My anti-depression medication was working so well, why did it stop working? I'm afraid to change medications.

Question

So for about a week and a half I was doing fine... then on Saturday night I got really bad, thoughts of suicide... that night I had dreams of having thoughts of suicide and in one dream that was in another dream I actually committed it (first time I've ever had dreams like that). Then on Sunday I was even worse I didn't want to see anyone or take my meds... I was getting worse urges so I took more Prozac (I would have gone to the ER but I had a bad experience last time ... see ER question) ... and some other relaxing med. That didn't work so I took some prescribed sleeping pills ... I finally calmed down and went to bed after talking with my mom on the phone for a few hours... The next day I talked to my councilor he seemed very concerned because it was the first time he saw my actual emotions and not the fake cheerful me... He says I might not be on the right meds right now. I'm worried about changing meds, cause the last time was when I had the bad ER experience(see my ER question)

I have been taking the anti depressant for about 2 months now ... I changed from Prozac to Paxli then back to Prozac because I had a bad reaction to the Paxil... so I have had the medicine in my system long enoughf for it to take effect... (the recent weeks are the time I have gotten off the Paxil and back on to the Prozac)

I changed from the Prozac to Paxil because I was still getting anxiety attacks (Paxil is supposed to help with both anxiety attacks and depression) and it has been a few weeks since I changed back to the Prozac (Because, Paxil + Me = Bad Trip to ER)

I hate adding details... but I guess it helps clear up things...

And just to make things clear... when I say I was thinking of suicide I don't mean I was actually going to commit it ... I was just haveing suicidal thoughts... (I never act on them... I only try to stop them)

Answer 1

Hun, I understand completely!

I am a 9/11 survivor that suffers from Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I was on Paxil for years and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone! I was addicted to it.

I would suggest Celexa or Lexapro. It made all the differece in the world to me. The difference? Celexa and Lexapro are newer drugs that can better target your problem.

It is normal to for your body to become acclimated to medicine after a while. Going up a dosage is typically a easy fix!

I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 2

Three things:

1. The people above who said that it sometimes takes three weeks (approximately) for anti-depressents to work properly are right. This is very common with most forms of mental-health medications. So give it a couple more weeks and see what happens!

2. If it doesn't work out, don't be afraid to try something else. True, it is possible that you could have a bad reaction, but the long-term results of not getting the right medication is far worse. The thing is that mental illness and depression are not exact sciences. What works for one person might not work for another. Also, as these things are caused by chemical imbalances in your brain, they can change. One medication might work for a long time, and suddenly not work anymore. However, there are many, many options out there to try, and the right combination of medications is there for you. It sometimes takes some trial and error. This is very common, so don't be afraid.

3. Above everything, talk to your doctor about it and do what they say. The doctor is the expert. The doctor is the one who is best able to help you. Let them know how you are feeling and what your fears are, and they will make sure you are taken care of.

Good luck! I hope you feel better soon!

Answer 3

Seems like I've been reading lately that anti-depressants can do that early on - increase suicidal thoughts. You're supposed to contact your doctor. Also, switching meds is very common. In fact, I know many people on meds and every one of them had to swich at some point until they finally found the right one for them. I know how bad experiences can scare you away from taking certain paths but the alternative isn't working, right? You have to take some action and actually, taking a proactive approach is very empowering. Makes you feel more in control of the situation instead of being dragged along. Really discuss this with your counselor and don't leave their office until you have a plan of action that is satisfactory to YOU. Good luck. I've been there and have come out the other side.

Answer 4

well sometimes we take a medication an get so use to it, that we don't think that it is working , but it is, the highest dose you can go on with prozac is 80 mgs, I know cause i am on it and it took me forever to get them to take it back up to the max. I know that committing suicide is not the answer, i have done that many times, and they just bring you back if they can. If you are having those kind of thoughts then I would say to go and get some help with that thoughts. something is disterbing you and you really need to fine out what it is since you are having them in your dreams too, it is really on you mind, and you could end up actually doing it, I would talk to your doctor about this cause you really need some help right now. so if need be call the crisis line and they can get you the help you need right now, i would not wait on this, and even if he changed your med's they would not work right away, so you would still be having these thought, so please go and see some one that will help you thought this.

