FabSwingers.com forum: Anti depressants

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I know this is not a medical site and everyone's situation is different, but I was curious for those who are happy to answer.

Have you tried anti depressants and did they work for you. I know a few people who do and are happy with them.

In all the years I have battled my mh I have always had concerns about them, the side effects, what changes in personality they may bring, being on them for life. And weirdly feeling a failure if they work and wondering why I did not try them before.

Any decision won't be made until proper research and chats with the professionals

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By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

I've been on anti depressants as well as other stuff since I was 13 and I'm now 58 I don't know a life without them

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By *ools and the brainCouple
over a year ago

couple, us we him her.

I'd chat with your GP about any concerns you have and definitely ask about side effects

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By *ornyhiker00Man
over a year ago

Newcastle

Sertraline years and years ago when I had a bit of a rough patch.

Was like drinking 5 red bulls at once mega focused, made me grind my jaw a bit and oddly gave me raging hard ons randomly.

But def helped me through a tough time and got me back where I needed to be.

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By *affron40Woman
over a year ago

manchester

Yes OP for many years. On my third brand now as it’s trial and error and some change longer term. Couldn’t survive without them.

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By *hrimper36Couple
over a year ago

Central France dept 36

I asked my gp for tablet help With dépression but stopped after taking four tablets because of the

no orgasm side effect.

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By *IG G77Man
over a year ago

GATLEY

"I know this is not a medical site and everyone's situation is different, but I was curious for those who are happy to answer.

Have you tried anti depressants and did they work for you. I know a few people who do and are happy

with them.

They didn't help me in any way made me feel worse so I refused to take them

Sometimes its too easy for GPS to say here take these , trouble is you never get out of the cycle so I took the choice to not take them

And best thing I ever did

Life is what you make it

Any decision won't be made until proper research and chats with the professionals "

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yes I've tried several different ones. It does depend if you're looking for help with anxiety or depression, I've found. And some just don't work for some people because the side effects are too strong. I'd always prefer not to use them because they can make me feel very numb. But they've got me through tough times in the past whilst I've sought other help. Best of luck.

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By *dventurous biMan
over a year ago

tesside

Been on a small daily dose of sertraline for about 10 years.

I did make an attempt to come off it last year, but my mood got worse and I went back on it.

When I first started taking it my climaxes became more intense and were often dry. As in I got the sensations but didn’t ejaculate. Didn’t go soft either.

That was exhausting, but my partner was very happy.

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By *orYourThighsOnlyMan
over a year ago

Midlands

One plus to them is they delay the cumshot. So your partner will be happy.

Apart from meds. You may seek to see a professional who can delve into your subconscious mind to determine where the root cause is coming from. Look for an Emdr h y p n o t i c specialist. They’ll also give excellent coping techniques to use when you need them.

I wish you well.

Shoot me a pm if you need any further information.

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By *plCpl69Couple
over a year ago

Blackpool

Different meds carry different side effects for different people. I've had some that haven't worked, some that worked too well, some that meant I couldn't finish and some that completely sapped my interest in sex fullstop.

It's about finding your own personal preference and tradeoff. Only you and a doctor can decide what's best.

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By *oding1Man
over a year ago

marlow

Retired medically been on low dose 20 years

Life saver

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By *atnip make me purrWoman
over a year ago

Reading

Yes they do come with side effects but so does depression.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Citalopram for probably 15 and prior to that, fluoxetine for 5. Crazy dreams if you take Citalopram before bed, but that's about it

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By *otSoPetiteMortWoman
over a year ago

Hertfordshire

I have only been on Citalopram and all it did for me was make me numb. x

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By *agebunWoman
over a year ago

Rugby

I've been on antidepressants for nearly a decade now with only a very brief period not being on any.

I've tried fluoxetine, sertraline and I'm currently on venlafaxine which I'm finding works better for my anxiety as well as my depression.

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By *imi_RougeWoman
over a year ago

Portsmouth

From personal experience... The side effects are often worse than the original problem.

