Anti-Depressants

Hey Hyster Sisters, I have a question. I have been on anti-depressants (first Zoloft for 2 years and now Celexa) for about 5 years. Did any of you go on them before or more importantly after the surgery? My doc wants to take everything and I am nervous about HRT afterwards.... I don't want depression to kick in worse. I have no idea what to expect on the depression side of it. Thanks for any help or experiences you share!
I am nervous but ready to finally get on with a pain free life~!

Hi, Goldensam, I went on Lexapro at my 4 week checkup. I am now 8 weeks post op and havent felt this good in a long time.
My personal opinion is that a hysterectomy is more emotional than what we are ever told. It just depends on the person, you may do fine without the antidepressants, I would just stay in close contact with your dr and let him know how you are feeling. I also kept my ovaries and am not on hrt so I really cant say how that will go. I wish you the best of luck, Carol

Hi,
I've been on zolft for a few years now. While I felt emotional, on a few days, since my surgery last month, I haven't gone into a funk. Expect that you'll have good days and bad. On the bad days, remember there are good days to come and why you had your surgery in the first place.

My motto is always "be kind to yourself." You'll feel a myriad of emotions over the next weeks. I cried, I laughed, I wanted to be alone, I wanted company, I was frustrated and I was happy and content. It's all normal.

Take care and good luck!
Connie

I am on lithium and effexor due to bi-polarity which they think is partially due to my wildly flucuating hormones. They think I might have some PMDD. My doc's taking everything and my shrink actually thinks I might be able to go off my meds once I start HRT and have a constant level. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Kelly

I've been on Paxil for years now, and I have the same fears. I know I have the PMDD symptoms as well and my doctor has me increase my meds two week prior to my period due date. That used to help, but it isn't as much anymore. I'm having a LAVH/BSO on the 16th. My doctor said two things...first, no ovaries, no PMDD. Second, he will work closely with me on HRT...which he recommends for the next 5-10 years (I'm 44).

All of that to say is that I am scared of falling into that black pit...been there before....don't want to go there again. But, the way I'm trying to deal with it is that my doctor said he'd work with me, and I trust him because he has helped me greatly with my depression, and I have a therapist if I need help, and I have a wonderful husband and friends. I think having a good support team and a game plan is important in preparing for the possibility of depressing moods. Feel free to email (private message me?) if you want to talk about this more.

Donna

hello
first my my has been on celexa for about 5 yrs now .she was on it befor and after her hyst. also note:she was put on it due to menopause and is still on it.
as for me i have been on paxil for about9 yrs now. i wouldnt think of coming off it either . i dont know if any of this info has helped but my mom= on anti dep before and after menopause and hyst. and me=on anti dep befor and after hyst nO menopause. Jen

I am just home from the castle and took my psych meds the am of my surgery just skipped them th e pm of my surgery and have continued them since. Both my drs are working together and I am on a low dose of estrogen and am just takking it day by day. I think if evryone works with you as a team and you are aware of your symptoms you can keep ahead of them. I wish you well, Marg

WOW! You guys are terrific! Thanks for all of the information. I am very nervous of going into a depressive state after surgery. I have a 7 dd and an 18 ds. I just can't bear the thought of losing myself in that dark place and having my kids go through it too. My dh is very supportive but doesn't have nerves of steel either.
I am hoping that I can convince the dd to leave one ovary so I don't have to go on HRT. I have been a smoker for 25+ years (I'm 39 and holding) and my parents had heart problems. I am planning to quit the week before the surgery. I will need to gather a ton of support for that...I just want to live to see my dd grow up! And maybe bounce a grandbaby on my knee.
This web site is the best thing I've ever seen!

WOW! You have brought up several things that I never even thought of. I, also, have been on Paxil for about 8 years now and I, too, am a smoker. I would love to be able to go off the Paxil because it caused about 20 pounds of extra weight, but I am afraid of ending up in a complete tail-spin. I do need one of my ovaries removed for sure, and won't know until they get a good look if I can keep the other one. If I do end up losing both, perhaps I can experiment with sliding off the Paxil while I am on the HRTs. I figure I have 6 weeks to work it out, or give up and go back on the Paxil. Smoking? I think I'll keep that for a bit longer. Right now I am 2 1/2 weeks away from the castle and I am in a hurry up and wait state of mind along with the OMG! it OLNY 2 1/2 weeks away! Yikes.

Oh, don't get me wrong...it's not the celexa I'm worried about with the smoking...it's the HRT. I don't think it's recommended that you smoke on them. I may refused HRT if they do take both ovaries. I may be very wrong in my assumptions. I have to talk to dd before surgery on that one. I just assume that maybe the celexa will help me with menopause, where I might not need HRT.
I know what you mean. I plan to smoke my head off until the week before. Everyone here at work smokes so it will be a tough haul before the castle. But after, I'm hoping to be back to work in 4 weeks, I should have enough time under my belt to resist the urges.
Good luck to you!