[wanderingspirit]

Hi everyone..

I've struggled with depression for nearly 20 years. In the beginning I was started on prozac and that seemed to really help for years. Then it seemed as if it quit working because I had a lot of depression, crying spells, as well as bulimia. I tried effexor and zoloft, but they seemed to do nothing and I hated the side effects. It seemed like no medication really worked so I weaned myself off and haven't been on any for 3 years now. Honestly, I noticed little difference in mood after going off of them. I wonder, does one become "used" to these meds and do they stop doing any good after so many years? Nowdays I still deal with all of this as well as OCD and ADD. Has anyone here dealt with antidepressants not working anymore?

What an interesting name you've chosen for your identity, Wanderingspirit.

No, I've never had an antidepressant that didn't work for me, but there are plenty of
good ones out there that might be helpful if you decide to go back on another type
of medication that works for depression. One of them is Lamictal, which I thought
was an excellent medication. It acts to control depression, and it does its job well
for many. (It was originally designed to control seizures but was found to be helpful
in the treatment of bipolar, type II depression.)

Please don't let yourself suffer needlessly when a spoonful of a more-recently developed
medication might be a solution for you.

Let us know how you get along and take care of yourself, please.

[bharani1008]

I have also been on medication for years. I will probably need them throughout my life, but that's OK. I have been on several different antidepressants and some worked and some didn't. My psychiatrist is very knowledgeable and keeps up with the new research. He spent 2 years finding the right mix for me and I am doing much better. I didn't do well on only one medicine. It took a combination to work well.
I think it's critical to find someone who is genuinely passionate about their work because there are new discoveries all the time. People here also advocate for therapy so why not give that a try as well.
Like Genetic says---why suffer? Even if you can get only some relief that's a big help.
Please don't give up. You may need to do some research on new medications yourself and tactfully suggest them to your dr. Also read the Resources thread at the top of the forum.
Good luck to you and welcome to our group. I look forward to reading your entries and learning what you find.

[ajmich]

Nearly 40 years of trial and error (mostly error) with dozens of antidepressants, and this year it finally became clear that they just don't work for me... beyond what is well known as a placebo effect, that is. You may have a 'drug resistant' depression, but please don't waste more time with meds when there are alternative treatments available. Talk to your counselor or doctor about rTMS - Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It is fairly new and shows good results for some of us who don't respond to meds. I am trying to get rTMS but it is not yet covered by my insurance. Anyway, good luck and definitely consider moving away from meds... IMHO they can be good but are definitely NOT for everyone. My last med (Viibryd) seemed to work awhile, then fizzled as they often do, BUT they don't tell you that some people have a hellish time going off such a med. I did a fairly quick taper off of the stuff (3 weeks, just like the initial ramp up timing) but am having extremely nasty mood swings and other residual withdrawal effects, even months after stopping the drug. If you go with another drug, be VERY aware of all the risks and the fact that the makers usually don't even KNOW how they work, let alone how an individual person might be negatively affected. I am no spring chicken with these meds and this one feels like it may have caused long-term or even permanent damage. Time will tell when Big Pharma might finally have to own up to it's ways.

I'm 40 yrs old & have suffered with depression all my life. In the beginning I tried many different medicines also. They would seem to work in the beginning but it would never last. I too got tired of all the nasty side affects. So I weaned myself off & haven't used anything in over 10 years. I just don't trust any of them. I do still deal with my depression on a daily basis. I just keep pushing myself to get through each day. Some days are better than others.

[AV747]

I tried a lot of different antidepressants, but none didn't help. Perhaps some of the people they do not work. One time I helped more frequent visits to the therapist often eat normally. Hold on! I hope you feel better soon!

[wanderingspirit]

Thanks everyone for your inputs..I have a lot to think about. A big part of the reason I haven't asked the doctor to try more meds is because I'm not so sure I trust them myself. It is scary to read (and experience some) of the side effects. I can't help but think if the body can react negatively and have terrible withdrawals, what might the meds be doing to us and our brains long term? But then I ask myself is it better to be feeding the body chemicals and not knowing the damages that are possibly being done, or suffer through depression and the negative effects from that? I wonder...

[herethennow]

welcome to PC!

if you can't feel a difference, then maybe you could try asking your pdoc.. it could be med resistant, or maybe theres something else out there...

I'll tell you what has been the best thing that happened to me in regard to depression.

I read that 70% of depressed people cannot metabolize vitamin B9 (folic acid) which
the brain needs create the "good feeling neurotransmitter" serotonin. There are
several enzymes missing in the stomachs of folks who cannot metabolize folic acid
that will cross the blood-brain barrier and be effective for treating depression.

There is a relatively new food med call Deplin, which is a concentrated form of folate
that can cross the blood-brain barrier and builds serotonin nicely in the brain of
those missing the enzymes necessary for the brain to use folate.

Usually, a genetic test is needed to determine if we need to take Deplin, but my
psychiatrist thought that if we tried it and it worked, there'd be no need to have
genetic testing done. I take one tablet a day (20 mg.); it's about $15. per month
for a prescription where I live, and I wouldn't be without it, honestly.

It begins to work after about two weeks. It's not a cure-all, but if we get our
diets straightened out (and I mean by reducing sugar drastically and cutting way
back on grains, substituting nuts, seeds, and green vegetables) it makes the Deplin
that much more effective.

I don't notice any side effects, but I can tell when I add sugar to my diet or eat
grains that my feeling tone will drop for 24 hours. (That may just be a personal
sensitivity of mine, so you might not need to change your diet in any way.)

It just works for me. I'd ask about it if you tend to be medication resistant.