Antidepressant advice - neither sertraline or citalopram work

[Pomped]

Hello

as the title suggests, I’m seeking advice (and I will see my GP next week) on antidepressants

I was on sertraline for a year (50mg increased to 100mg) but it sent me manic and I was going through serious trauma relating to a court case at the time.

I was then switched to citalopram 20mg around a year ago but increasingly I’m finding myself despondent and feel total apathy. I don’t have suicidal thoughts but at the same time, I wouldn’t care if I ceased to exist

I also have some alcohol issues and whilst I don’t drink every day, I know I’m drinking too much in an attempt to numb reality.

could I have some advice about “extra strong” anti depressants (if such a thing exists) or should I just consider ramping up the dose of the citalopram?

I hate the fact I’m not responding to medication and I just want to feel normal again.

thank you to anyone that reads or responds to this.

Does GP know you have a problem with alcohol?

Yes they do, it’s on my medical record

So unlikely they’re going to prescribe stronger medication until this is addressed

Thank you for replying.

I just feel as if it’s a vicious circle. I know I am “self medicating” with wine and I’m not stupid enough to not realise it’s a depressant. I just want to feel numb

Well if sertraline sent you manic you likely need a mood stabiliser or antipsychotic. It’s a very unusual reaction and signals a specific diagnosis. Your gp shouldn’t be fucking around with antidepressants if you have a history of mania (even medication-induced) they need to refer you to a psychiatrist for assessment, diagnosis and treatment. It sounds like you will need to outright ask for or push for this. Please do. The right treatment can give you your life back.

There are other types of antidepressants such as snris that might suit better? Obviously asking your doctor is your best bet.. don't think there's a strong antidepressant as such, just different types

Thank you all.

I have a strong suspicion I have undiagnosed ADHD or Bipolar but the waiting lists are so long, i feel there’s no point in pursuing (but that’s the apathy speaking) and I can’t afford to go private. I wonder why that’s why SSRIs have little to no positive effect for me.

Thank you all for being direct but also kind.

I have booked in to see the doctor next week

Really relate. More or less same for me although I don’t touch alcohol as I grew up with an alcoholic parent.

was on fluxotine then they got put up. Now on Veneflaxine and that’s been put up.

still really struggling with highs and lows. On various waiting lists but they are years long and in the mean time every day is just hard.

Hope you get some answers

They are going to want you to address the drinking before making any medication adjustments

I used to be on citalopram also 20mg years ago. I had to stop taking it cos it made me put on SO much weight. 3 stone in about 8 months and I don’t think I ate any differently. I switched to Prozac which was ok for a year or two (and I lost the weight immediately) but then it seemed to “wear off” and I was at my lowest ever point while on it. About a year ago I switched to an SNRI called Zopiclone and that’s been a game changer. No side effects (as long as you don’t miss a dose, they can be really bad if you do), and the best I’ve felt in years. Just calm, at peace, sometimes happy even. I’d ask your gp about it

Zopiclone is a sleeping tablet not an SNRI and not an antidepressant.
This really is a conversation you need to have with your doctor especially if there's been concerns about mania on antidepressants previously

Zopiclone is a sleeping tablet and not an SNRI. Venlafaxine is the commonest SNRI and could be regarded as ‘stronger’ than an SSRI
Obviously you should not have that if you really did have mania but most people who are manic do not recognise it as such themselves. You were more likely agitated rather than manic and this is a common SSRI side effect. As ever though do talk to your Dr IRL.

Also medication is more effective in combination with therapy. In most areas you can self refer for CBT which would be a good thing to add on and see if that helps.

Do you mean Zoloft rather than Zopiclone @Waitingforthesunnydays Zoloft is sertraline.

Yes zopiclone is a sleeping tablet 🤔

I felt "manic" when starting escitalopram, like couldn't sit still, constantly wandering around the house doing things etc which is not like me in the slightest! I'm very lazy.. it only lasted a week or so though

Ooops no I meant Venlafaxine! I don’t know why zopliclone popped into my head..it’s a sleeping pill I used to get prescribed years ago! Don’t take that @Pomped ! What I meant was venlafaxine

I have AuDHD and went through a very bad time with my mental health in my late teens and early twenties. Fluoxetine was a life saver for me, other medications (and I can't remember what they were) made me either nit much better or worse.

Have the external factors (court) been resolved because it’s ok to feel bad if horrible things are happening, tablets to numb your feelings aren’t always effective. If your life otherwise is on tract there’s other options, both my dd and dsd were on a different kind of med and it put them right off alcohol as a side effect which might be super useful for you, l will check the name later

Thanks for all your words of advice. I sought some advice on alcohol reduction and have successfully reduced my intake. They were kind to me and understood it was an attempt at self medication to numb the emotional pain and stress I’m feeling.

im then booked in next month for a medication review. Even with the alcohol reduced, I feel no better or worse.