Need to take ADs but scared of specific side effects and interactions

[Fringebenefts202]

I’m depressed atm. No particular cause apart from unrelenting work and some difficult relationships, so no different to anyone else really.

Never felt this way before. Not sad but not motivated to do anything much either. Small tasks seem insurmountable.

Two different docs have said I would benefit from ADs. However I am overweight and have the odd episode of heart arrhythmia treated by beta blockers, for which no cause has been found. I am also quite anxious, but less so since taking propranol. I am overweight too.

I have been researching ADs and found out that if they are taken with beta blockers, it can make the affects of the beta blockers stronger? I just wondered if anyone has any experience of this please?

Before I had beta blockers I was wrongly prescribed medicine to lower my blood pressure which I didn’t need, and found myself on the bathroom floor, so I’m keen not to repeat that.

The other side effects of ADs can be heart burn and variations in blood sugars. I already have both of these because I’m overweight and post-menopausal so again I am scared that ADs will exacerbate these already unpleasant symptoms.

Lastly of course I really don’t want to put on any more weight.

I know I need to reduce my work hours and focus on my physical health but I think right now, I need ADs to do that, so I am in a bit of a dilemma.

I am going to get some more advice from my doctor but while I am waiting for the appointment, can anyone who has been through anything similar please advise or offer any advice?

Thank you.

Anyone?

I just want to try one more time asking this please!

Hi, from what you've described I think depression is clouding your judgement and actually you need to take the medication! Signed someone menopausal, fat, on beta blockers and head meds.

I have been on ADs for severe years now with no weight gain. They aren’t a magic wand that makes Everything perfect but for me made the dark clouds lift enough so I could see a way forward. Due to some traumatic events last year I’ve been advised to up my dose to try and cope - my biggest advice would be not to start at a full dose. If you are prescribed 20mg then start at 10mg a day for a week then gradually increase. also I take mine at night so I’m asleep if any side effects happen😊

I have quite a dangerous heart condition called LQTS and most ADs are an absolute no no for me.

My cardiologist put me on mirtazapine as it's the most cardiac safe AD and doesn't cause prolongation of the QT interval. I also have SVT so I have to be really careful about any drugs I take and my GP always checks (even antibiotics) that they are cardio safe for me.

Maybe ask about mirtazapine if you are not sure. What arrhythmia do you have?

Ooooh I have replies! 😆💪
So sorry I didn’t notice before now!

Ancientpants as well as having a brilliant nn, I think you are probably right! 😀

That’s reassuring, thank you Blobby10

I’m not sure I know what type of arrhythmia I have comingoutofmycageandillbedoingjustfine ; they couldn’t find a cause which is partly the problem. Thanks though as you have given me some things to ask!

Out of interest has anyone had the effects of beta blockers intensified by taking ADs at the same time?

Do you have a type of tachycardia (fast heart rate) just hazarding a guess if they're on about beta blockers.

Beta blockers and ADs have been fine with me. Well I've only been on mirtazapine. But no huge side effects other than a bit better sleep (I take it at night)

Didn't notice any difference on the beta blockers. I don't take BB anymore I'm on a different medication now but I didn't have a problem mixing the too, but I only have experience with mirtazapine

If you're worried about weight gain, mirtazapine isn't the ideal choice.

Yes it’s just occasional bouts of a very fast rhythm. Started before the menopause. No cause found.

That’s reassuring, thank you Comingoutof yourcage!

Noted, thanks Jarbythedoor!

Anti depressants get a bad rap but if you look at the side effects of any common medication from otc to prescribed, they all have a lengthy list of awful side effects - and invariably at least one side effects is the symptom the medication is designed to treat.

Facts are this:

• there are lots of anti depressants to try and many are very different from each other
• You may experience side effects from one type or you may not
• If you experience side effects they may be temporary or not (a couple to a few weeks or continual)
• You might only experience one side effect with one type of anti depressant
• Some side effects with a particular anti depressants are really common in which case you're prepared if you opt for that one
• You don't go to the doctor and say "I want anti depressants" and they just pick one at random and say there you go then. They're not sweets.
• Your doctor will select anti depressants while taking into account other health conditions and choose the ones they think most appropriate for you. They will take your concerns into account and give these equal weight.
• Just because you know someone - or many people - who have experienced side effects (or a particular side effect) generally with anti depressants (or with one particular type) doesn't mean you will.
• If you don't feel the anti depressant you've been prescribed is effective, helping enough or if you experience side effects which outweigh the benefits you can ask to change and your gp will oblige.
• If you do end up running out of options the gp feels comfortable to prescribe, they can refer you to a mental health consultant who can help further.

Opting to take an anti depressant doesn't mean signing yourself up to a lifetime of taking them or living long term with side effects. It means speaking to a doctor about the fact you think you need them and then working closely with the doctor to find the right one for you, until you're well enough to come off them.