I had severe pnd (according to the GP) so was on and off them for years. It's like being numb, didn't really feel anything, just about functioned, no interest in sex. My actual issue was vitamin deficiency, but didn't get tested for that until quite recently. So I could have been made much better by supplements rather than drugs

Also been on other kinds for chronic pain, but they messed up my metabolism and gained a massive amount of weight, which is never a help with anything!

Depending on the reasons why you're mental health is suffering, I would suggest looking at alternatives.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I've been on antidepressants for nearly a decade now with only a very brief period not being on any.

I've tried fluoxetine, sertraline and I'm currently on venlafaxine which I'm finding works better for my anxiety as well as my depression."

I'm on the latter too. It's a bastard to come off it though, I believe!

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By *eally_RosieWoman
over a year ago

Scunthorpe

I have battled depression on-and-off for decades. I suffered particularly badly with post-natal and don’t think I could have navigated that without medication and support at the time.

However, all that I’ve tried have made me foggy and introverted after a while, so I made the choice every time to stop.

Curiously, when I came off regular birth control for other health reasons, most of my mental health issues stopped, and I haven’t needed them since x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Been on and off fluoxetine from age 16-38. My only side affect was night sweats. Each time I came off them I was fine for a couple of months and then crashed. This time around I’ve gone down the therapy route to get to the route of why my depression keeps returning. I done it privately and it’s expensive but so so worth it and I’m now connecting the dots. I wish I’d done talking therapy sooner rather than mask my feelings with tablets. I also had a full lifestyle overhaul of eating better, losing weight, making sure I get enough sleep and the gym. I feel all these things have helped this time around as I’ve been off them 8 months and feeling really positive. Coming off them wasn’t pleasant and I was a mess for about 4 weeks with withdrawal symptoms. They did save my life as I was too far gone on more than one occasion. Some people are really anti pills but there is definitely a place for them. It’s like a little crutch to lean on while you figure things out. I thought I’d be on them forever but now I’m understanding myself more I feel this could be a real turning point. Definitely speak to your doctor though as there are many brands of antidepressant so if you’re experiencing a bad side effect they can switch you to something else to see if it helps. Also consider talking therapy too as you will be amazed as how helpful it can be just to get all those thoughts and feelings out in the open instead of swarming around in your head. I hope you feel better soon lovely xx

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By *nightsoftheCoffeeTableCouple
over a year ago

Leeds

I've had them in the past & have refused them ever since they didn't work for me if anything made me worse during the course of 4 years, various ones/various doses.

Everyone is different OP my experience and someone else's will be the complete opposite, speak to your GP and discuss what you think you need they are best suited to help.

Mrs

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

not the best things to take because of side effects but I take 40g of fluoxetine

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I know this is not a medical site and everyone's situation is different, but I was curious for those who are happy to answer.

Have you tried anti depressants and did they work for you. I know a few people who do and are happy with them.

Any decision won't be made until proper research and chats with the professionals "

OP, do take medical advice. However for my two pennies worth, my comment would be, if you were physically ill and there was a treatment, would you take the medicine? Same with mental health, there can be a chemical imbalance, the anti depressants can correct that. There can be side effects, I was on them for a period and did not like the lack of 'feeling' - I like my emotional highs and lows, I did not like feeling just 'meh', but for many it is treating the horrendous depression and the complete despair, so if your Dr advises it, follow that advice and they will monitor it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sertraline for 10 months in my late twenties combined with finding a good therapist got me out of a very dark slump and on a life changing path of healing a growth, developing mindfulness skills and practicing meditation (which I mostly suck at unless it's movement based flow state meditations).

10+ years later I have all the resilience I could have hoped for.

Someone else mentioned EMDR which can be helpful in brain rewiring. And there's a lot of promising research in psychedelic assisted therapies.

Like most things, you have to find what's right for you, some things will work, others won't and it's trial and error, and you still have to do the work to heal. But I would say meds changed my life, and made healing what felt impossible manageable - although I was ready for that change when I asked for it.

