"putting the SPRING back in our step - village support for depression and anxiety"

[LEMmingaround]

Heres the new thread guys. What is this, thread 9?

This is a thread that is situated in a virtual village of support for those suffering from mental health issues, or just those struggling with what life throws at them.

Please feel free to join in.

fucking thing nana :( it just occured to me, and its a bit "woo" but thinking of it as a headmonster, therefore giving it an image - could you will the fucker to shrink and then lock it in a box? Get angry with it and give it a kick up the arse?

oh snowy :( Will the side effects wane over time? like the SSRI's? i think i'd choose side effects over psychosis as at least there is an element of control, yes you have side effects and its shit but you have chosen to take the meds to control something that is more shit?

Gawd, im spouting alot of pants today, ignore me

I am shattered!

Oh I will the friggin headmonster to go into a coma, shrivel up and die Lem - he gets a tiny bit drowsier as the day wears on and if I'm lucky he (definitely a he!) has early nights and sleeps at about 6, 7 or 8 pm though sometimes not till 10, and sometimes not at all.

He varies in his activities too - he lives at the top of my head and sometimes he stretches his long slimy neck and waves it about and goes back to sleep, other times he has a wonder around my head, and then goes on the rampage. He has lots of nasty tiny little feet and they have sticky pads that attach themselves around my head and that is the very worst day. It's ok I'm not hallucinating..........just I tend to think visually.

Oh snowy are there no other anti psychotics that may not make you so tired. When I was an IP I seem to remember some patients on APs who would pace around and be unable to sit still for long, but I suppose that's just as bad really. I do feel for you - it is rare to meet anyone with such a generous spirit - you always reach out to others, no matter how grim you are feeling yourself.

Ah well it's 4.00 pm now so the day is slowly passing...............need to get off laptop as it's a bit addictive isn't it.

As I was a social worker and middle manager in Children's Services for 25 years and worked as a freelance sw after I retired (so 30 years experience in all) I often go on the Fostering & Adoption site to help advise. Some poster was extremely rude to me last night and told me to "stick to what I knew, as I knew nothing about psychiatry" - so I "outed" myself as a patient, which I don't ever do and told her "what for" and she/he hasn't returned!

The side effects are why I reduced the clozapine before Christmas, and that was probably why I became unwell. Clozapine is the last chance antipsychotic, because it can cause problems with your blood and you have regular blood tests. I've tried quetiapine, olanzapine and aripiprazole I think.

I hope you get rid of the headmonster, NN
Thanks LEM

Thats a brilliant description nana - you should write a book!!

I suppose I should focus on the hope that the iron will decrease the tiredness.

((( Snowy )))
It's hard starting new therapy, be kind to your lovely self tonight

Thanks. I'm trying to look forward to going away at the weekend.

hi mag I can't understand people who LOVE being a SAHM. Welcome.

snowy I hope that as you get more used to the increased dose soon.

nana well done on the reprimand!!

I feel as though my brain has been wrapped in cotton wool. Tis rather vexing.

Thanks lem. Actually ended up talking to gp again and getting gym referral :) but yes yes to walking too...nature is so healing I find.

Sorry to those who are feeling crap today. I had a cry earlier but feel better now. Early night and first pill tomorrow morning!

(((hugs))) snowy that sounds like a tough dilemma. Do hope the side effects calm down, and yes the iron should help with the tiredness.

Good for you nana asserting yourself on that other thread

lem good for you on the 4 mile walk!

Welcome Magnolia sympathies. My own depression was caused in part by having to try and hold everything together while DH was very depressed for a year, so taking care of yourself is v important. Do you get any "you" time, time to relax, time to do something you enjoy? take care.

Hi giggle good for you for going to the GP and getting started with ADs and counselling. lem is on citalopram in case you need to ask about any side effects.

Did a nice little pic for a friend with a new baby which helped distract me from anxiety and was satisfying too.

I just checked the map ciq - was 9.5 miles am in bath -I ache!! :)

Baby pic sounds lovely btw.

What! 9.5!!! blimey that's amazing! Have pic of pic on my phone but don't think I have the wherewithall now to get it onto laptop!

Watching Ch5 GPs behind closed doors which is quite interesting!

Hi everyone, I'm a bit behind with the thread but just had a quick read to catch up.

CIQ that's such a brilliant story, well done, I'm so pleased for you.

NN I'm sorry you're feeling bad. Your headmonster sounds terrifying to me - it must be such a drain to try to keep control. I'm glad you had your assertive moment online - people can be so rude!

LEM - that's practically half a marathon!

(((hugs))) to everyone else, sorry you're feeling shit. It WILL get better.

I still seem to be pretty level, keep recognising instances where I could make negative choices and trying for the most part to take the positive route. Have had a really sloppy day though and haven't managed to exercise for a couple of days so must watch that. Also didn't shower yesterday or today. Ick. Actually it's really helpful writing that down because it helps me recognise where I'm going wrong. I hope, anyway.

Thanks swoop

You're not the only one on the exercise front - walk planned tomorrow.. well done on the positive approach though - thats really helpful.

Bed calls - night all x

And so another day draws to a close and I am feeling slightly more human than earlier - sorry I can't respond to everyone but I think we are all in varying states of mild/moderate/severe crapness, or maybe some of us are ok!

Where are you going at the weekend Snowy - hope it's somewhere nice - you so deserve something good.

I have made the cakes for the christening on Sunday (4 choc sponges to make a 4 layer choc cake and 4 fatless sponges to make a 4 layered gateau) and they are in the freezer. Chocolate cakes I can make no problems at all but I haven't done a gateau before, but I thought as it was a summer christening something creamy and fruity would be nice. Am stressing that I won't be able to finish them because I can't get them out of the freezer till Friday and if I'm still crap..............ah well stressing won't help. Sorry folks, cakes are a bit of a trivial topic I know. Wish I could send you all some!

Wishing everyone a peaceful night

LEM I've been inspired by your walk and went for my first run in a month. All I could think was "uuuuurrrrrgghhhh" so no time for feeling miserable. And now I've been for a run, I'm going to have to go and buy some food to make lunch (meals haven't really been happening of late).

nana you have been really busy and organised!! It sounds like you've not got much left to do cake wise hope you feel ok to do them. Do you find it easier to do things if they are for other people?

A family event, NN It should be good Well done on getting the cakes done! It's good you can recognise what you need to do, swoop. I've got that recorded to watch, CIQ

I hope everyone has a good day.

Inspired by all you active types I think I shall walk to my GP appointment this afternoon.

If I am feeling proper brave I may even go to Tesco.

Well done to all who are exercising! I ate a bar of chocolate for lunch!!!! I took 10 mg citalopram this morning and feel surprisingly good. Last time I went straight to 20mg and felt high for a week so starting slowly. I know tablets don't work this quickly so probably psychosomatic but still, better to feel good than crap! Hoping to get life and work back on track asap. Panic attacks unfortunately make me on the verge of becoming agoraphobic as I live in the vicious fear of fear cycle so actually really pleased to be back on meds :)

Victrix..at my gym, with a gp referral it is a third of the price for drop in, I am hoping to achieve twice a week if I can. Even if I just go on the treadmill.

Good luck with all the gym people here

Good luck with the citalopram giggle It must be hard to get a balance if you go high as well as low. I can't imagine what it's like to get panic attacks on top of everything either

I hope your GP appt goes ok, Victrix

GP appt went OK, 10mg citalopram has been helping I thing so had dose increased to 20mg, signed off work again until the end of next week which is helping me not stress.

Enjoyed the walk, noticed the fact I have been neglecting my physio stretches for my bad leg though...oops!

giggle I will ask about that, I also need to get a form from my local council for a free swimming pass- I qualify due to leg issues.

I'm glad to hear that, Victrix