https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/560593#M13492 Hey lyad,<BR /> <BR /> Thank you for sharing an update here. We hope you don't mind us popping in, we just wanted to let you know that it might take a while to hear back on a discussion like this, as it was started a few years ago. We’d like to suggest <A href="https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/custom/page/page-id/faq#new_thread" target="_blank">starting a thread</A> of your own if you’d like to share more of your story and your perspectives.&nbsp;<BR /> <BR /> We would ask if you could focus on your mental health and wellbeing journey, rather than specific health issues and symptoms. This community is great for discussions about managing a long term health issue, and coping when diagnosis isn't a clear or linear journey. However, it's not possible for community members to request or give specific medical advice here. For medical advice we always recommend starting with the GP, and finding another if needing a second opinion.<BR /> <BR /> Thanks again for sharing, it’s not always easy so we hope you can be proud of having taken this step.<BR /> <BR /> Kind regards,<BR /> <BR /> Sophie M Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:28:04 GMT Sophie_M 2023-03-09T01:28:04Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387435#M9755 <P>Hello there,</P> <P>I’m a 34 year old male who started taking&nbsp;medication to treat my anxiety and depression in early December 2018. I took one tablet a day for just a month before stopping.</P> <P>Although I could definitely feel the treatment was helping my mood, I noticed that the composition of my body began to change quickly. I began to lose my naturally lean muscle in my arms and chest and grow a layer of fat (giving me a man boob look). My stomach muscles also became incredibly soft and lost all their natural tone. It actually seemed like all of the muscles in my body softened considerably in just a matter of weeks.</P> <P>I did not make any modifications to my diet or exercise habits during this period, leading me to believe that these changes can only be related to this medication. Also, rather than putting on weight (which was what I was initially concerned about), I have lost several kilograms. I assume this is because I have lost muscle mass but I cannot be sure.</P> <P>I was worried that this medication may have affected my hormone levels (mainly testosterone), but all my tests have apparently come back normal. My doctor is perplexed at what has happened to my body in such a small space of time as there is no mention of muscle determination/fat accumulation in the listed side effects. Also, other than a couple of anecdotal reports, there is very little information about this phenomenon online.</P> <P>It has now been over 2 months since I have stopped this medication, and despite my regular cardiovascular exercise, weight training and healthy eating the problem has not resolved.</P> <P>I feel very self-conscious about what has happened to my body (particularly my chest) and feel even worse than I did before starting the medication. I worry that my body composition may have now permanently changed or will at least remain in such a state for a long time.<BR /> Has anyone experienced or come across anything like I have described? If so, what more can I do to try and recover from this?</P> <P>Thank you</P> <P>Ricky</P> Tue, 12 Mar 2019 04:54:28 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387435#M9755 rixon 2019-03-12T04:54:28Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387436#M9756 <P>Hi Rixon</P> <P>I took antidepressants for a year but while they worked I felt fatigued all day every day during that time and despite a reasonable diet plus 30min daily exercise I have the same problem too, while the belly doesn't bother me the man boobs do. I understand that the medication affects everyone differently but it should be a permanent problem hopefully.</P> <P>Where you taking anything else around that time? As for myself I'm taking medication to reduce cholesterol but one of the side effects for that is muscle problems.</P> Tue, 12 Mar 2019 05:38:11 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387436#M9756 CrazyGecko89 2019-03-12T05:38:11Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387437#M9757 <P>Hi Rixon (<EM>and a wave to CrazyGecko89</EM>)</P> <P>Welcome to you and thankyou for posting too! I have been on AD's for 22 years to help me reduce the severity of chronic anxiety attacks. I was 36 when I started the script and my (<EM>own</EM>) anxiety reduced reduced by approx 70% within a couple of weeks....phew!</P> <P>The AD's can <EM>sometimes</EM> make us fatigued (<EM>as Gecko89 mentioned</EM>) I havent heard of any issue with losing our muscular definition until now yet it doesnt surprise me.