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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bob on December 26, 2001, at 15:50:21
I have often seen articles and such that suggest that exercise helps with depression. Therapists and doctors have also suggested it to me on occasion. Before I suffered from any mood disorders, I loved to be active. I am now rarely active on medecines. My questions pertaining to this are as follows:
1 - Does anybody who takes antidepressants (especially drug cocktails, or the stronger meds like tricyclics and MAOIs) find it very difficult to participate in vigorous physical activity?
2 - Does anybody feel that excercise seems to have a delayed negative effect sometimes, where one actually feels worse a day or two after performing it? On the rare occasion when I get up adequate energy to exercise, I seem to experience a rebound from that where I feel expecially bad in the following days. This usually guarantees that I cannot continue exercising.
3 - Am I not finding the proper drug cocktail to allow me to be physically active, or is asking someone strung out on antidepressants who has a serious mood to exercise regularly somewhat unrealistic? I have found that the only times I can actually be physically active is on lower doses of medecine -- but it never lasts long, as my disorder takes over.
Posted by edward602 on December 26, 2001, at 17:43:16
In reply to Exercise and Depression, posted by bob on December 26, 2001, at 15:50:21
> I have often seen articles and such that suggest that exercise helps with depression. Therapists and doctors have also suggested it to me on occasion. Before I suffered from any mood disorders, I loved to be active. I am now rarely active on medecines. My questions pertaining to this are as follows:
>
> 1 - Does anybody who takes antidepressants (especially drug cocktails, or the stronger meds like tricyclics and MAOIs) find it very difficult to participate in vigorous physical activity?
>
> 2 - Does anybody feel that excercise seems to have a delayed negative effect sometimes, where one actually feels worse a day or two after performing it? On the rare occasion when I get up adequate energy to exercise, I seem to experience a rebound from that where I feel expecially bad in the following days. This usually guarantees that I cannot continue exercising.
>
> 3 - Am I not finding the proper drug cocktail to allow me to be physically active, or is asking someone strung out on antidepressants who has a serious mood to exercise regularly somewhat unrealistic? I have found that the only times I can actually be physically active is on lower doses of medecine -- but it never lasts long, as my disorder takes over.
You don't say what your diagnosis is nor your cocktail. Sometimes I have been too depressed to exercise, especially because of fatigue and insomnia. As I start to recover I mark the first small sign of well-being as a return to exercise. I have to force myself, really force myself. But even 20 minutes on the exercycle at the gym is good for my physical and menatl wellbeing. I've never noticed feeling worse after exrcising, though maybe more anxious (I take a benzo in the a.m. on waking and maybe when I exercise I metabolize faster and lose the effect of it sooner). But otherwise exercise has been critical for me. Years ago when I was too depressed to vigorously work out I started tai chi and it was of incredible benefit and still is. Maybe even if its just tai chi or yoga, you need to force yourself out.Best, Edward
Posted by MB on December 26, 2001, at 19:14:36
In reply to Exercise and Depression, posted by bob on December 26, 2001, at 15:50:21
I found that on antidepressants (SSRIs and Wellbutrin) it was VERY difficult to get to the gym (fatigue, lack of motivation), but that once I got there and got started, it was better. Without medication, my anxiety and obsession with fitness keep me in the gym A LOT. Sometimes I notice an increased anxiety about three hours after working out...almost panic-like. I don't know what this is about. It is worse after aerobic than after weight lifting. Maybe it is endorphin withdrawal? Is there such a thing?
MB
> 3 - Am I not finding the proper drug cocktail to allow me to be physically active, or is asking someone strung out on antidepressants who has a serious mood to exercise regularly somewhat unrealistic? I have found that the only times I can actually be physically active is on lower doses of medecine -- but it never lasts long, as my disorder takes over.
Posted by OldSchool on December 26, 2001, at 20:31:02
In reply to Exercise and Depression, posted by bob on December 26, 2001, at 15:50:21
> I have often seen articles and such that suggest that exercise helps with depression. Therapists and doctors have also suggested it to me on occasion. Before I suffered from any mood disorders, I loved to be active. I am now rarely active on medecines. My questions pertaining to this are as follows:
>
> 1 - Does anybody who takes antidepressants (especially drug cocktails, or the stronger meds like tricyclics and MAOIs) find it very difficult to participate in vigorous physical activity?Ive found that on the modern class psych meds, exercise isnt interfered with much if at all. I find absolutely no problems exercising while taking modern class antidepresants like SSRIs, Wellbutrin, Effexor, etc. However on the older meds like the Tricyclics and MAOIs its a different story. I did find that tricyclic antidepressants somewhat affected my ability to workout hard. This is probably mostly due to the anti-cholinergic side effects of TCAs. I found Pamelor raised my resting pulse rate and this was due to anti-cholinergic side effects...that definitely causes problems with aerobic exercise. TCAs also can cause a sedation that can interfere with exercise.
