Antidepressants after surgery

[AZ/Janice 4]

In one if my nutritional classes we were told that antidepressant medications can cause problems after surgery because of their side effects like nausea, abdominal pain, gas & a feeling of fullness. I have been taking Lexapro for a few years & since my surgery I have been struggling with eating solids & gas. It seems like i always feel full & bloated. I actually came home from work early today because I got bad abdominal pain trying to eat. I follow all the rules & don't eat anything I shouldn't. I also make sure to stop drinking 30 minutes before eating. My surgery was May 1st & I have lost a total of 39 pounds. I am not sure if I should stop taking the Lexapro or just cut down my dose & see what happens. Anyone out there going through anything similar? I love this forum because we are all in the same boat & can share our experiences with each other.

[thesupportedhalf 66]

Hi I asked my gp and surgeon before my surgery about taking medication/ anti depressants. I take cymbalta and was told that the tallest would have no side effect whatsoever, however the surgery can have an effect on the medication. This is because the tablets are time released and we have smaller stomachs now, so me digest a lot quicker, we may not be getting full effect from them. I have had to get blood tests to check

Paul

[thesupportedhalf 66]

Forgot to mention this is before and after my sleeve in dec 2012, and now with my bypass 29/5

[JanetteH 80]

Hi Janice,

I haven't heard about that problem. I take another anti-depressant and have not had that side effect. Please do NOT stop taking Lexapro on your own - you might have serious side effects. Talk to your surgeon or Primary Care Physician before taking any action. For other reasons, I am being weaned off my drug slowly by my PCP - and I mean slowly - half every day for several weeks and then half every other day etc. Never stop taking a drug without a doctor's supervision.

[Sparklingbeauty53 202]

I take celexa and have had no problems. I believe the fullness you are feeling is normal and not related to the Lexapro at all. It is a small stomach now and you are going to be full a lot now.

[Chelly 364]

I take three anti depressants, Lexapro, Abilify, and Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin in time released and had to change the dosage to taking a couple times a day.

I never heard about anti depressants causing problems with surgery.

I would check with your psychiatrist before ever going off your Lexapro because it dangerous going off a med like that without being weaned off of it slowly.

The gas probably is a reaction to the food you might be consuming. I have found I can't eat certain things any more because they cause that problem. You also could have an adverse reaction to dairy, and this can happen for awhile after surgery.

Please check in with your PCP or surgeon about this dietary problem.

[AZ/Janice 4]

Thanks everyone for all your responses! I am going to see my PCP next week.

[Marathongirl 106]

I have bipolar and take an anti-depressant, anti-pyschotic, and an anti-convulsant. I've taken celexa for over 6 years and it's the only one that hasn't bothered me yet. I do think these meds keep me from losing as quickly as some others, but I need them!!!

I would talk to your doctor and see if it truly is the lexapro that is bothering you. Remember, it's better to have a little physical pain, than mental (but just my opinion).

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I haven't heard of anti-depressants causing gas but I know some can cause weight gain. Regardless, you need to stay stable on your meds!

I take Wellbutrin and Lamictal. In the hospital they split Lamictal 100 mg into 4 tiny 25 mg pills for me to swallow. Two in the morning, 2 at night. They went down fine. For some reason they never ordered my Wellbutrin in the hospital so I missed two days but just swallowed the pill the night I came home. Psych doc was supposed to call in a dosage not extended release but never made the call (common for my psych) so I'm still taking the same dose extended release. Having no problem swallowing the pills.

Be sure to take care of yourself.

Ginger

[Kimteehee 21]

I'm going in for my surgery on June 26th and I have talked to my doc about my anti depressants. I switched to liquid lexapro and they gave me a script for time released generic Wellbutrin. I do worry about my depression and not being able to take solid pills for a while. How long after surgery do we have to wait to take pill form meds?

[Chelly 364]

I took them the day after surgery my pills.< /p>

Never had liquid of anything.

Good luck with your surgery.

[Miss Mac 6,262]

My Wellbutrin was doubled after surgery.......no problems from it.

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

My surgeon changed my plan after surgery. Surgery June 9th. The first week I took my anti-depressant and mood stabilizer pills. After a stint in the hospital this weekend with pneumonia, he told me to stop all the psych meds until I see him this coming Friday. I thought that was a little weird but I'm all for it because I really want to get off those meds anyway. He really didn't tell me why and I probably should have asked but I'm ok with that for this week.

[Marathongirl 106]

I'm going in for my surgery on June 26th and I have talked to my doc about my anti depressants. I switched to liquid lexapro and they gave me a script for time released generic Wellbutrin. I do worry about my depression and not being able to take solid pills for a while. How long after surgery do we have to wait to take pill form meds?

I took all my psych meds while in the hospital. I took everything in pill form. It didn't bother me at all.

[Marathongirl 106]

My surgeon changed my plan after surgery. Surgery June 9th. The first week I took my anti-depressant and mood stabilizer pills. After a stint in the hospital this weekend with pneumonia, he told me to stop all the psych meds until I see him this coming Friday. I thought that was a little weird but I'm all for it because I really want to get off those meds anyway. He really didn't tell me why and I probably should have asked but I'm ok with that for this week.

Wow! Your doctor wanted you stop your psych meds cold turkey. Brave doc there. Please be careful. Just stopping them like that can cause a lot of problems. I hope you'll be okay!