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Mental health

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Original poster

Meds for depression

6 replies

bubbaflash · 31/08/2023 16:31

After some advice please.

My husband suffers with depression. This has been well controlled and he's been really well for the last few years taking sertraline. It was like a miracle drug!

However the setraline is no longer working and his depression has crept back up, and he has some anxiety. His GP said sometimes a drug stops working and switched him to Duloxetine. He did not do well on this drug, if anything it made it a lot worse.

He switched back to sertraline, and whilst better than Duloxetine, its still not working. After a phone consultation with GP yesterday he's switched him to Venlafaxine. Starts in the next few days once he's tapered.

I'm after some information. Is it worth trying Venlafaxine? Has anyone else found sertraline stopped working, and if so what did you switch to?

I'm aware different drugs will have different effects for individuals

OP posts:

cherryassam · 31/08/2023 16:40

What dosage of Sertraline was he on? I’ve certainly had to move up and down the dosage over the years I’ve been on it as sometimes it’s not worked at a lower dose but been the usual miracle drug it is for me then at a higher dose.

I have tried both duloxetine and venlafaxine and neither were effective for me, although I do know they really do work for some people. I’ve come to realise that SNRIs just do not work for me as well as SSRIs. Plus I had horrible side effects, lots of dizziness and shaking.

Annaishere · 31/08/2023 17:05

Well I tried that and besides the nausea I got it’s pretty potent straight away. It gave me a lot of energy

Original poster

bubbaflash · 31/08/2023 18:00

He's been on 100mg for the past 2 years. Can I ask what level you take?

OP posts:

cherryassam · 31/08/2023 18:23

It’s worth chatting with his doctor if an increased dosage of Sertraline would be possible - I am currently on 50mg and it’s doing what I need it to, but have been up to 200mg in the past when I’ve needed it

PorcelinaV · 31/08/2023 23:28

Has he tried other SSRIs? If not, then it would probably be worth trying a couple.

Also worth increasing the Sertaline dosage as someone mentioned.

PorcelinaV · 31/08/2023 23:34

"Sertraline" I mean.

Be aware that the SNRI class like Venlafaxine is known for sometimes brutal withdrawal symptoms.

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