Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Lamictal... nothing works for me

[BoBoGo]

I have a long story about depression, but I am hoping I can get some feedback from someone.

I have suffered from depression for the past 12 years, which has mostly been controlled by antidepressants. However, in the past year I have hit a severe low depression. I have tried several different medications within the year, that don’t seem to work. Also, within the past year I have been in therapy and under a psychiatrist care. My current psychiatrist says he doesn’t know what else to prescribe for me. He recommended I go see a psychopharmacologist or a neurologist.

For about 5 years in my past, I was a heavy recreational drug user. (Mostly ecstasy, ketamine, and acid.) I have stopped using drugs for the past 5 years, or so. Since I am having such a difficult time with depression, I am wondering if I might have damaged part of my brain from the past drug use. Or, I am wondering if my body does not naturally produce enough serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine. And if either one is the case; I am wondering what can I do about it?

An online doctor told me, “Street drugs can cause brain damage. Ecstasy is going to be most problematic when it comes to fighting depression. With even a very few exposures, ecstasy can fry out the serotonin receptors ("exhaust") them in the limbic system. Therefore the AMOUNT of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinepherine may not be the issue as much as is the receptor site issue. It would be like all of the wall plugs in your house getting fried out. You could have all the juice or electric cords in the world, but unless you have somewhere to plug them into, they just aren't going to work. So I would urge you to contact an addiction medicine specialist or a neurologist. These are the physicians who will understand the nature of your recovery and the unique needs of a man who has been a past long term user of the drugs mentioned.”

Also, I was also doing some research on the internet to see if there was a serotonin test that you could take to measure the serotonin levels in your body. Or if there were any tests that you could take to help to see which antidepressants might work better, or to see how your brain is functioning.
Below is what I have found through my research on the internet regarding tests:
• Serotonin Level Blood Test, or a 5-HT Level, or a 5-Hydroxytryptamine Level
• rEEG Test
• SPECT Brain Test
• Cytochrome P450 Blood Test

I have been on just about every SSRI out there, and I don't know what to do. Nothing seems to work at all. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Christyle]

I'm so sorry to hear of your predicament. one of the reasons i never tried E was b/c of the depressive effects it can have (i've heard of some people who will take 5-htp supplements several days before dropping E to help keep their serotonin levels a bit more stable). I can't speak to the long-term effects tho, so the advice to seek out a neurologist or other specialist sounds like a good idea.

I've also been on many different drugs over the years, and you're right, it's extremely frustrating having to keep testing out different meds and deal with all of the side effects, hoping to find something that will give a bit of relief.
Has your doctor tried combinations of different meds, or has it been just one drug at a time? I ask because in my case I've had the most benefit from a combination of meds, and it took a long time to get each dose tweaked just so to work with the others. I'm by no means a fan of big pharma drugs, but it's what I've needed to get the most out of therapy and hopefully soon I'll be weaning off some of the meds (i'm on 4 different ones right now).

I don't know what your health coverage plan is like, but it probably wouldn't hurt to seek out some more opinions with regard to your situation. In the meantime i think it's great that you're also doing some kind of therapy, i hope it's been a good experience for you.

Sorry i don't have much in the way of answers, but just know that you're not alone in this and that there are many of us who have been on this medication roller coaster ride and survived.

[TraversD]

You can measure the levels of seratonin in the blood, which may reflect the levels in the brain, but the only way to measure its levels in the brain is post mortem.

If the SSRIs aren't helpful, it might be a good idea to try some other types of antidepressants.

It's also possible that therapy might work for you. Even if your depression is neurological in origin, it can help with the negative thought patterns that depression causes. There is even evidence that therapy might alter seratonin levels!

[NewieKay]

Sounds frustrating. I want to encourage you not to give up. As to where the solution lies/may lie it's definitely hard to say. By all means, seek the council of an addictions-pychopharmacologist specialist. Be gentle with yourself. Do what you can do to function/be happy/be whole and not what others expect of you, but what you are capable of. Intensive outpatient therapy, group therapy, holistic healing of your choice.... attack the depression from mulitple angles... I've also heard that the brain actually is capable of repairing itself more than was previously thought. Good thought patterns can get wired into the brain possibly creating new seratonin receptor sites (theoretically... I'm not a doctor!). But please, don't give up hope. Try to be thankful for the little blessings in daily life, rainbows and rain and sun and stars and just the miracle of life.

[BoBoGo]

Thanks, I am definitely seeking out a good therapist. I also think that I need to get off medicine at some point. I think that it might be making me more depressed. And maybe seek out a more holistic/natural approach.

[Mommyme]

I'm not sure if the recreational drugs hurt you or not. I have only used pot. However, I am a long-term sufferer and only Paxil has helped and only a little. I've been on Wellbutrin for a week now (in addition to the Paxil) and I feel nothing. I'm dissappointed I don't even have side-effects. Anyway- there is a neurology clinic I went to and they can do a brain scan which supposedly tells them (by comparing other brain scans) which area of your brain needs help and what medication would be most effective. The problem is- it's $795 and insurance won't pay for any of it! I want to do it, but don't have the money. If you have the money- you could try it!

[lisamarie]

The brain can heal in many ways as has been observed in brain plasticity studies. It takes time.

[Liz]

I have the same problem. Nothing seems to work for the past several years. I often had problems with the meds not working after awhile but now I can't seem to get any relief.
I had an episode with taking Nardil and doing some cocaine which caused a severe interaction and had to call 911 to send paramedics to rescue me off of a highway, after pulling over to the side. It was simply awful and I don't know if I would have made it if they hadn't gotten there in time to give me an IV. Every since then, I can't seem to feel better.

I also wondered if I did something to my brain. When I ask the Doctors, their reply is, "I don't know". Isn't that great?

[Danni_jane]

I have bipolar and the medication which I have been perscribed is Mirtazapine (anti depressant) and Seroquel (anti psychotic) I have found that these have started to work but then they might increase the does. I understand that everyone is different and you might have tried these already. but this is only a suggestion. Unfortuantly like tablets which you will have to take for a while there are side effects but you can always research them on the net.

Good luck