another question about depression meds

[Tiggeroo]

i posted about my son needing med for depression and anxiety. He has been prescribed lexapro. However, he is a competitive athlete. He has read that the meds take away your drive to compete and put on weight. Might this be true?
I did some research and have seen that there are better choices for athletes dealing with depression. Should I seek out a counselor who works with athletes, and if so how would I find one?
Any experience in this area?

 

[rie'smom]

I gained weight with Lexapro but I think it was the weight that I had lost because of the depression. Because your son is a competitive athlete,I would consult a sports physician.

 

[dcentity2000]

It depends on the medicaiton. Fluoxetine, for example, will stimulate him and make him feel faster and stronger. Sertraline, however, will sedate him and slow him down. Escitalopram (Lexapro) is traditionally very neutral.



Rich::

 

[Tiggeroo]

I"m glad to hear it neutral Rich. I know they would avoid the ones that stimulate due to the panic attacks. Some of them are banned in athletics, even if you have good documentation for the need, due to the stimulatory effect, so those would be out. What about the suicide risk with the meds. I've read this and worry. However, although not classified as a risk he has had occasional suicidal thoughts. Does that make him a worst candidate for the meds, or mean that he needs them even more?
He went for an evaluation with the counselor and has his first real appointment in a week. On the surface he seems to be doing so much better. But he says he still feels badly an average of five days a month.

 

[dcentity2000]

I"m glad to hear it neutral Rich. I know they would avoid the ones that stimulate due to the panic attacks. Some of them are banned in athletics, even if you have good documentation for the need, due to the stimulatory effect, so those would be out. What about the suicide risk with the meds. I've read this and worry. However, although not classified as a risk he has had occasional suicidal thoughts. Does that make him a worst candidate for the meds, or mean that he needs them even more?

SSRIs (a type of drug - Lexapro is one) have been found to encourage suicidal tendencies in younger patients, but this is a tricky subject. In most cases where suicide arises from medication, it's because the patient was lifted out of their depressed state into a mood where they felt able to self harm. That being said, taking antidepressants can also REDUCE suicidal tendencies! Keep an eye on him - it should be fine.

He went for an evaluation with the counselor and has his first real appointment in a week. On the surface he seems to be doing so much better. But he says he still feels badly an average of five days a month.

Any improvement is good. Psychotherapy will help WAY more than you'd ever expect and could, in conjunction with the medication, pull him out of the dark depths of depression.

Just a note: Lexapro is a VERY good medication to start out on. It's basically a more developed and refined version of Celexa, which was a great drug in the first place.

I wish you every luck



Rich::

 

[Tiggeroo]

thanks. this is one of the reasons I encouraged a semester at a local college. I want to be able to monitor him a bit when he starts out on these meds. I'm uncomfortable with the fact that he's on something for the adhd, something for sleep and now this. It's just too much. He no longer seems lost in deep depression. He's out doing things and not sleeping. He's enjoying his running again, although not racing. There hasn't been a serious panic attack in weeks. I believe alot of this was tied to the transition to college and the pressure of college athletics, coupled with serious problems with his coach and the death of a friend. Alot for an 18yo to deal with. I am hoping that with therapy meds won't become a lifetime thing. It's just really difficult with this age. I believe he lacks the experience to deal with the health system and the assertiveness to put his needs first yet. But he's also an adult and can't have mom doing everything for him. I'm trying to help but not butt in.