If you’re been of anti depressants for a while, has it left you with any long term side effects ?

[GingerPussInBoots]

A good friend of mine is suffering reallt bad with not being able to tolerate the heat at all
and he’s been off then for years now
so cross as I think they are so over prescribed, I know there a a place for them but the drs put peopel in these without warning of long term risks ao wondering if anyone else had this or other long term problems
and if you’ve had this heat problem have you found any things to help

Off that should say

if you’ve been off

Is he positive that this is a side effect of anti depressants? Perhaps it's unrelated. Lots of people find it harder to tolerate heat as they get older.

Doubt it's a symptom of coming off antidepressants years ago. Sounds more like menopause.

Sorry missed that it was a man.

Yes he never had a problem tolerating heat before, the the dr put him on citaloprom for anxiety he didn’t even have depression
and now he totally can’t tolerate heat
weve Googled and not much comes up regarding being unable to tolerate heat
but he never had that problem before

i take fluoxetine and I find the heat really unbearable BUT when I come off them, that side effect goes away. If he didn’t have depression, why was he prescribed them? For me ADs saved my life. They make it so I can live not just survive.

Sertraline destroyed my sex drive for years, even though I only took it for several months.

Now on paroxetine which suits me much better.

I was on the 50mg dose for 4 yrs. Just reduced it by 50% to start weaning off it - sex drive really engaged again!

You make it sound like he didn't even have a say in it and it was forced upon him. Each medication will get discussed and there's always a side effect leaflet which should be thoroughly read. Citalopram is for anxiety.

He wasn’t wanted off the risks by the dr was told take these for 6 months then you can just stop

Chat GBT suggests the following

1. New or Evolving Medical Condition

Several medical issues can cause new-onset heat intolerance:

• Thyroid disorders (especially hyperthyroidism): Increases metabolism and body heat.
• Autonomic dysfunction (e.g., POTS, small fiber neuropathy): Can affect temperature regulation.
• Hormonal shifts: Testosterone, cortisol, or adrenal dysfunction.
• Cardiovascular problems: Poor circulation can reduce heat dissipation.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) or other neurological conditions: May cause heat sensitivity due to demyelination.

Even if these were not present before, they can develop later in life.

🧠 2. Residual Autonomic Imbalance
Antidepressants (especially SNRIs or tricyclics) affect the autonomic nervous system long-term in some individuals. In rare cases, people develop:

• Persistent autonomic dysfunction even after stopping antidepressants.
• This might not show up right away — it can creep in slowly or worsen with age, stress, or illness.

This is especially suspected if the person also experiences things like:

• Dizziness when standing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Chronic fatigue
• Digestive issues

🩺 3. Age-Related or Medication-Interaction Factors

• Aging itself can reduce the body's ability to cool down.
• If the person is taking new medications, these could interact with thermoregulation (e.g., beta blockers, anticholinergics, antihistamines, stimulants).

🧬 4. Long-Term Neurological Effects of Antidepressants
There is growing (but not yet conclusive) evidence that long-term use of antidepressants can cause neuroplastic or metabolic changes that persist for years. These might include:

• Altered central nervous system response to stress and heat
• Subtle thermoregulatory impairments

Though rare, some users report long-term side effects even after stopping — sometimes called post-SSRI/SNRI syndrome.

✅ What to Do Now
Since this is a delayed and progressive symptom, he should:

1. Get a full medical workup:

Thyroid panel (TSH, T3, T4) Cortisol, testosterone Autonomic testing (tilt table test if dysautonomia is suspected)

1. Review any current medications or supplements
2. Consider a neurologist referral if autonomic or neurodegenerative causes are suspected

@GingerPussInBoots what are these long-term side-effects that you worry about?

I don't just mean your friend. I mean, why are you concerned about them generally?

I was on them for decades. Now I am not. it's fine. Anyone taking any medication should research the long-term risks. I realise something might come up later that is linked to those. It's not fun, taking these medications. Those of us who do it generally do it because we have to.

Did he do some research?

Do you know that being unable to tolerate heat is directly related to the fact that he used to use these medications?

This sounds like a very random rant with no scientific basis.

if he's feeling particularly unwell in the heat, he might need to see a doctor. There might be other things wrong. I'm not thrilled with the heat either, but I live in a new build sauna. Actually, that's a good point, before he thinks anything wrong with him - does he live in a new build sauna?!

There's no way that every possible side effect can be discussed for every medication. People have to take some responsibility for their own health and research about options. There's also no way a doctor would just say to take it for 6 months and stop. They'd taper you off Citalopram.

Something isn't adding up and to be honest I don't know why you're so invested in your friends medications from 2 years ago.

@Luggagerackistopheavy yes, good point. Citaopram is really hard to come off. You have to taper it down very slow. I actually went at half speed the doctor suggested.

now what can we do about the risk of rage when someone comes along and says "well I asked ChatGPT and..."

FFS. We could all ask Chat fucking GPT if we wanted to.

Citalopram saved my life

Mine too!

Im invested as I think the dr is really inappropriate
move also been told to go on antis d wheh I was going through a short term stressful work situation
and I was also told you can just take them for 6 months then stop them
which is clearly untree

I don’t doubt for a second some people will hugely benefit from then if nothing else works
and j do agree they have their place but I think drs are harmful the way they prescribe them so so easily
and to me a drs first responsibility above all these is
do no harm !

and I think a lot of drs are harming people

@GingerPussInBoots it would be better to phrase your concerns without a fake inflammatory title

With regards to the six months, I have been on various different ones and there are some with less of a taper on and off.

Looking at your post, generally it doesn't seem as if you're particularly well informed on this topic.

I think most of us have had questionable experiences with doctors. But your friend feeling the heat is not linked.

However, the irony here is if you are worried about your friend, he might need to see a doctor. Or he might just not be coping well with the heat.

A lot of people aren't coping well with heat at the moment. I suspect it's a lot hotter than they're saying, at least down here in the Southeast.

And mine. I was on 40mg for a couple of years & came off very very very slowly over a few months. That was 10 years ago & I’ve had no lingering effects from it.

People have a choice to say yes to the prescription or not though don't they. The doctor isn't forcing anything upon anyone. I can't see where a doctor has been inappropriate tbh.

And how are you finding things without it if you don’t mind me asking?

I was on multiple meds for about two decades. When I stopped them, all side effects went away. When I went back on, some came back.
I don’t think you can take something like struggling with the heat (especially in late June/ warm weather) and put it down to having taken a AD for a relatively short period in the past.
Is he overweight?

Flourishing, thanks, happy and mentally & physically healthy. Although if I thought I needed it again I’d be down at the GP’s like a shot.

I was prescribed Sertraline for years, and I would sweat excessively. I’d wake up with soaked bed sheets, even in Winter. I came off those, and tried Mirtazapine instead. I’ve gained weight because they make me so hungry, but they saved my life so it’s a good price to pay.

I’d like to try a different anti-depressant because I think Mirtazapine has done all it can do for me. I’ve been on it for around a year.

That’s brilliant to hear, I’m coming down from 40mg slowly but im scared to be off them as I got diagnosed with Autism and ADHD when I was mentally unwell and I don’t if I’ll get severely anxious again. I just feel more able on them, like I can be me without most of the meltdowns, like I can cope better.