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By *ebauchedDeviantsPt2Couple
over a year ago

Cumbria

[Removed by poster at 09/11/23 15:02:55]

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By *ebauchedDeviantsPt2Couple
over a year ago

Cumbria

"I know this is not a medical site and everyone's situation is different, but I was curious for those who are happy to answer.

Have you tried anti depressants and did they work for you. I know a few people who do and are happy with them.

Any decision won't be made until proper research and chats with the professionals "

Yes, I take them and they have changed my life for the better. Very few, if any, side effects after the two week weaning on period. Different types work for different people, some get bad side effects and others hers none at all. Don’t be put off trying them, after all you can always stop if they don’t work for you.

Mr DD

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By *ongandharderMan
over a year ago

Rotherham

"I know this is not a medical site and everyone's situation is different, but I was curious for those who are happy to answer.

Have you tried anti depressants and did they work for you. I know a few people who do and are happy with them.

Any decision won't be made until proper research and chats with the professionals "

I'm on anti depressants they work and have made. Real difference

as for side effects

Common sexual side effects from antidepressants like Zoloft (sertraline) include decreased libido and difficulty achieving orgasm in both sexes.

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By *ongandharderMan
over a year ago

Rotherham

I have been on them 8+years so I guess I can provide information on them haha

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have been on them 8+years so I guess I can provide information on them haha"

I've only been on seretine for 2 months.. then my doctor want to take me.off them which I'm not happy about at all!

I don't want to go back the way I was

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Gosh surprised to see so many negative experiences - I had PND after having babies, it just messed up my body chemistry completely!

Antidepressant saved my life. Best combined with talking therapy I would suggest - but I only had side effects for the initial starting period, and literally pretty much saved my sanity!

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By *ongandharderMan
over a year ago

Rotherham

"Gosh surprised to see so many negative experiences - I had PND after having babies, it just messed up my body chemistry completely!

Antidepressant saved my life. Best combined with talking therapy I would suggest - but I only had side effects for the initial starting period, and literally pretty much saved my sanity!"

Yeah not trying to be negative they are great and happy to be on em

but have had side effects

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By *plCpl69Couple
over a year ago

Blackpool

"I've been on antidepressants for nearly a decade now with only a very brief period not being on any.

I've tried fluoxetine, sertraline and I'm currently on venlafaxine which I'm finding works better for my anxiety as well as my depression.

I'm on the latter too. It's a bastard to come off it though, I believe!"

Currently on Venlafaxine myself. If I miss just one dose, within hours I'm hit with horrific vertigo. Coming off them for me would be a nightmare.

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By *imi_RougeWoman
over a year ago

Portsmouth

"I have battled depression on-and-off for decades. I suffered particularly badly with post-natal and don’t think I could have navigated that without medication and support at the time.

However, all that I’ve tried have made me foggy and introverted after a while, so I made the choice every time to stop.

Curiously, when I came off regular birth control for other health reasons, most of my mental health issues stopped, and I haven’t needed them since x"

That was also something else I noticed! The implant sent me absolutely crazy.

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By *imi_RougeWoman
over a year ago

Portsmouth

"Gosh surprised to see so many negative experiences - I had PND after having babies, it just messed up my body chemistry completely!

Antidepressant saved my life. Best combined with talking therapy I would suggest - but I only had side effects for the initial starting period, and literally pretty much saved my sanity!"

I bet you any money you were deficient in folate and B12, it was a long time before I learnt that has the same symptoms as pnd.

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By *entBarryUKMan
over a year ago

Ashford

Yes, they worked, but there were downsides for me. Low libido, i only took the meds at night because they can cause tiredness. Coming off them can cause problems with short temper and sleep.

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By *imi_RougeWoman
over a year ago

Portsmouth

"I know this is not a medical site and everyone's situation is different, but I was curious for those who are happy to answer.

Have you tried anti depressants and did they work for you. I know a few people who do and are happy with them.

