Exercise ... Do more, do less, do nothing? What worked for you?

[Johni]

Hello @Parisien . In 2 years I managed to quit 70% of escitalopram. True I go to the gym I don't run. but I still feel the positive benefits of the sport. After a good workout, my head always clears up and my rushing thoughts stop. so i still explicitly enjoy it. the only problem is my fluctuating motivation.

[Patient2022]

I’ve just read through some of the posts here after wondering whether I should force myself to exercise while tapering… one of the side effects of my AD is putting on weight (4stones!). That in itself makes me not feel great about myself, but then im also worried I’ll stress my body out with so many changes; the dosage, extra physical movement etc. 

 

Has anyone successfully lost weight after deciding to wait for stabilisation when tapering ?

[catmama]

What is the general consensus on weightlifting? 

 

I really enjoy weightlifting - the endorphin rush is euphoric! Both before and during my taper I have kept a fairly regular weight training regimen. Recently, I was pushing pretty hard at the gym and a few weeks later experienced a really bad wave that lasted about two weeks. I had terrible dizziness, nausea, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, crying, and fatigue. It was so bad I had to miss a day of work. I haven't been back to the gym since these symptoms hit. Over the last few days they've finally cleared up and I feel like I'm back to my WDnormal. (I plan to continue to hold at my current dose for at least another four weeks to really stabilize.) Now that I'm feeling better, I want to resume weightlifting. I feel like I have the energy for it. I will try to lower my weight and not lift as heavy to see if that helps my body not feel so taxed. Stopping altogether would really bum me out -  I get so many positive benefits from my practice. 

 

My question is: Is it safe for me to go back to the gym and resume weightlifting? Any advice for me? Or anyone have first-hand experience with safely weightlifting during your taper?

[Johni]

 

hello @catmama. I go to the gym 3-4 * a week. it doesn't cause me any problems. For sure the increase in muscle mass is absolutely not going. i don't know if the drug is due to a reduction or anything else. but training is good for me.

[ChessieCat]

On 2/15/2022 at 8:47 AM, catmama said:

My question is: Is it safe for me to go back to the gym and resume weightlifting? Any advice for me?

 

Increase duration and intensity gradually and observe.

[HardWork]

If exercise is an issue what would it look like- is it something that would be noticed during or right after exercise? Or- the taper in general would get shaky? I exercised daily and felt amazing during and after but taper in general was failing. Recently skipped a lot of exercise & feeling better. HOWEVER- I did SO MANY changes- diet, stopped supplements, pharmacy etc...

So how would harmful exercise display itself like during taper?

[ChessieCat]

28 minutes ago, HardWork said:

HOWEVER- I did SO MANY changes- diet, stopped supplements, pharmacy etc...

 

Too many variables.  SA recommends only making one change at a time so that if any issues (or benefits) arise you have more chance working out what caused it.

[HardWork]

17 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

46 minutes ago, HardWork said:

HOWEVER- I did SO MANY changes- diet, stopped supplements, pharmacy etc...

 

Too many variables.  SA recommends only making one change at a time so that if any issues (or benefits) arise you have more chance working out what caused it.

I hear you. Those changes happened naturally. I'll be more careful in the future...Thanks for reinforcing that!! At least changes were for the better... Thanks for quick response!

 

So going forward- can I now start exercise again, or wait a week or so, so not to add another change now 😉. 

[HardWork]

Hope im not being repetitive, forgive me if i am..

 

Could it be that I feel amazing after & during exercise- happy, relaxed, energized, clear...lasts for many hours after exercise, but it should still have a negative effect in overall? Or feeling good afterwards means its good for the taper? Or not necessarily?

 

Trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong as I'm doctoring myself off these toxins

[Marta]

Just my speculation...

Surely exercise is like taking supplements or changing the diet. If it's not too much of a shock for the brain it is ok. However on the other hand repeated heavy workouts are increasing toll on the uncertain stability that maybe will result in a crash in the long run.

For me I gave up heavy deadlift and squats, I was keeping a bit of weight training with more reps and less weight!I think it's a good balance.

