Which -if any- antidepressant are you on?

[KateMiddletonsMum]

Off to doctors on Thurs to discuss this.
I'm on sertraline, and I think it's affecting my sex drive as well as feeling generally "meh" or "whatever" about everything. No interest or enthusiasm for anything, not unhappy though, I feel fine. Just "meh".
I just want to feel something!
Anyone else had this?

I'm on Citalopram and it's completely changed my outlook on everything. I feel great, have more energy, have my sense of humour back, am more assertive, feel happy and optimistic

The only side effect has been feeling tired during the day, so I take it at night now. The sexual side effects from the SSRIs can be difficult to cope with, but they can improve with time and a bit more effort.

You can keep trying them until you find one that helps you. Just don't expect instant results, they take time to get into your system.

Thank you. I've been on it for 5 years (on and off, but more on than off) I think it may be time for a change!
Which ones aren't SSRI's?

im on 15 mg mirtazapine down from 45mg ,gonna give these up soon ,they do seem to affect sex drive

I'm on Seroxat (paroxetine) for GAD and OCD. It has really helped with that, and lifted my mood (which I hadn't realised was down) and given me some real motivation. I don't have sex at the moment anyway, so I couldn't say I've noticed a decrease in drive, but I have always thought that the less you have, the less you want to have, so it could be that, or it could be that low mood is decreasing it, or tiredness, or perhaps you need to change medication.

I do have a friend who says Fluoxetine has made having an orgasm more difficult, and my ex on citalopram couldn't maintain an erection. But I think individuals have different reactions and nobody can predict yours. If it is really bothering you, I'd speak to my GP.

Or you could speak to your GP.

Ooh thank you for replies!
I'm going to have a look into non SSRI'S, and their effect on sex drive.
You're quite right that I don't really have one now (no sex drive = no sex life in our house!)

I don't think the non SSRIs are any different tbh They all seem to have this side effect.

Apparently, Escitalopram is supposed to be the best in this department. It's related to Citalopram, but is slightly different somehow.

I'm on citalopram, - (40mg) when I was on this dose before, I found it harder to orgasm and lost sex drive, so GP reduced the dose, but have recently been feeling more down so he's increased it again. At the moment I'm happy to swap feeling better mentally for orgasms - but may change my mind after a few months But having road tested the new dose (so to speak - sorry if TMI) sex was in working order - so maybe I'm more used to the drug having been on it longer now.

It might just be a case of try something different and see, and keep up a good dialogue with your GP.

I take 375mg Venlafaxine daily, for depression and anxiety, I've been on it for about 8 years. It's let me lead a normal life, but there is a physical dependancy on it :( which is pretty well documented on t'internet

Actually I don't care if I'm on it for life, it lets me be "normal"-whatever that is!

Prozac here. Much harder to achieve orgasm and less sex drive. Makes me :( too but i dont want to switch right now. Im thinking about it for the future though. Any of them that dont do this out of interest ?

First time I've ever posted,bit scared! I've been on citralopram 40mg for a year now,had depression on and off for ten years, it has been like a light switching on. Suits me and no side effects,only one that has.

I was on Citalopram (40mg) and loved it. Got it for bad PND but as soon as it had an effect it was obvious I should have been on it for years before. Came off it to TTC and am now pg but I suspect I'll be back on it at some point. I found life much much easier to deal with when I was on it. No side effects and all my anger just disappeared.

Im on 25mg of Amitriptyline once a day for chronic pain rather than depression. It numbs the nerve endings where i get the majority of my pain from. It makes me very thisty and quite dopey (more so than usual!) but apart from that no other side effects, I guess this is down to the relatively low dosage.

erm sorry OP not helpful!

I'm just wondering if St John's Wort would work instead of SSRI's? (on the sex drive situation anyhow)

I'm another venlafaxine user (75mg per day), which is an SNRI. Sex drive is fine, so if your problems are treatable with venlafaxine (e.g. anxiety-related) then this might be an option?

Not on anything anymore, but was on 150mg venlafaxine/Effexor for PND after DS2 (took it for a couple of years) and as IslandMoose has said, it didn't have that side effect for me, either.

Thank you, I will have a look into that one

I'm on 100mg of sertraline (and I take Lamotrigine for seizures) but have no side effects from either so I count my lucky stars!

I'm on 50mg of sertraline too and have exactly the same side effects as you. :( Sounds like it might be worth a chat with my GP about a change.

thanks for starting this - as someone who has been on (different) long term ad's since pnd its good to read about others experiences. hope you find good solution.

Welcome! It's interesting finding out the affects these drugs have on us.

Just an update for you.
I've decided to stop taking the sertraline (discussed with GP) and shit, man, I'm getting the weirdest withdrawal symptoms. I've googled it and it's called SSRI withdrawal syndrome, and I'm getting all the brain zaps, shudders and everything!!
Now. The cure, so I've read, is to take fluoxetine for a short while then reduce that one, this should stop the SSRI withdrawals. I am not really willing to take any more drugs.
Or I could start St John's Wort, but has the sertraline left my system? As that would have an adverse effect.
Or I could have a herbal cigarette! (Seems easiest option but am not sure that would really be "me")

Just to mention my experiences. Was on Sertraline 100mg for 7 months. End of April, went down to 50mg then a month later to none at all( With GP advice). Had awful brain shocks, nausea, vertigo, twitchies, insomnia. Feel now lots better, and the depression has not returned either- it was related to bad life events.
Saying that I've put in lots of good stuff like exercise, sleep hygiene, change of career etc. Also put on 2 stone!
I think the half life of these drugs is long, and a GP friend told me that physical withdrawal symptoms mean the drug is still in your system and therefore is still having a good psychological effect.
Saying all this, if I started getting depressed again I'd be back on them like a shot, as they literally saved my life.
So brill to read of other peoples experiences.