I have recently tried taking a few low dose anti-depressants; however, there have been unpleasant side effects for each.
I suppose that this is particularly relevant where as (this kind of blew my mind)
In the United States a 2005 independent report stated that 11% of women and 5% of men in the non-Insitutionalised population (2002) now take antidepressants
So far I have tried Cymbalta and Wellbutrin.
Cymbalta is a Serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
On Cymbalta I began to have Sexual problems which lasted for a weeks after taking it, other than that I really enjoyed the anti-depressant part of cymbalta. Apparently this is very common with SSRI's.
Unaware of the possibility of this long-lasting effect, most physicians automatically attribute it to psychological causes. But experiments with rodents have shown that chronic treatment with SSRIs at a young age results in permanently decreased sexual behavior that persists into adulthood and is similar to PSSD[11][12]. At the cerebral molecular level there are profound and permanent reductions in both the rate-limiting serotonin synthetic enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase, in dorsal raphe and in serotonin transporter (SERT) expression in cortex. It is not known whether PSSD in rodents exactly recapitulates the human condition, but the long term neurobehavioral consequences are very similar[13]. Long-term alterations in gene expression may result from disturbances in 5-HT neurotransmission in the brain of the animals.
ithout tools to accurately measure neurotransmitter levels and to allow for continuous monitoring during treatment, it is impossible to know if one is correctly targeting a deficient neurotransmitter (i.e. correcting an imbalance), reaching a desirable level, or even introducing too much of a particular neurotransmitter. Thus it has been argued that SSRIs can actually cause chemical imbalances and abnormal brain states.[31] One possible mechanism is by inhibition of dopaminergic neurotransmission,[32] resulting in described persistent sexual dysfunction.
Wellbutrin is a a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, dopamine reuptake inhibitor, and a nicotinic antagonist.
On Wellbutrin I began to be very agitated and began to go through small manic and depressive cycles. I guess I know what it feels like to be bipolar now...
Apparently Wellbutrin acts as a SSRI sexual dysfunction correcter.
Several studies have indicated that bupropion also relieves sexual dysfunction among non-depressed patients. After a 12-weeks course in a mixed male/female double-blind study, 63% of subjects on bupropion rated their condition as improved or much improved vs. only 3% of subjects on placebo.
All of this sounds like garbage, I don't want sexual dysfunction or anger problems en leu of mild depression. Anyone have any experience with an anti-depressant that works well or dosage or combination of drugs that work well? Anyone had good experiences with supplements for treating depression?(I think I read somewhere St. Johns Wart may help)
I am willing to give about anything a shot where as I am pretty unpleased with my drug experience.Most studies conclude that St. John's wort is usually as effective against depressions as other modern medication, again with fewer side effects, and it is widely prescribed for depression in Europe. A recent study showed St. John's wort to be no more effective than a placebo in cases of severe depression, although an SSRI was also no more effective on the primary outcome measure.
Edited by lucid, 12 May 2007 - 10:03 AM.
