Depression Issues and Clomid

[ssg10587]

I wasn't sure where to put this so feel free to move it.

Basically I have depression issues and have dealt with them a bunch in the past. I used prozac for a bit and didn't like so I've switched to low dose clomiphene and that seems to have helped with overall mood, dieting, energy and other t symptoms.

From speaking to my doctor, they are saying clomid is basically useless in regards to helping with depression and to stop it and go on welbutrin. I don't really buy this from the research and reading Ive done. Put simply I don't like antidepressants and their sides and would prefer to not deal with them.

I'm curious if anyone has experiences with something like this and can share. I didn't get a sense of confidence from the Doctor so if someone has other opinions on it Id be happy to hear them.

[Salvatore]

Hi ssg.

I didn't react well to prozac, it triggered my first anxiety attack and landed me in the E.R at around the 3 week mark. It did help boost my mood, but felt unnatural.

Wellbutrin helped me to cease smoking, had a profound affect on appetite suppression which helped with dieting (I was on Mirtazapine previously, which is notoriously bad for craving of carbohydrates, I had gained about 10kg/20lbs over 6 months). I felt a bit wired up most of the time & fidgety, found it difficult to be empathetic towards others which hadn't been a problem in the past, and I became very aloof with family & friends. Physical symptoms were some tingling at times & small muscle twitches, and feeling lightheaded occasionally.

I don't have any experience with clomid unfortunately. But if it is working for you, why change things? Did you see your doctor to specifically discuss better treatment options, or did he just bring up Wellbutrin in passing?

[ssg10587]

Originally Posted by Salvatore

Hi ssg.

I didn't react well to prozac, it triggered my first anxiety attack and landed me in the E.R at around the 3 week mark. It did help boost my mood, but felt unnatural.

Wellbutrin helped me to cease smoking, had a profound affect on appetite suppression which helped with dieting (I was on Mirtazapine previously, which is notoriously bad for craving of carbohydrates, I had gained about 10kg/20lbs over 6 months). I felt a bit wired up most of the time & fidgety, found it difficult to be empathetic towards others which hadn't been a problem in the past, and I became very aloof with family & friends. Physical symptoms were some tingling at times & small muscle twitches, and feeling lightheaded occasionally.

I don't have any experience with clomid unfortunately. But if it is working for you, why change things? Did you see your doctor to specifically discuss better treatment options, or did he just bring up Wellbutrin in passing?

Appreciate your input Salv Good to hear. Yeah I really didn't like prozac either and I was at the lowest dose.

And yeah my thoughts exactly. I'm using clomid on my own as I'm too young (30) to have it prescribed. I know this may not be the best but something I've read into and research pretty extensively. I'm on a pretty low dose, but even that has been helping me a lot. I've asked before and had my t tested and it came back average to lower average.

Cut to today, I have a physical/check in and I try to tell my doctor about everything im taking just in case. He had mentioned with my history of depression to stop the clomid as it is doing nothing (what im feeling is a placebo) and to take a look at taking welbutrin. With all the research ive read on t and depression, I was just surprised how little he knew about clomid and using it to combat depression.

EDIT: If curious: https://www.healthline.com/health/si...tional-changes

[alcahuetej]

Originally Posted by ssg10587

And yeah my thoughts exactly. I'm using clomid on my own as I'm too young (30) to have it prescribed. I know this may not be the best but something I've read into and research pretty extensively. I'm on a pretty low dose, but even that has been helping me a lot. I've asked before and had my t tested and it came back average to lower average.

I was prescribed Clomid at 33. What was your testosterone if you don't mind me asking? Your free T? Any other numbers?

Originally Posted by ssg10587

With all the research ive read on t and depression, I was just surprised how little he knew about clomid and using it to combat depression.

Do you have any studies showing that Clomid helps with depression? Clomid is prescribed off-label to males, and they're still building up the research with its use in males.

Yes, depression can be a symptom of testosterone, but it just as easily could be the depression that's causing your low T, not the other way around. High cortisol can lower testosterone.

Rather than self-prescribe, I'd start with your primary doctor, but then see specialists. Perhaps first with a pyschologist/therapist to tackle the depression and make sure you're taking the right meds. And/or see an endocrinologist or a specific TRT doctor to discuss your testosterone issues.

