topic Discussing Anti Depressant Medications in Staying well

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Doolhof — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 03:38:56 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Firstly I would like to suggest that you have a read of "Discussing Medication" in the box at the top of the page on this site.

We are not allowed to mention the name of medications here but we can discuss the medications in general.

I am certainly not a medical professional at all, so don't take my word as being correct for all people all the time.

This is a place to share your concerns, thoughts and feelings towards anti depressant medications.

I'd like to start of my suggesting:

- Always talk to your Dr or person who is indicating anti depressants are advisable

-Ask the chemist for an information sheet relating to the medication. Don't be concerned by all the side effects that are listed, you may experience none of them! They are listed as a requirement I presume.

-If you have any concerns ask the Dr or the chemist

- Some medications may take a while to be effective. Discuss this with your Dr

- What works for one person may not work the same for you, it could be more effective or less helpful.

-Don't stop taking your medication without the Drs advice

- Try to take the medication at the same time each day or as required.

- Some people do not believe that medication is required, if your Dr has suggested it, I would follow their advice

- Medication is just one step to assisting yourself, exercise, a healthy diet, water, sleep and doing pleasant things each day helps as well.

This thread is open for anyone to make a comment or to share.

Some of you may be knew to the experience of taking anti depressants and may have all kinds of questions.

Once again I am certainly not an expert so what I have written are just suggestions.

Cheers to you all from Dools

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Mary S1 — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 10:54:15 GMT

One of the most frustrating features of medications is that they take so long to take effect. Meanwhile you're waiting, waiting, keel in the mud, drowning. Why does it take so long?

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

blondguy — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 11:56:41 GMT

Hi Mary Siena

Welcome to the forums and Mrs Dools thread too!

I understand you with medication as I used to feel the same way too. I was after a quick fix (for my own anxiety/depressive condition) and took a long time

In my 20's I didnt understand that the meds weren't a fix all....They do help us by reducing the bad ups and downs that anxiety/depression can throw at us....

Yet they do provide us with a strong platform on which we can use in conjunction with therapy/counseling so we can heal more effectively

Feeling like we are in a bad place is common even with medication. Just so we can provide you with better quality support.....What type of symptoms are you suffering from?

Just a note.....Your privacy and well being are paramount to Beyond Blue.

I really hope you can post back when its convenient for you Mary Siena 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Chick_in_a_guernsey — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 12:19:44 GMT

My psych has pushed in a fairly diplomatic way (a few times now) for me to look at meds with my gp. I've only just linked in last week with a gp but have been seeing the psych since early Nov last year.

I know I'm not coping particularly well (he came out with a label for it yesterday -ptsd) but I am petrified that there will be some side effect/s that will compromise my ability to work well.

My job is something that is helping to keep me on a semi even keel. Any advice re trying meds for the first time would be appreciated. I also have doubts that they'll make much of a difference.

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

blondguy — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 13:32:51 GMT

Hi Chick in a guernsey! (and Mrs Dools for the great thread too!)

Thank-you for speaking from the heart Chick. You make a good point about the label that was 'provided' to you yesterday. And I understand that its good to know what we are suffering from..... yet just from my viewpoint labels do belong on soup cans...sometimes

I may have PTSD too for various reasons yet I have 2 GP's that have chosen to only mention 'anxiety condition' which is okay.

As you know everyone's condition varies in its severity....
If a person's anxiety/depression is having an effect on the quality of our day to day life....then (even without a label) people should seek frequent counseling and if recommended...meds which can help us help ourselves where our recovery is concerned

Since the forums are a rock solid safe and secure place to post......can I ask what you are going through where feelings/symptoms are concerned? (just so we can provide better support!)

Just out of respect for you...I used to have chronic anxiety for 15 years which was followed by depression and still retained a senior level management position in the private sector for another 20 years....and it was awful

Whether or not the meds make any difference depends on what symptoms you have been experiencing

Just a note...thankyou so much for helping out with your posts on my thread 'Do You Like Yourself'.....Nice1 🙂

my kind thoughts always

Paul

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Chick_in_a_guernsey — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 13:44:11 GMT

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the support. I have a handful of jobs I attended a number of years ago that take turns in providing me with an assortment of intrusive thoughts and vivid memories, my sleep is lacking, dreams can be a bit hit and miss, concentration is impacted, tightly wound (I tap my thumb on each of my fingers and then back again quite frequently or roll/stretch blu tack at work to try and hide/manage). I feel my heart race, I start to sweat, hands tremble mildly and/or my stomach churns when reminded of a job or in particular circumstances.

