living is such an effort - just want to fall asleep and not wake up

[SpringSunshine]

Day 16 of escitalopram after several months of not very effective citalopram; whilst it is definitely working as there are ups and the downs are not as desperate, I am just so tired and the effort sometimes seems to much. When will it get better or do I need to think about changing meds again?

[BooItTooJulia]

Hey springsunshine. I don't know the answer to your question, but I really didn't want to read and not reply.

Hopefully someone in the know will be along soon.

Great name btw. Can't wait to see some spring sunshine!

[PloddingDaily]

I don't know about that med particularly but was told citalopram could take a few weeks of feeling worse before helping, they sound like similar meds? Is there anything on the patient information leaflet?

I've felt the same before, what helps me keep going (albeit at my worst lows just plodding in survival mode), is the thought of my loved ones & having lost my mum when I was young I know what a gap it leaves...so I figure an emotionally exhausted, drained 'work in progress' mum is better than none at all...and honestly, little by little, almost imperceptibly things do start to improve. Not sure if that's any help but I didn't want to read & run....keep plodding, don't give up.

[PloddingDaily]

Just wanted to add a visit to the GP might be a good idea - they might want to tweak the dose or be able to suggest something else that could help? Xx

[HoopHopes]

Hi glad medication helping a bit.

Are there other things that you can practically do to help lift mood as sadly medication is not always the answer:
Health diet, regular meals and fluids
Trying to get some daylight and fresh air
Exercise ( however tired you are) can lift the mood and it raises endorphins naturally
Being kind to self
Getting help in house of with kids for a while to reduce stress
Time off work or going to work - whatever suits
Something to look forward to ( a treat, a reward, weekend away, full nights sleep - whatever makes one feel better about self)
Seeing what is adding to low mood and what can be changes ( eg I had to go part time at work and not travel so far as too much for me)
Regular sleep, getting up each am and same bedtime so not relying on lie ins to make up for late nights etc or insomnia


Medication can help, can take time to work. But is not always the answer. Sometimes life events happen that cause low mood and sometimes time is needed and support of friends/family to help with that ( eg a parent of mine died last yr which affected me; no medication could deal with that but it took the edge off, allowed me time to start dealing with things etc).

Always worth seeing gp, but keeping changing meds may not be the answer ( it may be if tried long enough).

[PloddingDaily]

Hi Spring, I had another thought- I've been doing some cbt to try & help 'reset' some of my thinking patterns long term, it's not an instant answer but does seem to help & apparently is often used with meds helping to stablise mood a bit whilst you work through things - might be worth asking your gp about what's available in your area?

Hope you're ok & that you have a good day today Xx

[SpringSunshine]

Thanks all. Feeling a bit better today; still tired but less down. Think it was because had very impersonal letter from work saying I am going onto reduced pay due to time off work sick. Was expecting the reduction but still a shock when it arrived ...

Have done some CBT - behavioural activation - which is good just need to get going and do stuff!!

[HoopHopes]

Hi, glad today a bit better.
Yes, it can be hard seeing something in black and white when off ill. Hopefully you can rest, practise your cbt and soon be able to consider a phased return to work. The advantage of a fit note and a phased return is it can be just a few hours a day and yet they have to pay you full time!

[PloddingDaily]

Really glad to hear today was better.

i'm doing cbt at the mo, it feels like hard work sometimes but I guess it's about changing deep habits so won't happen easily or overnight...hopefully worth the work in the long run though!

Hope you sleep well tonight & tomorrow is better again. X