 

 

(Anyway I am in a late wave my muscles gave up and I have muscles/nerve pain,tremors,spasm and exercise is making me sick. A day/night change, scary)

 

[Ariel]

@catmama how are you doing? have you modified your approach to exercise, and if so, how? i'm curious about your current perspective. i share your questions and am curious about what you've been noticing since your last posts. 

 

On 2/14/2022 at 10:47 PM, catmama said:

What is the general consensus on weightlifting? 

 

On 2/14/2022 at 10:47 PM, catmama said:

Recently, I was pushing pretty hard at the gym and a few weeks later experienced a really bad wave that lasted about two weeks.

 

On 2/14/2022 at 10:47 PM, catmama said:

Now that I'm feeling better, I want to resume weightlifting.

 

On 2/14/2022 at 10:47 PM, catmama said:

My question is: Is it safe for me to go back to the gym and resume weightlifting? Any advice for me? Or anyone have first-hand experience with safely weightlifting during your taper?

 

 

@Johnii'm curious as to what you mean by "the increase in muscle mass is absolutely not going". do you mean that it is difficult for you to increase muscle mass despite your exercise routine? does your exercise routine include weight lifting and other forms of training which would usually be expected to reliably lead to increases in muscle mass? 

i wonder whether psych drugs and withdrawal affect the body's ability to increase muscle mass. at a certain point in withdrawal my body rapidly and seemingly inexplicably lost significant muscle mass, changing beyond recognition in a matter of months. since then i have not been able to regain muscle mass normally. i'm interested in whether there is a known correlation between psych drug withdrawal, possible neurotoxicity (whatever that means -- i'm not really sure there's a consensus as to what is meant by that rather vague term -- ?), and accelerated muscle catabolism?

 

On 2/15/2022 at 10:31 AM, Johni said:

I go to the gym 3-4 * a week. it doesn't cause me any problems. For sure the increase in muscle mass is absolutely not going. i don't know if the drug is due to a reduction or anything else. but training is good for me.

 

 

 

@HardWork i have recently been asking similar questions. what have you discovered, if anything, since your february inquiries? 

 

On 2/16/2022 at 2:23 AM, HardWork said:

If exercise is an issue what would it look like- is it something that would be noticed during or right after exercise?

 

On 2/16/2022 at 3:16 AM, HardWork said:

Could it be that I feel amazing after & during exercise- happy, relaxed, energized, clear...lasts for many hours after exercise, but it should still have a negative effect in overall?

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone posting in this thread. Very useful, and interesting!

[Johni]

Hello @Ariel. i don't know if there is any evidence between psychiatric medication and muscle building problems. I think there are several factors involved. starting with appetite and motivation. but one thing was for sure until I reached half my medication. the increase in suffix weight went pretty well. since then, I’d rather say I’m going for the movement. i go to the gym almost only do weight training. but the increase in muscle mass does not go away. in fact, I still lose it. I am currently on 1/4 dose of my medication. I’ve noticed several times lately that training doesn’t have a good effect on my mood either. In fact, the next day I am irritable and very tired. So I’m starting to understand why a lot of people should say just exercise with caution. Now that the good time is coming with us, I will take out my bike and wonder how a little cycling will affect me. I hope I partly helped with my whims.

[Ariel]

On 4/6/2022 at 11:56 AM, Johni said:

I’ve noticed several times lately that training doesn’t have a good effect on my mood either. In fact, the next day I am irritable and very tired.

 

This sounds familiar. Sometimes I get so grumpy after yoga that it makes me laugh! Instead of feeling centered and enlightened, I often feel downright aggressive. Haha! It's like some bizarre parallel-universe opposite-world version of the yogic experience. At least laughing about it helps a little. 

Poor mood after exercise seems to be one of those withdrawal-related paradoxical reactions. Rumor has it non-withdrawal civilians enjoy feeling both energized and positive after a workout ... Whatever. I'll believe it when I feel it! 

 

Thanks for replying to my query, @Johni. Hope the outdoor cycling suits you! 