The last week and a half or so I've felt like I've had less of a hold on myself, like I'm a passenger and someone else is at the wheel. There have been some darker thoughts.

So, that's me in a nutshell, for now.

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

blondguy — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 18:00:24 GMT

Hey Chick in a guernsey,

No worries at all and thankyou for taking the time to post back too! I do understand what you are going through....your feelings/symptoms are similar to what I went through

Since Mrs Dools's thread topic is about medication discussion I will do my best to stay on 'topic'....and provide the reasons why I decided to take antidepressants....and I hope some of this is helpful 🙂

my ability to concentrate and focus was gone...I was like a robot
sleep quality was about 2 out of 10 (which increased my anxiety the next day)
night sweats....bad dreams....ugh!
fidgety...jumpy...ugh!
involuntary tremors .....(adrenaline pumping way to much)
nearly lost my home...personal life....friends....career etc
having two excellent GP's nag me that I needed to be antidepressants.for nearly 15 years...(I was in denial)
dark thoughts that I didnt like as I am an optimist in my soul

You are strong for sharing especially when you are doing it hard. That makes you an amazing person...seriously!

I just hope even a little of this has helped

The forums are a rock solid safe place for you to post Chick...otherwise I wouldnt be here...

my kind thoughts

Paul

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Doolhof — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 23:18:57 GMT

Hi Mary Siena,

I'd like to suggest you have a talk to your Dr about this and also ask what else you can do to help yourself.

Like Paul has mentioned, the medication helps us to a certain point, we also need to try to find ways to help ourselves. I am sorry to read that you are suffering so badly. Getting stuck in the mud is tough.

Medication helps some people but not others for some reason. My Dr tried to explain it to me, saying we all have a different chemical balance with in us, we all have different DNA so what helps one person may not be so beneficial to someone else.

Unfortunately the medication can take time to work effectively! I hope you can find other ways to help yourself through this time.

Maybe you would like to share more here or on a different thread.

Hope you find some answers, cheers from Dools

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Doolhof — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 23:30:27 GMT

Hi Chick in a guernsey and Paul, and All reading,

It is great people are using this thread! Hey Paul, it does not matter if the conversation here expands past "medication" . If we did not have various mental health issues we would not be needing the medication, so please, feel welcome to share your thoughts and helpful ideas here as much as you like.

Regarding the question from Chick about medication, unfortunately none of us know how it will effect us until we try it! My suggestion is that if you start to experience side effects that are bothersome, chat to your Dr.

In some cases the dose can be changed, even the time of day you take the medication can make a difference. Have open chats with your Dr.

Chick, when you feel like you are drifting, can you use some mindfulness techniques to pull you back to reality? You could Google this.

A psychologist suggested it is as simple as stopping, thinking where you are, what you are doing, spend a couple of moments thinking about what you can see, hear, smell, touch and that is supposed to help you feel more grounded.

Medication for me is a bit hit and miss. Life without it is a bit hit and miss as well. Ha. Ha. Sometimes we just have to balance up and consider what is best and work on what we can to make ourselves okay for one day at a time.

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools.

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Chloe90 — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 00:49:02 GMT

Hi Guys,

ive been on my antidepressants for atleast 5 years I’m on the highest dose. And recently I have been feeling horrible. I have brain fog, dizziness, hot flushes and very sad. My anxiety is back and I don’t understand why. I haven’t had anything new happen etc. I thought everything was going quite well.

i don’t know whether my tablets are not working or I’m subconsciously worrying about something but it’s horriblw. I’m no longer my normal happy bubbly self. I’m trying to hold down a full time job with out flipping my shi* but don’t know what to do anymore.

Has anyone had this happen before?

Appreciate your time.

Chloe x

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Doolhof — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 04:06:28 GMT

Hi Chloe,

I just wrote you a response and then the computer told me that the page I wanted was not available or some such thing.

I will send a short message in case this one disappears as well.

My suggestion is that you have a chat to your Dr about your medication and how you are feeling.

Cheers from Dools

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Mary S1 — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 07:51:55 GMT

Thanks Paul but I'm not looking for a consult from you just to share.