With MAOIs, Ive never really been on one except to try one briefly where it rapidly dropped my blood pressure a lot. I cant imagine working out hard with serious MAOI induced orthostatic hypotension. But then again, MAOIs are a much more potent AD so it might be a tradeoff between getting a really good AD effect and having the ability to push it really hard exercise wise.
>
> 2 - Does anybody feel that excercise seems to have a delayed negative effect sometimes, where one actually feels worse a day or two after performing it? On the rare occasion when I get up adequate energy to exercise, I seem to experience a rebound from that where I feel expecially bad in the following days. This usually guarantees that I cannot continue exercising.No I havent experienced this I always feel better the next day after working out.
>
> 3 - Am I not finding the proper drug cocktail to allow me to be physically active, or is asking someone strung out on antidepressants who has a serious mood to exercise regularly somewhat unrealistic? I have found that the only times I can actually be physically active is on lower doses of medecine -- but it never lasts long, as my disorder takes over.Sounds like the meds are probably overly sedating you. Perhaps a stimulating med like Wellbutrin would be in order.
Old School
Posted by shellir on December 26, 2001, at 22:08:04
In reply to Exercise and Depression, posted by bob on December 26, 2001, at 15:50:21
>
> 1 - Does anybody who takes antidepressants (especially drug cocktails, or the stronger meds like tricyclics and MAOIs) find it very difficult to participate in vigorous physical activity?
>
In the many years in which nardil was working for me, I was extremely active, modern dance, tennis, then the treadmill. I never found that exercise in itself perpetuated less depression--I somehow think I am not subject to the reported endorphin release. The better I feel, the more inclined I am to exercise but it doesn't have a positive circular rebound. If I am depressed and force myself to exercise, there is no noticable different in depression after exercise, aside from being "proud" of myself.shelli
Posted by bob on December 27, 2001, at 2:07:47
In reply to Re: Exercise and Depression » bob, posted by shellir on December 26, 2001, at 22:08:04
> In the many years in which nardil was working for me, I was extremely active, modern dance, tennis, then the treadmill. I never found that exercise in itself perpetuated less depression--I somehow think I am not subject to the reported endorphin release. The better I feel, the more inclined I am to exercise but it doesn't have a positive circular rebound. If I am depressed and force myself to exercise, there is no noticable different in depression after exercise, aside from being "proud" of myself.
>
> shelli*************
Shelli:
You have summed up my thoughts well. There is no "positive circular rebound" for me either. If I feel good enough, I like nothing more than to go exercise. If I don't feel good enough I just can't. Even in the rare instances when I've forced myself to anyway, it didn't seem to relieve any of my symptoms whatsoever. It just added fatigue to my existing problems. I love to be active, but what usually stops that is when my mood degrades.
Posted by ivoovi on December 27, 2001, at 15:26:53
In reply to Re: Exercise and Depression » shellir, posted by bob on December 27, 2001, at 2:07:47
I have noticed a definate crash related to exercise. It is directly related to the intensity of the workout, and starts the day after the exercise and lasts 2-3 days. One time, I was severly suicidal and it was very bad. I notice the longer I go without exercise the happier I become....HOWEVER, I'm training for a marathon....so I need to exercise 6 days a week -- vigeriously! Plus, I'm trying to tone my body. If I want to function correctly, I shouldn't exercise -- but if I want to be healthy and accomplish my goals I must exercise.
I'm definately talking to my doctor about this. He put me on depakote, which helps with the dramatic depressive states following exercise, but doesn't eliminate them! :P
-Chris
Posted by bob on December 28, 2001, at 13:44:27
In reply to Re: Exercise and Depression, posted by ivoovi on December 27, 2001, at 15:26:53
Is Depakote the only thing you're on? When I was on Depakote, I would practically fall asleep talking to people. Physical activity was the last thing on my mind. I guess it just goes to show... once again, that we are all so unique.
Posted by ivoovi on December 28, 2001, at 14:10:04
In reply to Re: Exercise and Depression » ivoovi, posted by bob on December 28, 2001, at 13:44:27
I'm also on Neurontin and Wellbutrin (what presumably caused the crashes), the doctor only added the depakote after I started crashing after exercising. Depakote never made me tired, or sedated, but i can fall asleep faster (not from making me drowsy). Anyway, I hope things are going well!
-Chris
Posted by ST on January 2, 2002, at 4:09:17
In reply to Exercise and Depression, posted by bob on December 26, 2001, at 15:50:21
Really interesting stuff - we are all so different. I'm on Wellbutrin, Depakote and now Effexor XR. Exercising makes me feel great, I have no problem getting "up" for it and no real crash. I do get more tired now after a vigorous workout than pre - med days, but nothing huge. Now, when I was on Serzone (instead of Effexor) it was all I could do to get my butt to the gym. Once I was there I could barely keep myself going.
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