Husband suicidal/breakdown - prescribed quetiapine & mirtazapine, & lorazepam - experiences please

[Evianfash40]

Just really wanted some advice from anyone who's experienced similar. My husband had a mental breakdown 7 weeks ago, he was prescribed escitalopram but after 4 weeks it was clear it was having adverse effects (he said it made him feel like he was losing his mind) and mental health crisis team told him to come off it. He had a break and was then prescribed to take quetiapine in the morning, then mirtazapine and zolpidem at night and lorazepam when needed - panic attacks etc but to be honest he's been taking it every day. He's only been on mirtazapine for 1 wk, quetiapine maybe 2 weeks but I've not seen much improvement. Before he was suicidal in a manic way now he's suicidal but calm, says he feels numb, doesn't care about anything - himself, me or his son.
Really I just want to hear from anyone that's taken those meds or partner has, how long did it take to have an effect, or if they didn't work? I'm worried because the last lot (escitalopram) made him worse and he took antidepressants 10 years ago after a car accident but they also didn't seem to work. He's been diagnosed with anxiety, depression and adjustment disorder and has the crisis team visiting every day but he's just stuck in the same negative thought loop, triggered by leaving his job and new job not working out and he can't forgive himself. We have had the same conversation every day over and over again for 8 weeks. It's like he needs a factory reset. Crisis team just say we have to wait for the meds to work, but I'm just not convinced they will.

If he is calmer then the meds have made some difference. All of these meds can take some time to start working, and then it can take time to find the right combination.

What dosage is he taking? I take quetiapine and lorazepam as PRN. My quetiapine dosage is changed quite often depending on how I am doing, but an increase in dosage always improves my mood quickly, and has helped me out of a crisis more than once. Everyone is different, but quetiapine really works for me. It might just be that the dosage needs changing, or maybe a different anti psychotic will suit him better. The crisis team should be able to make med adjustments fairly quickly. Hopefully he will stabilise soon.

Im mirtazapine having tried citrolpalm (can’t spell it) for anxiety and depression since July this year and was going along fine then last week I hit a major bump ans had a panic attack because of a single comment from a work colleague, the intrusive thoughts crept in and self harm thoughts and a few self harm incidents too. Doctor prescribed propoponol (can’t spell that either) for anxiety feelings and I take them when I start having the feelings of anxiety. They have help so much when I something happens and i feel l can’t cope intake one and it settles me.
Mirtazapine is for my sleep, as I wasn’t sleeping and overthinking shot at 3am does no one good. Was on 15mg but was increased to 30mg.

Your husband needs to be honest with the Dr, never think they won’t take his call if he’s struggling, if it’s been a hard few days call and they will help. Suffering with MH does no one any good