Antidepressant with low incidence of weight gain and sexual side effects?

Question

I know that antidepressants affect everyone differently, but I'd like to get some opinions anyway. I've taken Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Effexor. Zoloft was AWFUL (severe weight gain, drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, and an overall zombie-like feeling). I'm allergic to both Wellbutrin and Effexor (which is unfortunate, since I really liked Wellbutrin for the 2 weeks I was able to take it).

I've had food issues for years and have been diagnosed with bulimia, which is why I really can't take anything that's going to make me want to stuff my face constantly (like Zoloft did). I don't think I need to explain why I want something with a low incidence of sexual side effects =^P

I have talked to my doctor about this on several occasions, but doctors seem to think side effects are more rare than they truly are.

Is there ANY antidepressant out there that won't make me fat and destroy my sex life? Has anyone had any good experiences?

I would really appreciate some input. Thanks! =^)

Answer 1

I have to say, the mess of finding antidepressants that work for you, is truly an art. While I saw a recommendation for Paxil, that drug made me suicidal. The true fact of the matter is, that while you may find a medication that lowers the incidences of more common side effects, it just might not work for you.
I understand that having bulimic issues poses new challenges for treating with antidepressants, my greatest advice would be that not only you seek psychiatric care, but that you are receiving counseling as well. The fact that you want to avoid the impulse to eat or overeat is it were, is an issue that in and of itself needs to addressed. Antidepressants will not fully help you in that respect. I promise you, I'm not trying to sound like the grim reaper, I have 13 years of personal experience trying to find a combo of psych meds that works for me, and its been a fight.
I wish that I had been honestly told what to expect when I unwillingly "embarked" on this little journey.
Talk openly and honestly with your prescribing physician, seek additional counseling. If you don't like and/or trust your doc....GET A NEW ONE!!! very important!
Hope this helps in one way or another

Answer 2

Unfortunately, the only antidepressant that meets that critria is Wellbutrin. :-(
Since you have suffered with bulimia, you should never have been put on Wellbutrin in the first place. I'm not sure why that is, but I know it is not recommended for people with eating disorders (or seizure disorders or a head injury...those two make sense though because Wellbutrin has a higher risk of seizures than most antidepressants. )
Hopefully, they will come out with newer antidepressants with less side effects. They say weight gain is the number one complaint with psych meds. Personally, I haven't had to deal with that specific side effect. But I have gone on and then off of Effexor, Lexapro, Celexa, and Zoloft all due to sexual side effects.

Answer 3

sexual side effects....you are screwed...all of them mess that up...as far as low or no weight gain..lexapro (works very quickly) and I have heard celexa--though that one made me really sad--I can't take it)..If you are anorexic, maybe you need the weight but all of them I have ever taken (and I have taken 99% of them ) have messed with the sexual functioning...sucks don't it. Treat one problem and it messes up another. I am also overweight and it's very irritating. It seems like if I don't want to be depressed from a chemical imbalance, I am depressed anyway cause the medicines make me fat.

Answer 4

gIRL TRY PAXIL IS GREAT IS HELPS WITH ANXIETY TOO GOOD LUCK