Antidepressants

I used to take celexa a few years ago, and I am totally 1000% better off of it.

I used to take Effexor and I gained a lot with it. I now take Cymbalta. One of the side effects is loss of appetite. I love it because it also helps with physical pain that stress causes like headaches. One major side effect for me was being thirsty all of the time but that went away in about 2 weeks.

Hmmmm. I would talk to your doctor about it, if it's really causing problems like that. My experience is that they're happy to try you on something else for a few weeks to see if that works better. But in the long run, Neena's right - peace of mind is more important than a few extra pounds! :flowerforyou:

I took Lexapro and it caused me to gain weight and I had to take it at night before I went to bed because for some reason it made me sleepy. I am 1000% better too now that I am completely off that stuff. It also caused a decreased sex-drive.

I took Lexapro and it caused me to gain weight and I had to take it at night before I went to bed because for some reason it made me sleepy. I am 1000% better too now that I am completely off that stuff. It also caused a decreased sex-drive.

Drugs never solve anything. :noway:

:huh: Taking an antidepressant is a corrective measure for imbalances in neurotransmitters just like beta blockers are corrective measures for cardiovascular problems. Drugs solve many problems. The difference in antidepressants is that our brains are all wired differently, so influencing a given neurotransmitter won't have the same effect on everyone. That's no reason to tell someone it doesn't work--it just didn't work for you.

New research is emerging that depression and/or depressants to effect weight. Depression increases cortisol production, which breaks down protein. An overall decrease in muscle mass depresses metabolism. There hasn't been any causation assigned of course but there are trends.

I took Lexapro and it caused me to gain weight and I had to take it at night before I went to bed because for some reason it made me sleepy. I am 1000% better too now that I am completely off that stuff. It also caused a decreased sex-drive.

Drugs never solve anything. :noway:

:huh: Taking an antidepressant is a corrective measure for imbalances in neurotransmitters just like beta blockers are corrective measures for cardiovascular problems. Drugs solve many problems. The difference in antidepressants is that our brains are all wired differently, so influencing a given neurotransmitter won't have the same effect on everyone. That's no reason to tell someone it doesn't work--it just didn't work for you.

New research is emerging that depression and/or depressants to effect weight. Depression increases cortisol production, which breaks down protein. An overall decrease in muscle mass depresses metabolism. There hasn't been any causation assigned of course but there are trends.

Thanks for that info song bird,

I know I suffer from PMDD for many years now, but the one time I took something for it (prozac), for about 3 months. I gained 30 pounds. I figured I rather be depressed than overweight, because being fat makes me more depressed. So I've been suffering and using diet and exercise to ease my symptoms. Recently I noticed my PMS is a little shorter sometimes. (less than 15 days) :ohwell: Maybe I will attempt another go at medication, cause life is really miserable during PMS. :sad:

Although it is a hassle to try different meds, it's really the only way to figure out what you need. It's not really understood why there is an underproduction of serotonin or why we need certain levels to feel good. This is not an exact science, and while doctors can make educated guesses as to what might work, you just have to experiment. No two people will react exactly the same way to them.

I took Zoloft for about 6 months after a very traumatic event in my life that was difficult to deal with. I had already been depressed for a few years, so the "event" forced me to seek some help. I liked the Zoloft for the most part, but it did put a huge damper on my sex drive, as well as making me feel sort of sexually "numb." After the first couple weeks of Zoloft, I started hitting the gym pretty regularly and lost about 20lbs... so I can't say it caused weight gain. Eventually I was able to come off the Zoloft, but I still struggle with depression and anxiety sometimes.

Each medication is going to have different side effects and each one will affect different people in slightly different ways. You'll probably need to try a couple different ones to find the one that works best for you. It's time consuming, because each drug can take up to 6 weeks to become effective in your system, but I think it's worth it if you really need it. You just have to find the right balance for your body.

And I don't agree that drugs don't solve anything. I have known quite a few people with severe hormonal imbalances that really needed medication in order to regulate mood and mental function. I have a relative that is bipolar and another that is schizophrenic, and with disorders like those, drug-free is really not an option unless you want to live in chaos. Medical experts are still only beginning to understand mental disorders and chemical imbalances of the brain. Perhaps years down the road they will find a better solution, but for now, if cognitive therapy can't fix it, medication is the next best course of action.

if anything this thread has pointed out that antidepressants are a trial and error game. What works well for one person may not work for another. Best advice to gain from this thread is to try other meds and find what works best for you.

Blessed Be
Mark