Any decision won't be made until proper research and chats with the professionals

There's no such thing as chemical imbalances... There's not even tests for that, that's just what the docs spew out.

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By *ebauchedDeviantsPt2Couple
over a year ago

Cumbria

"I know this is not a medical site and everyone's situation is different, but I was curious for those who are happy to answer.

Have you tried anti depressants and did they work for you. I know a few people who do and are happy with them.

Any decision won't be made until proper research and chats with the professionals

There's no such thing as chemical imbalances... There's not even tests for that, that's just what the docs spew out. "

There definitely is such a thing as a chemical imbalance but it’s just a contributing factor to depression, not the sole cause, as some would have you believe.

Depression isn’t a chemical imbalance but it can be caused by a chemical imbalance.

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By *imi_RougeWoman
over a year ago

Portsmouth

There's no such thing as chemical imbalances... There's not even tests for that, that's just what the docs spew out.

There definitely is such a thing as a chemical imbalance but it’s just a contributing factor to depression, not the sole cause, as some would have you believe.

Depression isn’t a chemical imbalance but it can be caused by a chemical imbalance."

Which chemicals though? And how do they test for it? That's what they told me... And they were wrong.

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By *ebauchedDeviantsPt2Couple
over a year ago

Cumbria

There's no such thing as chemical imbalances... There's not even tests for that, that's just what the docs spew out.

There definitely is such a thing as a chemical imbalance but it’s just a contributing factor to depression, not the sole cause, as some would have you believe.

Depression isn’t a chemical imbalance but it can be caused by a chemical imbalance.

Which chemicals though? And how do they test for it? That's what they told me... And they were wrong. "

Generally seratonin but as I said it’s only a contributing factor. The idea that depression is simply a chemical imbalance has long been discounted by researchers. That’s why SSRIs are helpful for some people with depression and not others. Depression is an incredibly complex illness and we are unlikely to ever know what the causes for each case are.

Medicine is a lot of trial and error and best guesses, and more is being learned every day.

Mr DD

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By *naswingdressWoman
over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

It's trial and error and GP is your best bet, because they know your history and risk factors.

For me, most of them took the edge off - limited both the extreme highs and extreme lows. But made average to somewhat high possible again. (I've been on countless antidepressants, somewhat treatment resistant)

I hope you find what you need

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Appreciate the candid replies

Having lost my dad a few months ago and a very close friend a couple of weeks ago, I think my mh has taken yet another battering so i won't be rushing any decision.

I can function on a day to day basis but know I can be doing more with my time and life but don't know what had to change to make me realise I can still have a happy productive and enjoyable life and not sure tablets will give me that.

When you constantly think your better off not here but don't act on it because of what it will do to others

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By *mf123Man
over a year ago

with one foot out the door

I was given anti anxiety pills once turns out it was allergies in the end not anxiety at all

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By *rtyIanMan
over a year ago

Gateway to the Beacons

I used to post weekly about MH on here, I also write a blog about it, to cut a long story short Seetraline turned me in to a zombie with zero interest in life let alone sex, there are post on my blog about antidepressants and libido and sex drive etc.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Tried most and cycled for over a decade.

They can help but you need the right one (unfortunate trial and error over a long period) but I wouldn't recommend long term.

The first time on them they were the most helpful to me, but my dosage was cranked way higher than I'd want to take.

Everyone is different though - I know people permanently on them with no ill side effects.

I avoid now if at all possible.

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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago

Newcastle

Anti depressants

Are only a coping mechanism whilst talking with other professionals can assist depending upon the reason for feeling depressed. Some depressive symptoms can only be successful achieved if whatever has made you feel this way is able to be challenged successfully whereas other things which aren't understand that nothing is ever going to change the circumstances and accepting unless is a way forward.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I suffered bouts of serve depression through out my adult life,Anti depressants did absolutely nothing for me,and if anything they actually made me feel worse.

I learnt 'mindfulness' and I can honestly say it changed my life.

