SSRI - Testosterone Levels

[neilio]

My doctor is pushing me to try Lexapro for my anxiety. I'm very worried about all the horrible side effects you read about SSRI's. One thing I'm particularly worried about is this:

I am into bodybuilding (not competing or anything, just something I enjoy). I have made tremendous gains over a couple of years. Has anyone read or heard of Lexapro lowering testosterone levels? I've found only limited info on this subject, but nothing substantial. I would hate to go on this medicine just to lose everything I've worked so hard for. Lower testosterone levels would definitely put a hurt'n on my weight lifting.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[USMC fighter]

It shouldnt because most antidepressants just work on your serotonin receptors, and some dopamine, and norepenaphrine also, none of these should effect your test levels

 

[maxpayne72]

Prozac very much helped my work outs. I had the heart to put in the extra effort, v.s. before when I felt beat up just trying to make it through a day, let alone a work out as well.

btw, if anyone tells you depression is "all in your head". Ask them to drink 12 beers and them tell them that being drunk is "all in there head" and if they psycho analyze themselves and concentrate real hard they can be sober and normal... with that much f*** up chemistry ( beer )

It shouldnt because most antidepressants just work on your serotonin receptors, and some dopamine, and norepenaphrine also, none of these should effect your test levels

 

[USMC fighter]

Great point Max!

 

[neilio]

Thanks for the responses guys. I sent karma for both of you. I tried the Lexapro for a couple of days and experienced some pretty "hard-to-deal-with" side effects, so I've stopped. I also lost over 5 lbs. I assume this is water weight because I experienced frequent urination while taking it. I know I didn't stay on it long enough to please the doctor, but I just could not deal with the sides (extra anxiety, worse panic attacks, absolutely NO appetite, nausea, more dizziness than usual, insomnia, fatigue, exteme difficulty reaching climax, and when I WOULD fall asleep...I'd wake up a while later with these really weird sensations in my head and I would have a severe panic attack). Some of these sides still have not subsided yet, but are getting better. Back in my stupid teenage years, I tried LSD...Lexapro made me feel very similar to what a trip felt like for me, minus the hallucinations. Needless to say, this is not a "good" feeling to me.

 

[bigjd69]

Bro I have been on Lexapro for awhile. I started on Paxil because I am a lunatic and the side effects just killed me ie: fatigue,sweating like a pig, lack of libido, and problems with erections. I switched to Lexapro and the above have lessened a whole lot. I still sometimes feel fatigued but not as bad; sweating is a little better but I have always been a sweater. As far as the Test. levels I have never heard anything like that. trying to come off of these drugs are hard the withdrawl is incredible. Good luck

 

[bigstve12]

I have never heard of any test sides...but the other sides are enough to decrease quality of life IMO. But then again depression and anxiety can really mess you up. So you should weigh out the pros and cons and make a decision based on that. Coming off an SSRI is always a difficult experience

 

[neilio]

Thanks again guys for your input. I will go for my follow-up with the doc and just tell him what happened. I assume he will just try something else besides Lexapro. Right now, I'm using .25 Xanax as needed for my anxiety and it works well, but it does not help my dizziness that much. I know Xanax is addictive, but it sounds to me like SSRI's and other anti-d's are just as addictive.

Oh, and I searched the net about the SSRI-lower test level subject and found this:

http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/celexa.pl?noframes;read=2508

That's really all I could find, and it's not a doctor or anything, just someone posting their opinion I guess.