[CelticPoet]

I have severe depression and have tried several antidepressants. I can't abide the side effects. I have a stomach ulcer so cannot tolerate serotonin reuptake inhibitors. I have heart arrhythmias (PVCs) so cannot take medicines that work on norepinephrine. I have enlarged prostate so TCAs are not advisable. I have anxiety with depression so need a medicine that works on both. I don't need anything that agitates, sedates, or causes weight gain. I have tried moclobemide which didn't have a lot of side effects but didn't help, either. I took it for two weeks and it made me nervous and restless at the end. Tried Zoloft, caused stomach upset and headaches. Tried Cymbalta, caused bad insomnia. Tried Trintellix, caused trouble breathing and fatigue. Tried nortriptyline, caused increased heart rate and insomnia. Tried Wellbutrin, caused nervousness, and anxiety worsened. I've used Tianeptine; it helped but tolerance developed.

I've researched many antidepressants and seems there are none that I'm suited for. Can anyone help/make suggestions about antidepressants that might work for me? Thanks.

I haven’t done well on antidepressants either. I’ve tried several and they work at first but then the side effects become intolerable. If I don’t keep up with journaling and reading and trying to meditate, etc. I also think the underlying depression that the meds first covered up seems to just take over again. That’s my take on it anyway. Recently I started taking SAMe. I took it about ten years ago and found it helped me and I tolerated it well. At the time I was also working hard on journaling and building a support system. Once I felt better I stopped the SAMe and everything else too. I started SAMe again a week ago along with the journaling and joined this forum to get back to reading and actively working on my issues again. I’ve been wondering if anybody else has had any success with SAMe.

How long were you on zoloft? I had wicked stomach issues for about 3 months and then they disappeared. Works amazing for me now.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Have you considered Emsam? It's an MAOI so at higher doses has so food restrictions and drug interactions but they are easy to get used to. The best part it is that it is a patch so it bypasses your stomach completely.

[CelticPoet]

Originally Posted by TheSadGirl

How long were you on zoloft? I had wicked stomach issues for about 3 months and then they disappeared. Works amazing for me now.

I tried Zoloft several different times for varying lengths of time. I never could get past the stomach problems. I don't think I can take drugs that work by inhibiting serotonin reuptake, due to my stomach ulcer.

[CelticPoet]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Have you considered Emsam? It's an MAOI so at higher doses has so food restrictions and drug interactions but they are easy to get used to. The best part it is that it is a patch so it bypasses your stomach completely.

I've read about Emsam and would like to try it, but isn't it still under patent? If so, I don't think I could afford it.

[CelticPoet]

Originally Posted by Sisabel

I haven’t done well on antidepressants either. I’ve tried several and they work at first but then the side effects become intolerable. If I don’t keep up with journaling and reading and trying to meditate, etc. I also think the underlying depression that the meds first covered up seems to just take over again. That’s my take on it anyway. Recently I started taking SAMe. I took it about ten years ago and found it helped me and I tolerated it well. At the time I was also working hard on journaling and building a support system. Once I felt better I stopped the SAMe and everything else too. I started SAMe again a week ago along with the journaling and joined this forum to get back to reading and actively working on my issues again. I’ve been wondering if anybody else has had any success with SAMe.

I tried SAMe in the past, but it made me feel very strange.

Originally Posted by CelticPoet

I tried SAMe in the past, but it made me feel very strange.

Oh no! Well so much for that idea.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by CelticPoet

I've read about Emsam and would like to try it, but isn't it still under patent? If so, I don't think I could afford it.

It is under patent (I think maybe it is not under patent but no generics came out because it's rarely used so effectively the same thing) but I get it through patient assistance. They give me an exemption into the program since I have Medicare but it isn't covered in a way I could possibly afford. I've been getting it that way for years. I just include a note with the patient assistance application explaining why I can't afford it even with insurance.

http://www.needymeds.org/drug_list.t...ame&name=EMSAM

[Nike007]

I have tried several ADs and have found that most don't work long term. I did try a SNRI and had increased blood pressure and heart rate, just like you. I am able to be on SSRIs, but have tried multiple without working. I am on Prozac currently, and am on the lowest dose, as being on a higher dose made me angry 24/7.

I am also on BuSpar. It's used for anxiety, but is also used with another AD for augment therapy. I haven't had any side effects from it I believe. It's honestly hard to tell because I'm adjusting a few medications at the moment in terms of doses and am unsure what is coming from where. But I looked into it and I mean it does have a side effect of stomach distress, as drugs.com describes, but I feel like that they list this with all medications.

Honestly, most of these drugs are trial and error. It may work for some but not for others. I would talk to your doctor to see what they recommend for you, as they are more knowledgeable on your condition and different medications. I wish you luck.

[cool09]

Elavil, Effexor, MAOi's? What does your doc say? Tried ECT, TMS? Hope you find something.