Help Any antidepressants that don’t have nasty side effects?

[Caspers]

Im supposed to see a psychiatrist soon (knowing the NHS it'll be half a year at least) and I was wondering whether there are any antidepressants that don't cause anhedonia, lethargy, weight gain and a higher risk of diabetes along with many other nasty long term side effects I have heard of. I'm probably asking for something that doesn't exist, but I want to give life one last try before I CTB.

I know everybody's brain is different, but I'd prefer not to have miserable side effects haunting me for what's left of my life.

 

[Life_and_Death]

there is.....but thats a difficult question to answer on its own. example im too sensitive for them so i have really really bad side effects to all of them (most likely). but what you can do if youre that worried about it is ask for them to start you out at a smaller dose to allowed your body to get use to it first. thats what i have to do

 

[LittleJem]

If you are already waiting for a few months, it can be worth trying St John's Wort (check it does not contraindicate with any medications you are on, wear a hat and sunblock as it makes you sun-sensitive). I found that it reduced my suicidal thoughts but made me quite (on edge/ramped up/?)which I couldn't handle. But it did more for my suicidal thoughts than Vortioxetine which I took for three months, and mainly made me sedated as well as still very depressed. But it works for some people.

I know what you mean re the pills. I am sitting on a prescription for Seroquel for that reason - weight gain, diabetes, some side effects that can happen quickly and are worse (even though they are rare).

Re trying things, I have been watching lots of videos on shrooms today, which is the cutting edge of treatment for treatment resistant depression and at the research stage. They are not so hard to source online, I've been researching legit sites which are in Holland for grow kits for example.

Re other medication, your psychiatrist is likely not to put you on an MAOI, but they can be very effective. One of them worked for me for two weeks (which is more than the Vortioxetine did!). MAOIs are worth trying before CTB. Lithium helped my dad's friend for maybe 30 years to live a happy life....

Everyone told me to take the pills and not think about the side effects - which I ended up doing with the Voritoxetine. But I haven't brought myself to do it with the Seroquel. Good luck.

 

[Life_and_Death]

it can be worth trying St John's Wor

yeah i forgot about all the natural options like 5-HTP because they all reacted with other things

 

[LittleJem]

Apparently Jim Carrey uses 5 HTP. It does nothing for me. Is that because I take it once, it doesn't help, then I give up?!!! Or is it because my brain doesn't have any happy chemicals at all ;) !

 

[Life_and_Death]

Apparently Jim Carrey uses 5 HTP. It does nothing for me. Is that because I take it once, it doesn't help, then I give up?!!! Or is it because my brain doesn't have any happy chemicals at all ;) !

its most likely because you only took it once. even natural things take a while to start working. you cant just do something once then expect it to start working. thats like saying i got up off my ass why am i still overweight

 

[LittleJem]

its most likely because you only took it once. even natural things take a while to start working. you cant just do something once then expect it to start working. thats like saying i got up off my ass why am i still overweight

That's right! I did exercise once last week. And I am still overweight! And I injured my knee - which reminded me why I don't exercise ;)
Great metaphor - I will give it another shot. I have 5 HTP here...in powder form. How long do I need to give it? !!! (patience is not my virtue)

 

[Life_and_Death]

That's right! I did exercise once last week. And I am still overweight! And I injured my knee - which reminded me why I don't exercise ;)
Great metaphor - I will give it another shot. I have 5 HTP here...in powder form. How long do I need to give it? !!! (patience is not my virtue)

ouch i hope it isnt causing you much pain

 

[LittleJem]

It's better now pretty much. Thanks :)

 

[mathieu]

They all have potential side-effects but you may not experience them. I'm on fluoxetine and I'm not aware of any side-effects.

 

[Caspers]

They all have potential side-effects but you may not experience them. I'm on fluoxetine and I'm not aware of any side-effects.

I was on fluoxetine for headaches and my suicidal thoughts went from 5-9 for no reason. Stopped them immediately, although it is tempting to blame it on them next time I try.

 

[Throwawaysoul]

I started lexapro and I already hate it and I'm only on 5mg. Everyone is different though.

I injured my knee - which reminded me why I don't exercise ;)

I'm terrified of injuring myself. People say to exercise and then immediately jibber on about proper form and I just can't grasp it. It seems like walking is the only thing that doesn't require proper form.

 

[BitterlyAlive]

Im supposed to see a psychiatrist soon (knowing the NHS it'll be half a year at least) and I was wondering whether there are any antidepressants that don't cause anhedonia, lethargy, weight gain and a higher risk of diabetes along with many other nasty long term side effects I have heard of. I'm probably asking for something that doesn't exist, but I want to give life one last try before I CTB.

I know everybody's brain is different, but I'd prefer not to have miserable side effects haunting me for what's left of my life.

