Why don't ANY antidepressants work for me the way they used to?

Question

I have tried nearly every antidepressant there is over the course of 7 years. When I first tried them they did wonders for my depression and anxiety. But the problem was that they all had side effects that were hard to live with. So I went from medication to medication with the hope of finding one that was effective AND had mild side effects. When I finally realized that no such antidepressant exists, I quit taking them. Then, about 8 months later, I realized that life was unbearable with my anxiety disorders and depression, and so I decided to go back to an antidepressant and just deal with the side effects. But, guess what? When I went back on Paxil (and loaded it in my system for 6 weeks) the effects were not even close to before! And this has happened with ALL antidepressants I've tried since!!! What happened? I can understand becoming immune or resistant to one medication, or even one whole class of medications (e.g., SSRI's), but ALL antidepressants? How can this be possible?!!

NOTE: Yes, I HAVE been to psychiatrists and they've had no ideas to offer me beyond what I already know. Years of experience with antidepressants have made me into something of an amateur psychiatrist myself!

Also, adjusting the dosage of these antidepressants does absolutely NOTHING to improve their effectiveness. On the contrary, when you increase the medication beyond the standard dose, it backfires and makes my anxiety and depression worse.

One last note: Yes I have tried mixing various antidepressants (e.g, with Welbutrin, Remeron, etc) with very poor results. I have also tried many of the touted "anti anxiety" pills such as Xanax, Klonopin, you name it. These things are VERY OVERRATED, especially Xanax (it's a good sleeping pill though, they should market it as such and leave the treatment of anxiety to the antidepressants--they work much better!!)

I should clarify some points. These are the medications I've tried MANY TIMES and they ALL suck: Paxil, Prozac, Cymbalta, Effexor, Lexapro, Luvox, Neurontin, Celexa, Effexor XR, Paxil CR, Welbutrin, Remeron, Nortryptyline, Doxepin, MAO patch (EMSAM), Imipramine, Desipramine, Klonopin, Clomazapam, Xanax, Zyprexa, Zoloft, Trazadone.
In addition I have combined these with Welbutin,Remeron, Xanax, Klonopin in many creative ways and in various doses. There is very little I have not tried or done! I've also been to talk therapy of many kinds (waste of time--I have a BIOCHEMICAL problem).I've also read many books on my problem, but still no solution.

Answer 1

I can't tell you why you are immune to all anti-depressants, but you do develop a tolerance for them after awhile and need to change the dosage or the medication itself. I used to use prozac and it worked great, then I tried it again a few years later and it didn't work for long, I tried something else for a year or so and then it stopped being effective and so on. I have to change to different types of medications. At one point after a year on one type, I felt suicidal for whatever reason. Everything seemed to overwhelm me and I was put of effexor. That has been working for about 18 months now. Hopefully it will last for awhile longer. Sorry about your problems, I hope you find something that will help.

Answer 2

I had the exact same problem. The first time I took prozac, it worked wonders; I thought I was well enough to quit, so I did. I tried it again, and everything under the sun after that, but nothing worked. My anxiety and depression were overwhelming. Then I tried Cymbalta. It has worked wonders. I feel normal again. My plan is to take it for the rest of my life. I still get anxious and sad, of course, but like a normal person would when it is appropriate. I am not constantly overwhelmed by these feelings. It has changed my life. Try it.

Answer 3

I work as a LPN on a Psych. unit I have seen this here ( Canada) with many of the people that come in. It seems that you/they build up a tolerance to these antidepressants and they don't seem to have the same effect as the initial use. I have seen good effect here with ECT treatments (not everyone agrees with this I know but this is just what I have witnessed) I don't know if it is offered where you are or if it is something that you are or would consider. The best thing I would recommend is to talk to your Dr. about ALL possible treatments available.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Been there, Done that! Many times over.

Just one of those things. I went from Zoloft to Paxil back to Zoloft. On Depakote, Risperdal & Zyprexa.

Now I am on Prozac daily and Prozac weekly PLUS Tegritol and Seroquel.

Takes TIME to get the RIGHT mix for YOUR body. Trial & error. Keep working with your Psychiatrist and things should work out in the long run.

Answer 5

An increase in life stress can make depression more severe. The reason being that an increase in stress requires one to develop new coping mechanisms. If your just relying on antidepressants then after a while you become more tolerant towards the medication. The medication is merely a means for you to tackle problems head on. Thats why it is always recommended to seek both psychothereapy and med treatment concurrently.

Answer 6

Been there done that. I was on serzone for about 7 years then that sopped working. Tried effexor, but started having seizures! Am now on Paxil again, it didn't work 15 years ago but is doing good now! Keep up the faith. Sometimes mixing does the trick. I am on clonapin(sp?) for anxiety in addition to an anti-depressant. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Sometimes just taking the medicine isn't enough.
And Paxil and Zyban are both very bad where side/after effects are concerned. Antidepressants do not take care of anxiety disorder. You probably should ask your doc to look into prescribing both, Anti anxiety and Anti depressant. Also it could be helpful to find a depression support group in your area, its a great way to discover how others have learned to cope with their disease.

Answer 8

It seems as though your body is becoming more immuned to the antidepressants and therefore the effects of the drug has no barring to your body. However, this could or could not be a psychological issue, it's best to ask your phychiastric.

Best regards,

**I am NOT a doctor, So I recommend that you seek medical or mental advice from a professional** I disclaim any and all recommendations and content on this post.

Answer 9

like many things in life people develop a tolerance for drugs which causes them to need more to get the same results. If your body has developed such a tolerance for one composition of drugs, SSRI's you may need to move to MAOI's and so on and so forth.

Answer 10

Sounds like you have adjusted the effects of the medicines. Have you tried Celexa? It might do the trick. Good luck.