</P> <P>I was also 'ripped' prior to taking the AD's...There may have been a tiny bit of weight gain but nothing super noticeable..come to think of it Rixon...yes there was an increase albeit slight..in weight around the chest</P> <P>If you think about your system prior to the meds...having any level of awful anxiety is fueled by an excess of adrenaline...which is a huge calorie burner as anxiety symptoms usually do cause... </P> <P>Just from my experience I am certain that there isnt any link with AD's and testosterone that I am aware of...My anxiety started in 1983 when I was 23...I will be asking my GP the next time I see him in April..thats for sure</P> <P>Interesting post Rixon....Good1.....Can I ask how you are going with your anxiety after stopping the meds?</P> <P><EM>I really hope you can stick around the forums and post back when its convenient for you</EM>. Any questions are always welcome!</P> <P>My kind thoughts for you</P> <P>Paul</P> Tue, 12 Mar 2019 08:25:32 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387437#M9757 blondguy 2019-03-12T08:25:32Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387438#M9758 <P>Thanks for the reply Gecko.</P> <P>So you are off ADs now? If so, how long have you been off? Do you still have the side effect problems?</P> <P>The only other thing I was taking was an over the counter iron supplement. I wonder if this could have been a factor in this mess I am...</P> Tue, 12 Mar 2019 10:26:05 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387438#M9758 rixon 2019-03-12T10:26:05Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387439#M9759 <P>Thanks for reply Paul.</P> <P>My current level on anxiety is actually still a lot better than it was before starting the SSRI... Yes, it was awful back then. Whilst this is good in some ways, it makes me think that my brain chemistry was significantly altered by the drug and that is why I am still having these side effects months after stopping. However, I feel far more depressed now than before because of what has happened. I have some damning before and after photos which I really want to share if possible. I just don't know what else I can do except keep on doing what I'm doing now and wait :(.</P> Tue, 12 Mar 2019 10:41:07 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387439#M9759 rixon 2019-03-12T10:41:07Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387440#M9760 <P>Hey Rixon</P> <P>No worries at all. The AD's only boost our Serotonin levels (as some people with anxiety/depression have depleted levels of this neurotransmitter) The AD's wouldnt have an effect on your brain chemistry afterwards...just from my experience</P> <P>Im not a GP...only a volunteer here...yet it took my doctors 13 years to get me to take AD's....as I used to be very anti meds....</P> <P>Just a suggestion if I may Rixon....(<EM>just thinking out loud</EM>).......have you thought about asking a psychiatrist as they are the specialists where medication is concerned....They know the true dynamics of AD's and what they can and cant do</P> <P>You have nothing to lose and <EM><STRONG>everything to gain</STRONG></EM> by doing so....You may have a heavy burden lifted off your shoulders by doing so too <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":slightly_smiling_face:">🙂</span></P> <P>I have a medication review with my psychiatrist early in April...<EM>I might ask him the same question about myself re the same matter</EM></P> <P>I hope you can stick around Rixon...I'll ask some questions</P> <P>please be gentle to yourself </P> <P>Paul</P> Tue, 12 Mar 2019 11:27:12 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387440#M9760 blondguy 2019-03-12T11:27:12Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387441#M9761 <P>Hi,</P> <P> I am not a man, but what you describe would not be worth the benefits for me. So much about feeling ok is tied up in how we feel about ourselves. ADs have made me put on weight over the years. I was by nature thin, now I have to struggle to control my weight. I am ok at the moment, but feel better when I look better and can also cope bettetess</P> Tue, 12 Mar 2019 14:05:38 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387441#M9761 Tess2 2019-03-12T14:05:38Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387442#M9762 I've been off the AD for 3 months and the side affects are still there to a degree but mainly fatigue. Only been able to knock off 1kg so far and the only part that looks remotely toned is my legs. The medication to reduce the cholesterol unfortunately causes muscle pain and dizziness which really doesn't help. Before the depression started I was around 86kg but around 98kg now. Tue, 12 Mar 2019 14:13:58 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387442#M9762 CrazyGecko89 2019-03-12T14:13:58Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387443#M9763 <P>Hi Rixon, and thanks for posting this thread because of all my muscle tone has well and truly disappeared and I only thought that was by my lack of exercise, but perhaps you've good a point.