New back pat list of what we managed to do today however small

[notagiraffe]

Used to have a thread like this and it died out.
This is for people struggling, either because of depression or AD side effects, to be very productive. Let's pat ourselves on the back for what we did manage to do, not what we didn't.

Today I worked at a food bank for two hours. Very busy.
Planned a lesson.
Will teach for two hours this evening.
Cooked healthy tea for family.
Tidied kitchen and put a wash on.

That's it really. Intended to go into town to run errands this afternoon but was too tired. Not a lot but not quite nothing either...

Anyone else?

Those taking citalopram, did you try any other ads and did you find the same side effects if you did?
When i eventually get to the gps, I'm thinking about asking to swap to a different one

Hi OhHoly I have never taken citalopram only fluoxetine and I find it makes me feel just as others describe on here, lacking in energy, motivation and annoyingly sex drive! I still am not sure though whether it is the drugs that are making me feel like this or the depression/anxiety. I did try to reduce my 20mg dose a couple of months ago. Was going ok until a few weeks in and I started
getting overwhelmed and tearful again so went back to taking every day. I feel stuck as I clearly need to take them but hate this weird zombie like feeling that is with me everyday at the moment. I am particularly worried that I'm not giving my full self to my children. All their needs are met and they are loved and well cared for but some days I can't find the energy or attention span to do proper activities with them and so rely too much on electronics. Thank goodness dh is around at the weekends to liven things up a bit for them.

It's worth speaking to your gp about trying something else though as I guess they all affect people differently. I am too scared to try anything else as at least fluoxetine keeps me stable, just a shame about the lethargy.

Holy I've tried practically everything going. Currently on Prozac which took two months to kick in at all, and I find it's very demotivating. Don't care about anything at all. On Citalopram I felt like myself mood wise but was permanently asleep -went to bed at 8.30 pm slept till 6.30, slept for 2-3 hours every afternoon as well, and then started napping in the morning which meant I couldn't actually work more than a couple of hours a day. And pit on stacks of weight. On Seroxat I felt nothing and got very uptight and OCD. Hated Sertraline, it made me nauseous and my heart raced.

The one lots of people swear by for not sapping your energy is Venlafaxine but my GP refused to give it to me - not sure why - maybe it's expensive. And Wellbutrin is supposed to be good but not prescribed over here in UK unless you are trying to give up smoking!

tricky that is the problem I have with exercise. I KNOW it will make me feel better, but usually just cant make myself do it.
When I used to run regularly a few years ago it definitely got easier to motivate myself to do it the more I did it IYSWIM. I just need to get into that routine/mindset again...but it HARD
holy I tried fluoxetine (prozac) for a while and found I was more motivated on it. It wasn't very helpful for my anxiety though. I think everyone is different when it comes to ADs so it is definitely worth trying something else to see if it works better for you.

I have had a nice day. I have been and bought some clothes with my bday money. Then came home and cleaned our room and sorted out my wardrobe. Then had a lovely long bath and have now painted my toe nails!
I suppose I ought to go and tackle the washing mountain next!

Hi everyone. I've been having a bad day. I always manage to get out of bed but today I just couldn't so I've been reading this thread instead. An hour ago I got up and had a shower and washed my hair. I feel like my life is slipping away. I'm on ADs & medication for chronic pain. I work full-time, look after elderly parents and feel constantly guilty that I'm not giving my young teen the time and energy she deserves.. I'm not sure what I'm trying to say- maybe just thanks for making me feel less of a freak for not being able to do anything useful today.

Searching I feel similar. You are doing very well to work full time. I am part time and still struggle every day. I also get pain although my other medication means it's well managed so thankfully most of the time I am pretty pain free. When it flares up though it definitely makes my depression & anxiety much worse and I become even more demotivated to do anything at all.

One thing I've realised is that if I'm in pain there is no point in trying to achieve much as I need to rest to let things settle down again. This however is difficult when you have young children who depend on you for their every need. I can't say I can't manage to make your tea today sorry, but what I do end up giving them is basic and probably not very nutritious and so then the guilt sets in.

Don't beat yourself up that you couldn't get up today, some days are just like that and I'm trying to think that it doesn't matter as there will be better days.

That's interesting regarding the sleep. I'm sleeping so much.

Searching welcome! You work full time? You have elderly parents? No wonder you had a day in bed.
Back pat for the shower and hair wash - so important when you're down.
When I feel like you do, I try to do easy stuff with DC that we all like. Under duvets watching TV comedies or films, cooking oven fish and chips that takes no thought at all. I lie in bed a lot. DC just come and lie with me, chat a bit, bring the cat in for a cuddle, look at stuff together online. There's nothing you can do. It's not your fault. If they know we love them and we do stuff with them when we're not stressed and shattered, and if we have their best interests at heart, then they're OK.

