suggestions for other antidepressants to try?

[madmomma]

I know this is one for the gp really, but I was hoping to get some suggestions to put to him.

I'm on an antidepressant indefinitely due to lots of relapses, but mine is a bog-standard depression with no other features. I've been on fluoxitine, citalopram and sertraline and so far have had some success with all of them, but I think it's time for a change as I'm getting a lot of morbid thoughts (not self-harm, just death-related)

Anyone know what might be worth a try next? I briefly tried venlafaxine, but didn't get along with it. TIA

I'm on escitalopram and quetiapine as well. Both prescribed by my consultant psych, my GP would not have been happy to prescribe them alone. I have been on and off various ADs in the past 20 years - sertraline, venlafaxine, fluoxetine, citalopram, mirtazipine...probably some more that I've forgotten. I didn't have the bad venlafaxine side-effects that others found, except when I'd forgotten to take a dose and started getting withdrawal symptoms. So it depends so much on individual responses.

You really need a decent psych to suggest other meds and perhaps combinations of meds as well. Be very clear about your symptoms and don't understate them. If you have been in the system for a while and you are persistent with going back to the GP they will refer you on, and hopefully that can pave the way for talking therapy as well as meds.

Madmomma, ask your GP for a referral to secondary mental health to see a psychiatrist for an assessment and advice regarding medication. Guidelines suggest GP's should try at least 2 anti-depressants before referring on for specialist advice so you meet these criteria.
The psych will want to know all previous meds that have been prescribed and their doses, at point of your referral to them.

I don't know if this may help but I was on Citralopram at first then my doctor put me on Semi Sodium Valproate or Valproaic Acid (Depakote) when he changed my diagnosis from depression to manic depression.

It is a mood stabiliser rather than an antidepresant per say and was prescribed to address mood swings associated with Manic Depression rather than straight forward depression.

One very good aspect is that it is not addictive and you can stop any time you want. It has a half life of about 12 hours so you will flush it out within a day.

From what I understand the doctors mostly do a try this and see if it helps approach rather than take blood samples and analyse you for hormone imbalances so it may be worth a try. A it is not addictive it can't hurt.

I've been on loads of AD's but Sertraline was always the best for me. I took Olanzapine too just 2.5mg which is a mood stabiliser & anti psychotic. It acted as s boost to the Sertraline. I can only take 75mg of Sertraline as on 100mg I couldn't cope with side effects. I have just recently stopped the Olanzapine after 10 years but I'm having trouble sleeping. I am on sleeping tablets as not sleeping had just triggered a 6 day migraine.
I agree a psychiatrist is the best person regarding knowing the meds better than Drs. I was in Lithium once but it did nothing for me. You have to have regular blood tests too.
The tricyclic meds might be a better choice for you.
I couldn't sleep at all on Venlafaxine & it made my panic attacks really severe.
I hated paroxetine. If made feel very shaky & I kept finding I was counting numbers in my head & couldn't stop.
I hope you find one that works for you,