The FastDay Forum

I take medication for anxiety and depression.

I asked a doctor if it is safe for me to fast, and they were clearly clueless on the subject!

Is anybody here on these types of medications? What are your thoughts/experiences?

Thanks!

[janeg]

Hello Fern, I don't know the answer but I bet a pharmacist would!
If you are in the UK, the pharmacists tend to be very knowledgable and keen to share their knowledge. If they don't know they are usually able and willing to find out for you.
I don't know about other countries though.

Yes, I'm in the UK.

Good thinking @janeg !

I take medication for anxiety and depression.

I asked a doctor if it is safe for me to fast, and they were clearly clueless on the subject!

Is anybody here on these types of medications? What are your thoughts/experiences?

Thanks!

Hi Fern. I am fairly new, and just found this thread. I too take 'brain meds' for depression, anxiety. Did you ever get any answers? Still fasting? I feel tired and depressed the first normal day after a fast, but that may go away with time.

Hi Fern. I am fairly new, and just found this thread. I too take 'brain meds' for depression, anxiety. Did you ever get any answers? Still fasting? I feel tired and depressed the first normal day after a fast, but that may go away with time.

For the first two to three weeks, tiredness with intermittent fasting is normal while the body re-learns how to use fat as an energy source. Salty drinks such as stock cubes (bouillon) can be very helpful.

Regarding depression/anxiety, these three links may be of interest:

http://www.mindthesciencegap.org/2013/0 ... s-it-work/

http://bradpilon.com/weight-loss/interm ... tion-link/

http://www.nationalelfservice.net/menta ... rove-mood/

IMHO there is no problem with fasting while on the brain meds, but it will take longer and be a struggle since many of the antidepressants have weight gain as a side effect. Back in the days (haha) I was put on then the fancy "tri cyclic antidepressants" and gained 17kg in a few months just because I was hungry all the time. If the doc had told me, I had known what the problem was and maybe held myself in check. The rest is history as they say ;9

Hi Fern. I am fairly new, and just found this thread. I too take 'brain meds' for depression, anxiety. Did you ever get any answers? Still fasting? I feel tired and depressed the first normal day after a fast, but that may go away with time.

For the first two to three weeks, tiredness with intermittent fasting is normal while the body re-learns how to use fat as an energy source. Salty drinks such as stock cubes (bouillon) can be very helpful.

Regarding depression/anxiety, these three links may be of interest:

http://www.mindthesciencegap.org/2013/0 ... s-it-work/

http://bradpilon.com/weight-loss/interm ... tion-link/

http://www.nationalelfservice.net/menta ... rove-mood/

These links are great - lots of on target information. Thank you.

IMHO there is no problem with fasting while on the brain meds, but it will take longer and be a struggle since many of the antidepressants have weight gain as a side effect. Back in the days (haha) I was put on then the fancy "tri cyclic antidepressants" and gained 17kg in a few months just because I was hungry all the time. If the doc had told me, I had known what the problem was and maybe held myself in check. The rest is history as they say ;9

Thank you Wolfie. I had forgotten all about that side effect of meds. I bet mine do too. I'll look.