Hi all, I know everyone reacts differently to different medications but I'd still like to have this discussion.

So my backstory is about 3.5yrs ago I was diagnosed with Anxiety but like many people it was probably going on for years before that.   


My first AD that I tried was Lexapro (Escitalopram) which worked for my anxiety but caused EXTREME fatigue and made it very difficult to orgasm and somewhat lowered my libido. I have bad fatigue to begin with from some other health issues so the extra amount from Lexapro became unbearable. I was on Lexapro for about 12 months before tapering off. The withdrawal was awful and caused really bad headaches and nausea.  


After this I tried Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) which again worked wonders for my anxiety (about on par with Lexapro) and caused minor fatigue but nowhere close to Lexapro. However, Pristiq completely killed my libido and I had terrible sexual side effects. I was on and off it for about the next 18 months (usually 6-8 months on and 3-4 months off give or take). Because of the sexual side effects I decided to come off it. The withdrawal from Pristiq was very minimal and was pretty much just some extra fatigue and headaches for me.   


Now it has been about a year since I have been on any ADs but my Anxiety has been quite bad. I've been pushing through it trying to cope without them. I'm fortunate enough to not be completely crippled by my anxiety and can still live a mostly normal life. I can still socialise and do my job and daily activities without issue and I'm so grateful for that because I know there are so many people in this sub that don't have that luxury (and I've been there myself in the past). However, the obsessive thoughts and constant worry internally is just so draining and exhausting. I think about every conversation I'm going to have hundreds of times before it actually happens (and of course it never plays out any of the ways it does in my head). It also kills my concentration and makes it extremely hard to focus on things. All the of minor things that come with being anxious most of the time just slowly take their toll and build up.   


So my doctor has recently suggested Valdoxan (Agomelatine) or Brintellix (Vortioxetine) but both of these scare me a bit. Ironically, thinking about medication to help my anxiety gives me anxiety... I'd love to hear some success (and failure) stories about any ADs you have tried (not just these 2 but if you do have experience with them, please share it!). Which medication has worked best for you that didn't cause fatigue and sexual side effects (I'm starting to fear PSSD after seeing more and more reports of it)?