Anti-depressants...worth it?

[indianballer]

So I'm planning on possibly seeing a psychiatrist soon, as I've been dealing with some issues lately and have fallen into a slight depression, which has only worsened during PCT, and has stuck around for about a month past the end of my PCT. If you've had it, you know what I'm talking about, where going to the gym doesn't make you feel better like normal, and overall funtioning becomes difficult. I've been on several anti-depressants in the past (Zoloft, Effexor, Lexapro, Wellbutrin) but never clicked with psychologists in therapy. I got off them about 2 years ago and told myself I would just handle things my own way, but it's becoming a little much again. My question is what is everyone's experience with anti-depressants and their conflicts, or lackthereof, with bodybuilding. I've made my best gains since coming off them completely, but I've also fine-tuned my diet, and run 3 PH cycles since then, so I can't say for sure how they effected me in the past. Anyone? Effexor gave me great energy, but anxiety increased significanly, and may or may not have stayed since, hard to say when it started, and I was too young to go to the doctor seeking benzos, so I gave up on that one too. Thoughts?

[Gutterpump]

If you want more energy and motivation, while simultaneously lowering anxiety to a high degree.... look into Stablon (tianeptine).

[Gordothespace]

I have taken Zoloft for or four years now and will probably until I die. I have nto had any sides to it liek gaining weight or sexual. I had more problems with my bp meds. Effexor almost killed me whenI was coming off it. I had a BAD serotonin crash when I forgot to take it on vacation. Never took it again. I took Lexipro for two days and had to stop because it would make me so out of it i couldn't do simple math or even fold a tea towel. (funny story)

it can be tough finding a counselor sometimes. You have to find one that you trust and can build a bit of a relationship with. Sometimes it is just as good to have a friend who will let you talk and just listen.

BTW: Stay away from alcohol when you are depressed. It will only make it worse.

[indianballer]

If you want more energy and motivation, while simultaneously lowering anxiety to a high degree.... look into Stablon (tianeptine).

This drug looks very interesting...I've never heard of it. Seems like by enhancing the reuptake, it could possibly lead to the brain telling itself to release more serotonin overall. I'm no physician though, just some uneducated theorizing. It seems as though it's not available in the U.S., however, and if I was to order overseas I would certainly go the benzo route again, as I've found nothing better in terms of results/sides for both depression and anxiety. O well, I reeeeaaaallly don't want to try any more SSRI's, so I'll be sure to at least mention this medication.

[indianballer]

And as for alcohol I rarely ever drink, and haven't been drunk in some time. After one DUI and one crashed car, I decided alcohol really wasn't my drug of choice.

[Gutterpump]

This drug looks very interesting...I've never heard of it. Seems like by enhancing the reuptake, it could possibly lead to the brain telling itself to release more serotonin overall. I'm no physician though, just some uneducated theorizing. It seems as though it's not available in the U.S., however, and if I was to order overseas I would certainly go the benzo route again, as I've found nothing better in terms of results/sides for both depression and anxiety. O well, I reeeeaaaallly don't want to try any more SSRI's, so I'll be sure to at least mention this medication.

By enhacing uptake of seratonin, it does indeed increase the concentration of it in the frontal cortex, as well as enhance the effects of dopamine (fires faster) at the neuronal level. It's great, but pricey. And not available in North America. Best thing I have ever found though...but therapeutic doses vary, the regular recommended 3x per day dosing doesn't do as much for me personally as say 5-6 does. It varies person to person.

[dsade]

By enhacing uptake of seratonin, it does indeed increase the concentration of it in the frontal cortex, as well as enhance the effects of dopamine (fires faster) at the neuronal level. It's great, but pricey. And not available in North America. Best thing I have ever found though...but therapeutic doses vary, the regular recommended 3x per day dosing doesn't do as much for me personally as say 5-6 does. It varies person to person.

How does it compare to Amineptine?

[Gutterpump]

Never tried it...must be next to impossible to find now, it's been discontinued for a while. It mostly acts on dopamine right?

Stablon, at the right dose, really brightens your mood and personally makes me pretty talkative and open, as opposed to how SSRI's make you tired and cloudy at times. It's also surprising how Stablon acts as an anxiolytic (reduces anxiety). For me it was better than benzos. Overall smoother and brighter feeling, but at the proper doses I could easily be dropping $200 per month on it.

[dsade]

Never tried it...must be next to impossible to find now, it's been discontinued for a while. It mostly acts on dopamine right?

Stablon, at the right dose, really brightens your mood and personally makes me pretty talkative and open, as opposed to how SSRI's make you tired and cloudy at times. It's also surprising how Stablon acts as an anxiolytic (reduces anxiety). For me it was better than benzos. Overall smoother and brighter feeling, but at the proper doses I could easily be dropping $200 per month on it.

Yep...based on the description by Andy Novick, Amineptine has been something I'm VERY anxious to try for years now.

