How much can I expect anti-d's to help if circumstances can't change?

[ShmooBooMoo]

I have chronic physical health issues and severe fatigue as part of two conditions. My doc has put me on anti-d's to help with depression (tried one, then another and now back to the original one I tried) and anxiety (as she wants to get me off a benzo after a few years) and I have an appt to see how I'm getting on. It's been four weeks on this med (though I had three weeks on Prozac before then, and this med for four weeks before that). The med now is Sertraline 50mg

I'm not sure what to say. There was some expectation it might help physical symptoms too (it hasn't but then symptoms tend to get worse in cold, damp weather and I don't tolerate central heating too well) but, while I feel my mood might not be so desperate I'm not sure how much it's helping (esp as my doc has left me on benzo (which is a low dose but does take the edge of anxiety too until I'm settled on an anti-d and it's thought to be helping.

My question is, I suppose, how much can anti-d's help when depression and anxiety are reactive/ situational (rather than clinical....which I'm not sure it is as I'm reacting to my circumstances which I can't change ie health conditions which cause a lot of pain and fatigue)? My condition can be unbearable and will likely get worse and I don't know what to say to my doctor (esp as I know I can't stay on the benzo, it's clear I am to be weaned off it and maybe allowed it in extremis for short periods so it's an anti-d or nothing to manage depression/ anxiety, I guess.)
So, if I can't change my health, how much can I expect an anti-d to help my depression/ anxiety which is reactive, especially when pain and fatigue is severe? I don't want to swap and change anti-d's all the time... Prozac made me like Mr Hyde (Jekyll and Hyde).

I don't know what to say to my doc as I'm not sure how much I can expect he anti-d to have helped/ help in future, esp when things are bad. Ideally, I'd like to stay on the benzo bu it's not an option and I think my doc will want to start weaning me off soon.

Sorry this is long! Thanks for any advice - I appreciate it.

[onlyoranges]

Sorry you are so unwell. My situation is similar and I really don't know who would not be depressed when they are in chronic pain and fatigue. Anti d have done nothing for me but that is not to say they won't work for you especially in conjunction with another therapy eg CBT is very fashionable at the moment. I have been on diazepam for over 6 years and couldn't manage without them. They help me with muscle spasms and when I get frightened. I am not at all concerned about becoming addicted as this disease will kill me eventually so why worry about that. It gives me relief and anything that does that I am up for!! If you want to stay on it and your dr doesn't agree go see another dr as plenty would support your decision. You need a dr that wants to work with you rather than dictate treatment. I found that's been really important especially as my health news is never good news as things get worst. I hope this has helped it is meant in a supportive kind way and not sure that's come across. Hope it has. Again I am so sorry things are so difficult for you. When chronic fatigue hit me it was one of the worst parts of my disease. It is truly horrendous and until you have experienced it it's so hard to imagine how physically and emotionally challenging it is. I considered ending it all when it was at its worst!

I don't know how long you have been ill but it's a grief that you have to work through. The old you is gone and you have to get used to that which is really hard. Give yourself time and be kind to yourself. Sending you a gentle hug