Posted by Racer on August 5, 2008, at 11:46:15
In reply to How long till switch??, posted by MattSanz on August 5, 2008, at 1:20:27
Most protocols recommend a full six weeks at a therapeutic dose before assessing whether to increase the dose, augment with another medication, or switch. The STAR*D study showed that many responders actually required EIGHT weeks at a therapeutic dose before their response was clear.
If you discontinue prematurely, you are likely to miss out on a medication which would have worked for you if you'd given it a chance. Your doctor, hard as it may be to believe right now, is giving you the best possible advice based on current medical knowledge. There's no short cut on anti-depressants, which I think is another of those lousy parts of reality, you know?
I know from my own experience how frustrating it can be to take these drugs and feel as though they're doing nothing. If you stick it out, though, and the medication helps you, then it's worth it. Hard as it is to be patient, especially when you're feeling so very bad right now, it's a necessary part of the process.
Best luck to you.
poster:Racer
thread:844251
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080805/msgs/844310.html