Really Struggling With Depression On Ssri Can They Add Another One

[gordiescotland1]

Hi there I am on 100mg x 2 a day for depression and anxiety up until the last 2 weeks they have been helping a great deal but in the last 2 weeks I have been feeling I dont want to get out of bed I want to avoid people and I have been having suicidal thoughts most of the day. I am going to see my GP tomorrow and I dont really want to come off this is it possible to add something to the anti depressant like another SSRI

[Mamyalynne]

GP may add something in or tweak the dose Gordie, hope they soon get you back on a more even keel.x

[jim360]

100mg at 2 a day sounds like quite a significant dose already. I suppose the GP is best place to give medicial advice, but at those levels, is a complementary approach such as counselling not worth adding to the mix?

[Mamyalynne]

More likely to be 10mg - counselling is a good shout too, ask about it.

[jim360]

That would sound more normal, in which case I shouldn't be surprised if the GP recommended an increased dosage. Still, counselling alongside seems called for.

[gordiescotland1]

200mg of Sertraline per day is the maximum dose

[gordiescotland1]

I dont know if its a reaction to the death of my friend 6 weeks ago I was with him when he died and we were very close. I always had someone to go for coffee with but now he has gone my loneliness has increased. I am grieving I do cry and I do deal with it, so different when I lost my grandparents 20 years ago I was drinking heavily that is the way I coped with it I avoided it but I know I am processing it so much better.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Do you have a friend or family member to talk to about your depression, Gordie?

[Mamyalynne]

Beg your pardon, yes you are right with the dosage, sorry.

It could well be a delayed reaction to the death but whatever has set you back I hope you get good advice tomorrow - be very clear about how you are feeling.

[jim360]

Hmm... if it's the maximum dose already and 100mg wasn't a typo then I can't see either an increase in prescription or a second SSRI being offered, since it would just be more of the same over the max dose again.

I am loath to offer anything beyond this because (a) I'm not a medical expert, and (b) you are seeing your GP anyway. Other antidepressants are available, so that may provide some options if the SSRI is ineffective, but it still comes back to counselling.

Considering your recent post, perhaps that's more likely -- a short-term, and understandable(!), reaction to a recent tragedy, and just being able to talk about it may help.

I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well, and I am very sorry to hear about your loss and your troubles.

[wolf63]

If the Sertraline isn't working there are other drugs that your doctor could try. I am on the same dose and I, too, was advised that it was the maximum that they could give me.

Talk it over with your doctor and/or your psychiatrist.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Being upset by something which is upsetting is not an illness, Gordie: it's the normal and appropriate reaction.

[rowanwitch]

Which one are you taking?

If you are on an SSRI already they won't add in a second one but they could change to a different one that might suit you better. You should always contact the GP when you have an increase in suicidal thoughts on anti depressant meds, it's a side effect and needs sorting. Waiting two weeks wasn't sensible.
I know it sounds hard but I have been there and I know one of the best things you can do is get up, and get out. Exercise and doing things helps so much even if it's the last thing you feel like doing.

[LadyCG]

Your GP may need to try something stronger like Quetiapine (Seroquel) which is an anti-psychotic drug sometimes used to treat major depressive disorder.

Please don't do anything stupid - there's always someone on Ab to help in a time of need xx

[rowanwitch]

Crossed posts, ok perfectly valid reason for feeling so bad. You have lost a friend and from those posts while it was going on it wasn't the easiest of times. I think it's one of those occasions when counselling will be more help than meds in the long term. You sound like you need help to get your life back on track. See your GP and ask for a referral or see if you can self refer into a local service. Don't be lonely though, we are here, this is always a safe place to let the pain out until you can get a support network in place