Today I:
went for a short run with a mate
had a catch up cup of tea outside in a park cafe
took DS swimming for his physio,
had a shower
ordered DH's birthday presents online

...and that's it. Knackered. Rest of the day in bed even though it was sunny and I meant to mow the lawn. DH cooked and cleared up. Haven't even done a wash load. But at least DS swam and I saw a mate and we ran and had some time in the sunshine. Got to get up again now and sort out DS's stuff for a school trip tomorrow.

So interesting to read people's experiences with Citalopram as I have exactly the same issues. Weight gain - 12kg since Jan and I've gone from gym 4 X week to virtually zero though I am desperately trying to get back to the gym 3 times a week and build up my cardio again.
Also tiredness - I could literally sleep all day, every day! It's awful! I only take 10mg/ day down from 20mg as the side effects were so awful!

Today I made an appointment to speak to my GP and finally told my health visitor how I'm feeling. Truthfully this time.

Dreading seeing my GP a as I feel useless and like I am wasting his time.

I am on Venlafaxine which I could increase but is so addictive I am scared.

hannahpan well done on making the appointment and also talking to your HV. I used to be a HV and was very aware of depression and mental health issues having suffered myself.

Anyway what I have done today is buy a small hardy Fuscia plant which I have potted up and watered in. It looks really pretty :)

I am still lethargic but trying to do small things although I did muck out the turtle tank yesterday which is labour intensive. Lazy little buggers sunned themselves in the garden while I was doing the hard work lol.

I have turtle envy Alfie

Felt completely demotivated today but at least I:

Went for a walk with a friend and had a cup of coffee. Done this twice this week. Often go months without doing it! Told her I was completely demotivated and had no desire or drive to do anything at all, even stuff I love. She was lovely and funny and had some great ideas.
Went shopping for DH's birthday
Arranged to have dinner with friend and her husband. DH and I don't socialise much together so it will be fun.
Stripped spare beds to wash as we have visitors tomorrow.

Think I'm going to have to increase the Tyrosine. It seems to have stopped working.

hannahpan well done. that is a good step.
lagiraffe I am so hoping I can eventually shift some of this weight!
alfie the fucshia sound lovely. well done.
notgiraffe that sounds a good productive day, well done. How much Tyrosine are you taking? I have been taking one twice a day, but have not been having good sleep...wondered if it might be too much

I have been off work today and have actually felt quite positive for once! I have been very tired as I slept really badly last night, but kept myself busy and resisted the urge to nap!

I have:
Been for another short run
had shower and straightened hair
washed and hung out towels
second wash load done and hung out
weeded small border by patio
deadheaded roses
fed goldfish in pond
been to shops to buy cartridges for pen
took dc to park after school (making a big effort to stop them spending so much time in front of TV/ screens)

still need to:
bring in dry washing
play a game of some sort with dc
hoover lounge stairs and bedroom.- that may have to be tomorrow

thankfully dh was home early and is sorting dinner....

quite looking forward to bedtime now!!

Hi everyone. I'be been feeling really low the last couple of weeks. I'm going to make a gp appointment as currently just on beta blockers for anxiety. I bathed and fed my dcs today . They have spent most of the day watching TV and I feel like an awful parent. Hoping I can do something worthy of a pat on the back tomorrow.

I cleaned the kitchen today! 3 lots of washing up, 2 loads of washing and have ordered a new mop and bucket on the shopping to do the floor properly tomorrow
Did school run x 2 and made all meals too, got work tonight so I'm resting watching TV for a bit now

Hi Pinocchio, try not to worry about the tv, as long as the kids are fed/loved/kinda clean it won't kill them, you and your health are important too and sometimes you gotta do what you can to get through the day

Well done Holy - that sounds like loads!
Hi Pinnochio and Hannah - thanks for joining us. However small - whatever you did manage to do today, it's not nothing.

I've had a good day today. Had a walk and pain felt okay. i reckon i feel better mentally as pain is less just now. Went shopping and got two tops (one a tunic and one a dress, but I am quite tall so 2 tunics really!) & 2 (cheap) necklaces. Had a coffee in a cafe and read the papers, not that the news is good but it is interesting. A break from home was much needed.

I've been on several ADs over the years, with varying results. Citalopram gave me headache and fired me up - I was in denial then and didn't go back for more. I think they all give you the bloat, and some increase your appetite, drastically in some cases. i have a tendency to overeat anyway so i am quite fussy about what I'll take. I always lose a few pounds when I stop them. Venlafaxine was my last one and I really wanted it to work - but the headache were AWFUL, unbearably so, and my BP rose, so I had it stopped. I was on Sertraline for ages but the higher doses made me sick. TCAs worked well for me but the side effects were rubbish (dry mouth, dizzy when i stood up, nausea so bad I couldn't travel). i'd forgotten all this when i saw the psych 2 weeks ago when i was prescribed it again). So, now, i've decided to to wait a bit( i've been referred for psychotherapy), and try to force myslef to just take walks. Hence all the talk of trainers and walking. PS I've not had the trainers on yet!

Some of you are doing great with the cleaning. i keep looking at the vacuum. it keeps looking back at me!

