Fluoxetine/antidepressants

[Cloudd]

Hi. Need your advice/positive experiences...
Couple weeks ago I was diagnosed with severe depression and generalised anxiety disorder so started fluoxetine/Prozac for first time. It’s been 3weeks now, a did a week on 10mg and then to 20mg. I’ve seen an improvement in my mood and energy, from a 0 to a 4, but will this continue to improve over the following weeks or is this the best it’s going to get? I still feel down during the evenings, when did it start to work for you/noticeable improvements? Xx

I’m calling it - this week has been too much. I am having to bail from a commitment today as it feels unsafe. I think the weight and expectation of my therapy on me is too much and it’s confused me reflecting on things that were said on Monday. One minute it’s about taking small incremental steps and the next the pendulum swinging totally the other way to expose me to my fears. It’s too much to get my head around.

I’ve struggled more than I expected too with one of my coping mechanisms not being as available to me and that has heightened my anxiety this week and caused additional challenges like not sleeping well (husband is away).

Feeling a bit of a failure and not very strong at the moment. Just want to sleep and not deal all with this stuff today.

Sorry for the negativity everyone. At least the sun is meant to be out here again and I’ll be able to spend time in my garden today. X

@polelynn sorry to hear how overwhelmed you are feeling 💐. I think you did the right thing stepping back from the commitment today. The mind is such a complex area even without trying to cope with our illness so this on top of the challenges of everyday life can just be way too much at times. You're then having to try and process alot with your therapy too so it's good you've recognised that you need to step back.
Please don't feel like a failure, be kind to yourself. You're a special person and you will get through this but you do need time and support 🧡
Maybe sure you eat well, stay hydrated and enjoy your lovely garden today🌿. Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully you'll feel brighter as the day goes on☀️

We are here for you X

I'll catch up on the earlier post later as eyes are tired and dry from peri menopause and too much work screen time.

Love to you all and thinking of you🌺🌹🌷🌸

*make sure

Thank you for your support and kindness @sugarlost 🧡

@polelynn sending hugs to you today. You're doing so well with your therapy and your small steps. Sometimes with therapy you do feel worse before feeling better and there are a lot of ups and downs in the way and it's part of the process but it's sooo hard to deal with sometimes.

I agree that not going today is probably the right thing for you to do to keep safe. Also don't ever be sorry this is a safe place. You are strong by knowing your limits and not doing something you don't want to do.

I hope you get some breathing space in your garden xx

Editing to say your small steps aren't actually small steps they've been massive!

I was hoping things would be feeling better or even just more bearable. Last night one of my cats hadn't come home which isn't like him so I spent a couple of hours of constant anxiety thinking the worst, presuming he had been run over and was dead, working out how I'd need to phone the vet when we found him and get organised with the cat carrier and car etc. Really extreme thoughts. Turns out he had got into my daughter's room and was sleeping under the bed I hate my mind.

I’m sorry that your anxiety is making you face these horrid thoughts @FiloFaxx. It’s really tough and I’ve too played out similar scenarios of how I’d deal with the worst case outcome. Thing is there still seems little relief doing that and the anxiety just transfers onto the next thing. I do understand. Silly cat, they are sent to try us! Thanks for your kindness.

Hi everyone,

I've not got any notifications today for some reason, thought it was strange no-one was about.

@polelynn really sorry to hear how you're feeling. How has today been? It is okay sometimes to say 'That's too much for me'. It's a real balancing act trying to decide on what is a reasonable amount of stretching yourself and what is too much, too soon and liable to set you back. I struggle with that so much. You've done a lot the past couple of weeks, it's okay to need time to integrate. Perhaps with your husband away and things being different it's okay to just get through this week. You are by no measure a failure. It's another bump in the road, but that's all it is. I hope you got to spend a bit of time in the garden. Let us know how you are.

@filofaxx sorry you had a rough night too. I can well imagine how that felt. I've done that so many times, I confess it can any time anyone is out of the house. Anxiety is truly exhausting.

@sugarlost hope you've had a good day.

