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Suggest Remedy For Depression Despite Taking Antidepressants

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Posted on Wed, 26 Aug 2015
Question: I am 67 yrs. old and have been on antidepressants foe 24 years. I AM USUALLY ON THEM ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND THEN STOP WORKING. IM PUT ON ANOTHER AND IT DOES THE SAME THING . THEY DONT STAY WITH ME MORE THAN 6 MONTHS WHY DONT THEY LAST LONGER THAN THAT AND WHY DO I HAVE TO KEEP CHANGING1 am still depressed after trying them all can you give me an answer
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Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
it may be resistant depression, combination of medicines needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

You have been suffering from depression since long. You mentioned that you had taken lexapro, celexa, effexor , paxil, prozac and now you are taking cymbalta.
All of these medicines are SSRI except effexor and cymbalata. When there is no response with one drug first step is that add another drug from different group and not replace the drug. So in my opinion you have been not treated with right treatment approach.
In resistant depression it is possible that after sometime response to drug is stopped.
And you have been not treated with sufficient medicines. Other options are mirtazapine, desvenlafaxine, wellbutrin, tricyclic anti-depressant (TCA), ECT (electro convulsive therapy) and psychotherapy. Depending upon symptom profile and doctor and patient’s choice 1, 2 or 3 medicines can be combined. If there is no response with combination of above mentioned drugs lithium, lamotrigine and seroquel are other options.

In resistant depression Thyroid and vitamin B12 level should also be checked. If you have not been tested for the same please go for thyroid hormone profile and serum Vitamin B12 level.

Please discuss above options with your treating doctor and change treatment.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Depression Despite Taking Antidepressants

Brief Answer: it may be resistant depression, combination of medicines needed Detailed Answer: Hello, You have been suffering from depression since long. You mentioned that you had taken lexapro, celexa, effexor , paxil, prozac and now you are taking cymbalta. All of these medicines are SSRI except effexor and cymbalata. When there is no response with one drug first step is that add another drug from different group and not replace the drug. So in my opinion you have been not treated with right treatment approach. In resistant depression it is possible that after sometime response to drug is stopped. And you have been not treated with sufficient medicines. Other options are mirtazapine, desvenlafaxine, wellbutrin, tricyclic anti-depressant (TCA), ECT (electro convulsive therapy) and psychotherapy. Depending upon symptom profile and doctor and patient’s choice 1, 2 or 3 medicines can be combined. If there is no response with combination of above mentioned drugs lithium, lamotrigine and seroquel are other options. In resistant depression Thyroid and vitamin B12 level should also be checked. If you have not been tested for the same please go for thyroid hormone profile and serum Vitamin B12 level. Please discuss above options with your treating doctor and change treatment. Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.