This is a tough one. The antidepressant with the most tolerable side effect profile that I've seen is Wellbutrin. I think it's an NRDI (affects norepinephrine/dopamine)? If you have an anxiety disorder as well, be aware that it may worsen the anxiety. But it seems to be well tolerated by a lot of people and is activating. Doesn't seem to cause anhedonia in many people, haven't come across any such experiences in my research. Seems like it's weight neutral and helps some people lose weight.

I would talk to the doc about this one. I tried it a few years ago but don't remember any benefits...but I acknowledge that I also struggled with compliance, so that may be on me. I'm willing to try it again, for what it's worth.

 

[LittleJem]

Tianeptine (Stablon) has an excellent side effect profile. Prescribed in France, illegal in USA. You can buy it online and import it to UK. It can help SSRIs to work. It helped me for a while, but brought my feet out in welts so I stopped it. But if it helps you it is a great one

 

[BitterlyAlive]

Tianeptine (Stablon) has an excellent side effect profile. Prescribed in France, illegal in USA. You can buy it online and import it to UK. It can help SSRIs to work. It helped me for a while, but brought my feet out in welts so I stopped it. But if it helps you it is a great one

Why is all of the good stuff unavailable in the United States? I made this shit meme last year but maybe someone here will enjoy

 

[LittleJem]

Tianeptine is a (mild)opioid. Having tried it, it's definitely not exciting or addictive imo. In large doses, maybe. But then so is Lyrica and Lyrica is hugely prescribed and also has terrible withdrawals and can be used as a street drug. Basically drug policy is led by a mafia of big pharma.

 

[Caspers]

Why is all of the good stuff unavailable in the United States? I made this shit meme last year but maybe someone here will enjoyView attachment 42761

So relatable! Weed is even legal in some states, I wish the UK were a bit more open.

 

[Emily_Numb]

Im supposed to see a psychiatrist soon (knowing the NHS it'll be half a year at least) and I was wondering whether there are any antidepressants that don't cause anhedonia, lethargy, weight gain and a higher risk of diabetes along with many other nasty long term side effects I have heard of. I'm probably asking for something that doesn't exist, but I want to give life one last try before I CTB.

I know everybody's brain is different, but I'd prefer not to have miserable side effects haunting me for what's left of my life.

I think your first thing to do it to manage your expectations. By the sound of it you haven't gone down the pharmaceutical avenue before but have been planning to CTB? To me that logic is skewered. I'm not a pro-lifer but I am a 'try to do everything you can to help yourself and exhaust every avenue before you CTB' kinda person.

As someone who is in the UK and understand the NHS, have you recently been put under the care on the CMHT? Do they visit you or keep in Over the phone?
Most mental health issues need a holistic a approach of medications, talk therapy and Behavioural therapy to get you out of that dark spot.
If you are meeting with a clinical psychiatrist he/she will know far more about what medications will suit you in the am way you are presenting your symptoms. A fairly decent baseline anti depressant they might put you on will be Escitalopram which is a weight neutral drug. For me I told my Psychiatrist that I absolutely cannot take anything that will make me balloon in worth because of my ED. Just be open and honest with them.

You will get very little time with. an NHS psychiatrist and remember, they are NOT therapists so go in there with a list of all your symptoms and how they present. They will just ask you loads of questions but not so much about your 'thoughts and feelings'. Don't take that's personally, it's just how they are. Diagnosisinf can be tricky
Good luck x

 

[ward0x]

Im supposed to see a psychiatrist soon (knowing the NHS it'll be half a year at least) and I was wondering whether there are any antidepressants that don't cause anhedonia, lethargy, weight gain and a higher risk of diabetes along with many other nasty long term side effects I have heard of. I'm probably asking for something that doesn't exist, but I want to give life one last try before I CTB.

I know everybody's brain is different, but I'd prefer not to have miserable side effects haunting me for what's left of my life.

everyone reacts differently to different things.

Venlafaxine has been a lifesaver for me.

 

[Caspers]

I think your first thing to do it to manage your expectations. By the sound of it you haven't gone down the pharmaceutical avenue before but have been planning to CTB? To me that logic is skewered. I'm not a pro-lifer but I am a 'try to do everything you can to help yourself and exhaust every avenue before you CTB' kinda person.

As someone who is in the UK and understand the NHS, have you recently been put under the care on the CMHT? Do they visit you or keep in Over the phone?
Most mental health issues need a holistic a approach of medications, talk therapy and Behavioural therapy to get you out of that dark spot.
If you are meeting with a clinical psychiatrist he/she will know far more about what medications will suit you in the am way you are presenting your symptoms. A fairly decent baseline anti depressant they might put you on will be Escitalopram which is a weight neutral drug. For me I told my Psychiatrist that I absolutely cannot take anything that will make me balloon in worth because of my ED. Just be open and honest with them.