I had a bit of a meltdown last night and had a difficult text exchange with my good friend. I basically wanted to withdraw from a group project I've been involved with her because it centres around wellbeing and I just feel I'm a poor advert for what we're trying to do. I feel like damaged goods with little to offer. They are moving forward and I am stuck just trying to get through the days. And I'm so sick of it! My friend wasn't having it though. I know it's the low mood talking but it's just hard at times. I'm tired of looking at the world from behind thick glass. There but separate. I also realised the next bit of personal work I need to do which is quite overwhelming for me. I need to access my anger. I can't feel anger for some difficult things that have happened to me and I think it's stopping me moving forward. Any way! I slept poorly too and although my mood hasn't been the worst today my intrusive thoughts are there tormenting me. I feel tired and a bit despondent. Hoping for better sleep tonight.

Sending love and hugs to you all. Xxx

@Maidenpink that sense of looking at the world from behind thick glass sums it up so well. I’m very glad your friend isn’t giving up on you. I can’t think of anyone more valid to work on such a project than someone like you who absolutely understands and is living through it. You have the empathy and ability to find the right words on here to help us all to see a better future, alongside the actions you take to keep yourself afloat despite what you face every day. You are such an inspiration. You keep doing this. You will change lives and yours with it.

I’m doing okay. I needed today to just be a day with no struggles or worries or mountains to climb and I feel better and stronger for it. Spending time in the garden helps too. My friend was so understanding and thought it was brilliant progress that I was just planning to have her over. She will be there for me whenever I am ready which means a lot as others have kind of given up trying which is okay.

I hope everyone else is okay. X

@polelynn bowled over by your words, thank you so much. It's hard to keep perspective at times. ❤

Glad you're feeling better for setting your boundaries a bit tighter today. A real friend understands and I'm glad she was so encouraging of you. You did the right thing for you today. We can't be climbing Everest every day of the week.

I really hope you get a decent sleep tonight, as I do myself. The poor sleep really doesn't help. I hope things calm down a bit as we move away from solstice and full moon.

Sending love. Xxx

@Maidenpink slept slightly better, you?

@sugarlost how’s things with you?

Hi @polelynn, slept a bit better too, thanks. Anxiety has been high today ... I'm doing lifts this afternoon and going to a shopping centre ... enough to give anyone anxiety. How are you feeling today?

@sugarlost hope you're okay, check in when you get a mo. Xxx

@Maidenpink a lot calmer today, thank you and quite motivated to do things around the house. Good luck with your expedition!

Oh glad to hear it @polelynn. ❤ Shopping centre hell and didn't get what I needed, and bought for the kids! Oh well. Glad it's over. Xxx

Hi at @Maidenpink & @polelynn hope your having a relaxing evening.

@FiloFaxx sorry to hear about your anxiety...I can be the same with worry. Oh to be anxiety free...that would be too easy I guess and these things are sent to test us and make us stronger...it's just draining and challenging at times. I hope you're feeling better x

@maidenpink I agree with @polelynn regarding her feedback about your friend's request. Remember you are amazing and have so much to give 🧡. We are all special and must never forget that even when faced with dark days there will always be brightness ahead☀️☀️☀️☀️
I also agree with the thick glass description... it's so true!!!!!
Shopping can be stressful🙈. Saying that I have been indulging in retail therapy to cheer myself up..it isn't really working though.

@polelynn glad you are continuing to enjoy your lovely garden🌱 and invited your supportive friend round too... positive and supportive relationships make such a difference in dealing with the challenges life can throw at us!

I've been tearful and tired today...3 t's!

I slept badly too.

I'm ok although have been struggling with intrusive thoughts today. Hopefully tomorrow will be a brighter day!

Sleep well all💤🧡💤🧡💤🧡

🌺🌷🌹🌸

Hi @Maidenpink , @polelynn and @FiloFaxx

How are you today? I hope good.

My sleep has definitely got worse so as usually tired today. Work stressful but it's nearly the weekend!

I do feel emotional again...wish I could have a relaxing holiday in the sun to recharge☀️

I hope you all have nice plans ahead even if it's just resting 🌹🌷🌺

Hi @sugarlost, sorry to hear you're sleeping badly and feeling tearful. Sending you a hug. You must be worn out with lack of sleep, work and coping with how you're feeling. Do you have anything planned for the weekend? Sorry if you've already said but how did you get on with the GP this week?

