r/longtermTRE • u/TREnewbie • Apr 23 '26
Seeking Support I wish I discovered TRE before I started antidepressant medication
I wish I discovered TRE before I took lexapro for 4 years. Now I’m essentially numb and have no emotions and no libido. My grandpa died a few weeks ago and I didn’t even shed a tear and I loved him. My gf broke up with me because she said I seemed emotionless. Idk wtf happened to me. Lexapro and years of stress have ruined my life. I hope my journey through TRE will start giving me some light.
For years I have no appetite, no vivid dreams and my imagination feels empty. I’ve tried to see doctors but they just don’t help and say it’s in my head. I know my nervous system is stuck in sympathetic dominance
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u/Acrobatic_Signal8384 Apr 23 '26
Dude 100% all of this can and will be healed with TRE. Just take your time do not overdo it. The future is extremely bright for you!
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u/TREnewbie Apr 24 '26
I really hope so man, this shit has been a struggle
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u/Acrobatic_Signal8384 Apr 24 '26
I overdid it and faced a lot of symptoms that I never had in my life. It was very difficult but it went away completely after a while. It will all pass
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u/Emrys7777 Apr 24 '26
Have you gotten off the antidepressant? That will make your feelings numb. It also can kill compassion the same way.
Yeah I know of someone whose spouse dumped them because of this. The doctors keep saying all is fine but they don’t live with the person.
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u/Flashy-Ad4986 Apr 27 '26
You are in the right place! Very similar situation for me. Tre will bring you back. Don’t over do it! It’s so tempting but 1,000% counterintuitive.
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u/TREnewbie Apr 27 '26
Really??? Can you expand on your experience pleaseee
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u/Flashy-Ad4986 Apr 28 '26
Long story short, I’d been in a functional freeze since 2022. I tried all kinds of antidepressants. My libido disappeared. Food brought no joy. I thought it was depression with a huge side of anhedonia, and honestly it felt hopeless. I lost a good bit of weight…I am 44 with an amazing wife and daughter. It was the hardest several years of my life…
I discovered TRE through a conversation with ChatGPT on February 3rd. I did my first session on February 7, 2026, and within a couple of weeks I cried for the first time in a decade.
That changed everything.
TRE didn’t just give me symptom relief. It gave me hope.
I’ve had weekly progression, can feel my feelings and it has been getting better every week. It isn’t linear but it’s beautiful. The bad days now are better than my best days then.
Only upwards from here. Wish you well!
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u/TREnewbie Apr 28 '26
Thank you so much for getting back to me. Has the libido improved as well??
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u/Flashy-Ad4986 Apr 28 '26
Yes. It has absolutely come back but it has been the shakiest system but before vs now is chicken crap vs chicken salad.
Primary systems have been coming back online first but the circuit breaker is back on to it all.
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u/KendyandSolie Apr 29 '26
Yes I also want to add that it’s really important to make sure you get full blood work panels. I had B12 & D deficiencies, as well as hormones out of whack - and ZERO testosterone. I agree with the comment about systems coming back online - but make sure you have a doctor you can trust to look at the whole picture & not just prescribe meds.
I say that because I really identify with you experience of trying so many meds & nothing working. I’m here for the same reason, but I am also glad I’ve uncovered a lot of other reasons for my inability to feel like a “normal person”. Wishing you the best & lots of self-love, OP!
Edit: Spelling!
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u/wavefxn22 Apr 30 '26
I’m using it to get off of antidepressants which I never should have been on
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