reflux, lapband, and Sertraline (zoloft) issues

YankeesFan · July 2, 2007

Hi all --

So glad I'm not the only one. After a week of antibiotics for E. coli infection (not sure it's helping, but whatever), I can take my Zoloft with yogurt BUT I can't take any other medicine at the same time. And if I don't eat enough yogurt before I take the Zoloft, I can feel the acid start almost immediately. I think there's something to this. I see my surgeon, Dr. Kurian, tomorrow and I follow up with my gastroenterologist tomorrow as well. All these problems for all these people can't be coincidence.

I have a poll regarding this issue in the general lapband discussion area. Please respond so I can show my docs that this is not an isolated incident.

Thanks!

YankeesFan · July 2, 2007

Hi --

I so feel your pain (literally). For two weeks, I could only keep down ice cream (I think the intense cold helped settle the inflammation somewhat). Lost weight but was absolutely miserable all the time. I suggest the following: 1) If your psychiatrist says it's ok, skip a day of the Zoloft to give your system a rest. 2) See about getting a slight unfill (not total) -- again to let your system sort itself out -- also see if you can take Prilosec twice per day (morning and evening) for a little while. 3) Talk with your psych about reducing the amount of Zoloft you take per day or spreading the dosage out over the course of the day. 4) Take the Zoloft after you've eaten 1/3-1/2 c of yogurt. Other than that, stay on liquids for a few days. You should feel better fairly quickly.

I was convinced my band had slipped or eroded or I had extreme gallbladder problems. But everything else is fine. It's definitely the Zoloft.

ts505050 · July 3, 2007

I started taking the zoloft with yogurt, and stopped cutting them in half. I have had zero problems in the past two days. I was positive my band had slipped, and was starting to panic. I thought all of the burning was from the size of the pills, so I kept breaking them. Won't be doing that again!

lexy · July 9, 2007

Hi: I have taken Zoloft for 14 years. Over the years (and well before I was banded) I would occassionally experience severe stomach pain, burning, vomiting, etc. etc. if I took a pill without drinking enough Water or without food. Basically, if I was in a hurry and "downed" my pill without taking care to make sure it got down properly. THE PAIN IS HORRIBLE.

Taking Zoloft was a huge consideration for me when I decided whether or not to become Banded. I was worried about my pills becoming stuck.

YOU CAN GET ZOLOFT IN

lexy · July 9, 2007

ooops... hit the wrong button....

YOU CAN GET ZOLOFT IN A liquid FORM. You simply add the drops to Water or juice and drink it.

No more Zoloft/Sertraline stomach problems.

Ask at your pharmacy, I am surprised with everyone asking their Dr. that no one thought to suggest a liquid.< /em>

The problem is not unique to Bandsters, anyone who takes Zoloft runs the risk is severe abdominal pain with a stuck pill.

Best of luck!!!

ts505050 · July 9, 2007

Thanks for the info. I guess I've been asking the wrong questions. I had no idea Zoloft came in a liquid form. I have an appt. with my psych this week. I'll check with her. THANKS!

serisla · July 14, 2007

zoloft. I just had a small camera put down my throat. it showed I had a lot of irriatation. My doctor(Dr. Luis Reyes) McAllen Texas who band me June 22, 2006 said that it was cuased by my 100mg of Zoloft that I take daily. He suggested to take my zoloft with a sip of low fat milk and 30 minutes later eat a couple of spoons of yogurt or Jello. So far I am feeling good.

Shegill · August 3, 2007

Wow. I wish this thread had existed 3 years ago when I was going through my zoloft hell. I spent the first YEAR throwing up almost daily and concocting hundreds of different ways to get my pills down without throwing up/pain/general misery. My most successful method was chewing up the pills (big mistake, I guess) and taking them with a small amount of granola and milk. Ultimately it was a failure, and I ended up having an endoscopy--I had several ulcerations. I stopped taking the zoloft (I was also taking wellbutrin, which I was able to continue to take and still do) and my stomach issues cleared up.

Now if I can only find a way to stop PBing all the time....this band is a real mixed bag. I've been fantasizing a lot lately about the sleeve.

Oh, and I do miss my zoloft. Wellbutrin's great, but the combo really was good for me.

