Feel crap - meds kicking in?

BeeGee · ‎15-07-2014

So I've recently been diagnosed with dysthymia, to my surprise - wasn't even aware that what I was experiencing was depression. I started on one SSRI but it turned my head to mush (which was unhelpful when preparing for exams!) and my GP switched me to a different SSRI. I'm in my third week of this one now so I'm expecting to start feeling something over the next few weeks.

What I actually feel today is depressed. I'm down. I have no energy. I can't concentrate. I don't care about anything. I want to crawl into a hole and disappear for the rest of the day - but of course that's not an option - I have to keep on keeping on, trying to pretend everything is OK and putting on my robot smile.

I know people respond differently to their meds, and the onset is not necessarily representative of the long term outcome, but have others experienced this too?

I hate that having taken steps to deal with my condition that I now feel worse than before. It sucks. I need a virtual hug.

Pbo6167 · ‎16-07-2014

Hi BeeGee hang in there I myself Have only just been diagnosed and yes I did have your feelings at first but 3 weeks on and the help of medication and a good psycologist Things are improving I still have alot of bad days but I am now having quite a few good ones, my racing mind has finally slowed down to a crawl thanks to these forums It willbe hard road to recovery as it isn't instant heaps of hugs and hang in there BeeGee. Paul

AGrace · ‎16-07-2014

Hi BeeGee,

Ahhh, this is the worst time. One thing they never really stress enough to us is that our medication has the potential to make us feel worse before better. This is why usually they like to monitor you closely for the first 6-8 weeks.

Time is what you need, and yet it sounds like you've got a lot on your plate. Are your exams over now? Is there anyway of reducing your study load over the next few weeks. It's not ideal when we have to put on that mask and pretend that everything is ok, it's a short term fix to a long term problem. Are you seeing a Psychiatrist/Psychologist while taking your medication?

When you feel really low sometimes you just need to rest, take every hour as it comes, do what you can. Have you ever tried any Mindfulness exercises? You can google Mindfulness or find apps and youtube clips, it's a great way of keeping our mind focused on the present without judgement of all the thoughts that swirl around in our mind.

I have to agree with Paul, hang in there, keep posting even if just to vent, and let someone (or Beyondblue) know if you're really struggling and need some further assistance.

AGrace

Chloekat84 · ‎17-07-2014

I agree with both posts from Pbo6167 and AGrace. U always feel worse when first switching medication before u feel the effects after a few weeks or so. IF you are worried about anything go to you GP and keep in contact with him/her and keep posting 🙂 love and virtual hugs xxx

BeeGee · ‎14-08-2014

Thanks guys for your replies.

It helps to know that this experience is not uncommon. I've posted elsewhere that I actually had my first good day last week - but in some ways that makes the bad days seem that much worse. I'm persevering with my second AD in the hope that at least one good day must signify that it's doing something, but I think if I'm not seeing much more after four weeks on standard dose + another six weeks on double dose it's time to try something else. Three weeks to go.

BeeGee · ‎14-08-2014

Hi Amber,

Yep - seeing a psychologist and finding that very helpful, although it's a long-term journey and I'm not expecting overnight results. I've had one of my lecturers touch very briefly on mindfulness so I have the basic idea - being in the moment and focussing on the external world to still the inner babble and avoid the constant self-focus. I haven't learnt any particular techniques though; my psych has mentioned that he wants to cover it in a future session. My GP is great - she was actually one of my tutors last year and it was obvious that she had a keen interest in mental health, so she was my first choice after I self-diagnosed. She is great to talk to, and takes an evidence-based approach to treatment, and treats me as a partner in my treatment.

Unfortunately I don't really have any opportunity to ease up my study load other than deferring for a year and that's just not an option... another year wthout income is something we just can't afford. I just have to suck it up and try to keep all my balls in the air at once. Still trying to learn to take some pleasure time but it's not easy after a lifetime of nose to the wheel.

geoff · ‎14-08-2014

dear BeeGee, thanks for getting back to us, but if some posts have no rely then it's highlighted that it needs to be responded to, because at times a comment can be pushed onto page 2 then 3,4, and this only happens because the site has grown enormously with so many newcomers coming to the site, which is great, but it just shows that this illness is spreading so quickly and that people realise they need help.

It is true that when we start taking AD's we tend to go through a bad patch and as Amber, Paul and Chloekat have said we tend to believe that it's not going to work, which is a problem that we should be told, but please let us know how you are feeling. Geoff.