</P> <P>I know that my thighs have halved in size, but at my age (64) I thought that was natural, one point I'd like to say is that after many years of depression I'd rather be feeling so much better, mentally, rather than looking the part.</P> <P>I do understand what you are saying Rixon and appreciate your concern.</P> <P>Geoff.</P> Tue, 12 Mar 2019 15:29:04 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387443#M9763 geoff 2019-03-12T15:29:04Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387444#M9764 Thanks for the advice Paul. I might look into that, but it would be amazing if could ask that question when you have your assessment. Wed, 13 Mar 2019 05:21:19 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387444#M9764 rixon 2019-03-13T05:21:19Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387445#M9765 As I said the strange thing i haven't gain any weight at all.. I actually lost it. I'm 178cm and have gone from 80kg to 77kg since I took the medication. However, I now have man boobs :(. I have become very obsessed about this as there has been no improvement whatsoever despite all my effort. I can no longer wear half my clothes as a lot of them are quite tight fitting and accentuate the issue. Did the manboobs only come after you started the meds? Has the situation improved at all since you stopped? Wed, 13 Mar 2019 05:28:23 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387445#M9765 rixon 2019-03-13T05:28:23Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387446#M9766 The man boobs are still there unfortunately and they appeared while taking the AD. I'm trying to lose them by exercising but the muscle soreness caused by the other meds I'm taking is making the task difficult. Wed, 13 Mar 2019 10:21:03 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387446#M9766 CrazyGecko89 2019-03-13T10:21:03Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387447#M9767 Sucks man seems we are in the same boat <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":disappointed_face:">😞</span> Wed, 13 Mar 2019 11:08:05 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387447#M9767 rixon 2019-03-13T11:08:05Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387448#M9768 Did you by any chance notice your arms getting fatter and losing muscle too? Wed, 13 Mar 2019 11:13:50 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387448#M9768 rixon 2019-03-13T11:13:50Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387449#M9769 My arms didn't fatter but they became more flabby as the muscle tone dropped. Wed, 13 Mar 2019 16:01:29 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387449#M9769 CrazyGecko89 2019-03-13T16:01:29Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387450#M9770 <P>Hi Rixon (and <EM>a wave to Gecko89 Tess2 and Geoff</EM>)</P> <P>consider it done Rixon..will do as I have the same question to ask my specialist as well. </P> <P>Can I ask how severe your anxiety was prior to taking the AD's?</P> <P>my kind thoughts</P> <P>Paul</P> <P></P> Thu, 14 Mar 2019 09:27:47 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387450#M9770 blondguy 2019-03-14T09:27:47Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387451#M9771 At times it was severe I would say no doubt Fri, 15 Mar 2019 03:32:18 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387451#M9771 rixon 2019-03-15T03:32:18Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387452#M9772 <P>Hi,</P> <P>The same thing has happened to me, I maintained my workout intensity - and in fact increased it in the last 4 months - but my body composition has changed and I am worried. Self-image is a huge factor in my depression. I am taking antideppresants.&nbsp;</P> Fri, 15 Mar 2019 05:36:44 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387452#M9772 memorytrap 2019-03-15T05:36:44Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387453#M9773 <P>Sorry to hear that. Are you like me in that you haven't actually put on weight but just that your muscle has seemingly softened everywhere?</P> <P>I'm going to see a new GP tomorrow to get a second opinion and possibly a referral to a specialist of some sort if that is a possibility.</P> Fri, 15 Mar 2019 10:50:02 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387453#M9773 rixon 2019-03-15T10:50:02Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387454#M9774 <P>Yes, around my chest and abdomen. I'm unable to add any tone. I've been on and off training across my life, but usually after 4-5 months I can recover, but ever since I started taking ADs it's been different, my weight has been stable but I've lost tone. The ADs also affect my energy so maybe that is a factor.</P> <P>I'm halfway through a box, I'm going to see a doctor and just try to get off them completely. The long term defects concern me.</P> <P> </P> Fri, 15 Mar 2019 11:31:57 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/treatments-health-professionals/my-antidepressant-turned-my-natural-lean-muscle-tone-into-fat/m-p/387454#M9774 memorytrap 2019-03-15T11:31:57Z