OK I was wondering a few things. I have been on Welbutrin for a while along with abilify to help. Which has seemed to work for a while, but is there anyway you can tell if any other depression medications work just the same as those but are different one, that you don't have to "try" but you know will work?

[live2ski66]

To the best of my knowledge no. Finding the right meds is a trial and error process. I've been on the same meds since 2005 when I added Welbutrin to the Effexor and Lithobid I was taking. I've aged (like a fine wine) and I know my hormones are going crazy because of my stage in life. I've experienced longer and deeper depression periods. I know it is time to re evaluate my meds and be the "lab rat" for a little bit until I find or adjust the current cocktail. I do wish this were not the case, but over time I've understood that medicine is not an exact science, the more complex the illness the more the treatment is determined by trial and error. Good luck!

[Altered Moment]

There are a couple of new gene tests that are "supposed" to help do what you are talking about. I only know one person who has done it. There is a thread on "Genetic Testing" in the psyche med section. This persons experience turned out to not be good. So who knows. These tests are very new and too knew to tell how good they will work. My pdoc says they are supposed to start using them. It is community mental health and they are broke so I doubt it. You could ask your pdoc about them.

Like live2ski66 says it is basically a trial and error crap shoot. If your meds are working stay on them. If they quit working try something else.

http://forums.psychcentral.com/psych...-medicine.html

[Jeffrey66]

I take Wellbutrin too. My psychiatrist told me there is not another medication that works on dopamine like Wellbutrin does. It has really made a difference for me.

My depression is better but continues on variably too. He is trying to add something to help. Good luck.

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