Depression Meds advice

I posted this on the main RNY board but wanted to ask it here also. I know you guys have all the good advice. And are well respected... I'm currently on Welbutrin SR and have RNY Surgery scheduled on Dec 4th. I won't be able to take the SR pill without crushing it. Anyone know of a good alternative for a depression drug for RNY patients? I'm looking for something that doesn't have sexual side effects and is digestable for RNY patients and can be crushed if too big. Thanks,,, Bill

Bill,

Just my .02 but I'm thinking that you won't need the drugs for depression after your WLS. Hang in there buddy, the best is yet to come.

Doug

Bill, do not, under any cir****tances, stop your meds.  I'm not a doc, but I know from experience what the results can be.  You will only have to crush your pills for  a short time I think, just grin and bare it.  You may want to talk to your doc about switching to the non SR type.  If I'm not mistaken, doesnt that mean time released?  I dont think they work.  Anyway, talk to your doc before you do anything.  Be well.

John

some antidepressants come in a liquid.  Ask the doc that prescribes your meds if a liquid is an option. 

I took Welbutrin for around 8 months after my initial RNY surgery and the suggestion of my doc. I had never taken any anti-depressants before and to be honest I didn't really notice any change in my attitude or general well being. One side effect of the Wellbutrin was enhanced weight loss so that was a nice perk.

Are you sure you are supposed to crush those?

Not sure, but I don't think you can crush an SR because it is time release.  You should talk to both your doctor and pharma to find an alternative.  I was taking Welbrutin prior to my surgery, but I guess I was so happy after the surgery I never needed to get back on. Good luck, Rob

I did not take Welbutrin but I did take a pretty good size blood pressure pill. My Surgeon told me buy a pill splitter and split it. I didn't have any problems getting it down. Like every one else said, ask your surgeon.  All of this was covered in my mandatory pre-op class and was gone over again before leaving the hospital after surgery.

 

pan head

Hi Bill, I definitely wouldn't crush the Wellbutrin SR, and with surgery scheduled on the 4th you wouldn't have time to taper off of it and onto something else anyway.  You need to talk to your doc about switching to regular Wellbutrin or another SSRI that is compatible.  I know one used frequently with WLS patients is Lexipro.  Like somebody else said, I sure wouldn't go off it right now, and the best advice in this cir****tance would probably come from your surgeon.   I am not one to promote prophylactic antidepressant use (I am a psychotherapist) but I don't dispense medications or question a psychiatrists prescriptions, either.  Note that I did say psychiatrist.  After surgery you should consult with a psychiatrist if you think you need antidepressant medication.  After all, you wouldn't consult a proctologist for an ear ache, now would you     Good Luck, Charlie

Bill, Obviously, talk to your doctor. That being said, I have a good bit of experience with these things. If the Wellbutrin SR has been working well for you, you are in luck. I took the Wellbutrin SR for quite a while prior to RNY, and switched over to the generic, non-time released, version of the medication after RNY. It is called Bupropion. Google it, and talk with your doctor about it. I take 3, 100MG tab per day. Good luck, and take care. JP

I completely agree with JP.

I was on Wellbutrin SR pre-WLS and spoke with my pharmacist regarding the med after RNY. She researched the issue and said that it would not be effective after bypass surgery. She also said to not crush or cut the SR med. She recommended I talk with my Psych about going back to the regular Wellbutrin. Just like JP I was put on Bupropion HCl 100mg, a generic form of Wellbutrin. Costs 1/4 as much as the Wellbutrin SR. Works just as well (as far as I can tell, lol). I got a pill cutter from CVS and used it to cut the pill in half the first 4 weeks post surgery. Joe Bear