Mystery as anti-depressant drug changes man’s skin colour from white to dark grey

A man whose skin turned grey after taking anti-depressants has left doctors stumped.

Tyler Monk, from Louisiana, USA, was prescribed fluoxetine, a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is commonly prescribed to treat depression.

The 34-year-old started taking the drug in May 2021, and while he didn't notice any improvements to his mental health, within a week his wife Emily spotted that his skin was changing colour.

Watch here:

Tyler stopped taking the medication after a few weeks, but his skin continued to darken and he also experienced other symptoms, such as sensitivity to sunlight and extremely red, irritated eyes.

Initially, the pest control field inspector was in denial about his symptoms, but upon accepting his skin was turning grey he visited numerous specialists, none of which have been able to provide answers.

"First they thought it was photosensitivity, so I'm having a reaction to light, but I've been covering up and I'm still getting darker," Tyler said.

"I can't get any answers from the specialists so we decided to post on TikTok. We thought that it couldn't hurt to share online, so let's see if by some chance anyone else out there has had this happen or maybe has some answers for us.

SWNS

"It's mainly been supportive. People have made lots of jokes. But we joke a lot so we just laugh along with them."

Doctors have ruled out any serious diseases, poisoning and autoimmune conditions - but they still can't tell the Monks what is causing the problems.

Tyler's dermatologist has now referred him for an appointment with a team of eight skin specialists in a bid to crack the case.

Emily - who has two children with Tyler - said his wellbeing is all that matters to the family.

The 28-year-old said: "For me and the children, we just worry about his health.

"We really don’t mind the colour change as long as he's healthy and okay with it. We support whatever he chooses to do about it."

Emily has set up a GoFundMe to cover medical costs, saying: "We just want answers and to make sure he is healthy."

You can donate here.

Here's a list of the leading mental health helplines and services that are just a call away in the UK:

- Samaritans are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will talk to you about anything that's bothering you. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected] or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Welsh Language Line on 0300 164 0123 from 7pm to 11pm every day.

- The Mix take calls from under 25s on 0808 808 4994 from seven days a week from 3pm to 12am. You can request support by email using the form on The Mix website or using their crisis text messenger service.

- Papyrus HOPELINEUK is there for under 35s struggling with suicidal feelings, or those who are concerned about a young person who might be struggling. You can call them on 0800 068 4141 every day from 9am to 12am. You can also email [email protected] or text 07860 039 967.

- The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) caters specifically to males on 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm to midnight every day. Alternatively, you can use their webchat service.

- The Nightline website allows students to see if their university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.

- Switchboard is there for people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and can be reached on 0300 330 0630 from 10am to 10pm every day. You can also email here or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.

- The Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L). is available for those who live in Wales and can be contacted on 0800 132 737, which is open 24/7. You can also text 'help' followed by a question to 81066.