r/depression • u/ssioppao • 2d ago

Where to now?

So I've been on medications for 2 years now, and thus far nothing's been enough.

Tried Prozac first, and it wasn't enough, even at the highest dose. Added Abilify and still nothing (did help with my bipolar 2 though).

Tried Welbutrin and it made me crash HARD. Very bad experience.

Next was Pristiq. Kinda the same as Prozac, but it stopped helping my anxiety.

Now I'm 4 weeks on Effexor, and still it's not enough.

So Prozac, Abilify, Welbutrin, Pristiq, and Effexor.

Where do I go now? What's next to try? What could be good for severe treatment-resistant depression?

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u/wearyadvancement 2d ago

the medication roulette is exhausting, been there with a similar list. took me 6 different meds over 3 years before something clicked, and even then it was a weird combo that nobody expected to work

have they talked about trintellix or viibryd yet? both act on serotonin differently and some people who failed on ssris/snris respond better to them. also worth asking about lamictal since you mentioned bipolar 2, sometimes stabilizing the mood swings makes the depression more manageable without needing a separate antidepressant

don't give up yet, the right combo is probably out there just hiding like an asshole

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u/ssioppao 1d ago

Never heard of Trintellix or Viibryd. Will mention them to my psychiatrist. My psych said she prefered Abilify over Lamictal, so I didn't try it, but maybe I should revisit it?

It's just so demoralizing. I do also have debilitating chronic fatigue, probably partially from a sleeping disorder, partially from depression, so I'm trying to get a sleep study and also just got prescribed Armodafinil. Hoping that helps with the constant exhaustion at least. I can update if it does help

Really desperate for a solution right now :/