Just dont feel like im getting enough out of Brintellix

[pixiestarr]

I've been on full dose of brintellix since January (started it in October '14) I thought it was doing wonderful for a couple months then just crashed. Had a few rough weeks, back to being great, then a lot of just ok days, an occasional great day. But lately the bad days are coming more often with the gap of ok days shrinking and the great days being few and far between.  I am scared to death of antidepressants due to a bad run with tons of them when I was a teenager. It took me months to even get the nerve up to try this one. It has been easy on me. very few side effects and the ones I have had have been very, very minor. I did try Wellbutrin in August and that was 4 weeks of hell.  My next appt with my Pdoc isnt for another few weeks and Im sure I can make it till then, But in the meantime was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on tweaks, or meds I could look into/research before the appt? 
My current Dx is Depression with Anxiety. 
A slight concern for bipolar tendencies but if those are bp tendencies they are also very minor. (if that makes sense. so no DX of BP but Dr is monitoring) 
Current meds are Brintellix 20mg, Xanax .25 as needed- up to 3x a day(only use this for full blown panic attacks), Valium 5mg as needed- up to 2x aday for increased anxiety.  Buspar 10mg suppose to take 1pill 2x a day.. I have the hardest time remembering it in the morning. Though when I was doing great remembering I noticed it made my anxiety worse about an hour after taking it. :/  Gives me CRAZY dreams. thankfully only one has been a nightmare. 

^^ that was the main part of the post the rest is just the reason AD's scare me, so no need to read that unless you feel like it. 

If anyone cares to read the rest about my fear of meds. I have been on nearly every old AD out there when I was a teenager. I had some that made me ZOMBIE, some where I couldnt get out of bed, a med that made me so careless I didnt think anything through (mix that with a 18yr old teenager.. YEA not a good time) Some that made me not be able to reach the big O, some that did nothing at all... 
Since I now have 2 small kids to care for, and no one really close by to call in a crisis ( my husband works nearly an hour away also) when starting a new med Im PETRIFIED.. I just worry to death the what if's. what if I cant out of bed to care for them,  What if it makes me suicidal, i have the kids here, what if I loose my mind and do something unthinkable, .. Brintellix left me in bed for about 24hours after starting it but was fine after that.   That is my BIGGEST concern. My other concerns are I have self-esteem issues and I was FINALLY down to my ideal weight over the summer. I did gain some back since starting the brintellix but the benefit was worth the extra pounds (at 1st anyways) SO im also scared of the meds causing me to pack on the pounds. And lastly, I've already had a VERY lacking sex drive, i feel so guilty about this (my poor hubby, he tries so hard to support me through this). So meds that would cause issues in that department will just further make me feel miserable instead of help. Most AD have these issues so that feeds my fear of them.  

[jt07]

Have you considered asking your doctor about adding Abilify to the Brintellix? It's an effective augmentation strategy and it might even help offset the sexual side effects you are experiencing. I love Abilify. I really don't have any negative side effects from it, and unlike so many meds, it makes me feel more alive and not at all zombified. I'm just throwing it out as a suggestion to ask your doctor about and not saying it would work for you as it does for me.

[pixiestarr]

Have you considered asking your doctor about adding Abilify to the Brintellix? It's an effective augmentation strategy and it might even help offset the sexual side effects you are experiencing. I love Abilify. I really don't have any negative side effects from it, and unlike so many meds, it makes me feel more alive and not at all zombified. I'm just throwing it out as a suggestion to ask your doctor about and not saying it would work for you as it does for me.

I havent. I will look into it and maybe ask the Dr. at my next appt. Thank you for the suggestion! I'd love to feel more alive in all area's of my life.