In short, don't talk yourself out of a treatment which has saved millions of lives because you're scared of what-ifs. Have a chat with your gp and take it from there :)

That’s so helpful. I can’t thank you enough ComeTheFckOnBridget for taking the trouble to write all
of that out. And I will take it on board. Thanks again.

It’s my responsibility to research too but If my gp actually spent half the time saying what you have explained, then I think I would have been more convinced in the first place tbh! I was literally in there for four minutes!

I think I am persuaded to take them! I feel better than I did in my mood ifyswim but it’s not transferring in to action.

I guess the thing I am most afraid of is ending up on the bathroom floor again if they amp up the affects of the BBs - it was such a scary thing to happen before - but I am going to have to take that risk.

Thanks again everyone.

You're very welcome.

You might have a duff gp, in which case it's going to fall to you to book the follow ups to monitor your progress on them.

If you don't feel that your gp is paying enough attention to your concerns or to balancing out anti depressants with beta blockers then see another gp. Change practices if you have to (I did this).

Also, gp's are under a lot of pressure to get through patients quickly so take a list of your questions and if you feel you're being hurried out in a couple of minutes, stay put and take a breath. "I have a few questions". Take out your list and run through them. You might find your gp engages much better when you do, but if you still feel they're disinterested then definitely change.

Oh and a pp is right - mirtazapine is notorious for weight gain! I wasn't given the heads up when I took it, but it was the first anti depressant that actually made a difference to me so I stuck with it for a while. I know someone who sticks with it despite the weight gain because the benefits are so much greater than going up clothes sizes.

You'll find your own line for what you're willing to accept side effect-wise, if you do experience any.

Good luck :)

Were you feeling depressed before starting the Beta Blockers? Depression can be a side effect of them

I haven't gained any weight on mirtazapine and neither has my brother who's been on it for years. I didn't know it was a thing?

Go and talk to a pharmacist. They've lots of experience with side effects, combinations of medications etc - take details of what you are on. If you feel crap with depression it has to be worth trying, remember side effects only affect a few people.

There are multiple AD to choose from. You and your doctor can choose one that is most likely to work for your particular health conditions. You can also start on the lowest dose and see how it goes.

my experience is that a starter dose was magical. I felt immensely better, but most importantly, it gave me the perspective to see just how badly I needed more intervention.

Some people don't gain weight on it, but it's a side effect that's more common with mirtazapine than it is with many other antidepressants. There's a lot of factors to balance when selecting an antidepressant, and a lot of the time you don't know which factors will apply to you until you take the drug. But all else being equal, if not gaining weight is important to someone, then mirtazapine isn't usually first choice because of the higher chance (but not certainty) of weight gain.

@JarByTheDoor

I didn't know that. I'm grateful that I haven't gained weight as it's the only AD that's cardiac safe for me but that's good to know! I probably would've declined them if I knew they were commonly reported for weight gain. I'm on them for anxiety. I have LQTS and SVT and sometimes have panic attacks which put me into SVT and they've really helped me. I'm glad they did as I'm so limited on ADs that I can take.

I've just been reading up about it and they're used for elderly people to help with their appetite. Interesting!

If it works well for you, doesn't fuck with your heart condition or other medications, and you don't get any unwanted weight gain, sounds great! Maybe it's just as well you didn't know about that possible side effect in advance

Thank you very much for these further replies.

and a lot of the time you don't know which factors will apply to you until you take the drugs.

^ I guess this is the aspect that's worrying me most, especially as I am on my own a lot because DH works away. If I end up on the bathroom floor like last time I was given the wrong pills then I will be stuck there for a while. ,

When last time I was incorrectly given blood pressure pills, when I should have been given beta blockers, I couldn't actually move or stand up! It was a very strange sensation and freaked me out tbh!
.
I also don't really trust my GP with meds like this. I did try looking for another GP but the alternatives were actually worse! The one I have currently is meant to be very good if you have something major like cancer but they don't "do" mental health very well.

Having an anti depressant in my system worries me too. As does withdrawal from it.

I know the above is all stupid because looking at it from an objective perspective, thousands of people take them and do just fine! I just need to get over myself, stop overthinking, and take them.

my experience is that a starter dose was magical. I felt immensely better, but most importantly, it gave me the perspective to see just how badly I needed more intervention.

^ what pondering says makes a lot of sense!

Anyway, I appreciate your advice everyone. Thank you again! I feel better for having been able to share my concerns. I think I am going to go for it!

No I wasn't. The depression only happened in the last six months. But thank you, I didn't know this! I do feel more physically sluggish on beta blockers.

That's a good idea about the pharmacist thanks Ariela

That's a good point about follow up appointments, thank you again ComeTheFckOnBridget

Good luck!

Thanks very much! 😀