I've been on and off antidepressants for years and years. After losing all this weight (almost 100 lbs) I feel so much happier and feel Im ready. I e gone of of Zoloft and Paxil before, both with horrible, horrible withdrawals. I am currently on 60mg of Cymbalta and under the Dr's care I'm reducing my intake to 30mg a day for a few weeks, and then 20, and so on. This is day 3 and I already feel crappy. Sad, down, dizzy, brain zaps, exhausted, and I'd say worse of all....HUNGRY! Has anyone done this after surgery? I am wondering if I should wait until Im further out. I'm lost.

Weight loss does not cure depression. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. I am on an antidepressant and I don't think I should be off of it no matter my weightloss.

I've been on and off antidepressants for years and years. After losing all this weight (almost 100 lbs) I feel so much happier and feel Im ready. I e gone of of Zoloft and Paxil before' date=' both with horrible, horrible withdrawals. I am currently on 60mg of Cymbalta and under the Dr's care I'm reducing my intake to 30mg a day for a few weeks, and then 20, and so on. This is day 3 and I already feel crappy. Sad, down, dizzy, brain zaps, exhausted, and I'd say worse of all....HUNGRY! Has anyone done this after surgery? I am wondering if I should wait until Im further out. I'm lost.[/quote']

It's going to take a couple weeks for your brain chemistry to level out (4-6 really). If you really feel the need to be off the med, it's going to take some time to levelize unfortunately. Depression is interesting. Fat produces estrogen which really can wreak havoc on your emotions. Even though depression is a brain chemistry issue, massive weight loss really can change things (plus, many of us are miserable when we are so obese...tired, achy, everything is a struggle....removing those factors alone can improve depression.

Good luck!!!!!!

HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 205

You have to be really careful with this. At the year out mark or less, we often have the "High" of losing. Some people take themselves off meds and end up crashing and burning later. Not to scare you but this is one reason that may account for the high suicide rate post op. please only go off meds while being tightly monitored.

Girlfriend, you gotta be careful with this!!! I'm on Effexor and Paxil. I've tried to quit both within the past few months and popped back on them by Day 3. My soon-to-be-ex PCP took me off Paxil cold turkey. TERRIBLE withdrawals! I had to go to a psychiatric nurse practitioner for help, and she put me back on it. I'm much better now.

I had my surgery on 6/24, and they wouldn't let me take either one in the hospital. I was in for six days and by Day 4 I was having full out panic attacks. Needless to day, my surgeon put me back on them the next day.

I have accepted that I will be on them for life. Depression is a chemical imbalance. If you feel good, then the meds are doing what they are suppose to do. If you're having withdrawal (like brain zaps...had those when I tried to quit Effexor), it's just not worth it.

Depression needs to be treated just like any other ailment. From experience, I would say stay on them. Personally, its not worth the withdrawal for me.

Louisville, KY ~ RNY June 2013 ~ Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Absolutely! I blame my chronic depression initially for my obesity, and then my obesity causes more depression - its the vicious cycle. I will never go off my meds.

And to any of your non-supportive spouses or friends-- WHAM! Thats my fryin pan smackin them upside the head. Hope that makes anyone out there feel better.

Absolutely! I blame my chronic depression initially for my obesity' date=' and then my obesity causes more depression - its the vicious cycle. I will never go off my meds.

And to any of your non-supportive spouses or friends-- WHAM! Thats my fryin pan smackin them upside the head. Hope that makes anyone out there feel better.[/quote']

Lol. Love this

I agree although bring overweight contributed to depression , it's not the cause and I have been on lamictal and Zoloft for 6 years and I'll be on it for the rest of my life because I have a chemical imbalance and helps level me....