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

blondguy — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 08:14:31 GMT

Hi Mary

we don't consult on the forums

We do our best to provide the best quality support to people that are genuinely in need of it

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Chloe90 — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 12:09:07 GMT

Thanks Doolhof’s. Spoke to my doctor today. She says i may just be having a bad couple of days. And suggested some benzodiazepine medication to help. But I feel like it didn’t help me. I don’t feel good. I feel sick and anxious. I haven’t felt like this for a while. And I don’t know how to handle it.

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Chick_in_a_guernsey — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 22:55:45 GMT

Hi Paul & Mrs Dools,

Thank you so much for your support! I don't have too many people I'm prepared to talk to about how things are going. Thankfully I feel pretty comfortable with my psych, not so much my gp at the moment but perhaps that will change as time goes on.

I certainly need to work out how best to try and keep my mind on the present/reality as Mrs Dools mentioned.

I'm a classroom teacher in upper primary with a group of very switched on, perceptive lil folk watching my every move for the entire day except for about 20mins for lunch.

I know I may or may not encounter side effects. It is that overarching concern of what if I do and it is to an extent that the kids pick up on it??

I know I'll have to deal with it one way or another when I go back to the gp this week. One of the things I hate the most about all of this is the lack of control.

Once again, cheers for your input!

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Doolhof — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 23:22:10 GMT

Hi Chloe,

Sorry to read you are feeling so unwell. It is good you were able to see your Dr and have a chat. Was the Dr able to suggest anything that might help you with the sickness feeling?

In the past when I have been feeling nauseous, I have bought some travel sickness medication which has helped or ginger in the form of tablets or tea. I also find peppermint tea helps with the sickness feeling for me.

You maybe able to ask at the chemist, (ask to see the pharmacist.) if they can suggest something for you. Show them the name of the medication you are taking and discuss your side effects with them.

If it helps you Chloe, you can share more here about how you are feeling. We may not have any answers or solutions for you, but I do know it does help to share how you are feeling.

In the past, have you found ways to deal with your anxiety? I know when you feel lousy it is difficult to implement what works, I hope you can manage to try to find relief.

Hope you have something nice planned for the weekend. Even if it is resting and enjoying a book you have meant to read for a while. Sometimes we need to give ourselves a break.

Cheers to you from Dools

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Doolhof — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 23:31:07 GMT

Hi Chick in a guernsey,

I admire you for being a teacher! I think that must be a very difficult and rewarding occupation. Yes, having all those inquisitive souls watching your every move must make for interesting moments.

I am wondering, if you do have some adverse side effects if you could just tell the students you have a non contagious virus.

In a reply to Chloe I mentioned some suggestions that have helped me deal with some of the side effects of medication.

You mentioned you are not 100 percent happy with your Dr. Is it possible to change Drs?

That feeling of not being in control can be difficult. I encounter that now and then as well. There is a saying about that suggesting something like we have the wisdom to understand what we can change and accept what we have no control over.

Hope you can have open discussions with your Dr. Hope if you go on the medication, you can discuss any concerns with the Dr or even a chemist.

Do you have support at the school from fellow teachers or the principal?

Hope you can unwind over the weekend if you don't have too much take home work to do!

Cheers to you from Dools

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Doolhof — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 23:37:00 GMT

Hi Paul,

Thanks for joining in here. Medication can be such a huge issue for many people, either it works well or it doesn't.

Some people including family and friends are supportive and understanding while others give us heaps for not being able to just pull our socks up and get on with it by ourselves.

It can be a huge decision to start on medication.

Hope you are travelling along okay Paul.

Cheers from Dools

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Doolhof — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 23:38:15 GMT

Hi MaryS1,

Would you like to share more here about what you are experiencing at present?

Cheers from Dools

Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

Chloe90 — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 22:01:02 GMT

Hi Dools,

i just find it really hard to find a doctor who is good with mental health. Like is it normal to still have bad patches even when your medicated? Is it normal to get brain fog and what I call serotonin headaches even after being on medication for 5 years.

Have you experienced anything like this?

I have never had a coping mechanism I’ve just tried pushing through. I have the support of my family and I have some interim medication that can help relax me if things get real bad.

Does this ever go away or are we fighting this forever?

Thanks for your words

Chloe x