Fetzima for Clinical Depression

[needing_help_now]

I have been clinically depressed since late October.  I've tried three different combinations of medicines, three to four weeks each, with no results.  Today I went back to my dr and he started me on Fetzima.  He says it's new on the market but shows a lot of promise for Major Depressive Disorder.  I am his first patient on it.  It is so new, in fact, that I am having trouble finding forums such as this where I can ask others' experiences with it.  Even my pharmacist doesn't have any useful info on it; he has only had one other customer so far to get a script filled for it.  

If any of you have tried this medicine, how long did it take to take effect?  What type of side effects did you experience?  I am feeling very hopeless and desperate at this point because my level of despondency is worse than ever before.  

[DYSLEXIC]

you need more than 3 -4 weeks trial on any med before you give up. who was to say any of those meds you took could have worked on the 5th week , I took Prozac for 13 weeks before a break through , you on a med go round

[Mimi2chis]

I found this community on my google search "how long does it take fetzima to work". I too have just started fetzima. I was on a combo of prozac and wellbutrin for years and prior to that, years of other various anti-depressents. I am 57. I experienced burn out on my meds this past summer-fall when all seemed to stop working. I can attribute much of this to my mother's decline into alzheimers and other life changes all slamming me at the same time and for the past 10 months it seems, so it's been a struggle.  I actually took a DNA test that is supposed to determine what anti-depressents are likely to work best for you. I have mixed feelings about the results and the test itself, as both prozac and wellbutrin were in a 'third choice' column and I had had good results in the past. But the first choice listed pristiz and fetzima (and something else I can't recall at the moment) The test is supposed to determine what drugs your metabolism will process the best.  I tried pristiq and had so-so results and, hoping I could do better, decided to go off it. For the first time in 25 years I had 8 days of no anti-depressents and it was absolutely horrible coming off pristiq.
So, now, after 8 days on 20mg fetzima and 10 days on 40 mgs fetzima I am struggling and waiting and hoping for it to work. I feel certain it is helping, but I have been in such a terrible low, I know it will take a bit of time until I can feel certain it is helping. I am already assuming I am going to need a larger dose.  As other's have said, it is a new drug, and therefore a little scary. But depression is a horrible beast to live with. When I am 'good" I am SO VERY GOOD , but when depression is 'bad' it is unbearably bad.
I sadly realize this will be a lifelong struggle for me . I have to be patient and ride it out with this new drug.
I've never been a part of a community before, I'm not sure how it works, I guess I have to come back to this weblink to check for posts?
Mimi2chis

[dave867530902]

I just started taking it 5 days ago and it's been great so far. I have not been able to take any antidepressant ever but have not yet had anything g negative happen with Fitzima.  Dave

[dave867530902]

I just started taking it 5 days ago and it's been great so far. I have not been able to take any antidepressant ever but have not yet had anything g negative happen with Fitzima.  Dave

[dave867530902]

I just started taking it 5 days ago and it's been great so far. I have not been able to take any antidepressant ever but have not yet had anything g negative happen with Fitzima.  Dave

[Feeling_defeated]

i am where you are except I am trying to get off of Cymbalta.  After 17 days of feeling flu-like sick, aches, runs, dizzy, ringing in my ear, sweats and chills headaches that resembles sinusitis, a migraine and a tension headache, I decided to call the doctor who told me to get back ON the Cymbalta and tapper off mor slowly.  So I went from nothing to 30 to 30 morn and eve to 30 three times a DAY!!! I am presently doing this. I could relate to the family's lack of support. So sorry...hang in there.