[JDK5386]

So I'm planning on possibly seeing a psychiatrist soon, as I've been dealing with some issues lately and have fallen into a slight depression, which has only worsened during PCT, and has stuck around for about a month past the end of my PCT. If you've had it, you know what I'm talking about, where going to the gym doesn't make you feel better like normal, and overall funtioning becomes difficult. I've been on several anti-depressants in the past (Zoloft, Effexor, Lexapro, Wellbutrin) but never clicked with psychologists in therapy. I got off them about 2 years ago and told myself I would just handle things my own way, but it's becoming a little much again. My question is what is everyone's experience with anti-depressants and their conflicts, or lackthereof, with bodybuilding. I've made my best gains since coming off them completely, but I've also fine-tuned my diet, and run 3 PH cycles since then, so I can't say for sure how they effected me in the past. Anyone? Effexor gave me great energy, but anxiety increased significanly, and may or may not have stayed since, hard to say when it started, and I was too young to go to the doctor seeking benzos, so I gave up on that one too. Thoughts?

Citalopram is an excellent anti-depressant but I gained 3-4 pounds each month I was on it so I dropped it. I had no luck with Wellbutrin...it just didn't increase energy or reduce anxiety with a minimal mood impact.

The problem with most anti-depressants is that if you don't have insurance, and since the federal government is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the health cartels, you'll pay 150-300 per month.

[nemo]

I am currently on wellbutrin and abilify. I like the fact that wellbutrin, as a ssdi, doesn't screw with my manhood. It also has been the final nail in my smoking habit, made cigs taste different, and was finally able to stop completely fairly recently. The abilify has stabilized my mood better than anything I've taken in the past. No energy or anything like that, but I'm able to tolerate(lol) people that I would normally want to destroy. Maybe a bit excessive, but I feel good no matter what happens,like whatever is going to be, is going to be! I haven't noticed any adverse reactions as far as gains go.

[indianballer]

thanks for the replies fellas...Bonscott brings up the biggest issue for me with medication or not. At 17, the combination of trying zoloft for the first time and a superdrol cycle or 2, killed my libido and performance completely for a while (Talk about traumatic experiences and what not). Since that time, with proper PCT and a little more attention to the endocrine system I've recovered a decent amount of natural test production, and I'm not sure if I want to jeopordize that again to try some anti-depressants. Wellbutrin didn't hurt me either in that reguard, but I just didn't like or notice what it, or any of them for that matter, did for me really.

[natty texan]

I've been on lexapro for almost a year.

You could try starting a log (sorry if you already have one) and talking. I talk in my log (no one ever answers though, lol)

we're all here to support each other, and help each other.

body building is a big brother hood. like a fraternity where your dues are paid in the gym.

[indianballer]

That's a cool way of putting it. It's true though there's always a mutual respect when you see other big guys or really fit guys..especially in the gym. People who have obviously spent much time training and maintained a legitimate commitment to something for some time, which is a commendable trait in someone, and when you can see it from their physique...wtf is wrong with me anyways...yeah my head is scrambled, obviously. Has anyone with depressive symptoms had experience with adderall? love the energy with that stuff.

[natty texan]

That's a cool way of putting it. It's true though there's always a mutual respect when you see other big guys or really fit guys..especially in the gym. People who have obviously spent much time training and maintained a legitimate commitment to something for some time, which is a commendable trait in someone, and when you can see it from their physique...wtf is wrong with me anyways...yeah my head is scrambled, obviously. Has anyone with depressive symptoms had experience with adderall? love the energy with that stuff.

hmm I think adderall actually causes symptoms to get worse. (i'm not sure though i could be completely off)

although from reading your posts i will say this, everything i've read says when you go off cycle, your hormones are so off balance it throws you into a depression, even if your taking a strong and effective pct.

[indianballer]

Yeah I'd say that's accurate, although I haven't completely blamed it on the steroids, I see and agree with what you're suggesting. That's why I want to go talk to someone and get things out on the table with a therapist and get level headed and stable before I go back on (hopefully this summer, but have all the time in the world to wait). Could these hormone swings be a result of starting too young? Possibly a non-responder to Nolva, which has been the main, and only anti-estrogen in many many PCT's of mine thus far. Who knows.

[cslp2002]

WELL-BUTRIN I THINK THATS HOW ITS SPELT MIGHT BE A E N BUT EITHER WAY 150 MG A DAY IS A GOOD STARTING POINT.

ARE YOU HAVING MOOD SWINGS.

[CopyCat]

Look, if you were prescribed anti depressents before by a doctor then as you have stated yourself there may be a real issue you are dealling with. Do not try to self meicate yourself. You are not a doctor and mental health is not something to mess with. Go to a doc and talk to him. Be open and honest, tell him your history, where you are at, and what your expectations are. There are so many different medications availabe that I'm sure one can be found that you would be happy with. Antidepressents may may or may not be what a person needs, but a doc should make that decision. When were sick we take vitamin c or sudafed or Tylenol, if we have an infection we take antibiotics, when we want to get big we take supplements, so it only make sense to take the help for our mental health when indicated.

[indianballer]

hell of a response copycat. puts a different perspective on things for me.

[indianballer]

WELL-BUTRIN I THINK THATS HOW ITS SPELT MIGHT BE A E N BUT EITHER WAY 150 MG A DAY IS A GOOD STARTING POINT.

ARE YOU HAVING MOOD SWINGS.

semi-mood swings I guess...I just feel myself getting irritated inside at times, and I find myself withdrawing from social situations due to anxiety a lot. I've tried wellbutrin at 300 mg's originally and was brought down to 200 mg's and the positive effects seem to diminish at the lower dose. Instead asking to up the dose (which feels like drug-seeking behavior to me) I gave up on it.