Finding Right Meds after Severe Cymbalta Allergy-bit long

Hi! I was 1st dx'd with MDE in 1994. I did pretty well most of the time until June 2006. Since then I have really been struggling to find the right meds.

Serotonin syndrome-mild, when Zoloft increased while on Trazodone. Went off zoloft.

Also went through trials of meds for ADD-bad reaction to Strattera because of heart defect. Trials of Cymbalta, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, didn't work, but don't think the 2 weeks my doc gave them was enough time and my gastritis-undx'd then, made me think the meds were causing problems. Really struggled to stay on keel, but got very bad in late July. Went on zoloft 50 mg, and got a little better-but doc added 60mg Cymbalta and I was put on Prilosec for gastritis.

This is were the fun began--I take antihistamines for allergies and it slowed my reaction. I thought I had a faint red rash for a week, then one day, most of my body was covered with a bumpy red rash, some like bright red blood blisters, terrible itch, leg and face swelling, sore tongue/throat, swollen tongue and tingling lips.

Stopped the prilosec after reading about interactions-took benadryl and the symptoms were reduced. Switched to zantac-and back to the rash etc. Off the zantac, a bit better, but when I forgot my benadryl, the allergic reaction came right back-so it had to be the Cymbalta.

Went off of it cold turkey-staying on zoloft. Switched docs because 1st one did not call back when I reported the allergic reaction. New doc put me on Celexa, 10mg to start one week ago today-10-11. I also take 54mb Concerta-3 years and ritalin 10mg taken at noon, 3, and 6pm because concerta wears off and I drop with fatique-have fibromyalgia too.

The Cymbalta worked well for my depression and fibro. Since stopping it, I have severe muscle fatigue and pain, I am anxious again, crying for no reason, get upset over nothing, and just feel like I am going downhill.

Is this treatment resistant depression? Or do I need more Celexa, a different med, add buproprion, or what?

I am so tired of fighting this and need to find a treatment plan that works. I have never struggled this much for so long. I just want to be well and function without feeling like I will fall apart at any second.

Thanks for reading this long post and helping-I am at wit's end.

Hi,
I understand where you are coming from. I have been depressed for several years and the benefits of my antidepressants seems to come and go. Paxil did not work for me---just made me sleepy. Wellbutrin has helped me some, but then I hit a down spot and got put on Effexor as well. That made my stomach upset. Now I switched for Lexapro. I feel less nauseous, but now I'm more emotional too and I'm more teary.

I know a lot of the meds take at least 4 weeks to right their total effectiveness. I also know that some of us, like me, need to take more than one kind of antidepressant at a time. Then you have to work on the right dosage of each.

I'm sure your other issues and then switching the meds so fast has made it tough for you. I would say give it some more time. They also say it really helps to get therapy in addition to medication (didn't know if you were already doing that.)

Anyway, hang in there and good luck

I am seeing a counselor and that really is essential! Thanks for the encouragement! It will get there. I plan on calling my docs office about the fatigue and muscle pain tomorrow.

Thanks and I hope you get on track too. I hate the time it takes though.