Seeking Medications Advice - HELP

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Hi,

In the words of Huey Lewis...I want a new drug!

I've been in a bit of a slump for the past 3 months, and seriously considering going back on meds for anxiety/depression (and seeing a psychiatrist again) - I was on Cipralex from 2008-2009 during a job transition issue, and again in 2010-2011 when I was dealing with a bully boss. Now, I don't quite have those same situations, but have been in an emotional slump due to both home/family and work factors - it's not intense but it's definitely troubling and has caused me to be more absent-minded, detached, etc. and I don't want a vicious circle to "ignite" and exacerbate my Asperger symptoms.

What I'm concerned about are side-effects...there are some that I find less tolerable than others, and I am especially worried about long-lasting effects - when I went off Cipralex by the end of 2011, I felt fairly blah for the first 3-4 months of 2012 even though I gradually reduced the dose over the fall of 2011 as things got better for me. Side-effects I'm concerned about are:

- feeling of vertigo or dizziness
- extra sleepy feeling i.e. could sleep for 10-12 hours each day, and coffee is of marginal use
- nausea
- change of appetite
- tingling of hands and feet
- forgetfulness
- can't drink alcohol (I'm an occasional drinker)
- libido loss
- headaches/migraines (this was a big one for me during the first 1-2 months I was on Cipralex)

So, if anyone could advise me on what the optimal drug is to minimize these side-effects, that would be VERY helpful...and while I do realize that certain people are more susceptible to certain side-effects than others, there are some side-effects that are more common in the general population which maybe some of you know about. And that anxiety/depression drugs are always evolving to minimize side-effects.

I realize that such drugs will not vastly improve core Asperger challenges (lack of ToM, big-picture intuition, nonverbal nuance comprehension, etc.) BUT it could help mitigate the proclivity to make such mistakes based on ongoing anxiety - like I said, the whole vicious circle thing. They could also help with reduction of emotional triggers that I have frequently gotten, where somebody tells me that something I said is irrelevant or misses the point, or criticizes me on something and then I "fall apart" so if I can react better to those situations, or even better, preempt them based on a calmer state of mind...so much the better.

All psych meds affect different people in different ways so it is impossible to give objective advice.

Having said that: beta blockers might meet all your requirements.
They are not suitable for asthmatics and you might notice breathlessness until your body adapts. And keep an eye that BP does not drop too low.
I doubt you'll find anything else that meets all your requirements so its a question of prioritising your requirements.

Mirtazapine does not affect libido but is associated with weight gain. It is one of very few ad's that does not affect libido.
Risperal is associated with weight gain and extra sleep - in my case the extra sleep is high quality so it's a price i enjoy paying.

As for weight gain, that's just down to being aware your metabolism has slowed down, and weight watching.

I'm on all 3 and have no noticeable side effects. Alcohol use is not affected. But as i said - what works for me might not work for you.

It might be worth checking "natural" remedies like 5HTP or St Johns Wort - NOT together, or in conjunction with anything that inhibits serotonin reuptake - or chamomile tea or melatonin.

Here's the safest one:

_________________
No for supporting trump. Because doing so is deplorable.

I know this is probably the most boring, expected advice but have you seen a doctor?

Specifically, one with expertise in this area?

That's my best guess with where you should start.