Hah Topaz. It took me a week of deciding each day that I'd vacuum before I finally managed it. Sulky little Henry that keeps rolling onto its side because I shove it around grumpily But I did do a fair bit of tidying last week - especially the bedroom which had been a pigsty. And it's so calming being in here now that there aren't four heaped laundry baskets and every surface covered in clutter.

Morning, does anyone have any tips as to how to manage all the things that come with having young children, running a home & working (part tine) when you have no energy or motivation.
I seem to be putting things off kn a daily basis as I just don't have the energy but then it all mounts up leading to more stress etc. I have clothes everywhere round the house, paperwork to deal with, garden could do with some attention.
On top of that I work half a day every day, I have a very demanding 4 yr old to keep me company in the afternoons and a less demanding 8 yr old who will happily stay on his
xbox all afternoon which I'm sure is not good for him but I have no energy to make him stop.
I find it very hard keeping on top of all the things that need doing to run a home.

How do other people manage? Any tips gratefully received. I can't ask any of my real life friends as they are mostle 'supermums' who are well organised.

Tricky I have a 5 and 3 year old so I know exactly what you mean! Not sure I have any life altering tips, I tend to have to focus on picking my battles - if I focus on the kids then much house isn't going to get done, if I focus on the house then the kids are going to get ignored for a few hours, I am not supermum and I cannot do it all, especially on my own

I cut corners and use cheats wherever I can, hang uniform on the radiator to dry straight out of the machine means I don't have to iron, batch cook when I've got the energy so there's something to shove in the oven for dinner when I am tired, rely on convenience food where I can (prepared veg, and more chips/fish finger meals than I'd ideally like but some days the priority is just that everyone eats)
Someone even suggested paper plates for those days where washing dishes is just beyond you
I also use technology, again possibly more than I should but I try and think in the long run an extra hour of screen time is probably less damaging than having a shouty/crying mum because Im overwhelmed and can't do it all

Productive day so far - had a meeting with my boss, got the weekly shop and cleaned the kitchen including the floor :)
Half way through the bathroom now though and losing motivation....

Tips that helped me at that stage (and I was far from perfect!)

Stick a wash on first thing in the morning. That gives you all day to at some point hang it on the line/drape it over radiators or stick it in the dryer if you have one.

Always have about three mega easy dinners in the cupboard or freezer for days when it's all too much. For DC that was tinned spaghetti with grated cheese and frozen peas. For DH and me, packet tortelloni that cooks in 1 min and jar of pesto. Or fish fingers/chicken goujons and oven chips. never ever feel guilty about this food. Kids love it, it's no effort and you're not well.

As often as you can, go home via the park. You get to sit on a bench in fresh air. They get to charge around/play with mates. You feel good that they've had fresh air and exercise. So do they. It means no one feels bad if the rest of the night's spent on X box/TV. If there's anyone you like talking to around, fine, but no need to stress about being a popular mum. Just let DC let off steam.

Big baskets/storage units. Toys in one. Things from school/for school in another.

Do a 5 minute room rescue (Flylady technique) each night. Set timer for 5 mins. Chuck papers/ junk mail in recycling box. Hang up coats and book bags, pair shoes, put dirty washing in basket or machine. Have a basket for stuff that needs to go upstairs. Wipe table/plump up cushions. It's amazing how much you can do in 5 mins. It looks so much better. You can do a 5 min room reduce for kitchen, sitting room, hallway etc - whenever you want.

Have endless supplies of baby wipes/household wipes. Use them for floors, chairs, mirrors, furniture, school uniform, faces, underarms, bums, wiping toys clean, sticky fingers etc.

Today:
made Dh birthday breakfast
went for walk with friend
walked into next village
volunteered at food bank
went grocery shopping
walked back
took DH out for birthday lunch
Tidied kitchen

Still need to:
prep lesson for tonight
cook birthday cake
teach lesson tonight

Knackered now but at least I've walked about 5 miles already today.V overweight and need to!

hello, happy birthday Mr notagiraffe.
People have done loads!
I'm a long time MN lurker, name changed today. Hope you don't mind me jumping in to this.
I am old, dh is older and retired, so underfoot all day. He does look after me very well, after his own fashion, but I am struggling in many ways. 2 kids grown and flown, who hardly speak to me. OHoly, you are right - do not be the shouty mum I was.
Today we went to the dentist, and had a descale and xrays - couldn't manage it last time.
Bought 3 plants slug meals and actually planted them - usually they expire before I get to them, and put a top dressing of stones around them.
Top tip for laundry is to put things on hangers as soon as they come out of the washer or dryer, and sort out a place to hang the stuff to dry. I'm lucky to have an airing cupboard, so chucked most stuff out and put a rail up for drying stuff overnight. particularly useful for black stuff you don't want sunbleached.

Today I -

-managed to straighten my hair and put my face on
-buy stepdads birthday card/present
-sort brothers graduation present
-paint my nails
-go to baptism class

That's literally it. It has been an ever so slightly less tearful day today so I'm clinging onto that as a sign of it being a good one.