I'm new here.... + Medication

[TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsN]

SO... long story short, I've had a bit of a battle with Generalised Anxiety and Depression over the last few years. It took me a while to get the courage up to get to the point where I had to admit that I needed some help by way of medication.

I've had some varying experiences with counselling etc prior, and I had some good patches after, but the cold, hard reality of GAD has come back to bite me time after time.

My doc has me on medication. That's easy to manage, but I'm still coming to terms with the side effects. The first day or so, I had quite the headache. Since then, I've just been really vague, or "foggy". I can function and do what I need to do at work, at home with the family etc, but it's a conscious battle to force myself along, rather than to allow myself to procrastinate and "zombie out", so to speak.

Is this kind of thing normal, and when should I expect to see some benefit? The doc told me that I'd feel a little off for 2-4 weeks while the medication "sinks in", and everyone is different I suppose. I decided to join a gym last night, so hoping that can help too.

A bit of my back story... I was in a good paying job, but I really hated it. The work itself was just ok, but the management and red tape were ridiculous. I've managed to find myself a better paying job, in a slightly different field, but with a hell of a lot less stress, so that's great. On the home front, I have a 3, nearly 4, year old daughter an early-teen step-daughter. I really struggle with my step-daughter, she's really hard work. We are cut from different cloth, and the influence her father has on her means we'll probably always struggle. My youngest daughter is a daddy's girl, she's my shadow. I love her with all a father can, but yeah... she's hard work, as are all toddlers! There isn't a moment's rest when we are home together, meaning I get very little peace (which I thrive on), and I don't really have much of a sanctuary away from the home struggles. My partner and I have had an up and down relationship, especially the last 2 years. At one point, I was living out of the family home for a month, while we decided where we went from there. We are back together, and things are still up and down. When it's good, it's really good, but when it's not.... yeah, it's horrible.

Anyway - any advice, ideas or otherwise are all greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Nath

[Rhu]

Hi Nath,

Welcome to the forum! It's good to know you've taken the first big step and gotten professional help to help you manage your anxiety/depression.

Those side effects are definitely pretty normal (assuming they're antidepressants that you're taking?) When I first started taking antidepressants myself I was in the same state as you. I was completely spaced out for a few days, and they made me terribly tired and drowsy as well. But hopefully they'll gradually go away once your body as gotten used to the medication. In the meantime, keep up with the gym and you could try taking some multivitamins as well to boost your concentration.

Sorry to hear about your difficult family situation. Do you have another family member who can help keep an eye on the kids so you can get some time to yourself to rest? (yes we all definitely need some peace and quiet times!) A family or a marriage counsellor might be able to help you out there as well. Hopefully when you can get that sorted out your depression and anxiety will go down too.

Take care of yourself and let us know how you go.

Rhu

[blondguy]

Hey Nath

Rhu has posted some noteworthy advice above

I have had GAD followed by depression for 35 years and the meds (AD's) can take a few weeks to kick in as your doc has said. The feelings that you are having are very normal (yet annoying) at this stage. The vague feelings will pass. I had exactly the same when I started on my meds too. I do understand where you are coming from.

Good News! The severity of the anxiety will reduce over time with super regular counseling. The meds aren't a fix all. They do provide us though with a solid platform on which we can heal more effectively combined with a good counselor and the many coping techniques that are available to us.

I think you are amazing by having the courage to post and good on you!

The forums are a safe and judgement free zone for you Nath.......even if you just want a chat...no worries 🙂

Even though the forums are not an immediate chat forum, you are more than welcome to ask any question you wish. You will never be alone here Nath.

my kind thoughts

Paul

[okay]

I know a lot about medication, I am on some now, it makes me hangry and exasperate my symptoms. I am on this forum to see if anyone else is experiencing the same.

[blondguy]

Hey okay and welcome! This is TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsNath (Naths thread) I know its a pain but you are more than welcome to start your own thread on any topic you like...no worries at all...it only takes a few minutes..

If you want to have a chat about what you are going through....I hope you can post on my thread....

