Don't want to be depressed for rest of life.?

Question

For the last 10 years I've tried Paxil(Aropax), Cipramil, Effexor, Prozac and Zoloft and even mood stabilizers combined with antidepressents and always after a few months, the medication stops working.
Right now I'm on 60mg of Paxil and am starting to get suicidal thoughts and it's annoying the crap out of me, because I know it's my illness making me feel this way and I don't want to die, I'm just sick of the pain and my doc has given me a script to take tranquilizers on top of the Paxil to help with feelings of agitation because when I become very depressed, I become agitated as well.
Does anyone else with moderate/severe depression have this problem as well with antidepressents losing effectiveness over time?

Lmao Bob, you suck too :P
Just kidding, don't even know ya.
I would gladly join you, but I think wtf should I let this illness beat me?

Thanks everyone for your kind and understanding answers :)
I love every answer and can't choose a best, so will leave it to the voters.
Again, thank for for helping me to understand that I'm not the only 1 who develops a tolerance to antidepressants.

Answer 1

I have had problems with depression, major, all my life. I have a strong family history of it.Like you, I have tried multiple meds but either they "wear off" after a few months or I quit taking them. I am taking Prozac again, so far so good. Have you tried Cymbalta ? I don't know if it would work with you aggitation. To me, Paxil,Effexor,Wellbutrin those drugs are terrible for a person who has aggitation or anxiety. They can actually exacerbate the aggitation and anxiety ! I feel exactly like you, with wondering "will it ever go away ?" My heart aches for you seriously, because I have been there SOOOO many times.Do you have health insurance? If so, has counseling helped ? It doesn't seem to work for me personally, but I know lots who have had great success. If my insurance would approve it, I would love to have ECT done. It's electroconvulsive therapy (but not like the olden days. That was barbaric. ) It is being approved by alot of insurance companies because it has shown to greatly help with major/polar depression . There is a book by Tina Zahn called"Why I Jumped". ( She is the woman who jumped off of some bridge and a cop caught her by the arm. It was all caught on his dashboard cam) She has suffered from major depression all her life ( as have I ) and she underwent ECT after multiple failures on medications and therapy. It is controversial, but it changed her life. This is something that is so simple to do, but I truly believe in the power of prayer and positive thinking. I want you to know that there are people out there that love you and God doesn't want any of us to be in pain.Remember the old saying,"If I think it, I can be it". I promise you, I will keep you in my prayers that you get some answers that will actually help you. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I have been dealing with depression for my entire life (and I am over 40). I've been on meds in the past, and they helped but am currently managing fine without medication. I did have the experience of developing resistance to the meds and having to increase the dosage or change meds. I had horrible experiences changing meds, Prozac was the only one that really helped me. But then I experienced a tolerance issue and had to stop using it.

I believe strongly in the power of positive thinking and in non-pharmacological methods of managing serotonin levels. My personal philosophy is less medication rather than more. FWIW, here is a summary of my "depression toolbox":

Exercise (this is the number one factor in managing my depression - I exercise 3-4 times a week, every week. Consistency is key.)
Positive affirmations & Gratitude
Spiritual practice
Aromatherapy & adequate sleep (they go together)
Avoiding alcohol & excessive sugar
Seeing a psychologist when necessary

I also find that consciously choosing to have an outward focus rather than an inward focus helps me. When I am inwardly focused I tend to ruminate on problems that I have little or no control over. An outward focus occupies my mind on tasks that benefit others, and often the completion of thise tasks brings an emotional reward - a thank you, a hug, or some small gesture that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

Answer 3

It is a common occurrence. See depression, and anxiety treatments, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on pages 2, and 6, and suicidal thoughts, on page 5. Popping pills is not a viable long term solution for you, or a large percentage of other sufferers, but psychopharmaceutical manufacturers/agents have spent billions convincing doctors otherwise (see pages 1, 1C, and page 2). It's your life, but, in your position, I'd taper off the medications, with medical advice as to how many months to take, and begin using the alternative treatments.

Answer 4

no wonder you cannot come out of your situation. you let those doctors numb your brain with the medication. medication don`t work, for anything. really bad for the liver at first and it stop your body from doing what it`s supposed to do, wich is to heal itself. we all do have an healing energy inside of us, the proof- what happen when you scratch your skin? read book and go natural.
the best way to overcome your depression is by changing your attitude. what i mean.
depressed peoples have a negative view of life
change that by having a few positive thaughts and poems around your house. read positive affirmations in books.
take some vitamine C-E and especially B-complex
go often outside for walks or an active sport - in nature is the best. as the air that you breath is your healing energy that you need. i can garanty you that you will see a difference in 2 weeks, maybe even before. also you could read the book
- eat right for your blood type - kevin trudeau - go natural if you want to be healthy, that way those doctors won`t make any money on you. you need to be sick for that, they need you sick!

Answer 5

I'm curious, are you going to therapy too? Cognitive behavioral therapy is supposed to be really good for depression and it's usually covered by insurance. Medications alone don't properly treat depression. Not that you have to get to some deep psychological cause of depression, but that you need to learn to combat depressive thoughts and emotions. At least that's what I understand from CBT. It accepts depression, but teaches you to deal with it better.

Antidepressant medications aren't really meant to be used long term since most depression is episodic and not chronic or even reoccuring.

Good luck and hey, if you don't want to be depressed for the rest of your life, don't kill yourself 'cause then you would be!

Answer 6

If you are feeling agitated, along with the depression, maybe you could ask your doctor for a mood stabilizer... or ask him if he feels one might help?

Believe me, I'm not a doctor, and this is ONLY a suggestion.

I have had depression problems for years, and am bipolar. I do tend to become agitated sometimes, and it's because i have a "mixed episode" of a little mania with my depression.

Now, i can't even take anti-depressants because they do tend to send me into a manic episode (this is very rare, so don't think that it's your problem, i'm just telling you about me... i hope you don't mind).

I hope your doctor can help. Meanwhile, you can also do a web search on DEPRESSION SELF-HELP, DEPRESSION WITH AGITATION to see what resources are available for help and advice. Loads of info on the Internet!

I wish you all the best! take care of YOU!! hugs

Answer 7

If you're serious about getting off the meds and really willing to do some hard work to relieve your depression, learn from those who have succeeded. (folks like me). Read this book:
http://www.seekwellness.com/bookstore/books/book65.htm

And get back to me if you have any questions. I can help.

Please don't take advice from those touting different meds. THERE IS NO ANTIDEPRESSANT THAT HAS EVER CURED ANYONE!