AAS and Anti Depressants

[BigBlu]

I've using AAS since I was 17 (I was at a very sports orientated high school) and I'm now 32. I get blood work done regularly and I'm 100%. I haven't used AAS every single year for the last 15 years but I've done 12 plus cycles.

About 10 ten years ago I was diagnosed with depression and was put on an anti depressant called Effexor XR, which I still take to this day. I am not concerned about the interaction between the AAS and Effexor, nor am I concerned with the moral issues of doing so.

I am keen to hear from other bodybuilders if you are in the same boat. Do antidepressants make it more difficult for you to lose bodyfat? Are there any other issues that you've encountered that might be of interest.

I look forward to hearing from anyone in the same situation.

 

[Big O]

just remember to take your meds...or else you could have a melt down

 

[Dellyo]

I've using AAS since I was 17 (I was at a very sports orientated high school) and I'm now 32. I get blood work done regularly and I'm 100%. I haven't used AAS every single year for the last 15 years but I've done 12 plus cycles.

About 10 ten years ago I was diagnosed with depression and was put on an anti depressant called Effexor XR, which I still take to this day. I am not concerned about the interaction between the AAS and Effexor, nor am I concerned with the moral issues of doing so.

I am keen to hear from other bodybuilders if you are in the same boat. Do antidepressants make it more difficult for you to lose bodyfat? Are there any other issues that you've encountered that might be of interest.

I look forward to hearing from anyone in the same situation.

Bump for ya bro..

 

[H_T_]

it'll differ from case to case. i haven't had anything negative performance wise when it concerns the anti-depressants. it's prolly benefited me, being able to focus better and other things....depression & bodybuilding is a bad mix. how hard is it to train when you can't get yourself to leave the house? counterproductive, to say the least...lots of people suffer from this bullshit needlessly, i wish more of them would get help...

 

[solidspine]

I take both anti anxiety and anti depression medications.

The basics are Prozac and Xanax. My shrink is always experimenting and I usually take about 4 different meds for depression and anxiety.

I usually just toss the others. The side affects of Prozac and Xanax in my opinion would subside after you develop an initial tolerance.

So after 10 years on Effexor your body is completely adapted to it and I suspect it is innocuous to any other meds you need, including gear.

None of the Meds I take (take b/p and gerd meds also) affect my training, weight gain or lost, or use of gear.

 

[ILOVEMYWIFE]

I have been taking Paxil now, for about 6 years. Maybe longer.
I have a Panic and Anxiety disorder that is controlled through the medication.
To answer your question, yes, some anti-depressants do have an effect on weight gain.
Paxil for instance, has been proven to slow the metabolism down.
I personally, have gained a significant amount of weight since beginning treatment.
My only concern now is trying to get off the drug. The withdrawl symptoms of PAxil is
just as bad as the disorder it treats.

 

[StRoNg_WoN]

Paxil is BRUTAL to come off of... I had electric shock-like feelings and all kinds of stuff. I used Celexa... it's pretty decent... minimal sides... when I come off though.. EVERYTHING seems a LOT more overwhelming, and hard to handle.. once I'm back on... things seem a LOT easier to manage...

 

[solidspine]

I took paxil and it wigged me out, I had 24/7 panic attacks I was on it about three weeks I know it suppose to kick in two weeks but I had REAL panic attacks,

A good friend of mine takes it and swears by it, I guess everyone is different.

 

[DBBT]

Paxil is BRUTAL to come off of... I had electric shock-like feelings and all kinds of stuff. QUOTE]
lol, i had that too-hated that shit. ive taken every anti-d and anti anx while on with 0 problems.

 

[pitbullrocco]

I guess everyone is different.

true true.....

i was prescribed wellbutrin after my old lady's son was diagnosed with cancer.....by her stepfather mainly to help us stop smoking.....well, it def helps with that, but it also has mild amphetamine properties which means appetite suppression and raised metabolism.....not so good for 'massive gains'.....other than that, i've had no probs mixing so far......however, wellbutrin is different from the SSRI's and MOAI's, etc.....i can discontinue and continue whenever with no sides.....except not having that "go-go" feeling when not on....i'm sure its like all other chemicals in that blood saturation and half-life makes the difference.....not sure how effective it is with depression though, otherwise i would think more docs would prescribe it rather than the more "dangerous" (as in side-effects) anti-deps. maybe its not as effective. my old lady's stepdad is a cardiologist and he's never had good things to say about the pharmacology of most, if not all, anti-depressants.

off my rant, i agree with solidspine.....every person will interact differently and its usually a personal biology experiment....aas does effect serotonin and dopamine levels to a certain extent.....

 

[Big O]

i'm on celexa...i knoiw if i dont take it for a few days my head starts spining from all the little things start to creep up on me..