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What Causes Persistent Depression Despite Taking Medication?

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Posted on Tue, 25 Oct 2016
Question: At the moment my brain is feeling quite strained. I was taking 300 mg of quetiapine at night but it felt like it was too much and I had been taking that dose for a number of months. I tried taking 100 mg of quetiapine for about a week, a dose that has worked very well for me in the past. I felt good for around a week with this change, and then I started feeling quite depressed. I have now been taking 150 mg of quetiapine for around 2 to 3 weeks, and I have been feeling okay, but my brain has been feeling quite strained, which has been very unpleasant.

*My appointment to see a psychiatrist was cancelled because of very bad weather and the power being completely out.

* I can take 5 mg of diazepam up to 3 times a day when required
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Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

For depression, rather than increase your Seroquel, I would first talk to your psychiatrist about increasing your fluoxetine dose, by 20mg at a time over the course of a few weeks to a maximum daily dose of 80mg. This will address your depression directly. If this is still ineffective, at that time I would consider a Seroquel increase, in 100mg increments over the course of a few weeks to a maximum daily dose of 800mg.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Depression Despite Taking Medication?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. For depression, rather than increase your Seroquel, I would first talk to your psychiatrist about increasing your fluoxetine dose, by 20mg at a time over the course of a few weeks to a maximum daily dose of 80mg. This will address your depression directly. If this is still ineffective, at that time I would consider a Seroquel increase, in 100mg increments over the course of a few weeks to a maximum daily dose of 800mg. Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers