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Mental health

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Original poster

how long till i feel different on AD?

29 replies

studentmum1 · 25/04/2006 21:32

i'm confused, my doctor has put me on anti-depressants. started two weeks ago. suffered depression since i was about 13 and never really understood myself. i can't see how they will help me because i don't feel any different yet?

OP posts:

panicpants · 25/04/2006 21:35

You won't, they will take a few weeks to get into your system. In fact you'll feel worse before you feel any better.

I didn't start to feel different until 3 weeks after taking them.

Just stick with it and if you don't feel any different in a month you'll need to go back and see about increasing your dose.

Hang in there!

sansouci · 25/04/2006 21:37

I can't resist responding to the cry of the depressed. It's so debilitating. Hang in there, studentmumone! You may not notice a dramatic change but you should gradually start feeling more positive. Able to face getting out of bed in the morning, able to read, laugh at yourself, stop crying, etc. You may not ever understand yourself but at least you'll be able to function.

Donbean · 25/04/2006 21:38

They say it can take between 4-6 weeks for them to kick in, for me it was about 4 weeks.
It wasnt like a magical thing that suddenly happened one day when i woke up. It was gradual and somewhat subtle tbh.
I wasnt wanting to cry all the time, wasnt feeling sad in the pit of my stomach and felt more relaxed some how.
Now ive been on them for about 5 months and am so glad that i bit the bullet and went to the Drs, having never ever experienced depression before i was very reluctant to accept that this was what i had.
Give it time, if you still dont feel any different in 4~6 weeks then go back, they may not suit you. There is no shame in trying out a few until you find one that is good for you.

Beauregard · 25/04/2006 21:39

Hi,you may not feel any better yet as antidepressants can take 4-5weeks to work effectively.But it may be that the antidepressants dont suit you or you need a higher dose.I have been on/off them for a few years myself and am currently back on ,i think its hit and miss with different anti d's .What are you taking?

Original poster

studentmum1 · 25/04/2006 21:42

looking at packet its Citalopram. Its taken me years to get help, everyone keeps telling me i've got everything to be happy for.

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Donbean · 25/04/2006 21:50

Yes but that doesnt matter does it when you are depressed, ive got NOTHING to be depressed about and i mean NOTHING, yet i am! There is no logical explanation for it. none at all.
Im on them, i cant tell you how much better i feel. I didnt realise how down i was till i started to feel better.

sansouci · 25/04/2006 21:52

OMG. Don't listen to that guilt-trip sfuff. We all "have everything to be happy for." Depression is an illness, not a state of mind.

hunkermunkfish · 25/04/2006 21:54

PLEASE don't listen to the "you've got everything to be happy for" crap.

It's like telling someone with a broken leg they should be thankful they've got a leg to break. It's still bloody broken!

Hope you start to feel better soon, SM1.

Beauregard · 25/04/2006 21:54

my Dp is on them.What dosage? because dp is only on 10 mg (lowest dose)for anxiety.The doctor might start you on a low dose to begin with and build up.Dont worry about people tellin you that you have everything to be happy for,it doesnt work like that.I have "everything to be happy for" but im depressed!It takes courage to admit you have a problem .

Original poster

studentmum1 · 25/04/2006 21:59

i'm on 20mg at the mo. i know i have evrything i've ever wanted but it never makes me feel better. at the moment i can't see how these little tablets are gonna make me feel better after all this time feelin the way i have. i'm already worried about coming off them if and when they do make me feel better. they seem a temporary solution.

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Beauregard · 25/04/2006 22:13

you feel like this because your so low at the moment please believe me you can begin to feel better .Dont worry about coming off them you are thinking too far ahead (do this myself)I am now thinking of seeing a psychologist as i worry about staying on drugs long term.One thing my dr said was "well if they help you why shouldnt you stay on them"I grew up with mental health issues (my ds-r.i.p)suffered for years and years with multiple disorders etc,so i know first hand a lot about this topic.I do find it helps to communicate with others in the same prediciment as it makes you realise you are not alone!Really hope you begin to feel better soon and if you want to chat post me .xxxx

Original poster

studentmum1 · 25/04/2006 22:21

thanks, its lovely to hear other people coming from the same boat! it sometimes feels as tho no one else understands and that maybe i'm the only one that can see.

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sansouci · 25/04/2006 22:26

I'm on 40mg Prozac per day. I'll probably be on some kind of SRI for the rest of my life but what the hell. At least it works. rather be on drugs than dead.

Beauregard · 25/04/2006 22:29

You are so-oooooooo not alone you might think that you are crazy and that noone else thinks or does things like this but people do.I know a lot of people whove had or have mental health issues and i really do find that its a lot easier to recognise things in other people than yourself,its a lot harder to admit it yourself.Big hugs x

Original poster

studentmum1 · 25/04/2006 22:32

I struggle to get through the day sometimes. everthing piles on top of me.

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Surfermum · 25/04/2006 22:39

When I started ads I found that I felt like I wasn't getting better, but if I looked back to how I felt a week or two earlier then there was a change for the better, it was just so slow that I didn't really notice it.

I've been on ads for 12 years now and don't intend stopping them as they keep me really well. People are always really surprised if I tell them I take ads. I've tried to come off a couple of times and got really down again, and my GP and I decided I was just better off on them. It's really no different from having to take medication for any other chronic condition and like I say they keep me so well I really don't want to rock the boat.

Hang on in there, things will get better. And you aren't alone by any means, depression is incredibly common, it's just not talked about by many people.

Beauregard · 25/04/2006 22:43

Its horrible to feel like this you just want to crawl under the bedclothes and not come out.Is there anyone other than your doctor that you can talk to? family or close friends?Can anyone help you out with babysitting or chores so you can have a good rest? being tired doesnt help with depression,you must have been feeling like this for a while?

Original poster

studentmum1 · 25/04/2006 22:48

my partner doesn't understand, my mum keeps telling me i'm so lucky. all my friends think i'm the life and soul. i have no time for myself, being a student in day time, mum in evenings and working at weekends. my ex keeps taking me to court for access to my daughter. she isn't safe with him.

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Beauregard · 25/04/2006 22:54

omg-in my opinion you have every right to be depressed and you must be exhausted.You could try writing a letter to your mom to get her to understand how you feel(its easier to express feelings in a letter)could your hv put you in touch with any groups such as home start?ive been offered this by my hv in the past ,they can help you out !

Original poster

studentmum1 · 25/04/2006 23:01

not seen my hv in months, moved in with my partner so i haven't met the new hv. i'm forced to give my daughter to my ex every saturday. i live in fear of every saturday. as each saturday approaches i think i'm never goin to see my daughter again. he used to beat me, and is no good with children. he drives like a maniac with her in the car. all this on top of university stress, learning to look after my own house, working at weekends and trying to keep being a good mum to my little girl and keep my relationship together. sorry i know i'm rambling, never been able to just moan without people butting in and telling me to just "cheer up".

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Beauregard · 25/04/2006 23:12

Poor you
you definately need some support please visit your new hv .It sounds to me like your ex shouldnt be allowed non supervised access to your dd,can you consult someone about this?solicitor or maybe citizens advice bureau they are pretty good .Also you need time for yourself you could go off sick from work for a while ,just to give you time to yourself(dr would give you a note)and maybe you could get an extension on your college work-Do the college have any support groups/student councelling?

TinyGang · 25/04/2006 23:18

I was very sceptical about AD's. I thought I'd turn into a different person or that they messed about with your head in some massive way. I thought either I'd be laughing at everything on a ridiculous high, or flattened out feeling nothing.

When I first tentatively took them I waited after the first few days - nothing happened. Then I felt a bit worse for a while. Then I thought they weren't doing anything at all. I hadn't changed drastically, but then I noticed that the things that would have made me feel terrible and react badly just didn't so much any more. They gave me back my old ability to look at things a bit more rationally. It still surprises me when something happens that used to have me climbing the walls, but now I just deal with it all quite calmly and take in my stride.

That's it really. I don't feel drastically different after all. Same old stuff is still there in my life. It's just that I'm like I used to be. They seem to have changed me back into what I was. I still get cross and have bad moments but on a normal scale instead of a desperate dark furious take on every little thing.

I did have to ask for a slightly higher strength, so monitor honestly how you feel. Don't wait with baited breath - like I did-for a thunderflash. Just take them, and honestly ask yourself how you feel in a few weeks. It's supposed to be quite subtle.

Really hope you feel better soon.

Original poster

studentmum1 · 25/04/2006 23:18

i had a solicitor for when he took me to court, she was amazing but the court only allowed 2 months worth of supervised. then he was just given her. to boot, now he has a new girlfriend... who... get this is just 16! she has decided she doesn't like me, and i'm now recieving death threats and abuse from her. I've also made the big decision to go part-time at uni, this i hope will help me and my relationship with my daughter. i'm scared i'm not spending enough time with her. and i'm so scared that she'll grow up to hate me and move in with her real dad. i'm so scared i'll lose her.

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Beauregard · 25/04/2006 23:26

Good on you for going part time, spending time with your dd will be more special,and i hope that you get the chance to rest a bit more.Contact that solicitor again even if its just to get an opinion ,i would imagine that she would find in your favour ,your dd should not be exposed to people such as that 'little girl of 16'and imo i feel that you have a case for harrassment ,do you feel strong enough to go to the police?would your dp support you?

Original poster

studentmum1 · 25/04/2006 23:34

i don't know, i had called the police before about my ex, he harrassed us, following us, banging on the front door for hours, constantly drivin past our front door, he pulled a knife out in front of me and my daughter and then slashed her play house that was in the garden. i've been through all this and nothing came of it. it feels a waste of time. this 'little girl' thinks i'm a threat and i want my ex back. i've spoke to my ex's mother (because he still lives with her!) and her only explanation was that this girl comes from a 'broken' home and is bringing her personal feelings into account. i wouldn't mind but my daughter is 18 months old. i've had problems since i found out i was pregnant, because i broke up with my ex as soon as i found out i was pregnant. i decided he wasn't safe to bring a child up with, i didn't realise i could get forced into handing her over!

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