Advice needed about medication

[Koptforitagain]

I’m really not well. I need to take antidepressants but they don’t suit me. I’ve been on Sertraline, Citalopram, Escitalopram, Venlafaxine. All of these have upset my stomach and stopped me sleeping. Mirtazapine gives me restless legs. Not sleeping is my worst problem

I have a GP appointment on Thursday. What do I say? I feel desperate.

Exactly what you’ve said here.

Yes, I second the above. I was going to ask if you've tried fluoxetine, but your GP is the best person to go down that road. What suits some, really doesn't suit others.

Wishing you all best for Thursday. Take care of yourself in the meantime xx

How long were you on them before swapping. It can take 1 week up to 8 weeks for the side effects to go.

Thanks for your replies. As far as not sleeping and stomach upsets, it’s so bad I can’t continue with them. When I took Escitalopram the GP warned me about feeling sick etc., but after a week I was admitted to hospital as I was so sick.

Mirtazapine doesn’t make me sick but it stops me sleeping with restless legs. I’ve been on it for seven weeks and the restless legs is worse than ever. It’s like torture.

I just want to feel better. The last time I spoke to a GP, she gave me Venlafaxine and more or less told me I had reached the end of the road with choice. I just feel desperate. Even on Mirtazapine I want to die. I think that’s partly due from lack of sleep.

Show the GP this post. Honestly. I know one drug I wouldn't advise is Venlafaxine - I thought I'd never be able to get off it.

However I got long term physically disable due to nerve damage and tapered off Venlafaxine on to Duloxetine (which also acts as a pain killer for nerve damage). It's very similar to Venlafaxine as in a SNRI not SSRI. I just feel calmer than I have done in 20 years - that's in spite of constant pain during the night etc.

I was prescribed 10 days of Zopiclone too, to help me transition. It really was a godsend.

What time is your appointment tomorrow? Show GP this thread. Good luck, stay strong! Xx

I’ve been down the ten days of Zopiclone route. I felt great whilst taking it but the rebound insomnia was hideous.

It’s a telephone call tomorrow, sometime in the afternoon. How can I stop her from fobbing me off? I’ve not been right for months and months, I just want some improvement.

Have you looked into trazodone? They prescribe it for sleep problems as well as depression. As far as I'm aware, it doesn't cause issues with nausea. I've had a quick Google of the side effects and I can't see it on there.

I have been on everything you have named here and have found fluoxetine has been the most effective for me. I'm now on 60mg and just started lamotrigine a few days ago and still in a very dark place.

Go to your GP and ask for a referral to psychiatry. I hope you find the right help you need 💚

I would recommend trazodone. I have restless legs even when not on antidepressants and trazodone is a safe antidepressant for people with rls so definitely should be safe for you as far as not causing this problem. Helps with sleep too.

I am sensitive to A/D too. Have taken the same ones as you. Now taking Duloxetine, has really helped. Began taking every other day to avoid nausea, at first. They do make me feel tired so I take them at lunch times now.
Main side effect is extra vivid dreams.
Good Luck

Another recommendation for trazodone

Does anyone suggest Duloxetine over fluoxetine? I think it's the only one I haven't tried! I have anxiety and ocd and low mood x

I've experienced the same thing but finally seroxat suited me years ago and now Trazodone suits me. There are many, many antidepressants and lots of older ones not often prescribed now. Just get across to GP that you really need to find one that doesn't exacerbate your problems ! Sorry you feel unwell.

The GP has doubled my dose of Mirtazapine. She was really lovely with me, I felt very well supported. I’ve been prescribed Pramipexole for my restless legs. I’m on the very lowest dose and it’s like a miracle! No more restless legs.

Can anyone tell me how soon I should expect my mood to improve, by taking a higher dose of Mirtazapine?