PS oh, the only side effect I’ve had is super vivid dreams. Sometimes it feels like I’m dreaming all night long and I wake up tired from all the intense dreams. It’s strange... but I suppose there are worse side effects.
PS oh, the only side effect I’ve had is super vivid dreams. Sometimes it feels like I’m dreaming all night long and I wake up tired from all the intense dreams. It’s strange... but I suppose there are worse side effects.
Runnerchx44 wrote:
Hello! You have some really good questions and I am so glad you are taking your options seriously. Despite what the pharmaceutical companies, and doctors even, want you to think, antidepressants do effect your body and can have negative consequences. I am someone who has done both:taken them For years, been off for years, and have now been back on. Even though I am currently on something, I would strongly urge you to really think about what is going on in life that could be co tributing. Or maybe it’s lifelong patterns of learned behavior. I truly believe there is always an explanation for those types of moods, and NONE of them are related to “chemical imbalances”- which by the way, that theory has actually been disproven. There can be physiological factors at play though- thyroid, iron levels, insulin resistance, all sorts of things can contribute to those moods.
If, after lots of therapy with a GOOD therapist who isn’t quick to judge you and label you, and checking your diet and everything else, you still struggle, and want to try drugs.. I’ve had positive and negative experiences. For the positive, the current one I am on -Citalopram- I have not gained weight. I don’t do super high mileage but I was running the most I ever have and racing the most I have before I got injured. So, it didn’t seem to effect me that way. You can get on a super small dose. A lot of people feel better from the “placebo effect” anyways so just taking an antidepressant, even if a super small dose, can have a positive effect without all the negative side effects of taking a lot. Anywho... just some things to think about. Withdrawal DOES exist and it’s a bi*ch for some people, myself included, which is why I advocate really dissecting everything else in your life. There are almost always reasons to explain these behaviors.
Thank you and everyone for the thoughtful responses. They have given me new things to think about in regards to medication. I realize no one pill would "fix" me in any sense and I have tried many over the years, just never any "sepcific" anti depressant meds. I am glad to hear some of you have had running success on medications like these. Maybe I will go see someone again and try something other than zoloft. Haven't tried zoloft yet but I had a prescription filled and am worried about weight gain. In any case it feels good to know other people/runners have to make these considerations.
Also I have seen a good therapist lately but it is tough to get to his office due to distance, and even he is pretty pro anti depressant medication. He does meditation therapy too, My life and schedule just make seeing him regularly nearly impossible. Again thank you all.
You say you're manic depressive. You likely need a mood stabilizer like Lithium/Lamictal, not an anti-depressant. Anxiety and stress is a big problem and anxiety medications like valium/klonopin also work well to ease your mind and are better for you than booze.
RIP: D3 All-American Frank Csorba - who ran 13:56 in March - dead
RENATO can you talk about the preparation of Emile Cairess 2:06
Running for Bowerman Track Club used to be cool now its embarrassing
Hats off to my dad. He just ran a 1:42 Half Marathon and turns 75 in 2 months!
Great interview with Steve Cram - says Jakob has no chance of WRs this year