Nightshift and Meds

[kelly]

New here!

I started taking an SSRI, 2 and a half weeks ago, and I have to go back to work, on nightshift. I wonder what others do, as far as timing their dose. Currently, I still suffer a few side effects, including nausea, and a swimming feeling in my head, which would be totally unhelpful in my position. I only suffer the side effects for a couple of hours after the dose, so I usually take it at bedtime. I was thinking of taking the previous days dose a couple of hours early and take the next days dose late in the morning before I have a rest, to get ready for the shift. The leaflet doesn't say much, just that I shouldn't take it again within 12 hours.

I am feeling a lot better. Not perfect, but functional again, which is nice.

[The_Real_David_Charles]

Dear Kelly,

It's got to be better to take the bigger dose before sleep.  Otherwise you will sleep like a worried kangaroo thinking "I should have taken the bigger dose before sleep".

A lot of meds can be "slow release" so it doesn't matter when or how you take them.  My bipolar meds work that way and it just means my body always has a trace of the drug I need to stay normal.   Does SSRI have that option - slow release ?  

The 12 hr gap is a bit stupid.  We all vary sleeping times from time to time.  Once I stayed at Mission Australia and all meds were locked up.   If the Duty Manager forgot the meds key I'd have to wait till 4pm to have my 7am dose !     If I complained about the lack of rigour they would just say "But you'll still be mental" or other strange justifications.  Infact, when I went back to retrieve a months med supply after leaving I discovered the same Duty Manager had thrown them out !  I think he would have made a better bouncer than Social Services Duty Manager.

Night shift is a real bugger long term.   There is evidence that such work really impacts on mental health and you might be doing yourself a big favour to work normal hours even if it's in a different job with less pay.  Just saying.

Adios, David.

[kelly]

Thanks, David. After such a long wait, I suppose for moderation, it's nice to see a reply. I've been stalking a while, and I think this forum has helped, in that at least I feel less alone with my condition and it's outcomes. I think the meds are really helping, as well as the counselor. I agree that shiftwork is far from ideal. In fact, I think it was one of the straws that broke this camel's back. At this stage though, I am apprehensive about returning, but at the same time, looking forward to the 'normalcy' of going to work. I took my meds as planned and haven't had any ill effects, so I guess we'll see how the week pans out. Thanks again. The time you take to respond means a lot to me.

Wish meluck! a

[kelly]

Yuck sh#t. I hate nightshift. Felt soooo good yesterday, almost like myself. So anxious and edgy today. Wonder if the increased level of meds made a difference, though I don't think ssri's are supposed to work like that, are they? 

[kelly]

Well I survived! No noticeable ill effects from changing medication times. Still a bit up and down, but definitely improving, albiet gradually.

[geoff]

dear Kelly, just a word to David Charles, my SSRI is what they call 'an extended release' tablet and it's for depression, anxiety and OCD, however the instructions are to tell your doctor if you have epilepsy, liver damage and other aliments, which of course they know about all of these, but I still take them, and as he says 'Night shift is a real bugger long term'.

Kelly those 'up and downs' will gradually level out, and that you are improving that's even better and you have only been taking them for a few weeks, because they haven't fully taken complete effect as yet. L Geoff. x

[kelly]

I wonder...... How much of the new, medicated me is actually me, and how much is the medicine. My house has never been so clean. I just can't stop. Feeling better, hence more active, or anxious and a little ocd. Having bad dreams. Medicine, or a side effect of unloading all my baggage, and fears I may never get over this. Angry feelings towards my stooooopid coworkers. Medicine, general anxiety, or are they just idiots. Newfound tolerance for children's occasionally shitty behaviour. Medicine, or just because I'm not at the end of my rope, right now. Not really looking for answers. Just some musings.....