Anti-depressants.

[Jean Poutine]

Alright. I'm on Effexor which isn't an SSRI but it's pretty close.

I just began to take them this week and I'm feeling VERY hyper. Like right now I could just go run outside in boxers at -15C. It's a funnier feeling by itself, since I'm not depressed and anxious anymore (today has been one of the best days ever, and nothing special happened), but I don't want to drive my mom mad either.

I just feel this imperious need to move. To do SOMETHING, anything. And I do not yet possess outlets for that (I'll have to ask to retake judo for Christmas).

I've also noticed I pop boners much less often, but I was aware of that side effect. I wasn't aware, however, that the med didn't only stamp out anxiety and depression, but also strengthened energically.

Is that a side-effect, and if so, is that permanent? Or is it just because it's the first time I take anti-depressants and just was used to my depression/anxiety?

[byee]

Hi again, Jason!

It's good to hear you're addressing your *stuff*.

I believe that 'hyperness' is a typical side effect of your medication, you can also feel a bit energized, too. Like most side effects, once your body gets used to the med it tends to wear off. Still, you might give your doctor a call and let him know how you're feeling and reacting to it.

[Jean Poutine]

Hi again, Jason!

It's good to hear you're addressing your *stuff*.

I believe that 'hyperness' is a typical side effect of your medication, you can also feel a bit energized, too. Like most side effects, once your body gets used to the med it tends to wear off. Still, you might give your doctor a call and let him know how you're feeling and reacting to it.
Hey brah.

It's good to be able to speak to people without suffering panic attacks. I don't know if that's a placebo effect or not, but it's been only today and I've been the happiest I've been in years. I even went to see my grandma, which usually puts me in a very troubled state (she has Alzheimer's ftl) and today it did not affect me that much. I stayed very content the whole day.

This will help me address my longing for belonging, as well. I need something to drain myself, so I'm going to go take back judo classes or something. It'll be fun!

The main cause of my lack of friends was anxiety. Now that I do not suffer panic attacks anymore, I might get more friends, because a person that really counts in my life gave me the strength to change and go forward, coupled with my social anxiety being stamped out. I haven't tried that yet, but I've put myself in situations where I would be struck with a panic attack and didn't feel so much as a stomachache.

I have an appointment in two weeks to discuss side effects, as well. Still, this is not a displeasant one so I'll just let it slide until then.

[byee]

Well, yay!

When properly prescribed after an accurate assessment, meds really work (most of the time) for a lot of people, i'm glad you're one! I doubt it's placebo, but even if it is (a dash of hope isn't such a bad thing!), the important thing is that you're feeling better. Enjoy!

[Jean Poutine]

lol no matter what I do I just can't pop a tent...it's like my sex drive fell in the negatives. Not only do i not have the desire for it (I never did much, but now I'm especially frigid), but i can't even manually pop a boner.

It's a pretty weird feeling. Is that something that'll be fixed with time too or do I have to live with that until I stop taking the meds?

It's not like I have a need for a tent anyway, being single. : P And the benefits FAR outweight the fact I seem to have lost a tent picket or something.

Also, can that cause any problems, other than sexually?

[byee]

Well, I'd certainly talk that one over with the doc, good sexual functioning is important and shouldn't be compromised for mental health! Do you wake up with an erection?

Most side effects of most meds are usually temporary and caused by the newness of them in the body, the body hasn't adjusted to the meds. The body has a self regulatory quality, it seeks equilibrium, so as it gets used to the meds, it rebalances itself and the side effects usually disappear. In some instances, side effects are 'not well tolerated' which means they don't go away, and then the doc should look for other medicines.

Fortunately, there are other med chocies out there that work similiarly (so you could expect similiar results), but they're different enough so they might be better tolerated.

Keep an eye on it, and if you can't get an erection when you see the doc, do tell him.

[Jean Poutine]

Well, I'd certainly talk that one over with the doc, good sexual functioning is important and shouldn't be compromised for mental health! Do you wake up with an erection?

Most side effects of most meds are usually temporary and caused by the newness of them in the body, the body hasn't adjusted to the meds. The body has a self regulatory quality, it seeks equilibrium, so as it gets used to the meds, it rebalances itself and the side effects usually disappear. In some instances, side effects are 'not well tolerated' which means they don't go away, and then the doc should look for other medicines.

Fortunately, there are other med chocies out there that work similiarly (so you could expect similiar results), but they're different enough so they might be better tolerated.

Keep an eye on it, and if you can't get an erection when you see the doc, do tell him.
No, I do not pop boners upon waking up. Sometimes I'll get semi-erections and my penor will grow and harden a little, but 95% of the time it's in a flaccid state. I'll have to see if I can pop boners again in a week.

If not I'll talk it over with the MD. But really, it doesn't matter much, since I'm not sexually active. If anything it's much more comfortable down there when I see a hawt chick. : P

[byee]

To be truly impotent, you have to NOT have them upon awakening. Having them at that time would indicate a physical ability to obtain erection.

