All I can say is keep trying. There are so many kinds of antidepressants out there and everyone is different. Sometimes one will work for a while and then stop, or with others the side effects may be too hard to handle. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago (though I had low-grade chronic depression for many years before I sought treatment) and I'm still trying different things. I started Prozac a few weeks ago and so far it seems to be helping. I also take Klonopin for anxiety.

Also, have you looked into CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)? I'm at the point where I feel I need to learn to turn my thinking around...I may always need meds too, but after this much time I think they can only do so much.

Good luck and (((HUGS))) to you.

That is what I have and treatment resistant anxiety. Medication does work for me.I had ECT about 10 years ago and it helped a great deal.

I was in therapy (DBT and counselor), but they kicked me out and I had to do six weeks outpatient. I am supposed to be taking a depression group and then an anxiety group through the hospital my pdoc is at, but nothing yet. The wait lists are so long.

I would like to see someone trained in CBT but everyone wants around $100/hour and I can't afford it.

I've been on about a dozen SSRIs/SNRIs and we are trying the tricyclic family now, but I'm loosing hope for that too.

Turning your thinking around certainly can help. I've been told I'll need meds the rest of my life. Some of the meds I'm on help a little compared to nothing, but they should still be doing more.

Ugh, waiting lists :-( Have you looked for low fee or sliding scale help in your area? I don't know how it works in Canada...what about a local university, they might have some kind of psychology program for people with low income.

First of all, have you had a full physical exam recently. Just to rule out medical problems that may be making your depression treatment resisitant.

Another thing to look into is the use of certain supplements to help your meds work better (work closely with your dr on this). Everybody is different and some meds interact with some supplements.

Supplementwise what helped me was Vit D, Vit B complex, Magnesium, Pure salmon oil (wild caught), Vit C and a centrum silver (a multi vit. mineral tablet w/o iron). Some vitamins and supplements help your bodys neurotransmitter levels. And when you are on some meds, you can get deficiencies in vit b-complex.

Don't forget excercise, proper sleep, and sunlight also help boost endorphins and do other good things for our health.

ECT is a treatment of last resort, but if you are extremely suicidal and have tried so many drugs along with doing therapy and the supplements and other lifestyle stuff it is an option. At least you can go into ect knowing it is safer than it used to be. Personally I could not do ect as I value my memory and my ability to be creative.

I have debilitating CFS as well as Depression and anxiety. I've been in treatment for 20 years. I've been on many different meds, some worked for a time, but none have made the depression go away. Basically, the antidepressants keep me from being suicidal. The main thing that has helped is therapy and inpatient psych. treatment at specialized programs (not just a general psych unit)
I have healed soooooo much over the years. It's been hell, but I keep striving.
Very recently, I've gone on Gabapentin which is amazing. I actually feel happy and light on the inside. The thoughts that drag me down are there, but there's part of me inside that is saying "hehehe, I feel good".
I've spoken to others who didn't like the med. or had bad side effects. So far for me, it's very cool. Finally giving me a well deserved vacation from so much depression.

There is a place here that does sliding scale, but it is short term. You are allowed 12 sessions and then have to wait three months. I am going to go back though because it will be better than nothing. They also run certain groups, but the depression group isn't being run until January.

I've looked into some other groups through the hospital. One was all god related, which is not for me. Another group hasn't called back. There is such a shortage for people with mental health.

I am taking some vitamins that I've read may help. A multi vitamin, B-complex, magnesium, Omega 3, 6, Zinc (poor immune system). I wanted to try D-ribose which is suppose to help ppl with CFS, but I'm pre-diabetic now and my family doctor is concerned it will throw me into diabetic.

I haven't had a full check up for about a year, but that is why i want to be referred to the CFS specialist. My family doctor doesn't know enough about it or possibly not even think it exists.

I've never heard of Gabapentin, but will check it out.

Thank you for all the suggestions!

My illness runs like yours, I'm so sorry.

I have been on everything vitamins also. I also completed ECT out of desperation. with terrible results and lasting side affects. Think 20 times over before you go there.

I just started Aplenzin ER it's new. along with seroquel XR at night we will see what happens....