Any alternative anti depressants?

[timeofyourlife]

I don't really want to take medication but I also need something to make life more manageable. I tried several anti depressants a few years ago. Didn't help, dose was changed several times. I got terrible sweats and felt very agitated - which may have been the anxiety but I think was a side affect when dose was high. So I am very hesitant, but I also feel l like I need to do something. From memory I tried ecitalopram, citalopram, sertraline.

CBD oil?

haven't heard of it before, just looking it up now thanks

Mirtazapine is atypical and wont make you agitated in the way that SSRIs can. The opposite in fact. Duloxetine might be better as well. Less activating.
Can I ask why you feel you need something? Is it mostly depression or are you very anxious?

Do you currently exercise much?

I recently started exercising because I felt I was slipping and needed to try do something. It does feel good when I mange it but I still struggle with motivation. I think maybe a bit of both anxiety and depression. I'm not sure. I can feel myself talking too much in work - but periods of feeling quite down in between. I will check out those medications thanks. I might feel ok going to see GP if I know there are other options.

Talking too much... hmmm. If you are prone to activation and any suggestion of hypomania then SSRIs may well not suit you at all. Any other "up" symptoms between the down bits?? Sleeping less? Feeling unerringly positive/ restless/spending/socialising etc...

Propranolol for anxiety - gp
5htp /valerian- Holland & Barrett

That’s if you don’t want AD’s
Never taken them so can’t say if they work

Yes. Pretty much most of those.

As in... tried those remedies or had those symptoms?? If the latter then ir sounds like you need an assessment for cyclothymia or bipolar. Dont be scared. There are very effective treatments that will improve your life so much in all likelihood. My best friend was diagnosed with bipolar a year ago. He has gone from a nightmare to a happy, productive, bloody superstar.

A word of warning on 5htp. I am a hardened psychoactive drug lifer. I took 5htp one night and never again. Talk about activating. I had the worst anxiety and the worst dreams ever. It was horrible. And I say that as someone who has taken a long roll-call of mind altering prescription pharmaceuticals over the years. Found my happy about 8 yrs ago tho and been great ever since, through death, divorce, serious illness in a child, all sorts...

I take Valdoxan (agomelatine), another atypical antidepressant. I can't take SSRIs or anything that acts directly in serotonin and this was offered as a gentler alternative. No side effects and helps with sleep. I take valerian and magnesium as well for sleep and propranolol for tremor/high BP, but it helps with anxiety too - bonus!

I heard about a study that concluded a 20-minute daily walk was as effective as anti-depressants but I'm not sure if it's apocryphal. I believe omega 3 oils are supposed to help too and good fats from foods such as avocados and nuts.

Sorry for the double post, and cross-posted with Whatthewhat - I agree about 5htp. I think it may be a little too effective, as I had all the same side effects as I did on SSRIs.

@ViveLEntenteCordiale can I ask if agomelatine has any noticeable effect on your sex drive?? I'm looking for the holy grail:)

I meant most of those symptoms - which I hadn't even realised until you posted it. I am actually really struggling and will try speak to get some help. I am hopeful its specific to life being stressful just now.

Your not by any chance peri menopausal?

I tried 3 different SSRIs but struggled with side effects. I found a tricyclic drug Lofepramine was more effective for me. Only side effects were thirst (manageable) and dizzy on standing, for that I just had to stand up slowly and drink plenty. That settled down after a while.

It’s worth discussing your options with your GP and always worth getting bloods done to check there’s nothing physical contributing.

Probably/possibly/don't know! Irregular periods and PMT for a while which i assume to be age related - 45.

Sorry that was to the perimenopause question.

@timeofyourlife please do go to the doc. I would say that depending on your age it would be unlikely to e.g. suddenly develop bipolar in your 30s.
If this is out of the blue then best to get some other physical health checks also like dicky overactive thyroid etc.
But if it does turn out to be some version of bipolar it is absolutely not the end of the world. You can live a largely normal life with it. Honest! And it will definitely be a better life than that which you would have had undiagnosed and untreated!

i am a bit concerned but also thinking its been useful to stop and identify its a good time to do something. i appreciate the posts.

I got on great with mirtazapine, but I piled on weight with it despite religiously monitoring my caloric intake and doing my usual exercise. Just piled it on. Had to stop using it as it was pushing me into the overweight/obese category. It's a very common side effect, so be aware especially if you are told it doesn't cause weight gain, the leaflet that comes with it lists that as one.

Those are all SSRIs, try a different type. Mirtazepine, Venlafaxine, Amitriptyline etc

At johns wort is prescribed all over Europe as first line antidepressant. However it prevents the contraceptive pill working and can cause sensitive skin. Kira is the brand Germany use I think. Failing that try any antidepressant which is not an ssri eg duloxetine, buspar, nortriptaline, amitriptalene etc. The tricyclics are often less stimulating than ssri and are usually effective.

It's trial and error as everyone responds differently to different meds.

The Natural Pharmacy - Saffronsun
I got it from a local health shop but they also have an online shop. It contains b12 and b6 which help with energy and mood, but the main ingredient is saffron which can have a noticeable effect on mood and anxiety. Have a read of the testimonials on their site. I have been taking it only about 8 days but already feeling better in the mornings and less irritable too, and more calm.

@Whathewhatnow I don't actually know about sex drive - mine is low but I'm on lots of other meds that could be causing that too. It could be worth a try as it's easy to come off if it doesn't agree with you (at least it was for me - I stopped and started again later).

Incidentally I found St John's Wort also gave me the same side effects as SSRIs - again I regard that as 'proof' it works but I couldn't take it.

Duloxetine is an SNRI so a pretty close relative to SSRIs. It made me so ill - I had chills and vertigo and felt like I had proper flu. And gave me an unmanageable tremor same as SSRIs. I spent 5 weeks barely eating or moving from the sofa, because the doctor said the side effects would go and I just had to ride it out. It could have been a medication interaction though... I know some people do well on it.