stormy Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 So my dr and I had a discussion. He said maybe since I am now losing weight that we could adjust my medication. I am beginning to think this is a bad idea. Let me tell you my issues. I have something called Premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD. I have also had anxiety and depression issues most of my life. With a little of PTSD, Post Traumic Stress Disorder thrown in there. I guess it sounds like I am a mess. But really I'm not. I take Zoloft, resperdal and topamax. The Zoloft is about 200 mg. The rest are only 10 mg. The dr thought since I am losing weight that we could lower the Zoloft to 150. Oh my God, let me tell you, I am a freakin mess. I can't stand the way my house is, it is a mess, I have lost complete control. I am depressed and concerned because I feel consumed by this Anxiety I am now feeling. It has only been about 5 days. I can not believe how awful this has made me feel. I can almost eat anything I want and trust me, I have been. Not to the point of over eating but forgetting sometimes to chew enough and it still goes down. I guess my first fill didn't take. I am worried about that, I am worried about my job, bills. I am mad that I can't lower this stuff and be normal. Am I doomed to be on this forever? I am now PMSing which makes the PMDD come out and I am short with my husband and freaking out about almost anything that is out of control. So I guess I must go back on my medication, back up to 200 mg. I guess it was worth a try. Has anyone lowered their meds and actually had it stick? One concern I have had is if I do get real restriction, it is going to be harder to take my meds. I tried crushing them, I can't do it, I throw it up. Anyway, thanks for letting me rant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlag Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I am so sorry you are going thru this. The only medication I was on was for diabetes and I have stopped all diabetic meds and doing great. I just wanted to tell you that usually the first fill does not do much. Very few people will have restriction after the first fill. I was still able to eat bread and etc after my first and second fill. Don't feel like you are doing wrong, things will get better. I agree with you about talking to your doctor, maybe it is too soon to cut down on the Zoloft. You know your body best, so I would let the doctor know you need back on the old dose. I wish you the best of luck. My thoughts are with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SValentino Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 For me, whenever I decreased depression med doses, I was a mess too. I'm not on anything else. Just one med. Lowering the dose, at this time, for me, would be a big mistake. Maybe just take it slow. Hang in there, girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulytangledgrl Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Stormy and others ~~ I know exactly what you are going through. I, too, have struggled with mental health issues. Its funny, stormy, that you posted this beause at this current time I am going through a LOT of anxiety myself and my partner has no idea how to deal with me. Lets see... major depressive disorder, panic disorder and severe mood disturbance - - not to the point of bi-polar disorder or anything but I havr severe mood swings. I currently take 300 MG wellbutrin xr in am, 275 mg effexor XR at night, 1 mg of Clonazepam (klonopin) for severe panic attacks - - I take 1 pill 4 times per day. So, I, too, probably seem like I am A HUGEEEEE mess. I am, actually. Without my meds I cannot function. If I lower my doses I cannot function. My point is, just because you lose weight doesn't always mean that your body/psyche will be OKAY with a lower dose - - ya know? I am actually experiencing severe mood disturbance at this current time myself because I am under a lot of stress. I work with teenagers I am a social worker. One of my 19 year old girls passed away in a car accident 2 weeks ago. I also do one-on-one therapy with adults for my field placement for school (getting my Master's degree in Social Work) and one of my clients has been on a ventilator in the ICU due to suicide attempt. SO. been very hellish past 2 weeks for me. Anyhow, my anxiety is through the roof, depression throug the roof, and my compulsiveness and need to be in control is through the roof. Not sure what to do. Can't increase either of my wellbutrin or effexor... already on max dosage. Ugh. I was thinking maybe I can get my psych. to add in Abilify which is a potent mood stabilizer. Hmmmm. Anyhow, thanks for allowing me to vent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julieburns Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Stormy, I am a firm believer that this (meaning after being banded less than one year) is not the time to be changing up medications that you have been using to help with mental health issues. I am sure it would not surprise you to know that I too suffer from several of the same issues as you and Carrie mentioned. I think after being banded for the first year especially we are going through so many more emotions because of the band. We are grieving the loss of food, we are excited to have a "new" lease on life and to follow the recommended eating plan and exercise regime is very difficult and adds to our stress. Just because you have lost some weight your brain has not changed chemically and this is where these types of meds do their work. I am not even sure that if you lost #100 pounds if a competent mental health specialist would think it necessary to cut down on meds. If you are still dealing with the same issues as well as the new band life I don't think your weight related to these types of medication is relevant. Yes certain meds are dosed based on body weight but not psych meds that I know of. There may be some and if so and you are on one of those then yes maybe consider downing dosage after like #50. I encourage you to not get caught up in the stigma of having to take these life saving meds. If you had a heart condition or any other medical diagnoses I don't think you would want to not take what is necessary for you. Too many changes at once causes chaos as I am sure you know now. Get back to your regular dose of Zoloft and perhaps revisit this in 6 months to a year when your weight has stabilized and your are fully adjusted to the band life. You deserve not to feel so out of control so be gentle with yourself and don't try to change too much at once. Hang in there, I care. EDIT: When I wrote this I took for granted the fact that Stormy would call her physician today with her symptoms. I never profess to be a doctor just giving out what I have learned in my 20+ years as a nurse. It seemed not needed to say Call your doctor as it was the obvious thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I would suggest