Meds and RNY

I inquired about sleep medications from a doctor on another site. Results from doctor were: A few things that can affect the effectivity of medication, any medication, with gastric bypass. 1) where it is absorbed can affect it e.g is the area where it is most absorbed inculded in the bypassed portion of the intestinal tract? 2) is the time it takes to be absorbed longer because the portion of the digestive tract where the medication first is broken down (as in the pills melting) in preparation for absorbtion is bypassed, so it has to be broken down in the area where it is normally absorbed. 3) as with alcohol, does it hit the blood stream faster then get out of your system faster? Which of the 3 will depend on the type of medication. I then asked specifically about Restoril and Ambien from same doctor, results: I can't really say on that, sorry, it most likely depends on the characteristics of the main chemical agent. A pharmachologist will be able to better answer that. Ambien is a sleep inducer, so the blood level is meant to be brought up quickly, then shot out of your system as quickly, so it may be 1). Restoril acts slower and longer. so it may be 2) or even 3). Someone else wrote (no idea on their knowledge level or if credentialed): Hey Dave, From others who take these "I have Heard" (so take with a grain of salt) The Ambien utilizes the same receptor sites as Iron, So one could reason it could be somewhat effected by RNY. (same as iron absorption issues) The claim of the folks at Restoril that it bypasses the typical Interactions (via CYP450 enzymes) and should metabolize very similarly to Trazadone (or Methadone for that matter) Same for all of the Benzodiazepines: alprazolam diazepam midazolam triazolam. They all binds multiple receptor sites. If its effect seems to be reduced by the RNY It could be that simply the length of bypassed intestines decreases It’s over all early absorption. (Doesn’t "hit" quite as soon…) Just my knee jerk thoughts based on my Trazadone use And other’s comments concerning Ambien.   Glad to see you "out and about" Hope you get some rest!   Dave

HI....LET ME TELL YOU THAT WHEN YOU TAKE THE AMBIEN.....IN 15 MINUTES IT WILL HIT YOU LIKE A TON OF BRICKS...SO YOU BETTER BE IN BED OR YOU WILL BE LYING ON THE FLOOR AND WHEN YOU WAKE UP THAT'S WHERE YOU WILL BE!

Others have posted on the main board and the RNY board about Ambien. It seems that some people "sleep eat" or do other bizarre things when taking Ambien too. Hadn't noted anyone reacting like you described, but some medications affect people in differing ways--some have little effect, others higher effects and very rapidly. DAVE

hi again....yes that happen to me...how scary when i came down in the morning and say food  half eaten in my kitchen, and i don't remember doing it.....