If this article is accurate - one in six of us are on the stuff - then it probably hits a lot of people … and is particularly important for triathletes.
I’ve tried to get a better understanding of the mechanisms at play since moving up to the max dose of a SNRI: where I used to be merely bad in the heat, I’m now essentially intolerant.
Has anyone experiencing these side effects identified ways to mitigate them?
I am on an SSRI for OCD. I am mid 30s. Live in Florida. Started them a few months ago. ERP and the SSRI have all but eliminated the OCD, but yes, the drawback is noticable lack of the ability to tolerate heat. Used to be able to run at 2pm in the middle of august in no shade and be fine - cool down right quick. Now however, I found that I dont cool down as quickly. I feel more “flushed” and hotter when I am running but the worst is it takes like two hours for my body to not be a furnace. Cool showers after help and more indoor running with a fan. I did have the idea the other day of running laps around the block and putting an outdoor shower in the front of my house so I can run a lap, wet the head, run a lap, wet the head, etc. Thing is your body adapts. It may form more capilaries than someone not on them or something. It will find a way to keep the body in a state of homeostasis.
Me 68 years old. I’ve been on a generic Wellbutrin for so long I don’t even remember how long. Dates back to around 2010. Can’t say I can’t tolerate heat. Rode yesterday after my volunteer job and it never went over 101.2F the entire ride. About as fast as most of my rides.Not sure which class the medication I take falls in. Yesterday consisted of volunteer job from 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM Bike ride from about 1:45PM to 3:10 PM. Shower dog walk before and after my volunteer job which is very physical, dinner and then about an hour on one of my motorcycles.
I wouldn’t say that something from Psychology Today is a good read and after reading this article, that confirms it. It’s considered a “pop psychology” magazine and not a source for empirical evidence. With that said, yes, there are some SSRI/SNRI meds that can make you more prone to sunburn and heat sensitivity, but that is different than heat intolerance. Along the same vein, stimulants can produce the same effects. The best course of action is to discuss with your PCP or Psychiatrist if you have a noticed a change on the meds training in the heat and make sure to be properly hydrated as discussed. Just my $.02. And yes, I am a doctor with training in this area. Sounds like you are vigilant recognizing and wanted an understanding to changes to your body from training which is fantastic.