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Da1

396d

I’ve been struggling with depression and anxiety for a long long time now. I grew up in a household where mental health was stigmatised so I’m 23 and only just now reaching out for help. My doctor wants to prescribe me fluoxetine but I’m scared about the side effects. I experience anhedonia and low libido so I’m concerned about it getting worse on this medication and putting myself in a worse place than I was originally. However, I’m quite desperate. I feel extremely hopeless lately, I’ve had weeks where I could barely do anything but cry and cry. My partner has to help me to function and I hate putting that burden on them. I’ve tried many other things but nothing helps. Can you tell me about your experiences? Is there a low dose that may avoid side effects? Is low libido inevitable? Thank u!!

Top reply
    • Keegah96

      393d

      I started on sertraline which made me gain weight and lose my libido. I switched to sertraline 20mg for the past 6 months and have found no negative side effects whatsoever, I told my GP I didn't want to take something that would increase my weight or make me lose my libido as that would make my depression and anxiety worse. I've just started taking propanolol for my panic attacks too :)

    • Keegah96

      393d

      I started on sertraline which made me gain weight and lose my libido. I switched to sertraline 20mg for the past 6 months and have found no negative side effects whatsoever, I told my GP I didn't want to take something that would increase my weight or make me lose my libido as that would make my depression and anxiety worse. I've just started taking propanolol for my panic attacks too :)

    • verasama

      395d

      I took 20 mg for a while, and didn't notice any adverse effects. I eventually got switched off of it in favor of venlafaxine, but that was mostly because the prosec just wasn't doing enough for my depression and PMDD. I mean, the thing is every medication has side effects, and that doesn't mean that they're going to happen to every person. If you really want help with your depression, I would recommend just trying it, and letting it have the time to get into your system. If you notice it's not helping with your depression, or that it's making other problems worse, just talk to your doctor. If they are worth anything at all, they will listen to you and try to help you find a medication that has the biggest impact, the fewest side effects, and the right dosage for you.

    • Scrungle

      395d

      I'm on 40mg and no side effects. It's different for everyone, but many people I know haven't had bad side effects. I hear it can give you trouble sleeping though, so I take mine in the morning to avoid that.

      • LizzyMartinez

        395d

        @Scrungle same for me.

    • Aliek

      395d

      If you are very worried about side effects, I would recommend asking for the genesight test before you have to try medications. I tried around 20+ medications and was diagnosed as treatment resistent before they finally signed off on the genetic testing and found out I only properly metabolize 3 antidepressants due to a CYP2D6 mutation, and I have other mutations that effect medications and the MTHFR folic acid gene alteration which can cause depression, anxiety, and other illnesses. I went through a lot of hardship trialing medications that certainly would never work for me for months at a time because I figured I had no choice and was consistently told to "give it time to work." If you feel you have to do something, definitely try the medication as well as insisting on the testing if you can. Good luck!!!!

      • Onefortheroad23

        395d

        @Aliek I’m going to get tested too with Genesight soon because I’ve been through so many medications without any of them working. Knowing it worked for you gives me so much hope!

    • Isaduckbella

      395d

      I'm on 60mg of fluoxetine. It recently got increased, but I've used lower doses of it for years, and the only side effect I've noticed is truble falling asleep, but melatonin helped me with that.

    • WolfieWolf

      396d

      my best friend and fellow chronically ill is on Fluoxetine! roughly 20 mgs I think, and she's noticed no bad or adverse side effects. for her it has worked incredibly, but your experience may be a little different. only side effect I've noticed is when it wears off, it wears off HARD, you can kinda crash. hope this helps!

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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One user shared their experience with antidepressants, mentioning that they had difficulty reaching orgasm while on Lexapro and felt insecure. However, talking to their partner and focusing on non-sexual activities helped them cope with the side effects. Another user mentioned having severe sexual side effects from various medications, including Lexapro, Celexa, and Wellbutrin, which affected their marriage. It's important to note that individual experiences with medications can vary, and discussing concerns with a healthcare professional is essential for finding the right treatment plan.

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