I practice it everyday.

Yes I still feel blue from time to time,but I have been depression free for over 7 years now.

I urge everyone suffering with depression to try it. Learn as much about it as possible, and give it a chance,you will see a difference, and it will change your outlook on life.Good luck.x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've been on them for 6 years now and while they are a life saver for me, I've noticed my libido and sex life has gone to pot.

So,

A. Do I keep taking them and live a relatively 'normal' life?

B. Do I stop taking them and get my libido back and start climbing the walls in desperation again?

I think we all know the answer.

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By *licia_2021TV/TS
over a year ago

Ashby De La Zouch

After trying most types i ended up on fluvoxamine. Never heard of anyone else on this

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By *adtaffladMan
over a year ago

Rhyl

I've been on them for years and always will be. The trick is finding the right one and the right dose and it can take a month or so for them to start to work properly depending on the drug . I'm on citalapram 40mg and they work great for me. You can still have bad days but they are greatly reduced. Some I tried made me feel awful or aggressive. When you find the right one the only thing you feel is relieved.

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By *heaspieswingerMan
over a year ago

Peak District

"I know this is not a medical site and everyone's situation is different, but I was curious for those who are happy to answer.

Have you tried anti depressants and did they work for you. I know a few people who do and are happy with them.

Any decision won't be made until proper research and chats with the professionals "

They don’t work for me. I’ve suffered with depression my entire life, and I’ve been prescribed more things than I can remember the names of

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By *iss_terri_bTV/TS
over a year ago

Oldham

Yes - they did work in as much they gave me a bit of peace to sort out the external things that were causing my low mood - my depression was reactive - to entirely predictable external circumstances.

Your mileage may vary.

I would say that it’s worth trying - and it’s worth trying different medications.

There’s no prize for continued suffering with low mood.

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By *uffolkcouple-bi onlyCouple
over a year ago

West Suffolk

This is not medical advice obviously, just my take….

Starting is easy, stopping is very hard, sometimes close to impossible. They are highly addictive and very often ineffective in the low does they want to start you on. The longer you take them the harder it is to break the cycle.

What is causing your depression? It’s either something in the real world you should try to fix or something in your imagination you can fix with some kind of therapy, CBT for example.

Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.

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By *ost SockMan
over a year ago

West Wales and Cardiff

I have suffered badly from depression. I took an anti-depressant that they now longer give to people for many years.

At first, I thought it was amazing - it was like being given a key to a new world. I felt so unbelievably calm. However, that wore off over thr months and I started feeling down again. I also noticed the bad side effects - zero libido, constant constipation, weird zapping feelings and raging tinnitus etc,

I took them for about nine years. Eventually, I decided to get off them again - it was horrendous, but I managed it. That was 15 years ago. I’ve had many ups and horrible downs since them, but don’t feel the need to take them.

I accept some people have had good experiences and some people need them. The above is my honest experience, though.

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

I’ve been on two lots in the past for depression and I’m now on a set for anxiety. And I have to say the ones I’m taking for my anxiety have done the job brilliantly, I’m like a different woman. I only wish I’d started taking them sooner instead of thinking it was just how I was (instead of being something else - if that makes sense?). Not sure how long I’ll be on them.

When I was taking the antidepressants for depression they made me feel numb, but I guess at that time it was what I needed as I was overwhelmed by my emotions.

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By *sernameinuseMan
over a year ago

Lincs

I was reluctant to take and continue taking anti depressants but as my Dr advised if i was diabetic I would take insulin so why shouldn't I take AD to address a chemical imbalance?

After an initial period I don't have any side effects and don't think twice about taking them

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By *istalloverCouple
over a year ago

Pays de la Loire -Normandie -Brittany borderFrance

I used to suffer from SAD.

Spent years on seroxat ,then they went and banned it due to side effects,

I weened off and avoid them now but still hate winters .I now spend as much time as I can outside during the day and feel alot better. Hope you can work around yours.

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