that you get a second opinion from a CERTIFIED doctor. Your doctor is giving you advice for a reason in keeping with the program he's placed you on. If you are unsettled or unhappy with that advice see another doctor. People in the forums do not know your present situation or your medical history. This is clearly a medical question that needs to be addressed in the proper venue. Jann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona-camille Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 You know yourself and your body Stormy. A doctor isn't God. If you KNOW you are feeling horrible after he told you to change the dose, then call him and tell him you are not happy with his recommendation. I would never assume that my doctor was the sole decison maker in my healthcare. I am a part of that decision and never ever rely on his advice 100% of the time. Doctors make mistakes too, we are all human. So, if you aren't don't feel right then you know he was wrong and you need to get back on track with whatever makes YOU feel right. Julie has some VERY good advice in her post and I have to agree that weight loss and banding really wouldn't change the chemical compound in your brain, especially not his early on, so to decrease your meds, seems kind of strange at this point. I'd give him a call ASAP and tell him how you are feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormy Posted November 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Thank you for your response. Julie you are right. I had a real heart to heart with my dr today. He knows how much I want to be free of the medication and that the fact I am on it was because of a very bad situation that occured years back. Trulytangledgrl, I too am a social worker and it is very tough work, you should be very proud of the work you do. After our talk he is in agreement with my decision to raise the dose back up to 200 mg but lowering again is not completely out of the question. I agreed with alot of what you said Julie and when I told him about the forum and what you said, he agreed that in another 6 months, we should look at what I have lost in weight and consider trying again. He thinks that having the support of this forum has been a great benefit to me and thinks that the band will also help with some of the issues I have had with my self esteem. I have lost another 2 pounds this week and I feel really good about it. I was shocked to see a loss at all because I had been nibbling. I know I am PMSing and I will be bloating and that I may go back up. But I have to accept that. It is a monthly challenge I guess. I took my 200 mg last night and the body aches are starting to go away. One of the things I was having real anxiety about was my house and my job. Today I got up, cleaned one room and then went to work. I was late but I made it. They sent me to a new location to help them catch up on work and I was really worried about being there because I dont know anyone. But I got there and they knew who I was and thanked me over and over for coming. It was very nice. I felt so appreciated. I will only be there until Friday but I am going to work very hard while I am there. Thank you so much for responding. This forum is so great. With the information I get here, I can sit down and make a good decision, with the help of my lapband friends. You guys rock!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ackovach Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Stormy, I am so glad that you are feeling better. You have been in my thoughts and prayers over the past few days. I struggle with anxiety and depression too. I really have to fight to stay above it. I have been off my medication for over a year now. But it was rough getting off of it. Thinking of you, Amy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jms462001 Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I hope everyone can get the medication issues worked out and I hope someone might be able to help me with my question. I was told to get all of my meds changed to liquid or chewable before surgery. I take 300mg wellbutrin XL generic. My primary Dr says it comes in neither. What should I do? Thanks in advance!. He had no advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julieburns Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I hope everyone can get the medication issues worked out and I hope someone might be able to help me with my question. I was told to get all of my meds changed to liquid or chewable before surgery. I take 300mg wellbutrin XL generic. My primary Dr says it comes in neither. What should I do? Thanks in advance!. He had no advice. Some pills just can't be crushed nor come in liquids. I have some like that and it is crucial I not miss a dose. I just took it with sips of water and went slowly. I had no problems after surgery but my pills were not huge horse pills or large capsules either. You have to do what you have to do. Do ask Dr. Ortiz or one of his associates about this at the time of surgery but I bet they'll say to take it. That's not one to miss for sure!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Some meds are prescribed by patient weight. Some meds are prescribed by the current levels of hormone in the patient's body and bolstered to get within "normal" limits. The hormones your brain need to function are generally not weight based, but based on your body's ability to make or metabolize current hormones. Zoloft falls into the 2nd category, but one of the upsides of weight loss is a sense of increased control and increased happiness. A decrease in dosage is related to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jms462001 Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Some pills just can't be crushed nor come in liquids. I have some like that and it is crucial I not miss a dose. I just took it with sips of water and went slowly. I had no problems after surgery but my pills were not huge horse pills or large capsules either. You have to do what you have to do. Do ask Dr. Ortiz or one of his associates about this at the time of surgery but I bet they'll say to take it. That's not one to miss for sure!! So, did you cut it in half or swallow it whole? No problems? After you were healed, did you just start taking all of your meds in their pill form without any problems? My Dr had said at the consult that if they will go through the top of a water bottle, they are ok to swallow, I have just been paranoid from all the posts I have read here. And, of course, I was told to get everything converted to liquid or chewable before surgery. Thanks for the info!! 6 days to go!