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What depression meds have people had success with?

Posted by mglayton72 @mglayton72, May 5 7:51am

I am 54. Been on meds since I was diagnosed at 28. However I experienced my first major episode at 12 or 13. I was diagnosed with depression and dysthymia (which I believe is called something different now). Looking back, I think I struggled as a young child as I can remember having insomnia when fairly young (like 5 - 6 years old).

Anyway, I have been stable for quite a long time with being on Zoloft, BuSpar, and Abilify. Recently my dad died and the past year I was his 24/7 caregiver. I currently feel nothing. No interest in anything. Poor concentration. Insomnia and hypersomnia.

Since I have been stable for so long, I have been out of the game so to speak with keeping up on all the recent advances with medications. So I really do not know what is out there.

Currently weaning off of Abilify under my Psych NP’s care and looking to add another med to my Zoloft (I am maxed out on 200 mg).

I would like to know about other people’s success with multi-med regimens for depression as I would like to be able to have an informed discussion with my provider.

I realize other people may metabolize meds differently than I do, but I am just looking for information about all the new meds out there. There seem to be so many now.

Also, has anyone done the saliva test to see what meds metabolize or work best? Not sure if my insurance will pay for that test, but I am considering looking into it.

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nancecandance | @nancecandance | 5 days ago
In reply to @daveshaw "@nancecandance I have been on a combination of Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Buspar for years and it..." + (show)
Profile picture for daveshaw @daveshaw

@nancecandance I have been on a combination of Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Buspar for years and it is still effective after 30 years.
I also take 1mg of Clonazepam in the morning and 1mg before bed. My dosage of Clonazepam has never changed and I am down to 50 mg of Zoloft. I had no issues with tapering my Zoloft from 100mg to 50mg and that combined with 5mg of Cialis daily has counteracted the sexual side effects from Zoloft. Nobody ever talks about sexual side effects from SSRI’s but they are very real 5mg of Cialis daily can drastically improve your sex life.
Sex is very important in relationships even as we age.
Good luck to everyone.

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@daveshaw That's great that you have found the right med cocktail, Dave.
I appreciate you sharing because I plan to ask my pdoc to add another antidepressant because I think I need it. So, we'll see...

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nannybb | @nannybb | 3 days ago
In reply to @rufus31 "@nannybb I am very afraid of having to do the switch...medication (albeit a necessary thing) has..." + (show)
Profile picture for rufus31 @rufus31

@nannybb
I am very afraid of having to do the switch...medication (albeit a necessary thing) has always terrified me. I was on 150mg of Effexor & 20mg of Celexa for 21yrs(!) and it worked extremely well. On December 7th, Poof, out of nowhere, I suffered a huge recurrence of MDD. At least it feels like it was out of no where ,,,, but I suspect that perhaps my tolerance over those 21yrs had built up and it just stopped working.
Because that combo HAD worked so well, it only made sense to try increasing the dose(s) of those before going down a whole new path .... but alas😢 nothing is working yet.
I'm doing tons of research into my next possible moves to discuss with my Doctor.
It's either going to be meds related or I am also looking into accelerated TMS 🤷‍♂️
Relief would be SO wonderful .... Answers to Depression may be a long time coming. Argh!

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@rufus31 I believe a lot of my depression is the lack of sunshine. I felt a huge difference living in Fl. as opposed to now living in rainy Oregon. I felt much better physically and mentally. Wish I could go back!

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srqqd | @srqqd | 2 days ago

Solar Gems have helped me. Lack of vitamin D, not enough sun, was the reason my therapist suggested this. I also have SAD (seasonal affective disorder).
It has improved upon moving to Florida, but still there during extended cloudy days. Solar Gems help.

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