 

[catmama]

@Ariel I've been sticking with my weightlifting regiment and it's going well. I am gaining muscle mass (slowly, plus I'm female so I'm not bulky at all) while also losing body fat, as I am doing a keto diet. I know many folks on this site recommend avoiding anything too stressful on the body, but I have a lot of weight to lose due to how much I gained when I started SSRIs years ago. I am successfully doing that. In fact, through keto I have reversed my type 2 diabetes and no longer take medication for it.

 

Weightlifting absolutely helps with my mental/emotional symptoms of withdrawal, as well as the anxiety and depression that caused me to start meds in the first place. I get an endorphin high after a workout. Plus it helps me sleep better and have more body confidence, which also boost my overall mood. I lift three days a week and try to do some sort of fun, outdoor activity like a hike or bike ride once a week, and I have at least two rest days a week as well. The key is just finding what works best for you. Everyone is different. Some people get that same endorphin high from running or swimming. Just take it day by day and try to listen to what your body tells you. 

 

I am currently on an extended hold on my taper. My last attempt to resume tapering resulted in a second bad wave, so I think that's my body telling me to just get really stable before trying to resume again. I intend to continue my exercise and diet plan indefinitely. 

[Ariel]

Hi @catmama

Thanks for this. Very inspiring!

Congratulations on your progress in all areas. Great to hear.

A.

 

[jon1]

I’ve been working out at the gym 3 times a week throughout my 2 year withdrawal process. It’s been a struggle to get motivated at times, but I’ve been able to push through it and I’m convinced it’s helped keep me sane!

 

One thing I’ve found interesting as time has passed is how I can see the various stages of withdrawal affect how I workout with each taper. It’s quite fascinating.

 

I go through several weeks of feeling agitated, which leads to loads of energy when working out, and I often beat previous bests of weights I can lift.

 

This is always followed by several weeks of low energy. And despite doing the same workout routine, I always burn around 30% less calories than usual according to my Apple Watch. It’s been with same with every taper. I obviously don’t put in nearly as much effort when unmotivated, despite feeling like I am.

 

I also listen to music through my watch, and find there’s also a short period in each taper when I don’t like any of the songs in my playlist (despite having chosen them myself) and keep skipping them - a week or two later and I’ll love the music again.

 

There’s also as stage where everyone at the gym annoys me. 😁 The way they talk, being on their phones, taking too long on a machine, anything. Thankfully that fades too.

 

So I guess in a long-winded way I’m trying to say that the routine of going to the gym has really helped me see how withdrawal symptoms affect my state of mind and body. The various symptoms of each taper have pretty much appeared in exactly the same order, like clockwork. Being aware of that has helped somewhat in reminding myself that it’s not ‘me’ but the drug withdrawal symptoms.

 

Regarding irritability after working out, it has always happened to me (even before WD), not matter what I ate or how much I exercised.

 

But I’ve discovered that if I eat my ‘workout calories’ before the workout, not afterwards to refuel like a lot of fitness advice recommends, I’m in a much better mood. I use a supplement called Vitargo, which is an easily absorbed carbohydrate, 20 minutes for working out.

[curiousnootropics]

Anyone felt like Exercise cause a severe increase in withdrawal? I just started weight training and my anxiety/withdrawal is through the roof.

[curiousnootropics]

Anyone got much increased withdrawal when trying to exercise?

 

Anyone? I think the weight training I started caused much worsen withdrawal for me.

 

Edited May 20, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with existing topic

[Ariel]

@curiousnootropics

check out this already existing help topic -- the thread contains many pages of valuable input and discussion:

 

 

[Ariel]

Also, here's a link to a search of SA showing results for "exercise":

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/search/?q=exercise&quick=1&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_in=titles

[Mdawg]

I have found that keeping exercise to within Peak Performance Time (between 4 and 7 typically depending on what time you wake up-circadian rhythm) tends to create more benefits and less drawbacks especially during withdrawal.

 I definitely agree that these drugs are performance enhancing-especially Wellbutrin… I learned that it lowers the “perceived exertion threshold “ meaning it makes you perceive extreme exercise as being a piece of cake

[Happy2Heal]

On 5/18/2022 at 12:44 PM, curiousnootropics said:

Anyone felt like Exercise cause a severe increase in withdrawal? I just started weight training and my anxiety/withdrawal is through the roof.

 

 

I think this is not uncommon in withdrawal

 

speaking for myself alone, I was not able to do any cardio for a long time, and even then I had to limit it to very short periods and always before noon (otherwise my insomnia got much worse)

 

It will vary from person to person but it's best to do a little bit at a time to see how it affects you, and adjust accordingly

 

 

[curiousnootropics]

47 minutes ago, Happy2Heal said:

 

 

I think this is not uncommon in withdrawal

 

speaking for myself alone, I was not able to do any cardio for a long time, and even then I had to limit it to very short periods and always before noon (otherwise my insomnia got much worse)

 

It will vary from person to person but it's best to do a little bit at a time to see how it affects you, and adjust accordingly

 

 

I guess you can handle cardio now?

I see that you are out of withdrawal, how is life on the other side?

[Happy2Heal]

7 hours ago, curiousnootropics said:

I guess you can handle cardio now?

I see that you are out of withdrawal, how is life on the other side?

well, I can do short bits of cardio. I am older and lazy and don't really push myself to do a lot, so I can't say for certain what would happen if I were to do more than the little bits I do occasionally.

 

I am so relaxed now that I tend to do everything in a leisurely way.

and frankly I've never been a big fan of exercise, outside of walking or biking.

 

I am doing fantastic on the other side! I never expected it to be this good.

There were times I was sure that I would have to live with awful anxiety and insomnia for the rest of my life.

 

I am now almost missing some of the anxiety I had in withdrawal. It seems strange to say that but it did keep me moving more and gave me the energy to push myself out of my comfort zone. I also had no trouble keeping my weight down

 

Geez, can you believe that anyone could be a little disappointed to NOT have some of the withdrawal symptoms that they were afraid would never end?
 

it seems absurd but there was a bit of a silver lining to a few of those symptoms. I would not want to be anxious all the time of course but a little burst of energy now and then might be nice 

 

I am just so calm and relaxed and content most of the time.
it's good, it really is

how are you doing in your recovery?

[curiousnootropics]

8 hours ago, Happy2Heal said:

well, I can do short bits of cardio. I am older and lazy and don't really push myself to do a lot, so I can't say for certain what would happen if I were to do more than the little bits I do occasionally.

 

I am so relaxed now that I tend to do everything in a leisurely way.

and frankly I've never been a big fan of exercise, outside of walking or biking.

 

I am doing fantastic on the other side! I never expected it to be this good.

There were times I was sure that I would have to live with awful anxiety and insomnia for the rest of my life.

 

I am now almost missing some of the anxiety I had in withdrawal. It seems strange to say that but it did keep me moving more and gave me the energy to push myself out of my comfort zone. I also had no trouble keeping my weight down

 

Geez, can you believe that anyone could be a little disappointed to NOT have some of the withdrawal symptoms that they were afraid would never end?
 

it seems absurd but there was a bit of a silver lining to a few of those symptoms. I would not want to be anxious all the time of course but a little burst of energy now and then might be nice 

 

I am just so calm and relaxed and content most of the time.
it's good, it really is

how are you doing in your recovery?

Amazing

I'm 17 months of a too fast taper of Zoloft (50 mg). I'm still in hell, it is never ending. I hope I can get some relief soon.. I do not wish this on anyone..

[Patient2022]

I think ultimately we each need to listen to our bodies and take one day at a time. Exercise works for helping my well-being some days, other days I know I need rest. 

[Estman]

On 7/29/2011 at 4:06 AM, Altostrata said:

Just wanted to note about exercise:

 

Exercise can increase the release of cortisol, the stress and alerting hormone. Exertion may well make you feel lousy.

 

Walking is the form of exercise that least causes increases in cortisol. But if you do it strenuously and in the evening, you may well wake yourself up with some alerting hormone.

 

So don't overdo it, especially in the evening.

