Been on many meds myself. Comparisons with other people rarely give a good indication, but for what it’s worth – Did a full circle on that antidepressant. (actually none of them worked long term and all presented a number of side effects) Started off OK after the initial 6 week period. 12 months later after upping the dose, I was no longer body aware … I was pretty much devoid of any emotion and very VERY much over weight. That drug also triggered tinnitus for me. I went through some issues coming off it, but just like the recent quick fix I have now come off … I am all the better for it. My passion came back and I was able to exercise again, where as before I cared less for anything. Unfortunately for me – It was sold off by my doctor as some kind of wonder drug that the masses where using as the safest alternative (side effects wise and all that.) Reality for me … it was the first of many mood/brain altering drugs that followed in its wake. I suffered many side effects that I was NOT warned about – Again … was sold to me as safe. Just because it works for someone else does not mean it will work for another. In my case – all the quick fixes are any good for is for major episodes … Long Term, they have made me worse and coming of is such a battle.

I’m not sorry to speak out about the damage it’s done to me. I am part of another forum where many mentally unstable people battle to come off such meds that have destroyed their lives.

You will always get those that claim it does wonders for them. If its working for them … then that’s great.

Now you have my experience with Setraline:
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The only positive I can give you … that for me it took about 2 months before my body/brain/system stabilized and then yes – My passion came back as too, my metabolism. I started lose weight slowly … but the reliance on such aids, led my into a slippery slope that led into heavier mood stabilizers for a number of years.

I’ll only go back to such meds in a crisis situation – I’ll never rely on them long term again. “For Me”” they do more damage long term than its worth being on them.

Currently I have been told to give myself about a year for my body to reset itself – re – coming of Seroquel/Quiatapine. Metabolic syndrome is quite an issue with that drug. Defiantly something you don’t want when your over the hill already. Not worth the obesity issues that follow.

Mind you though — I am off to a great start with eating healthy – I started exercising withing a month after coming off and this time I am feeling good about my decision to quit all the meds and working on other healthier coping techniques. Exercise and healthy eating will quicken that expected time to reset yourself. it also helps to alleviate the side-effects if coming off … if you can do all this on the drug … then mores the power to you. Sounds counter intuitive to me though as exercise and eating healthy will do so much more than those supposed happy pills. Good luck with whatever works for you. Just my view as asked for. 😉