Has anyone found an AD that works after trying a few that didn't?

[OobieDoo]

I'm considering asking my GP if I can go back on antidepressants. It's been about seven years since I was last on them but I'm really struggling at the moment - my dad is very ill with dementia and I'm not coping with the stress. He's been in a psychiatric hospital for a few months and we (as in my siblings and I) thought he was there for the long haul but just over a week ago his medical team suddenly told us they can't do any more for him medication-wise so he needs to move into a nursing home. We know it's going to be a struggle to find somewhere that can cope with him (he can be aggressive if anyone comes into his personal space, but he won't wash himself and is incontinent) and we're faced with a potentially huge care bill if we can't get continuing healthcare funding, which we've been warned is very difficult. The stress and worry on top of the grief of slowly losing him in such an agonising way is too much. I've been treading water for the past couple of years but now I'm going under. Add in financial worries because of rising prices plus a demanding toddler who I'm really struggling to deal with, and I know I need some help.

The problem is I've tried a few ADs in the past but I haven't found one that agrees with me. Fluoxetine made me feel dead inside, Citalopram left me so fatigued I literally couldn't stay awake for more than four hours, and Sertraline made me vomit for hours within a few hours of taking it. So I'm very wary of the potential side effects and wondering if the benefits outweigh the risks.

I can't afford private counselling and there's no point going on an NHS waiting list cos my dad will probably be dead before I get to speak to anyone.

Has anyone else struggled to find the right AD? What eventually worked for you?

Fluoxetine and sertraline didn’t suit me at all.
I was fine in Citalopram until guidelines meant they had to decrease my dose.

currently on Lofepramine which I take twice a day, I was told to take the larger dose at night as it could help with my sleeping issues. It has worked well for me in terms of mood and I’m happy enough on it. I can’t recall if there were any side effects that had to settle down initially as I was a wreck when it was first prescribed.

you have my sympathy re your DF, mine also has dementia and faces being moved after attacking another resident. It’s so hard dealing with it all when you are mourning the loss of the parent you had, but also worrying about their future because their needs are so difficult. I hope things can be put in place soon and there are no huge obstacles in him getting a place.

it really is worth going on the nhs waiting list in the meantime though. Yes the lists are long but if you get to the end of the list and feel fine you can decline and someone else will happily take your place but, better to be on the list than to find you still need help, but aren’t even on the list.

I hope things go smoothly and you find an AD to suit

The medicines you have listed are SSRIs so it might be worth trying some of the older medicines? I can’t remember what they’re called….NASSA & tyclic I think x