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Do SSRI Antidepressants Stop Working?

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1044

Lilyelsa,

I know I can relate to the issue of friends and family not understanding. They say "why are you sad?". I say I'm not sad.....I'm depressed. I've provided them with information (those who I can trust and care enough to utilize the information). I don't need "friends" that aren't supportive. That means that my depression sort of culled my friends. But the ones that did hang around are very valuable in my recovery/progress, etc.

Another thing that has helped me get through the initial part of my depression and continues to be helpful and comes more easily. That is gratitude. Standing around looking at the simpliest of things that I have to be grateful for....sometimes I initially couldn't get past the air that I was breathing. Now I have many things on my list.I try to think of something new everyday.

With a familial history of addiction I was scared about taking medications that had addictive properties. I didn't have a choice, I need an antianxiety medication. I've been on the same medication for 6 years and the dosage has not increased. I've made a point, through my awareness, that I take only when necessary. I take at different times, I use as little as I can to get through the current anxiety. I think you've got some insight into this from what you wrote below.

Hang in there and don't give up! There is an answer out there somewhere to help you get where you need to go. I look forward to hearing that you got that degree in English Lit conferred!!!! That will be awesome.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 14

Goofy,

I have another appointment at the doctors on Tuesday, so I'm going to talk to him about it then. The main issue is I can't have Tricyclids because they interefer with my ashma medication and as well other medications, which makes it tricky. I also don't want to be on anything too addictive...

I am so glad that I found this site. It's so different talking to people who have bee through exactly the same thing, or something similar. None of my friends have ever suffered from clinical depression and don't really undertsand it, though they really try to. So far this has been great. Thank you for your help :)

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1044

LilyElsa,

I think it is common for some medications to "wear off" or quit working. Often we feel like genie pigs until the pdocs find the right one. Hang in there and don't give up if one doesn't work or quits working....go back. Also look up the meds you are taking, look at the possible side effects, and know as much as you can about your health from depression to treatment.

I am so glad you are here.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 14

Hi everyone. I am new to this site and I'm still working out how to use it, so if I mess this up, please bear with me.

I have suffered from clinical depression from the age of 16 and have been put on medication multiple times. I prefer to take SSRIs (and agreement I have with my doctor so that the ant-depressants don't interfere with contreception or ashmas medication, and because they are imporssible to get physically addicted to apparently)- namely Sertraline. But I find that I feel great for a few months, and then the effects start to wear off and the dosage has to be increased. I wonder if anyone else has had this experience and whether anyone has any advice?

Thank you

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1044

Effexor experience. I think it was great with my depression. I had a side effect that these rural folks (I am one of them) around here couldn't wrap their head around - thinking I was having some health issue and saw a neurologist and other specialists,, you name 'em.

It was "battery head". I found it on the internet and it described exactly what I was feeling. It lasted 5 months beyond termination from the Effexor. At the time I started taking it, it wasn't listed as a side effect. I called the pharmaceutical co. re: how long it would last. It varies.

I think one of the reasons that it is so hard to get the docs to understand is that I had difficulty describing it. It's like feeling the little synapses in the brain firing. Anyway, anytime I hear about Effexor I warn people about that potential side effect. It's my understanding it is rare. But if you get it, you need to report it. When I found the info on the internet about it, I sent it to every specialist I'd seen. btw, they couldn't find anything wrong with me thus I had more negative thoughts, etc. re: myself though I wasn't in the program at the time.

I was taking a large dosage. As I said it is rare, but it is something to watch for. It, to my knowledge, doesn't cause permanent brain damage or anything but it's like a brain tic.

Other than that starting a year or so after I started taking it, it was great. I continued to take it until I took that info from the internet to the pdoc. Probably about three years total and it worked great for the depression.

I take 400mg. of lamictal now and have side effects from it. It's weighing the options. benefits vs. side effects

Okay that's my story with Effexor, I loved it, but I couldn't live with it.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 653

Hi Ozgirl,

There can be other various reasons why you might feel depressed while taking an antidepressant. You still have normal functioning emotions and life does happen! Do speak with your doctor. You might need a dose adjustment. To the best of my knowledge, Effexor is a good one- newish and low side effects. I know many people who are happy with it but it is not for everyone, as Ashley said earlier.

Other members may have personal stories. Keep us posted.

Tiana, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1

Hi there

I have been on Effexor for about 5 months now, and at the 150mg dose for about 3 months. I've found over the last week that I've been feeling depressed, and have had two anxiety attacks, as well as a feeling of general anxiety.

Is it normal for the effects of the drugs to wear off in such a short space of time? I'm going to the doctor on Saturday but wanted to hear others' experiences in the meantime.

thanks

Ozgirl

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 57

So this week (following the meds switch over plan that my doc gave me) I have reduced my Cipralex to 5 mg from 10 mg and doubled my Venlafaxine XR to 75 mg from 37.5 mg. I am still wrestling with a few stubborn side effects but I am already noticing improvement to my mood (it's just not sustained change yet). So there is light at the end of the tunnel.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 57

Hi goofy:

Yes I'm convinced that the best way to take this is day by day. If there is a positive side to experiencing side effects, at least you know if you're going to get them, you'll get them sooner rather than later in most cases. Thanks for commenting.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1044

Ashley and Breezin_To

I guess I'm lucky I don't have any noticable side effects of my anti-depressant. I know I've had anti--depressants that quit working in the past and have had to switch, it is a double whamy. However, knowing the end result is near and that it is relatively short lived helped me. I also asked my doctor what to expect, this helps me knowing though it is knowing, not necessarily what happens (this can also help me with gratitude - whew, didn't have to experience that one. Some people it causes anxiety if they know a particular side effect may come to fruition. It seems to me, if I'm prepared I can prepare to deal with it.

I do have a "hangover" effect from my sleep meds which is a benzo, but the "hangover" doesn't last too long in the a.m. Just takes me longer to get going. So, I try to plan ahead for the extra time needed.

Keep us posted on how it is going.

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Do SSRI Antidepressants Stop Working?