'GP's and Anti-Depressants Important Info'

If you are stuck we have qualified gentle counselors 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 if you need a voice on voice

Thanks Okay for having the courage to post on the forums....Great Stuff!

My Best. Paul

Thanks Okay

Paul

[TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsN]

Thanks for your replies Rhu, Paul and okay! (Rhu Paul ok... hmmm haha)

Sounds like some solid advice you've given, and great to hear that what I am currently experiencing is "normal" - so to speak. I have had my moments when I've been a little better, but yesterday was a tough day. For some reason I was really wound up and anxious, so I went for an hour long walk, which really helped me. My partner took care of kids bedtime, and I just had some freedom. It's quite a hilly area we live in, so was good to get the legs pumping and the heart rate up (this time for a legit physical exercise reason, rather than the anxiety). Sounds weird, but it gave me a feeling of normality. I had some music on in my headphones and I just tuned out. I think I need to do this more often - its a hard slog, and I'm sore this morning, but it was totally worth it. Along with a new gym program, I'm really hoping that this helps in some way, even if just to have a mental break every now and then at the very least.

My partner and I are looking into relationship counselling. We are at a point where we need to take things very seriously and get some help, otherwise things will just dissolve. We love each other, there's no question there, but we just have quite different interests away from family and work life, so bonding is a struggle sometimes, and when coupled with the stress of kids, finances etc, it get's tricky. I'm not a big talker, I thrive on peace, while she is a big talker and likes to talk for the sake of talking. That's fine, I just need my space at times too, so we need to find a middle ground I guess.

We don't have a lot of help when it comes to the kids. My father in law has our youngest every Friday for the day to help keep child care costs down, and will help on the occasional weekend. My parents have had some health issues of late, so they've been out of the picture in this aspect. Things will improve over time, just have to grin and bare it for now. We are organising a weekend away soon though, looking forward to that.

Thanks for the encouragement, as well as the kind and reassuring words.

- Nath

[Ladyhawke]

Hi Nath,

Yes, the effects you are experiencing, if you're taking ADs, are quite normal. When I first started taking meds for depression 20+ years ago, I had to trial a few before I found the one that suited me and had minimal side effects. Some of the side effects were very intense and I couldn't tolerate them. I've been on the same AD for around 15 years and it continues to work very well. Please note that not everyone needs medication long-term but I do.

Headaches, feeling spacey/foggy, sometimes nausea, are normal and they usually dissipate after a few weeks. If the side effects are too intense or causing you problems, then mention it to your therapist. I found the meds usually kicked in after about six weeks, but everyone reacts differently. I understand that some people resist the idea of taking psychotropic medication, but for me they were and continue to be a life saver, along with weekly therapy.

Best wishes

LH

[TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsN]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd give an update. As if a light bulb had been turned back on, it would seem that the AD medication is starting to do it's thing. Yesterday I didn't feel the normal down-hearted feelings, tightness in my chest was released and that ugly feeling in your throat went away. It poked it's head out again in the arvo/evening, but this morning, I feel pretty good again. It's a small win, but boy it feels good.

We had an awesome weekend for a change - a mix of everything. I spent some time with my little girl, some time with my partner, went to the gym and I also managed some alone time yesterday. The first time in ages I just bummed around in my pyjamas on a Sunday, listened to some music and just went with the flow. I know life won't always allow a weekend like this, with kids life is "all go", but I really appreciated this weekend, and this morning I've already achieved more than I normally do in a whole day.

I'm realistic that I need to keep an eye on symptoms and triggers etc, but it's the first time in 3 months where my heart isn't trying to jump out of my chest. Little wins...

Thank you all for all your advice and guidance, legends.

[blondguy]

Hi Nath....apologies for hijacking your thread before..

Little wins are great wins and good on you Nath 🙂

Ta for the great feedback too!

Best. Paul

[TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsN]

That's quite ok Paul, no harm done!

Thanks - I do feel quite proud. Little wins feel monumental at the moment; living in a negative shadow for so long really bums you out, so to see some light peeping out from behind the curtains means the world.

I hope you're well too!

-Nath