[Nike007]

So my pdoc says I may (and I believe I probably will) have to add another medication to what I’m taking, as I have not successfully found a medication that has worked for me on one thing. I’ve been on 3 SSRIs and one SNRI. Two of the SSRIs I got off due to side effects and the other two pooped out. So now, I’m trying another SSRI. But I’m trying to figure out what else to add. I know, side effects are different for every person. Some side effects I can’t handle are weight gain and fatigue/tiredness. These become worse for me during depression, plus I have a medical condition that needs me to not gain weight.

In my mind, I would like to get my mood under control before any other thing like my fatigue or weight issues. So I’m thinking about adding an AP. I think Abilify would be good as weight gain and fatigue aren’t that common in terms of side effects. I would like to try a stimulant but I’m afraid about my anxiety increasing. I just know that a stimulant would help my hypersomnia and weight gain and concentration issues. Or I’m thinking about Wellbutrin, but am not sure if this interacts with Prozac (new med).

I will be talking this over with my pdoc though. Normally I get asked what to go on or am suggested a few things by her so. I just would like to hear about combinations that have worked or something that has not caused weight gain or tiredness. I’m just sick of depression at this point. I’ve been severely depressed for half this year already. I’m just kinda done with it all. Any advise is appreciated.

*Note: TRD means treatment resistant depression. It’s a form of MDD.

[marcoleap]

I had been on 150mg of Zoloft for 15 years and tried to taper off slowly with the approval of my pdoc. Unfortunately, my depression and anxiety returned, and when I went back on the Zoloft, it wasn't working as well as it had in the past. My pdoc added 2mg of Abilify, and it has helped. As an aside, my pdoc never told me, when I was considering tapering off of Zoloft, that there was a risk that it wouldn't work as well in the future. Anyone who is considering discontinuing an SSRI should be aware of this risk. In fact, anyone considering starting an SSRI should be aware of this risk as well. I believe that all patients should be given some kind of informed consent form when they are put on an SSRI.

[Vaporeon]

I was recently switched from Abilify to Risperdal, and I'm hoping to lose the 30 pounds or more I gained while taking Abilify (dosage ranged from 15 to 30 mg). Wellbutrin is supposed to be weight neutral. Maybe at a small dose like 5 or 10 mg, Abilify doesn't cause as much weight gain, but I would try another antidepressant before going the antipsychotic route. Good luck.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by Vaporeon

I was recently switched from Abilify to Risperdal, and I'm hoping to lose the 30 pounds or more I gained while taking Abilify (dosage ranged from 15 to 30 mg). Wellbutrin is supposed to be weight neutral. Maybe at a small dose like 5 or 10 mg, Abilify doesn't cause as much weight gain, but I would try another antidepressant before going the antipsychotic route. Good luck.

Thank you for your information.

My pdoc said if this antidepressant caused a partial response for me that we would be adding something. I’m just not really sure what that something is, so. I’m just kinda done with suffering for years with this.

[kecanoe]

My pdoc added 5 mg of Abilify to the the ADs I was taking-at that time, Nortriptylene, Welbutrin, Fetzima, Buspar, and maybe one more. Obviously I had TRD.

The Abilify did help. Pdoc described it as "boosting" the effects of the ADs. I found it more of a numbing of the depression, but at that point I really needed some relief. I understand what you mean about suffering for years. I am sorry that is the case for you.

I hope that if the depression comes back, I am able to try ketamine. It's shown some promise; provides quick relief apparently. It is still in the testing stages, but since I am only mildly depressed at this point, I am hoping if the TRD comes back I can give it a try.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by kecanoe

My pdoc added 5 mg of Abilify to the the ADs I was taking-at that time, Nortriptylene, Welbutrin, Fetzima, Buspar, and maybe one more. Obviously I had TRD.

The Abilify did help. Pdoc described it as "boosting" the effects of the ADs. I found it more of a numbing of the depression, but at that point I really needed some relief. I understand what you mean about suffering for years. I am sorry that is the case for you.

I hope that if the depression comes back, I am able to try ketamine. It's shown some promise; provides quick relief apparently. It is still in the testing stages, but since I am only mildly depressed at this point, I am hoping if the TRD comes back I can give it a try.

Thank you for your reply. I have been trying to find a med (or meds) to help me. It’s just gotten worse over the years now. This will be my 5th med to try. And I’m only 18, so I just want some relief.

Abilify seems to not cause as much weight gain and drowsiness so that’s why I would like to try it. I have read how APs help ADs, in terms of biologically, and it makes sense. I would be fine with trying a second AD on top of Prozac too. I’m only afraid of serotonin syndrome.

I have heard about ketamine. I am unsure about it. I hope you can too.

[Guiness187055]

Abilify and welbutrin work really well together the abilify boosts the wellbutrin. Plus with wellbutrin you are hitting the dopamine receptors unlike the ssri's. If you can tolerate the combo it's great it has worked well for me. YMMV

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by Guiness187055

Abilify and welbutrin work really well together the abilify boosts the wellbutrin. Plus with wellbutrin you are hitting the dopamine receptors unlike the ssri's. If you can tolerate the combo it's great it has worked well for me. YMMV

Thank you for your comment. I was suggested about going on Wellbutrin by my pdoc, but I am unsure about this. I have GAD, and I am scared about increasing my anxiety levels. And I’m also unsure about not being on something that increases my serotonin levels. But I know in the end, the only thing that really has ever worked for me was the SNRI, which did raise norepinephrine. So I guess if Prozac doesn’t work, I will try Wellbutrin. Is it possible to be on both Prozac and Wellbutrin at the same time? I mean, since Prozac is an SSRI, it only raises serotonin, and Wellbutrin doesn’t impact serotonin at all, it seems like it would be fine.

A friend of mine is on Wellbutrin, and she does have anxiety too, and she says it has worked well for her, so maybe it would be fine.

[kecanoe]

I was on a whole slew of meds and didn't have any trouble with Seratonin syndrome. Pdoc told me that he has only ever had one case. I think as long as you know what to look for, it is safe to take more. And I have definitely done a SSRI with Welbutrin and Abilify with no probs.