Is it worth trying medication again?

[MyNameIsPinkiePie]

I have a GP appointment in a week or so after coming to the end of therapy which hasn't helped. I tried sertraline with terrible and unbearable side effects so quit after two days. I also tried citalopram but ended up with uncontrollable suicidal thoughts but otherwise felt no different save the headaches from jaw clenching. I've just come off nortriptyline but a super low dose for pain/sleep, it made me very tired so I don't think a full depression dose would be feasible.

Is there any point trying medication again? I really want something to work for me but I won't be able to cope with terrible side effects and two kids etc which is why I've held off. Any exerperiences of finally finding the right medication after a few failures? I'm also very nervous about brain medication after an awful withdrawal from another, non anti d, drug. I ended up with crippling depression, much worse than normal but that episode has made a lasting impact :(

I think it would be. I tried paroxetine, sertraline and venlafaxine before escitalopram (which they said has an easier start up/less side effects than citalopram). I was terrified before trying the venlafaxine and escitalopram as every time I tried to get help I just got worse.

There are more type's of antidepressants than you can shake a stick at...one thing to bear in mind though is that most have initial side effects, but they don't last long if you're able to persevere for a few weeks. Also with most ad's it can take between four and eight weeks to see therapeutic benefits.
Also, don't be fooled into thinking that a lower dose equals less side effects, some ad's can be sedating at a low dose and non seating at a higher dose.

Thank you, that sounds promising, I need the encouragement. I had an appointment a while ago, 18months perhaps, with a 'drug expert' for a review - not a psychiatrist just an awful woman. I'd been in private therapy for 6 months and she told me to try CBT before she'd offer another drug, she also told me that because two SSRIs hadn't worked it would be unlikely another similar one would. It was a horrible appointment so I've avoided being referred back to that service. Although I did end up with a surprise prescription for duloxetine when I next visited the GP. I never took it but I finished the CBT and it didn't help, made things feel more hopeless as its sold as the wonder therapy.

I probably should try for a referral, I asked the GP about Wellbutrin after seeing stuff online about low side effects, but they didn't realise it was anything but a smoking cessation drug. I was taking a lot of other medication last time I considered medication, I've now stopped most of them so should make it easier - just opiates for my pain and they are very safe with low side effects.

I really hope there is something but it's knowing how long to put up with awful side effects. I'm also planning to stop the contraceptive injection and start the combined pill - I've heard this could help and I did suddenly feel dreadful after starting the mini pill after DD2 was born.

Hi OP, I couldn't tolerate the side effects of sertraline and many others too. The thing to remember is there are dozens, literally, of different anti depressants, and lots of other medication options. I'm on an anti-psychotic long term, which actually acts as an anti depressant too (quetiapine).

But I've tried many, many different drugs (SSRI antidepressants, SNRI antidepressants, MAOI antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, mood stabilisers (anti convulsants and lithium) and several anti psychotics (over the last 17 years this is). I've found that I can't tolerate any types of SSRI, though venlafaxine helped for a while. But there ARE other options, the problem is getting a Dr to actually explore these options.

Don't give up, but it may take years and much trial and error before you find something that you can tolerate and that helps. I'm sorry, this probably doesn't help much. I truly feel for you. Mental illness is incredibly hard to live with and treat sometimes. Feel free to PM me if you like

mirtazapine?
its also more quick acting than others and better/less side effects (so says psych)