Shegill · August 3, 2007

Oh, I forgot to add that I tried the liquid zoloft and I vomited so violently from the single dose I took that I actually thought I might be in danger of losing the band. I've never--in 3.5 years of frequent puking (I'm one of the less lucky ones in that department--v. loosely filled and still pb-ing sugar free ice cream on bad days)--experienced vomiting like that. I decided at that time (my doctor had not heard of anyone with stomach problems relating to antidepressants) that I had developed (after 8 years of taking it) an allergy to zoloft, post-band. What you ladies are describing doesn't sound like an allergy, though. Still, I'd be reluctant to go back to that pain.

ontheway · August 10, 2007

Okay...another zoloft question - actually generic setraline...I take 50 mg setraline nightly and have had some slight discomfort here and there but nothing bad until last night. I don't think I got it all the way swallowed and ended up with horrible pain....I still have what feels like a golf ball in my chest today. Has anyone else had this? I thought I would try to eat lightly today and see if the pain is leftover from last night's episode but was just curious if anyone had experience here.

Thanks!

Serena · August 10, 2007

I have been lucky so far. I've taken 200mg of Zoloft daily since 2/1992. I was alerted to the problem by this thread so I began taking the tablets after Breakfast (soy Protein shake w/ skim milk) and have not experienced any pain (I've had 2 fills so far).

I have also taken prescription NSAIDs daily for about 10 years. I'm worried about "silent" stomach damage. My best friend in the world died 7 months ago at age 44 of a perforated duodenum. He hemorrhaged (sp.) to death in a matter of seconds, and he had not complained of discomfort. Btw, he did not have WLS.

Shegill · August 12, 2007

You know, Serena, I think the best thing to do would be to schedule regular endoscopies with your surgeon. I know that having mine done when I was having the trouble with my zoloft was a real relief--just knowing the doctor was seeing the situation up close, not guessing anything based on a host of changing symptoms. Your insurance may dictate how often you can have the scope but I've never heard of anyone's surgeon refusing to do one on a patient who was actively worried or experiencing symptoms.

As for the NSAIDS, I wish I were more knowledgeable on this topic. Like most banders, I avoid them 99% of the time. But I do so largely because my stomach is VERY sensitive post-banding in a way that I would never have anticipated (I used to have an Iron gut--nothing bothered me. Now I'm like princess and the pea. Or princess and the Advil.). You should probably ask your NSAID question on the main board, because lots of folks here will respond. I remember reading something that spoke specifically to your "silent damage" concern--something about NSAIDS thinning the stomach lining in a way that can invite erosion--I don't mean to scare you, especially because I truly don't remember all of what I read. But others here will know. The fact that you have to take your prescription NSAID every day might be a problem over time..--certainly discuss this and your concerns with your doctor or his staff if you haven't already

Good luck!

Serena · August 12, 2007

Shegill,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. Having an endoscopy is an excellent idea. I wasn't even sure that one could have an endoscopy with the band. I can't lose--either I find reassurance or I'm alerted in time to avoid a potential catastrophe

My NSAID is Celebrex which keeps me mobile. I decided to call Pfizer's help line to find out if there was something I could do to minimize irritation, such as take it with Nexium. I was on the phone for 40 minutes but learned nothing. In fact, they transferred me to a pharmacist that turned out to be in India. He asked me what meds I take and then proceeded to ask me to spell them and tell him what they were for. Some expert.

Maybe I was naive, but I thought that they might help me to find a way to continue taking their product. My pharmacist thought it might help to take it in 2 smaller doses AM and PM, but Pfizer wouldn't even comment on that idea.

ladyleo868 · August 14, 2007

Oh, one more thing. Apparently of all the antidepressents Zoloft and Cymbalta are the worst.

I take Cymbalta and I don't have any problems.

aangel3234 · August 14, 2007

I am so glad I read this! I thought I was losing my mind! My zoloft is doing the same thing as ya'll mentioned. It sure is good to know you're not alone in situations like this. Also, the idea of swallowing a bite of food with it sounds like it might help, so I'm gonna try that. I've almost taken myself off of it a couple of times because of the intense burning, but then I start getting depressed and the cycle starts again. Thanks for the info...

:whoo: I'm slip sliding away!