medications after gastric bypass surgery

Hi all. The psychiatrist told me last week that most of my medicines won't work post op. Especially my Cymbalta and bubprion for anxiety and depression.

Has anyone been told that their meds won't work after surgery?? Thanks. Nancy G.

Your psychiatrist is on the ball. You may need different medications due to malabsorption.

In general, most meds work fine. It's the extended release versions that are the problem.

What versions of drugs, specifically, are you taking?

There are a lot of folks here on active treatment for depression, bipolar, and many other things. They all find meds that work just great for them. It just takes a little more knowledge to get things right.

I take Cymbalta. My Psychiatrist treats many with eating disorders and post wls. On discharge from the hospital my Cymbalta was changed to Effexor, supposed to be comparable in effects but better absorbed. I had a very unpleasant time. My Psych immediately changed me back to Cymbalta in 2 doses, 30 mg in the am and pm and I have been great ever since.

Although we all have wls, mine being RnY, we are individuals and our bodies can react differently.

I agree, with the other responders. In addition, you and your physician will have to work together...probably multiple times, along your journey, as your weight decreases/hormones run amuck/etc...

In the past 15 years I have only had to change meds 3 times, all together...and, of course, it all has to be gradually, with doses titrated, etc...

Just one more small inconvenience, for HEALTH !!!

I am also on Cymbalta and about a month after I could feel my moods slipping again. My Dr. moved my dosage up and so far I am doing OK. We will see how it goes. The only thing I didn't like about it at first was the side effect of sweating. After a couple of weeks the effect went away. Before surgery it took me 2 years of trying 5 different pills with 9 different dosage changes to find the right ones for me. The side effects are what really got me. Not to mention the weight gain too. Good luck. I hope you find your special dose.

Mine did so we worked to transition me prior to my surgery date. I'm doing fine on my new meds!

I take Cymbalta, amitriptyline and Lyrica for mental health and Fibromyalgia. My lyrica has to be dosed out to three times a day but everything else stayed the same. I am having no issues. I agree with one of the members above. It is the timed-release or long-acting that can pose a problem.

Nancy, I am sorry that you are feeling anxious, that is certainly one thing that we (mental health survivors) do not need more of.

Best of Luck!!

Jackie

I was actually just talking to one of the nurses at TWH about this. I've been on escitalopram for a bit and we're adding bupropion to help balance things out. They told me that we would just have to split it up into multiple doses to make sure I absorb as much as possible, and worst case scenario we'd increase the dose until I'm absorbing the amount I need. I don't know about Cymbalta, but I assume it's the same principle.