Bit of a busy day for me and bit of stress earlier ... will check in later. Xxx

Hi @Maidenpink Sending a hug back🧡
I met a friend after work who I haven't seen since the start of the pandemic which was nice. My body is starting to feel less stressed...I think that tension was due to work stress although another family situation was causing stress too but thankfully that should be ok.

I'm meeting another friend tomorrow which I haven't seen for a while and Sunday I'll rest. I hope to start a new book on Sunday. I've been hoping that's for a while.

Do you have any plans for the weekend?

My GP was supportive and advised me to research HRT and other menopause treatments and let her know if there is anything I'm interested in. She also advised she would support me at work if needed.
I think she said to research as I mentioned I have done that for my other condition which has helped me with pain relief... diet, vitamins etc.

I hope you're feeling less stressed. I'm not good with stress or negative feedback. I wish I was stronger. My eyes are tired from the computer and tiredness I think.

Are you going for a swim this weekend? I hope the sun shines for you this weekend☀️

🌺

Sounds good @sugarlost. I hope you can recharge a bit with some socialising and down time. ❤ I got out a swim yesterday which was good. On the way back I stalled at a roundabout and a car went into the back of me which gave me a fright. I pulled away to get off the roundabout thinking the guy would follow me but he must have just drove away. No damage to the car so all okay but not fun. Eldest going through some stuff so I ended up awake til after 3am last night and still didn't sleep well. I was a mess this morning, got some groceries but just felt crazy. Was in tears when I got back. Had a lie down this afternoon so feel a little better now. Tired of the anxiety and crazy thoughts. I got my bloods back and they're all normal. So that's something. Can't blame low iron or thyroid or blood sugar for how I'm feeling!

Hope everyone is doing okay. Sending love. Xxx

@Maidenpink Glad you had a swim😊
The roundabout incident would have given me a fright too...glad all is ok.
I hope your eldest is ok. Life can be so challenging in so many areas but we do get through it in time.
Sorry to hear about your day💐, glad you managed to rest. The anxiety and crazy thoughts are draining. It's good to listen to our body and mind and take a step back to try and unwind.
It's hard when you get results back and there's no explanation of the symptoms if that makes sense.

I had a good day with my friend and her children. It was like a form of therapy. I haven't seen them for months.
I do feel achy and tomorrow I will get a few groceries locally and just rest.

I have family stuff going on too. Alot to think about possible changes ahead. I will have faith that things work out for us all on the family front 🧡.

I hope you sleep well tonight and have a brighter day tomorrow ☀️

Things of you all🌺🌹🌷

*thinking

Hello everyone how are you feeling today?

I've put my two girls in the same room so sleep hasn't been great yet again for the last few nights. Don't know why I do it to myself 🙄

I've got a check up with GP on Friday and not sure if I should ask to have my dosage upped? Really not feeling much different at all with the exception of more anxious sometimes.

Hi folks,

@sugarlost I'm glad to hear you had a good day with your friend. Sounds like it was a real tonic. Hope you're having a chilled Sunday and getting some rest. I did sleep better last, thanks.

@filofaxx sorry you've been struggling with lack of sleep, it's a real challenge. I felt I ran on empty for a long time when mine were at that stage. It's really full on. Try to be kind to yourself and recognise what you are managing and let that be enough. I was far too hard on myself at that stage. I felt like everyone else had better sleepers/more support/was just plain better at it than me.

Sorry the anxiety is no better. How long is that you've been on 20mg? I think @polelynn has said this and I've also heard that anxiety responds better to a higher dose. It's really hard when you're not getting enough sleep/rest though, that puts your nerves on edge at the best of times. It's definitely worth discussing with your GP and it's not a huge deal to go up really.

I'm wondering if I need to increase to 60mg or if it's my hormones that are causing me grief. The past few days have been a bit better (still not great!) but where I am in my cycle my depression is less. I've still been anxious but it's been manageable. But the next couple of days I'm into second half of my cycle so I'm absolutely dreading it. I'm hoping somehow my mood change isn't as bad as last month.

Xxx