What Ssri's Have You Had Success With?

So I'm about 10.5 months off of Cymbalta, which I took for 5 years.  I started Cymbalta for anxiety, panic attacks, and dissociation, and it definitely helped me function.  Unfortunately side effects became intolerable about a year ago and it also wasn't working all that well anymore.  I was hoping that by taking a holistic approach to my mental health (therapy, meditation, supplements, diet, etc.) I would be able to become functional without meds but the anxiety is still pretty debilitating and I'm struggling with frequent bouts of extreme depression. I'm under a huge amount of stress and that probably won't change for at least a few months. I think its time for me to try and reduce some of the suffering and try other meds, but my psychiatrist thinks I should just pick one out of a hat and see if it works.  

 

My question is whether SSRI's are a decent place to start and which offer the best chance of success.  Any insight is appreciated.

Good question Lutzy. The most commonly used o ne on this site are Lexapro, Prozac or Zoloft. These are also easier to get off of than Cymbalta although not a piece of cake. My experiences here, personally and in talking to others pretty much matches the research. The more different antidepressants you have been on the less likely a particular one will work. Your dr is right, "just pick one out of a hat" although I would recommend starting with one that is easier to get off of in the future.

Lutzy, have you read our ebook? It has large sections on diet, dos and don'ts, etc.

Thanks for the response fishinghat.  Where do I access the ebook?

https://www.scribd.c...wal-Information

Link didn't come out in the post Hat... so try this;

 

https://www.cymbalta...tion-the-ebook/

 

Regarding what has been mentioned above, I totally agree with Hat, and good to see a p-doc see reason. No-one can tell which is best for the patient - they, like us, can only go on experience. Admitedly it is better to not keep going on and off too many, so don't do what many people do and give each drug 3-4 weeks and expect miracles. As I am sure you are aware, they don't work like that. 

 

Have your tried 5HTP, St John's Wort, Kanna?? All viable alternatives to the medicinal route...

It showed in my post and the linked worked. Strange

It showed in my post and the linked worked. Strange

 

Now imagine how many of these I went through for the eBook