Anxiety Meds. Which One?

[Titan]

Well I want to know what some of you fellas have been taking for anxiety/ depression. I know this is somewhat a personal question so I understand if no one wants to comment. My Dr. has been talking about Lexapro, but it has some major sides, especially weight gain. I have used Paxal, and Wellbutren in the past with little success. I just stopped them all together over a year and a half ago, but with the anxiety and depression I have been dealing with I know I need something. So what would you recommend or say has the least sides? Any input is appreciated.


Yes I'm well aware of the suck it up and deal with therapy. I have been on it to long!

[WaRRior45]

Have you tried any natural remedies? like 5-htp, kava kava, valerian root? Also, not a good idea to use aas if you already have anxiety and depression. AAS causes it anyways, so you don't want to mess with your hormones if your neurotransmitters are already messed up.

[demonsweat]

Celexa does the trick for me. No side effects to mention other than prolonging my sexual endurance. Far from not being able to get off though, more of a welcome side effect.

[jdjack]

Well trying to think "clinically" I would say it really depends on the type of depression/anxiety you have. If its from a loss of someone dear, then thats one thing, but if its from a chemical imbalance then thats something else entirely. Here is the time to THINK before you throw yourself into the fire of chemical differences. Paxil is a potent tri-cyclic, but wellbutrin is more milder, although both are different to each individual.
Is the weight gain going to make you very upset? Is your life stressful right now/generally? Any other dependancy problems?

All of these come into play because its your emotions/feelings which we are talking about and they are present all day. So give us a little background to what you've been dealing with and we can probably be of more help.
Good luck bro.

[Titan]

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[OrangeJuice]

Sounds like what I've been going through the last few years.

Exact description my wife uses to describe me Jekyll/Hyde.

After having my hormone levels checked and being put on TRT, my doctor prescribed Zyprexa for my depression/manic disorder.

Higher doses of this drug 20mg and up are for schizophrenics, but my doc said and off label use that he's seen successfully used is starting low dose 5mg.

How's your sleep? Mine was tanked. Lucky if I got 4 hours, averaging 2-3 over the last 3-4 years.

He said our goal was 6 hours of sleep taking 5mg 2 1/2 hours before bed.

After 3 weeks I have not had to increase my dose, still at 5mg. My sleep has improved greatly averaging 7 1/2 hours each night and dreaming almost all night (REM sleep). Wake refreshed, slight hangover but quickly goes away by the time I take my first piss.

My moods have stabilized, no more peaks and valleys. It's been so long since I've felt the normal ups and downs of life.

Side effects are short term memory loss. I have to ask my wife every morning what time I fell asleep and confirm I took my Zyprexa on time.

Other noted side effects are thinking fast than I speak/type. You may notice some words just flat out missing in this paragraph and every once in a while I'll stutter.

I would say the combination of TRT and the low dose Zyprexa has literally changed my life. The side effects are surely worth the reaping the benefits.

Seriously ask your doc about. But remember it's an off label approach he may not be open to.

[Titan]

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[beeman]

Zyprexa has a shitload of side effects that will just be compounded by AAS. It is known to cause fat gain, cause problems with hyperglycemia, and cholesterol. While it may work, I think it would be more of a last resort.

All ssri's can cause a bit of weight gain, but from what I have seen, lexapro is one of the best in that it causes very little weight gain. Celexa and lexapro are basically just different enantiomers of each other, so either one should work. The one ssri that is known to cause a shit load of weight gain is zoloft though, and I dont know why the other docs I work with still prescribe it to new patients.

When you say that you took paxil and wellbutrin in the past with little success, did you give them enough time to work. While some people may notice a difference in a few days, it takes other people up to a month depending on the drug.

[jdjack]

Didnt see the responses but seems you got help bro. If you need anything you can pm me and I'll help you if I can. I wish you well. I've been around this sort of thing I know its difficult.

[OrangeJuice]

beeman, you are correct. 90% of patients on Zyprexa do gain weight. However my doctor believes the hyperglycemia & hypercholesterolemia to be caused from the weight gain.

I will say during the first two weeks it was like having the munchies from smoking weed. All I wanted to do was eat and eat everything.

Now finishing up week 4 of therapy I no longer have such cravings and since incorporating 20 minutes of cardio 5 times a week, I am down 12 pounds.