I wonder....

[Maverick66]

I have been on anti depressants for 30 years.
I have clinical depression.
I have varying amounts of success .
I have a pattern that seems to run a four year cycle.
I mostly switch between citalopram and fluoxetine ..they seem to work for about 3/4 years then nothing they just stop working .

However, I now have added complication of menopause and whilst everything is pointing to me being post menopausal I still have horrendous symptoms.

I have the most unbelievable sweating it is so awful it restricts everything I do. It is making social gatherings an impossibility.

Dr has offered syteraline but I wonder if the sweating is as bad with it. I also have gained 4 stone since changing to fluoxetine.

I really am desperate and I wonder would I be better coming off all anti depressants and living with low moods, lack of motivation, paranoia and over thinking.

I'm not sure how much help I'm going to be, but I'm wondering if there is an alternative to citalopram or fluoxetene? I would be wary of coming off anti-d's altogether. I'm sure you're onto this, but I know I feel a lot better if I keep up the excercise and eat better. Easier said than done, particularly when I feel low. I also have the Calm app on my phone, which really helps me.

Have you considered St John’s Wort?

What's the underlying cause of the depression?

@Sarahlou63 depression doesn’t have to be related to situation.
OP I wouldn’t. Better to experiment with different meds. Using exercise, mindfulness etc etc too.

[quote Wolfiefan]@Sarahlou63 depression doesn’t have to be related to situation.
OP I wouldn’t. Better to experiment with different meds. Using exercise, mindfulness etc etc too.[/quote]
I didn't mention situation. I wondered if the underlying cause had been investigated.

I would speak to your GP about Escitalopram- usually only prescribed when other options exhausted, but known for having fewer side effects and marginally more effective than fluoxetine and sertraline.
You may be asked to see a psychiatrist to get this prescribed, possibly privately, if that's an option for you, as Escitalopram is more expensive, but then the GP can prescribe after that.

I think after 30 years I'd be looking for alternative methods. Probably some hairbrained scheme like elecrotherapy or some shit. Or ask around for trial drugs and get paid to take them.

I'd be looking for a cure instead of treatment.
I'd be on all that herbal medicine recommendations and bloody acupuncture. I'd just try everything. Fuck it, why not.

@Sarahlou63 would you say the same about asthma? Mental illness doesn’t have to have an underlying cause that can be cured.

[quote Wolfiefan]@Sarahlou63 would you say the same about asthma? Mental illness doesn’t have to have an underlying cause that can be cured.[/quote]
The OP hasn’t mentioned anything about seeking a cause, only a treatment. Is not reasonable to ask about looking at the wound as well as the plaster?

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Different issues have contributed to my depression.
I have explored all the herbal routes including St John's Wort.
I have had counselling several times through my life which helps at time but then something else happens in life and the depression returns.

I feel so inadequate for not being able to just get on and rationalise things in my own head . I understand every aspect of my depression but it just weighs heavy when it comes and I find it so difficult to overcome.

I have no thoughts of self harm or suicide just this internal dialogue of being pathetic.

Thank you for taking time to answer my OP.

Did you try Sertraline for long?

I’ve been on it 1.5 years. I find my mood is more positive/calm. I also take propranolol to keep my heart rate at a normal level (it’s otherwise quite elevated, I’d be like a nervous mouse).

For what it’s worth, I did horribly on fluoxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, and venlefaxine.

Mirtazapine is pretty good but I couldn’t tolerate the dry mouth and weight gain after a while.

@Pinkbonbon

I think after 30 years I'd be looking for alternative methods. Probably some hairbrained scheme like elecrotherapy or some shit. Or ask around for trial drugs and get paid to take them.

I'd be looking for a cure instead of treatment.
I'd be on all that herbal medicine recommendations and bloody acupuncture. I'd just try everything. Fuck it, why not.

There are an awful lot of options between "two of the most commonly-prescribed antidepressants available" and "fuck it I'll just get someone to stab me with pins while I neck research chemicals".

You probably need HRT.

I mean, these are the options just for antidepressants (though for some of them, you'd need a psychiatrist to agree it's a good idea to try it, and some are very rarely used at all):

agomelatine
amitriptyline
citalopram
clomipramine
dosulepin
doxepin
duloxetine
escitalopram
fluoxetine
fluvoxamine
imipramine
isocarboxazid
lofepramine
mianserin
mirtazapine
moclobemide
nortriptyline
paroxetine
phenelzine
reboxetine
sertraline
tranylcypromine
trazodone
trimipramine
venlafaxine
vortioxetine

and that's before you even start looking into augmenting with mood stabilisers, neuroleptics, anxiolytics, beta-blockers, stimulants, ketamine… lots of drug options. And drugs to treat and underlying problems like vitamins deficiency and hormone imbalance, if any of those happen to be present. Then beyond drugs, there's TMS, ECT, and of course all the various psychotherapies. Lifestyle stuff can have a big effect too, and some people say they do well with alternative therapies.

There's no reason to give up just because the two treatments that you've tried up to now aren't working so well for you any more.

@VirgilStarkwell and @ClumpingBambooIsALie thank you for your replies.
I am giving serious consideration to serlatine

*sertraline

I know some people who've done really well with sertraline. It can feel a bit rough for the first week or two but after that you should start being able to tell whether you can tolerate it.

This is just thinking outside of the box OP (mum of someone with depression) …have you considered trying cold water therapy ….look up The Wim Hof method or any open water swimming clubs. Sounds crazy but apparently this cold water therapy boosts endorphins and has a positive lasting impact on the whole day.
Another idea would be some art therapy ….modelling, pottery, art or creative writing. Again, these things can massively help.

@Lotusmonster thank you .