please give me some advice on AD's

[scribbles1980]

Depressed now since November. Life really getting me down. I don't feel suicidal but just want to run away.
No enjoyment in life at all.
Back to the doctors on Monday. Thinking of asking for ads .
I'm frightened after reading that they can make you feel worse & side effects.
Please can anyone share your positive stories.
Thanks

Oh you have to be kind to yourself when breastfeeding. Don't worry about your appetite.
It's not that I want to lose a lot of weight, but I did tend to binge on crap, which made me feel worse.
It is wonderful when you get enjoyment out of the simple things with the children. Things that most people enjoy all the time.
I think that was one of the things that pushed me to take the meds. I was frightened that I was missing the last if their childhood.
Not sure if that makes sense?
So, yes mopants hopefully we are on the way up!

So glad you had a good weekend :). Hopefully this is just the beginning!

I'm very tired too and keep dropping off in the car (when Dh is driving of course!). I'm finding that I tire easily too.

My fuzzy head and headache from upping to 20mg has mostly passed.

Not feeling great today . Not crying but just feeling sad.
How is everyone else?

Hi scribbles. Just seen thread. Well done on getting help . I am a fan of ADs, so please keep persevering. I'm so glad the Doc explained it to you re chemical imbalance. I'm really into understanding how drugs work. After a pregnancy with no sleep, 6 months of no sleep and then another 6 months of 3 hrs a night, it was no wonder I was depressed - lack of sleep affects dopamine and serotonin levels in brain (happy hormones) - over a prolonged period it mounts up. I had lots of other stress too - work, redundancy, self-employment etc.

Honestly ADs have helped me become a better wife, mum and me! I started taking over the Christmas break and yes the first fortnight I would say was a bit rough, but I knew that and was determined to ride it out (watched lots of light tv - murder she wrote etc). I've never looked back. It really helped my outlook, PND, OCD, stress. If people are looking to take one tablet and the world be full of roses then I'm afraid it won't happen, but if its seen as part of the solution then great.

Other advice would be to not rush to come off them. I'm still on then 2.5 yrs later, but I halved the dose (Sertraline) when I was ready from 50mg per day over a gradual period, e.g. 2 month of slicing a tiny piece of the tablet to make it 45mg (using a tablet splitter). Then 2 month of 40mg and now down to 25mg per day. I'm staying at this for a while as life is pretty hectic at the moment.

Thank you roman
I just want to shake this feeling. Seem to have no interest in anything.
I haven't been sleepy during the day which is a massive thing as I was going to bed early & sleeping in the afternoon.
I suppose I was feeling positive about taking the ads & thinking I would get this light bulb moment and I haven't.
Maybe because I have upped my dose this week.
I suppose I just have to give it time.
Sorry for the woe me posts

Are you feeling good any better now scribbles? How was your day?

Hi mopants
Pretty bad
Just feel empty really. Been doing the bare minimum housework & just sitting around.
Wished I had some 'get up and go'.
Praying that the meds will help
How are you doing?

We're ok. 4 of mine are at school/preschool all day Tuesday so I had a lovely day pottering about with the baby in the sunshine. Do you go to any toddler groups? I find it very hard to go anywhere new but I help to run a group now and it's made a huge difference. I have to talk to people and the kids can run riot and it doesn't matter.

Oh my 5 children! How do you cope??
No toddler groups for me, mine are truly out of that stage.
I just feel like I want to disengage with everyone.
Sat in my room the whole day yesterday. Waiting to go to bed, wishing that tomorrow brings a change.

Have read this thread right the way through. Hope you've all had a good afternoon. I'm also suffering at the minute (anxiety and intrusive thoughts with very mild depression) and am on my 10th day of taking Fluoxetine. I'm trying to remain positive that this will work! We'll all get there and come out the other side stronger and much more empathic I'm sure :)

Welcome aboard cottage I'm now on day 9.
I think I am expecting too much too soon.
Hope that things work out for you and everyone else who is struggling.

So, I upped my dose on Sunday to 20mg. Haven't really been having any side effects or any marked improvement.
However, I have been sleeping around 9-10 hours at night.
But today, oh boy I am soooo tired. I could just sleep. Is this normal? Please say this will pass. I have absolutely no energy at all

It should. When are you due back at Dr for review? I missed my appt on Wednesday as two of mine have been struck down with sickness bug you do have to give them a good couple of weeks to really have an effect. The only side effect I really get is constant yawning, everybody I speak to must think they're really boring!!!

mopants
Back next week to gp. I am normally quite ocd with housework etc. But I haven't really done anything g the last 2 weeks.
Feeling really lethargic .
Hopefully this will pass. How are you?

Tired but fine otherwise. Nothing too trying going on at the moment so I'm doing ok. I'm not folding washing. Or putting it away. But I am dressing everybody in clean clothes so that's ok. Busy weekend coming as we have a landlord inspection on Monday morning so need to get motivated before then

I think you are doing extremely well. Especially with 5 little ones!
Let's hope this tiredness lifts

Sorry you've had a tough few days Scribble. Hope today's been better?

I'm so tired! I wake up exhausted and by 5ish, I'm feeling normal. Are you experiencing sleepiness?

Hello Paddypaws3
Yes, feeling very tired. Have been sleeping 9-10 hours a night. Not sleeping during the day but very lethargic.
Hopefully this will pass. I can't shake off that can't be bothered feeling.
Back to work next week so hopefully things will improve.
I have stopped crying though, I was getting ever so tearful.
What day are you on?

Well I have managed to wash, dry AND fold AND put away every item of clothing! Cannot remember the last time that happened. Just a little bit of washing up to do (cheated with a takeaway tonight) and I can go to bed with a clean tidy house ready for the inspection tomorrow.
How has your weekend been scribbles? How are you feeling? I've been struggling with headaches but don't know if that is partly the bug all the children have had this week.

Well done mopants!
I haven't posted as I didn't want to jump the gun. Someone else said it feels like a ship slowly turning and that's how things seem to be like this weekend.
Have managed to clean the house from top to bottom.
Don't know If this is because I feel better or because it so desperately needed doing .
Even managed to play a game with the children and I am definitely less teary & stressed.
Just waiting for the 'happy' feeling.
Think I will try some exercise this week.
Definitely an improvement.
Yes I have been getting bad headaches.
Let's hope things are on the up!

It's like the circle has shifted. Instead of ignoring something because I can't be bothered then feeling worse every time I see it I do it then feel better so do something else and feel better again. I'll be living in a show home soon

You sound like you're doing great!

It's funny how proactive it can make you. For example: on Saturday I saw an application for a job that looked interesting. Instead of procrastinating and umming and aaahing I banged out a personal statement straight away. Took me an hour! I've become strangely efficient on it.

Oh, that's what I need sazerashez, to become more efficient.
Glad you are doing OK, can't remember if you told me but how long have you been taking the meds?
I'm really really hoping & praying that this is a turning point.

Sorry sazerashez Forgot to say good luck with the job application .

Thank you! I've been on them for 9 weeks now. You've done nearly two me haven't you?