I did moderately physical work for 3-4 hours yesterday over a period of time
Feeling normal in the morning.
After finishing work and having lunch, I tried to rest but could not
Several hours of very fast pulse, about 100-105 beats per minute
Later in the evening, there was more depression and tension headaches
I was very anxious at night and couldn't sleep, I could sleep for about a few hours.
There is still a feeling of fear and depression today.
As if physical exertion had caused the wave.
I'm worried it will
I would never want to do any physical work or train again, but it all frustrates me
Can such an excessive increase in cortisol be controlled or reduced?
Or is it the case during weaning and passes later?

I wonder if it will ever change, will it recover?
Has anyone had the same experience?

[Happy2Heal]

1 hour ago, Estman said:

wonder if it will ever change, will it recover?
Has anyone had the same experience?

I had a very similar experience during WD recovery

I could only do walking, and only in the morning

I also noted that If I did not lay down and nap or sleep when I felt tired, and instead tried to stay up and go to bed at the usual hour, this did not work out  well, I would be over tired and could not sleep.

 

However this DOES improve, you will not be like this forever. I am totally healed now and while I don't typically exercise a lot, I can if I want to and not have it effect my sleep. IN fact I sleep better and deeper if I've been more active. But I still tend to limit activity to earlier in the day. I don't know if I need to, I just prefer to now, I guess.

 

Just listen to your body while it's healing.

You will be ok in time

 

 

[Estman]

14 hours ago, Happy2Heal said:

I had a very similar experience during WD recovery

I could only do walking, and only in the morning

I also noted that If I did not lay down and nap or sleep when I felt tired, and instead tried to stay up and go to bed at the usual hour, this did not work out  well, I would be over tired and could not sleep.

 

However this DOES improve, you will not be like this forever. I am totally healed now and while I don't typically exercise a lot, I can if I want to and not have it effect my sleep. IN fact I sleep better and deeper if I've been more active. But I still tend to limit activity to earlier in the day. I don't know if I need to, I just prefer to now, I guess.

 

Just listen to your body while it's healing.

You will be ok in time

 

 

Hi Happy2Heal!
Yes, it seems to me that an antidepressant has changed the way my body works
It wasn't like that before (I started taking it about 10-12 years ago)
As you wrote, I get tired very quickly
Even light work gets tired very quickly, not to mention physical work
My body seems to have slowed down its functioning and recovery
If I do any work physically then the activity time is more or less
After a couple of hours of work, I suddenly got very tired
It is at rest that the heart rate stays very fast for several hours
For some reason, the pulse does not return to normal and fatigue -exhaustion is getting worse, although
Like you, I can't sleep then.
I usually have to sleep 2 hours a day in the afternoon
After the effort, you will not be able to sleep, your pulse will be fast and your anxiety will increase
The mood then becomes very depressed
There is a constant fight-escape anxiety reaction at night.
Then I can only sleep for a few hours a night (towards the morning)
The next day is some unfounded fear and depression
Even a day later, there is mental fatigue.
It's all about being late
Fatigue comes later, at rest
Recovery very long, often several days.After the effort all the body sore and joints sore.
I'm still young at 41 and that's not normal.
I am very sorry that I started taking an antidepressant
Very big mistake.
You have a very long history of medication
It is encouraging that it will recover.

[Estman]

On 6/2/2022 at 5:42 PM, Happy2Heal said:

I had a very similar experience during WD recovery

I could only do walking, and only in the morning

I also noted that If I did not lay down and nap or sleep when I felt tired, and instead tried to stay up and go to bed at the usual hour, this did not work out  well, I would be over tired and could not sleep.

 

However this DOES improve, you will not be like this forever. I am totally healed now and while I don't typically exercise a lot, I can if I want to and not have it effect my sleep. IN fact I sleep better and deeper if I've been more active. But I still tend to limit activity to earlier in the day. I don't know if I need to, I just prefer to now, I guess.

 

Just listen to your body while it's healing.