If your testosterone isn't SUPER low, it's entirely possibly it's just slightly below average due to the depression.

[ssg10587]

Originally Posted by alcahuetej

I was prescribed Clomid at 33. What was your testosterone if you don't mind me asking? Your free T? Any other numbers?


Do you have any studies showing that Clomid helps with depression? Clomid is prescribed off-label to males, and they're still building up the research with its use in males.

Yes, depression can be a symptom of testosterone, but it just as easily could be the depression that's causing your low T, not the other way around. High cortisol can lower testosterone.

Rather than self-prescribe, I'd start with your primary doctor, but then see specialists. Perhaps first with a pyschologist/therapist to tackle the depression and make sure you're taking the right meds. And/or see an endocrinologist or a specific TRT doctor to discuss your testosterone issues.

If your testosterone isn't SUPER low, it's entirely possibly it's just slightly below average due to the depression.

Think your pm box is full buddy but thanks for the pm back and appreciate this.

To your questions:
1) Was tested twice about 2-3 years ago but came back at around 400 and I think the 2nd time was around 500. Think 500 in the morning and 400 towards the end of the day. Wish I could give you more but don't think I have it anymore. I do remember I was in the middle/middle low area. I just got another test yesterday at about 11am and will report back. I'm hoping it will show higher.


2) I do not. I get your point that it is somewhat speculative. And I have handled my depression pretty well. As I mentioned, took prozac for a while which seemed to help as well as having done therapy in the past. Problem was prozac gave me some suicidal thoughts. Ever since using clomid, I have been in a much better place and I get depressed a lot less (maybe 1-2 times a month I feel down. Not even sure Id count it as depressed). Also work out, spend more time with family, etc. so not sure if my depression is totally gone but definitely im in the best place Ive ever been.

I had originally dug through this but also dug through a bunch else
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0028983/

Truth is I have crappy insurance and I'm being cheap but your point is taken and I'll look to speak to an endocrinologist. I don't want to make the full transition to TRT which is why I like the clomid but definitely doesn't hurt to see a specialist.

Thanks again.

EDIT: What were your thoughts on the welbutrin? That was something my doc prescribed yesterday

[alcahuetej]

Originally Posted by ssg10587

Think your pm box is full buddy but thanks for the pm back and appreciate this.

Ah, bummer. I deleted a message, hopefully that helps. I don't have time at the moment to sift through my inbox.

Originally Posted by ssg10587

To your questions:
1) Was tested twice about 2-3 years ago but came back at around 400 and I think the 2nd time was around 500. Think 500 in the morning and 400 towards the end of the day. Wish I could give you more but don't think I have it anymore. I do remember I was in the middle/middle low area. I just got another test yesterday at about 11am and will report back. I'm hoping it will show higher.

Eek, 11 am is late. You want that as early as possible, 8 am is good. Also fasted if possible, but the early testing is more important.

400 - 500 isn't bad at all, although your free T is the real important number. I'm 474 and feel great, but the numbers are just numbers. How you feel is the most important part. 600 might be your sweet spot, who knows.

Originally Posted by ssg10587

Ever since using clomid, I have been in a much better place and I get depressed a lot less (maybe 1-2 times a month I feel down. Not even sure Id count it as depressed). Also work out, spend more time with family, etc. so not sure if my depression is totally gone but definitely im in the best place Ive ever been.

Glad to hear you're feeling better, and it sounds like things are going well. Again, I would speak with a doctor. Forums are just that, forums.

Originally Posted by ssg10587

Truth is I have crappy insurance and I'm being cheap but your point is taken and I'll look to speak to an endocrinologist. I don't want to make the full transition to TRT which is why I like the clomid but definitely doesn't hurt to see a specialist.

I definitely wouldn't recommend TRT if you don't have to take it, I was given Clomid to start and it did the trick. A lot of TRT docs start with Clomid.

Originally Posted by ssg10587

What were your thoughts on the welbutrin? That was something my doc prescribed yesterday

I'm not well versed in Wellbutrin, it does get prescribed for depression though. Personally it wasn't a good choice for me, because my issues were panic disorder/generalized anxiety.

Anyways, best of luck.