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormy Posted November 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 I took my meds on about day 4 of trying to crush them up and getting ill from the taste. I have had no problems with them. I take them one at a time and very slowly. Even since my fill, I still have been able to take them. My husband and I both talked to Dr O about it and he said that if you have to take a time released medication that is capsule that you just have to do it and hope that it dont hurt. He was kinda funny about it. He was so cute. He and my husband talked about his meds and my husband takes a capsule and has had no issues. Now we have only had one fill so I am not sure about future fills but we will just have to deal with it as it comes along. Really only you can make the decision of how you want to do it. Crushed or not, it really your choice. I myself could not handle the nasty awful taste. UG! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julieburns Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 I hope everyone can get the medication issues worked out and I hope someone might be able to help me with my question. I was told to get all of my meds changed to liquid or chewable before surgery. I take 300mg wellbutrin XL generic. My primary Dr says it comes in neither. What should I do? Thanks in advance!. He had no advice. Just one more thing, I don't think you should cut or crush the medicine you are on. It is an extended release form. If you cut or crush it you will get more medicine right away and then not what you need later in the day. Double check this with your pharmacist for sure. And try not to worry too much about it, just swallow it and sip on that water to help it go down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dontondan Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Stormy-girl! You certainly have your probs! Hopefully you are feeling better now and changing meds is not always the answer, I am also on a lot of medications and was all excited to stop my meds as I am healthier, but after seeing the Dr. on Monday they want me to continue on all my medications regardless of not being diabetic any longer and no longer having hypertension! Oh well, I will do what they tell me and see another Dr. for another opinion. I used to take my medications in the morning, but found I couldn't keep them down then and had to switch the times that I take them and now all is well, but my Dr. wants me to take my Diabetes medication when I eat.....well, I will try, but it is a big-ass pill! Can't promise it will stay in! LOL! I would not be able to handle things if they stopped or reduced my Prozac....I don't care how much weight I lose, I still fight with depression at times and my family likes it better when I am on the happy stuff! You can also check with the pharmacist to see what they can recommend if you have difficulty taking your medications...they may have a smaller tablet, or a different way to take it. I never had a problem until after my second fill and then I could keep the pills down some days, but other days would be throwing them back up. Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormy Posted November 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Stormy-girl! You certainly have your probs! Hopefully you are feeling better now and changing meds is not always the answer, I am also on a lot of medications and was all excited to stop my meds as I am healthier, but after seeing the Dr. on Monday they want me to continue on all my medications regardless of not being diabetic any longer and no longer having hypertension! Oh well, I will do what they tell me and see another Dr. for another opinion. I used to take my medications in the morning, but found I couldn't keep them down then and had to switch the times that I take them and now all is well, but my Dr. wants me to take my Diabetes medication when I eat.....well, I will try, but it is a big-ass pill! Can't promise it will stay in! LOL! I would not be able to handle things if they stopped or reduced my Prozac....I don't care how much weight I lose, I still fight with depression at times and my family likes it better when I am on the happy stuff! You can also check with the pharmacist to see what they can recommend if you have difficulty taking your medications...they may have a smaller tablet, or a different way to take it. I never had a problem until after my second fill and then I could keep the pills down some days, but other days would be throwing them back up.Donna I dont have half the problems that other people have thank goodness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfuture88 Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 I am a psych Nurse Practitioner. ZOLOFT is NOT weight dependent. Stupid to decrease the dose because you are losing weight. If you feel okay the dose is okay. Why stir the pot. Afterall, your brain didn't lose weight. Just dumb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfuture88 Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 I hope everyone can get the medication issues worked out and I hope someone might be able to help me with my question. I was told to get all of my meds changed to liquid or chewable before surgery. I take 300mg wellbutrin XL generic. My primary Dr says it comes in neither. What should I do? Thanks in advance!. He had no advice. If you take 100 of reg wellbutrin 3x/day, it is the same as 300 xl If you take 150 mg of wellbutrin SR, twice a day, it is the same as 300 xl You can cut the regular if you have to, but it also comes in 75 mg which may be a smaller pill. Might have to take 2 in the am and 2 in the pm but maybe able to get them down easier. It is a pain in the ass to take any pill more than once a day but that is what patients did before the xl came out. If the doctor that had no advice is not a psychiatrist but rather your PCP, go to a psychiatrist because he would have known this!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 I am a psych Nurse Practitioner. ZOLOFT is NOT weight dependent. Stupid to decrease the dose because you are losing weight. If you feel okay the dose is okay. Why stir the pot. Afterall, your brain didn't lose weight. Just dumb. THANK YOU. That's what I just said, only you said it way better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzyJude Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Hi,I used to be pretty obese and started putting on a lot of weight especially on my thighs and bottom in my late thirties. I started exercising as often as possible and also cut down on a lot of high calorie stuff. Unfortunately I hardly managed to lose much weight at all. I then recently read an article by a lady who claimed that she managed to lose nearly half of her weight using a particular weight loss supplement. I tried it out and it actually worked quite well. Within 4 months I managed to lose about 65 pounds. The results were pretty amazing and I feel so much healthier and energetic now. You can read more about the lady's article at http://www.obesityzapped.com Jennifer ~ have you had your band surgery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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