No help from GP re SSRIs

[Pickingmyselfupagain12]

I’m wondering if anyone on here can offer any advice/share experience.
I need to take an SSRI to calm my anxiety and overthinking but need to avoid those that are more likely to cause weight gain and hair loss. From what one read some are better than others for anxiety too,
My gp basically told me none are better or worse for anxiety and couldn’t advise re the weight and hair issue.
Can anyone help please?
TIA 😊

Would you try beta blockers? I found propranolol helpful for anxiety, and had far fewer side effects than SSRIs.

@BeautyGoesToBenidorm thanks for your reply and pleased it helps you. I’d prefer to take an SSRI though

I've been on several different anti depressants and anti anxiety medications, and Venlafaxine has worked best for me.

Sertraline made me gain weight. Citalopram made me feel insanely foggy and drugged.

I love Venlafaxine. 150mg a day, I don't feel lethargic on it at all.

@changewwible thanks. From what I’ve read an SSRI Wouk’s probably be more suitable for me though.

Fluoxetine is weight neutral.

Why do you feel SSRIs are more suitable than an SNRI?

@CorrBlimeyGG because from what I’ve read they are more “uplifting “ due for the norepinephrine

All SSRl’s made me eat my head off. 2 stone on Fluxoteine, 3 stone on Sertraline and don’t even go there with Setoxat.

Currently on Venlafaxine which seems to reduce my appetite.

My gp told me the one they give for no weight gain is Lofepramine. Agomelatine is another one.

One of the problems is that what works well for someone, with few side effects and effectively treats symptoms, will be completely different for someone else. You can do all of the reading but you won't know until you start taking them. It can be really trial and error with these medications, so I think it's best to give one a go and see what happens. You can always switch medication if it doesn't work.

You need to just what your GP says is the right one for you.
If you ask enough people their opinion you will get a multitude of answers.
The problem that you are trying to solve is stopping you taking the cure.

I'm on sertraline and have lost a stone. I just don't feel hungry or want to eat.

All drugs work differently for different people. Your GP is right in saying that they can't advise on weight because they just don't know how you will react.

[quote Pickingmyselfupagain12]@changewwible thanks. From what I’ve read an SSRI Wouk’s probably be more suitable for me though.[/quote]
Venlafaxine is an SSRI.

I think it's best just to try one and see how you go. I am on Fluoxetine and have neither lost hair nor gained weight.

Venlafaxine is an SSRI.

Venlafaxine is an SNRI, but weight neutral so shouldn't be an issue for the OP.

You're overthinking this OP. There's little difference in terms of efficacy between SSRIs and SNRIs.

One of the problems is that what works well for someone, with few side effects and effectively treats symptoms, will be completely different for someone else

Not always. Anything that works on serotonin can cause appetite increase in those who are susceptible.

Lofepramine and Agomelatine work dopamine and noradrenaline and won’t cause appetite issues in anyone.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow I don't disagree. What I meant was an SSRI won't necessarily cause weight gain, even though it may in some people.

NICE guidelines will recommend SSRIs as the first line of treatment for depression, although I'm not sure what they recommend for anxiety, so OPs GP may be reluctant to prescribe something else before that has been tried.

I've been on sertraline for four months and it's had no effect on my appetite or my hair.

I've been on sertraline for many years, withdrawal symptoms trying to come off it are no joke. The GP's are worse than useless and dismiss the withdrawals. I'm having to grind up the tablets and taper off in 5% increments. I've put on about 3 stone since being on them and have no libido.

Thanks for all the comments so far - really appreciate it. From what I e read I’ve narrowed it down to escitalopram or fluoxetine.
Fluoxetine doesn’t seem to cause weight issues plus is easier to come off due to its long half life but seems that anxiety can actually be a side effect of it and that’s what I’m trying to stop!
Escitalopram appears to be good for anxiety but possibly causes some weight gain and withdrawal issues.

Fluoxetine helped my anxiety massively - basically that and meditation cured me.
You will feel weird for a couple of weeks, but persevere, it's worth it.

@bluejelly very pleased it worked for you. Did you have any side effects, eg weight gain?

No weight gain. Libido dampened at first but has come back. Overall it's been great.