If you could but can't since the meds, it's pretty safe to assume it's a side effect, let's hope it's temporary. I like the idea of telling the doc next time, eventhough you might be thrilled to feel better, you really shouldn't have to give up sex!

Still enjoying knowing you're feeling better, Jason.....the best Christmas present, eh?

[Jean Poutine]

To be truly impotent, you have to NOT have them upon awakening. Having them at that time would indicate a physical ability to obtain erection.

If you could but can't since the meds, it's pretty safe to assume it's a side effect, let's hope it's temporary. I like the idea of telling the doc next time, eventhough you might be thrilled to feel better, you really shouldn't have to give up sex!

Still enjoying knowing you're feeling better, Jason.....the best Christmas present, eh?
Yeah, that's what I said. The semi-erect states comes after a good 5 minutes of err...touching. But upon waking up my penor is always limp. And it never does the salutin' like it used to. At best, I'd say it does about 10% of the salutin'.

But the thing is that I'm not giving up sex. I'm not having any anyway : P But still, I'm going to tell her (the MD) about that next time. If the opportunity DOES present itself one day...I don't want to ruin the mood by going like "hay lol guess what i can't stand on guard for thee".

Still, I'm in a great mood so I just laugh it up. 18 and ED is a pretty ironic combo imo, there's humor in that! But I still hope it's not permanent.

And yes, feeling better is great brah. My niece is home now and I've never felt better. She used to annoy me a lot and I'd stay away but now we get along just fine. I'm in so great of a mood now, it's incredible. I know I can change, I already had the drive to (given to me by an AWESOME awesome person) and now I have the ability. I'm going to fix every problem.

[byee]

Yeah, don't worry about it, it's probably temporary. Enjoy all the good stuff, and have a great Holiday! Santa came a little early for you this year.

[Jean Poutine]

Thanks brah, you too, and thanks a lot for your support. I appreciate it.

[thesphinx]

Well Sam got this covered, like always :P

[Hyper]

Ahh I'm glad there are many Hypers out there xD

[byee]

Ahh I'm glad there are many Hypers out there xD

ah, but there's only one real Hyper!

[Jean Poutine]

I have another problem.

Since I started taking meds, I noticed my systolic blood pressure is VERY high.

Usually my readings are in the range of 120/60 with a ~70 pulse. In other words, I have a good heart. Right on the average. You may even want to remove ~10 off the systolic and some pulse because getting my BP taken scares the hell out of me.

Since I have started taking Effexor, my blood pressure readings shot up to 145/65 with a 90 pulse...I just took my BP. I was pretty relaxed so stress isn't a concern.

I suppose I should talk to my psych about this as soon as possible. Is norepinephrine causing the higher readings? This is pretty problematic, so I suppose she'll switch my meds around? Are there anti-depressants that do not cause a spike in blood pressure?

[Skhorpion]

The reason you're hyper is because effexor is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Norepinephrine is your body's natural stimulant. The meds keep more in your brain, hence the "reuptake inhibitor" part. Since you're more stimulated, yes your pulse/BP will be higher. It's just a part of the med.

[byee]

I have another problem.

Since I started taking meds, I noticed my systolic blood pressure is VERY high.

Usually my readings are in the range of 120/60 with a ~70 pulse. In other words, I have a good heart. Right on the average. You may even want to remove ~10 off the systolic and some pulse because getting my BP taken scares the hell out of me.

Since I have started taking Effexor, my blood pressure readings shot up to 145/65 with a 90 pulse...I just took my BP. I was pretty relaxed so stress isn't a concern.

I suppose I should talk to my psych about this as soon as possible. Is norepinephrine causing the higher readings? This is pretty problematic, so I suppose she'll switch my meds around? Are there anti-depressants that do not cause a spike in blood pressure?

Hi again Jason,

Like all side effects, you should talk with the doc to determine what the best course of action is. Until then, do nothing, other than to make a call to her and let her know.

I'm assuming your BP was taken on something 'reliable', right?

[Jean Poutine]

The reason you're hyper is because effexor is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Norepinephrine is your body's natural stimulant. The meds keep more in your brain, hence the "reuptake inhibitor" part. Since you're more stimulated, yes your pulse/BP will be higher. It's just a part of the med.
It ups it to a dangerous level, though. My family has an history of cardiac problems. All my relatives have blood pressure problems, be it high BP or low BP. I'm the only one smack dab in the average, and I'd like to keep it that way.

I'm hypochondriac and I'm scared of the risks of high BP, even though I'm only 18 and I'm not 30 points over the line.

Hi again Jason,

Like all side effects, you should talk with the doc to determine what the best course of action is. Until then, do nothing, other than to make a call to her and let her know.

I'm assuming your BP was taken on something 'reliable', right?
Hi,

Of course. : P My mom is trained and took it manually (well, she took it like the docs do).