn for anxiety issues.
   — Deborah Joyner

August 17, 2006
I suggest you discuss it with your surgeon. I had to wait a few weeks after surgery to go back on my depression meds.
   — Novashannon

August 17, 2006
I had my surgery 2 months ago and pre-op was on Celebrex, Effexor XR, Xanax, Synthroid and Avinza (time release morphine) all orally. First thing I did was get off the celebrex because it is too damaging to your pouch as it can cause ulcers. I just live without it now. The smaller pills, synthroid and xanax, I can take whole. I found that after I switched ot the non extended release Effexor that it was making me sick, and the time release morphine wasn't absorbing correctly. I am now on liquid prozac and liquid morphine. Recently I've had a sinus infection and I've been using the melt in your mouth Claritin, and liquid antibiotics. I've been told no time release meds because they don't absorb the same. Be sure to let your doctors know, and ask your surgeon. He should have a list of meds that you shouldn't be taking. If you must take a liquid version, ask the pharmacy to flavor it for you. Most will for little to no charge. I have the Prozac liquid flavored and it's much easier to tollerate. The antibiotic was the childrens preflavored at a dose that was right for my weight. It's a challenge but you can do this!
   — oceanrayne

August 17, 2006
Are any of them causing any gastric distress? You'd have to ask your pharmacist if they are all OK to crush. With some, intended for slow release, crushing releases all of the meds NOW. We tend not to do too well with time release meds. At 5 weeks, are you having any issues with vomiting or nausea? I'm asking because I never have crushed a pill. I cut 'em in half for 30 days and then took them without issue. Personally, I do not do real juice or yogurt as they are WAY too high in sugar. Some meds are neutralized by the dairy in the yogurt or the acids in juice, but again, the pharmacist knows every tiny detail about meds.
   — vitalady

August 21, 2006
If you're having symptoms, talk to prescriber . . . very likely that you need a higher dose, as you are malabsorbing them. RnYers are going to malabsorb some of everything that we put in our faces, EXCEPT sugars, and simple carbs. My doc titrated my dose after surgery . . .
   — rayehawk