Question:
Will depression medication affect psychiatric evaluation
I just got on depression medication (Paxil) about a month ago.. and everything is going fine, but should I tell my psych eval doctor? I don't know what to say at a psych eval, or what not to say. Also is there a list on this site of all the psychiatrists? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks — Laydie K. (posted on July 25, 2002)
July 25, 2002
I think you will find a lot of people on this site, me included, who are on
anti-depressants, and had no probs. with the psych. eval. I have been on
Zoloft for a year now, and am 5.5 weeks post op.
— Tina B.
July 25, 2002
hi. I have been on Prozac for 7 years (i'm only 22!) and was diagnosed with
depression. I was honest and told the psychologist those two things, but
stopped there. They aren't there for counseling and really just need to
know that you are fine (which i am now, too) and that you know all about
the surgery and can handle everything that goes along with it. LIke the
previous poster said, many people are on antidepressants who are members of
this site, and who have had this surgery, so I wouldn't worry to much. If
you want to e-mail me and talk about it, feel free! ([email protected])
— Lezlie Y.
July 25, 2002
Don't worry about the psych eval. The Dr. just wants to make sure your
life is somewhat stable, and that you will stick to your post op diet.
Very few patients are actually told they can't have the surgery on the
basis of the psych eval. If I would take a wild guess, I would say that
50% of the world is on anti depressants, and about 25% more need them but
don't take them. Do not worry.
— eahutchins
July 25, 2002
More than likely you will be asked if you are on or have been on
anti-depressants. Don't lie about it because it's not too difficult for
them to find out if they wanted to. I personally wouldn't volunteer it, but
if asked, tell the truth.. Good luck!
— karmiausnic
July 25, 2002
of course you should tell the truth about ALL the meds you are on! Thr
shrink is not going to hold that against you. On the contrary, it shows
that you ARE distressed and willing to take action about your obesity. You
wouldn't hide a blood pressure med, why anything else? Also, be prepared;
many of the folks here have had to bump up their antidepressant immediately
after surgery. Geez.. one more thing, make sure your surgeon is aware of
this med and the hospital has it in liquid form for you post op. And no,
paxil does not equal Prozac, etc. I took my own meds on the second day
post op to prevent a crash bevause the hospital was not as prepared as I
was.
— Karen N.
July 25, 2002
You should tell him/her about the anti depressants. But say as little as
you can about other things and don't volunteer any extra info about
anything. You would be surprised at the little things they MAY make a big
deal about.
— Danmark
July 25, 2002
I forgot to mention that I took Prozac for a few years and it quit working
for me. Then tried some other things that were terrible. Then settled on
Welbutrin SR. But for a year post op my depression got extremely bad. Come
to find out, Wellbutrin SR is TIME RELEASE. That's not good post op. Now I
take Wellbutrin (NOT SR!). Seems to do the trick. After WLS you will have
to avoid TIME RELEASE like the plague. ;)
— Danmark
July 26, 2002
I take THREE medications for my very complicated depression (since
childhood). I also had some very major problems during my 20s and 30s that
were brought up (everything was in my chart and I had my eval. done at my
regular hospital. So I couldn't skirt any of my issues). I was very honest
about everything and was given the greenlight by the psych. And this was
Kaiser...and they don't want to approve anyone if they can help it! There
are many, many MO people who have depression and are on meds. I don't
think revealing this would make your doc even bat an eyelash. Good luck.
Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
July 26, 2002
At the time of my psych eval I was on Zoloft and had been for quite some
time...I have been on and off anti-depressants since I was 19. That did not
affect the outcome of my psych eval at all. Now, post-op, I am on
Wellbutrin and Buspar. Good luck!
— Jennifer G.
July 26, 2002
hiya
i am bipolar and take prozac and depakote...i was honest with my
psychologist and my surgeon. their concern was that without meds in
hospital, i would "decompress" -- the prozac isn't a big deal
since it has 6 week life in your system but the depakote - with 48 hours
you feel a difference. so we agreed that i would have access to a staff
psychiatrist in hospital if needed (it wasn't) and that i would continue
counseling for at least 1 year post op (i've been going for years and will
continue prolly for years! lol) anyhoo, about 1 week post op i started
feeling the need for the depakote so we tried liquid depakene but i dumped
on it so we tried depakene "sprinkles" but i had to take so many
(little ball type things insides capsules - you "sprinkle" it
onto applesauce but cannot chew them!) that i couldn't do it so about 3
weeks post op my doc put me on the lowest dose of depakote which are little
pills and lo and behold i've been on that dose ever since!
i feel you need to be honest with your docs - lots of obese people have
depression - and some clears up after surgery but others it doesn't...
you can email me if you want to talk: [email protected]
good luck!
— jkb
July 26, 2002
I have been on antidepressants since I was a teenager. I was also in the
hospital for psychiatric reasons 1 week before my RNY. My doctors didn't
have any problems approving me for surgery and said if anything, this
surgery will help improve my self-worth and self-esteem. Please be honest
with your care providers, they know what's best.
— cjabates
July 27, 2002
Thanks everyone for posting your responses, it helped me out tremendously.
I didn't volunteer the information but when he asked I told him. He said it
was fine, and that he can't hold that against me. One thing he did say is
that Paxil makes you gain weight. My boyfriend thinks he said that just to
see what kind of a reaction I would have. Either way he gave me the
approval, so i'm blessed. Thanks guys.
— Laydie K.
Click Here to Return