Are there any antidepressants that are not so bad on the liver?

[Febeli57]

Are there any antidepressants or anti anxiety pills that are not so bad on the liver? I have extreme anxiety and I'm loosing my mind thanks in advance guys

[davebax]

I have really bad anxiety too I take Effexor which I think is ok on the liver I also take Ativan which the liver doc didn’t want me on but when my anxiety is really bad it’s the only thing that helps. I hope all the best for you I know how bad it can be. God bless

[Febeli57 in reply to davebax]

Thank you very much for your suggestion I will ask my doctor for effexor so that doesn't elevate your liver enzymes or something? Does it help in any form can you describe the feeling ?

[davebax in reply to Febeli57]

You taking it daily it’s kinda like a ssri for me it seems to lessen the anxiety somewhat but I still get times when it’s out of control!!!

[Febeli57 in reply to davebax]

How can it not get out of control ?? This liver disease is just unpredictable and out of control you make one step forward and than something comes or some pain and takes you 3 steps backwards.sometimes I'm in such a bad space I say ether I want a new liver or for God to make it end quickly this suffering anyway keep your head up

[Hidden]

Can you work out at all or are you too ill? Exercise can be great at reducing stress and anxiety.

[Febeli57 in reply to Hidden]

That's exactly what I did a week ago working out like a madman thx to Billy blanks and his tae bo workout I'm in the shape of my life except from my liver doing exercise seems to be the only time I feel good and without worry I drive everybody around me crazy cos I want them to do the workout with me never thought I would be that kind of guy but oh well I'll do anything just to see my kids grow up u know

[Febeli57 in reply to Hidden]

Another question I read your other posts a little bit so you went through everything and got a new liver congratulations i hope I'll get a second chance also i had fibrosis stage 0-1 in November but i feel like i might starting to get ascites because I don't know it's like there is a bulge right under my right side of my belly I might also be paranoid but how did you realise you had ascites and how long did it take to develop if I may ask and how long did you live with ascites till your transplant did it turn worse fast ?

[BSA-3 in reply to Febeli57]

Hi, Febeli57. Ascites doesn't appear on one side. If you have it, you'd be swollen from your sternum to your pelvic bone, and sometimes even the scrotum can be affected. I can't help as to how you detect by yourself. I'm pretty sure that I didn't have it when they took me in, but by God I knew I had it when I came round,lol. A male with it actually looks pregnant ! Your G.P. would be able to tell you in 2 minutes with a simple examination where he/ she taps your abdomen in a certain way. Take care.

[O13B in reply to Febeli57]

That doesn’t sound like ascities, you should see your doctor about it before you get to imaginitve. Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Febeli57]

I don't think I had ascites and if I did, it would have been very minimal. Did have all the other symptoms though, extreme fatigue, feeling ill and weak all the time, slight jaundice, huge muscle wastage and weight loss, etc. I was prescribed spironolactone and my diet contained virtually no salt. Luckily I only had to put up with these symptoms for around 4.5 months as before I was fine even though my liver wasn't. Apparently I'd been developing cirrhosis for at least 10-12 years and unbelievably never had any symptoms until it was too late, other than frequent nose bleeds.

Good luck!

[Nyork10]

Hi there,

I've suffered from anxiety and low-mood for a number of years I asked my GP if he could suggest an anti-depressant that wouldn't affect my liver any further he suggested duloxatine - he also wrote to my gastroenterologist who confirmed he was happy for me to take this medication.

I've been taking it for a year now and I haven't experienced any side effects and it hasn't impacted upon my liver as all of my bloods are normal. I'm sure some people have taken this medication and it hasn't been right for them though - i hope this helps 😊😊

[Febeli57 in reply to Nyork10]

Thank you very much j will ask my hematologist do you feel better since taking it? Is it a kinda high you get it how would u describe it

[Nyork10 in reply to Febeli57]

Yes I do feel better taking them, I take 2 per day - I have been taking anti-anxiety medication for a number of years but after my liver problem materialised I changed to duloxatine.

[O13B]

I have cirrhosis and take citalopram. I had to have the dose adjusted but it’s still working well. Good luck

[M8118]

The SSRI's (Paxil, Zoloft, Luxapro, etc) are generally easier on the liver than the tricyclics (TCAs - an older class of drugs). Of course, any decision on meds would need to be made with a primary care physician/psychiatrist, but this is a great resource:

livertox.nih.gov

It provides an overview of incidents of liver damage from all drugs.

[Louisepeters]

Hi Febeli57 ! My heart goes out to you. I have been very bad with anxiety lately. Have had panic attacks since the 80's. It got really bad just before Christmas and I literally thought it was a heart attack. I had seen the adverts for "Calms" on TV, being financially not so well (even though I would have spent the earth to feel better) I tried "STRESS RELIEF" tablets, these were Wilkinsons own make. I am not sure if you have a Wilkinsons store. They were a GOD SENDING and I have sworn on them ever since. No side effects and a natural medication. I also know there is not always positive about the "natural/herbal" medicines. These are OK. I had a liver transplant 2009. I wish you all the best. Pain I can usually cope with but ANXIETY and PANIC ATTACKS are a nightmare! xxx

[Hidden]

Hi

I take citalopram for depression which seems to help quite a bit. I can't take a high dose cos it would clash with some if my other meds. I've recently been having panic attacks, can't get my breath, whoever I'm with at the time helps me to calm down with slow, deep breaths, it's still very frightening though.

I really hope you are feeling better than you were feeling. Take care Lynne