You will be ok in time

 

 

For me, the wave is triggered by both physical and mental overexertion
I can feel more or less normal for 4 hours and then suddenly get totally tired for half an hour
The first half of the day may be normal and then in the afternoon sudden exhaustion
For some reason, I don't usually feel exhausted when I do something
It is only later that when I am at rest that the fatigue of lying down in bed gets worse
Along with fatigue, anxious depression develops
I also feel physically unwell, I want to vomit
I have never vomited but I often keep a bowl with me
Fatigue occurs very easily
Occurs even if you haven't done anything very strenuous
It simply should have ceased operations even earlier.
So I trigger an effort often in a wave that lasts for days to 10 days
At first, the effort, whether physical or mental
Then a fast pulse at rest which unfortunately does not stabilize for several days and remains fast
Insane tiredness and exhaustion
High anxiety-restlessness, hot flushes, nausea and depression
I wonder if it is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and transient?
Maybe there are some success stories about this?
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[Kat66]

On 5/19/2022 at 12:20 PM, curiousnootropics said:

Anyone got much increased withdrawal when trying to exercise?

 

Anyone? I think the weight training I started caused much worsen withdrawal for me.

 

@curiousnootropicsThis issue causes me so much frustration. Exercise, be it yoga, weight training, HIIT, cardio, whatever, is my happy place and yet it causes so much overstimulation of my CNS. Im also in my 50s so I cant afford to lose any muscle mass. I hate this! I'm reduced to walking the dog, a bit of yoga, and a few 15 min strength routines per week.

How are you getting on with your exercise routine/not exercising/reducing exercise?

[Kaervin]

In my case I had to revert back to doing just enough low intensity exercise to stay healthy. In 2015 I was in peak physical shape and hit the gym regularly. My goal once I recover is to get back to that.

 

You could try gradually increasing the intensity of your exercising. For instance, if you find out jogging for 10 minutes increases your symptoms a lot but 5 minutes does not, you could see if adding a minute each week helps you adjust.

 

Overall I would probably accept that we cannot exercise as vigorously as we'd like until we are recovered.

[Kat66]

On 6/18/2022 at 7:12 PM, Kaervin said:

In my case I had to revert back to doing just enough low intensity exercise to stay healthy. In 2015 I was in peak physical shape and hit the gym regularly. My goal once I recover is to get back to that.

 

You could try gradually increasing the intensity of your exercising. For instance, if you find out jogging for 10 minutes increases your symptoms a lot but 5 minutes does not, you could see if adding a minute each week helps you adjust.

 

Overall I would probably accept that we cannot exercise as vigorously as we'd like until we are recovered.

You’re right, an incremental increase is probably the way to go. When you say you do enough low intensity to keep you healthy, what sort of things do you do and for how long? 

[Guest]

It helps me to feel myself, but I also recognize how weak Iam. I like yoga a lot, but in the gym the music and the people stimulates me a lot that I will get obsessive thoughts. 
 

you have to listen to you body I think. 
 

sometimes it help me to see things clear 

[Kat66]

Guest I know what you mean about loud music etc. I have to have my YouTube workouts at a low volume. I’m up to doing 15 mins at a time now. Slow and steady. I know exactly what you mean about it helping one feel more like oneself, but realising how weak one is physically. 
 

[manymoretodays]

  

6 hours ago, Terrie said:

Exercise intolerance- fast taper?
I’m wondering if my exercise intolerance is because of a quick taper or does this happen to everyone? 
I was tapered off WWellbutrin  and Lexapro  over a month, then reinstated Wellbutrin . at 1/4 dose then  tapered again. Severe withdrawal then reinstated Lexapro  at 1.25mg. Now, after 7 weeks on 0.75 mg Lex.
If I do any exercise I get severely depressed for at least a week. Very angry, irritable, severe fatigue. It used to be worse in the heat. I would mountain bike all weekend and for 2-3 weeks be in severe withdrawal and bed ridden . Now in the winter I xc ski for an hour and I am wrecked for a week. Still too unstable to work. Started this journey nearly 9 months ago.
So,,, does this happen to everyone or just with fast taper?

 

Hi Terrie, @Terrie I've quoted your post over to a pre-existing topic that is relevant.

Yes, I do believe this happens with many who experience WD, not just to those who FT.

 

And best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Edited November 26, 2022 by manymoretodays
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