Answer 5

Because different meds work differently on every individual--the doctors need to experiment, to see which is best for you. They need to see you often, to monitor the progress (or side-effects) of the meds. They also need to see if they need to change the meds or change the doseage of the meds.

Because you had one bad ER experience, that doesn't mean that if your doctor is unavailable, and you are contemplating suicide, you shouldn't go there. Life is too short to start with--so don't play with fire. Other reasons to go there would be if you get any bad side-effects from any med--the ER could save your life. **(I am going to look your ER question, but is there not more than one in your area? Also, different doctors are on duty different days and times).

A week and 1/2 is a very short time--it can take 4-6 weeks to see the full effects of an antidepressant. In your case, though, with this worst type of side-effect, you should get a change.

Please call your doctor, and ask advice--he may tell you to stop the med, and have you come in for a different one. Also, you can call your pharmacist--he or she can also tell you what to do.

Don't let this bad experience get in the way of treating your mental health. There are other meds, other doctors, other counselors, etc. You can even check out a book on medicines from the public library--check on the side affects of any given to you.

*Edit:

I just read your ER questions, and your doctor was absolutely out of line. I've run across bad doctors too (one told me I was going to hell)--you need to see a different doctor--also, I agree with the answerer who said that that particular doctor should be reported--as many times as it takes.

Answer 6

How long have you been taking the medication? Anti-depressants do not start effectively working until usually around 2 weeks of correct administration. Also, anti-depressants do not clear your mind of all bad ideas, suicidal thoughts or dreams. The majority help the levels of either serotonin or norepinephrine within your body. Stable levels of either increase the chance of you coming out of your depression.

If you haven't been taking this medication for long, I would talk to your doctor about trying another prescription. Possibly, one that specifically effects serotonin levels as these types usually treat late night & dream symptoms more effectively.

If you have been on your current medication for some time, your body may have become immune to its effects. Most long term anti-depressant prescriptions and levels change every few years as its common for the immunity to happen.

Regardless of the length of time you've been on your medication, if you haven't felt at least close to 50% better than what you know your depressive symptoms to be, then you are not taking an effective medication.

Good luck!!

Answer 7

Medicine such as Anti-Depressants build up in your system. It takes 3 weeks of taking it for an anti-depressant to even take effect. If you felt an "instant" effect the first time you took the medicine, it was more of a Placebo effect then the actual medicine working. You could have just built up a tolerance to the medicine. Anti-Depressants are not usual given to everyone for a period of over 6 months. If your doctor wants you to keep taking them, maybe you just need a higher dose.

How old are you? Anti-Depressants can cause bouts of anger, violence, and suicide in people 16 and younger.

Answer 8

Most medications take a bit to build up to what is known as a "maintenance serum level", or a certain amount of medication in your blood. Until you reach that point, the effectiveness of the medication can vary.

Also, patients have been known to have adverse reactions to various antidepressant agents, including suicidal thoughts.

I'm glad you did some good things, such as talking to a parent, and talking to a counselor. Now, you need to consider talking to the person who prescribed the medications, and get their input. They may want to draw blood and see what your serum levels are.

Be safe!

Answer 9

Some times it takes time for the doctor and you to find the right medication. Call the doctor and make an appointment and see what he says. It took me like two years to find the exact med combination to relieve my symptoms

There are no tests or ways of knowing what medication will work best for you. So doctors are doing trial and error trying to find the right one/s for you. So be honest with him/her and also your counselor. You are not helping yourself by not being honest, they are there to help you,

Be patient with your self and your doctor. I wish you the best.

Answer 10

these do work but i would recommend u to first go to a therapist as, this wil only make ur condition worse and make u dependent all ur life. Its good u think bout ur parents and are not plannin on a suicide now but living ur life this way would also not make them happy. so best thing i can suggest is talk to sumone it may even be ur friend make some goal fr ur future forget ur past and work to achieve it. This goal can be anything either ur success or ur parents happiness or anything under the sun worth it.Please stp being negative and try being optimistic