You will get very little time with. an NHS psychiatrist and remember, they are NOT therapists so go in there with a list of all your symptoms and how they present. They will just ask you loads of questions but not so much about your 'thoughts and feelings'. Don't take that's personally, it's just how they are. Diagnosisinf can be tricky
Good luck x

Im pretty certain about CTB, I have SN and everything else is easy to obtain, but SN lasts for years and I am willing to give life one more try. I have some things to do before I succeed, and I am doing a different approach with my therapist, so who knows what the future holds. My problems began in my childhood, so it could take years of therapy to change the way I think.

And I am aware psychiatrists know more than us, but it'm trying to see whether what meds I want exist and people's opinions on them. The last one I saw made me afraid of psychiatrists, so I'm a bit afraid of going back.

And I'm 'supposed' be be seen by CMHT, but the referral was more than a month ago and I haven't heard a thing. The therapist I see was private and I got him because when I was discharged from brain injury hospital, he knew there would be no support for me so chose to continue with me. That was autumn 2017. I haven't had a word from CMHT since being discharged, I have 0 faith in them. Recently my mum got alarmed so contacted them, but I'm pretty certain I won't get the help I need. One person's line is 'my state killed me', in my case the NHS is one of the main reasons my mental health is so bad. They severely let me down in my teens, so I wasn't able to get the help I needed, and those issues have just festered and grown.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

As far as I'm aware, all psychoactive medications have short term side effects and cause long term metabolic issues.

I always post this link, so sorry if you've read it already...

https://sanctioned-suicide.net/thre...psycho-active-prescription-medications.40224/

 

[Caspers]

As far as I'm aware, all psychoactive medications have short term side effects and cause long term metabolic issues.

I always post this link, so sorry if you've read it already...

https://sanctioned-suicide.net/thre...psycho-active-prescription-medications.40224/

Thanks, I hadn't already but even if I had, I'd be happy for your help.

 

[airboy_a380]

I'm taking viorxetine, no side effects and you don't lose your sex drive either.

 

[LADY007]

Im supposed to see a psychiatrist soon (knowing the NHS it'll be half a year at least) and I was wondering whether there are any antidepressants that don't cause anhedonia, lethargy, weight gain and a higher risk of diabetes along with many other nasty long term side effects I have heard of. I'm probably asking for something that doesn't exist, but I want to give life one last try before I CTB.

I know everybody's brain is different, but I'd prefer not to have miserable side effects haunting me for what's left of my life.

The two I used with nothing but constipation (eliminated with magnesium citrate) were Desipramin(NORPRAMIN) and Effexor.

 

[voyager (D)]

For me, Trazodone is the drug of choice. It has a good antidepressant, sedative and sleep-inducing effect. It does not cause weight gain or sexual dysfunction and is generally well tolerated. The only risk is the rare but possible prolongation of QT time in the heart. Therefore, regular ECG controls should be carried out at the beginning of therapy.

Of course, every depressed person responds to a different drug. But I think it's worth a try.

 

[LittleJem]

Here are the reviews of St John's Wort on the magnificent Erowid website. Some people have more success with St John's Wort than an SSRI.

If you are waiting for a psychiatrist appointment, you can buy St John's Wort in Boots, in Health Food Stores etc - and it is worth a shot - if you have read the contraindications and ensure it is safe with any other medications etc:

St. John's Wort (also Hypericum perforatum) : Erowid Exp: Main Index

A categorized index of first-person experiences with St. John's Wort

erowid.org

 

[DyingAlf]

All medications have potential side effects as do a lot of natural/alternative remedies (including St Johns Wort). That doesn't necessarily mean you should rule them out without giving them a decent try first.

Your body and brain will react, or not, in its own unique way.

You could ask everyone on this site which medication had the least side effects for them personally & I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up with a list of every medication available.

Good luck.
I hope you find something that helps you.

Oh!...Also.... Do you have an official diagnosis?
(No I'm not asking what you're diagnosis is)

Do you know the diagnosis of each & every person on this site? Or a least those of us who replied here? I'm going to assume not.

There are different medications only suitable for, or more suitable for certain illnesses/syndromes/disorders/etc. so some of the medications people have mentioned might not be suitable for you at all.

 

[Nymph]

All antidepressants I tried had side effects, some worse some better

 

[miseryh8scompany]

St. John's Wort, tianeptine and wellbutrin would actually be my first choices before resorting to dirty SSRIs.

 

[LittleJem]

St. John's Wort, tianeptine and wellbutrin would actually be my first choices before resorting to dirty SSRIs.

All at the same time, or try them one by one?

Tianeptine has such a nice side effect profile relatively speaking! St John's Wort also if you don't combine it with other stuff that it's dangerous with.