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What Causes Persistent Depression Despite Taking Medication?
Question: I was on 100 mg of Quetiapine at night and on 25 mg of Quetiapine in the morning and 20 mg of Fluoxtine in the morning from XXXXXXX 2010 to February 2014, which worked well from August 2010 until November 2013. In November 2013 I had become unwell after working very hard shearing sheep for six straight weeks which combined with the medication made me very tired. I've since been tried on up to 500 mg of quetiapine and went of fluoxetine and was put on Pristiq for around 6 months and have now been taken back off Pristiq and put back on Fluoxtine firstly at 40 and then 60 mg and then back to 40 mg of fluoxetine for about four and a half months and also 300 mg of quetiapine and 25 mg of quetiapine in the morning in that time. For about a month and a half I've still on 300 mg of quetiapine but on 30 mg of fluoxetine and still on 25 mg of quetiapine in the morning, which has help me feel a bit better, but I've gradually become more depressed where I haven't felt very good at all. For about a week I've been taken 400 mg of Quetiapine at night which has helped me feel a bit better but are still feeling very depressed.
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
You describe a diagnosis of psychosis as well as depression. The psychosis is adequately treated with quetiapine 400mg nightly. The depression remains a problem. It appears you have used fluoxetine quite a bit, without consistent good effect. I would switch antidepressants. I recommend working with your doctor to switch to either escitalopram or sertraline. I would expect this to begin to address your persistent depression.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
You describe a diagnosis of psychosis as well as depression. The psychosis is adequately treated with quetiapine 400mg nightly. The depression remains a problem. It appears you have used fluoxetine quite a bit, without consistent good effect. I would switch antidepressants. I recommend working with your doctor to switch to either escitalopram or sertraline. I would expect this to begin to address your persistent depression.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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