first time i have posted on this board

[sparklyfairypie]

Hiya brief history - am 23, been on venlafaxine for 5/6 years, have lost 2 babies and have no other children. Work as a nanny for 2 kid, had them for over a year.

Been on 75mg for almost a year now, prior to that was on 150. (and at my worst 225) Am so proud I have got on to 75 and that I am coping on it, but for the last week or so I feel like theres a pale grey cloud in my head.

Its not a deep dark cloud of depression. But its a tiny bit, and I want some help on how to scare it away before it gets worse.

I eat the right fruit and veg - although do have a tendancy to overeat on top of that. I walk to work and am very active at work, but I need to be doing more exercise as I think that might help, so going to go on a long walk before work today in the sunshine. (lots of exercise is out for now as i have a very bad back and am getting physio)

What else can I do to try and lift my mood? I desperatly dont want to have to go up again, so want to take action now. Am reluctant to go to my GP

x

It's really positive that you are aware that your mood is shifting downwards a bit. Sounds like you know the stuff you can do on your own: diet, exercise, sunshine etc. Can you fix up stuff to look forward to? Seeing friends, booking holidays, whatever?

Has something recently happened which which has contributed to this new feeling of lowness, do you think? Can you do anything about it?

Why are you reluctant to see the GP? Bottling stuff up makes you feel more alone, more scared and more responsible -- imo it's good to share that stuff out when you can. If your meds aren't hitting the spot, it's good to flag that up...

There's a very good (and quite uplifting) book about depression called Sunbathing in the Rain by Gwyneth Lewis -- I found it really helpful.

Thanks for your reply I have a few dates to see some friends, problem is I dont feel like seeing them so am not looking forwards to it. Have got worse over course of the day, feel very sad indeed.

Nope nothings happened really, everythings the same.

I'm worried that if I go to my GP then obv it will be on my notes and then when I go to join another nanny agency it will be on my GP report that I have had a low episode recently and might affect me joining

Thanks I will request that book at the library x

Sparkly, am not sure what to write to give you advice, but just wanted to say you have a lovely name. Sending you lots of hugs.

x

I am sorry you've had a bad day. I know how it feels not to want to see friends. Is there anyone in RL you can speak to? I do think being wise to how you are feeling, as you clearly are, means you have such a head start on seeing this bloody thing off at the pass...
About the GP thing -- if the agency knows you're on the ADs, why would its perception of you be altered if your meds were adjusted? I can't see it would make much difference. But I'm no expert so maybe I'm being dim.
Maybe worth starting a thread about this on the nanny/childminder topic? You might get better specific advice about the GP/agency.
Keep posting

sparkly will the change into spring not help a little, I always find that makes me lift my spirits a little?
sounds like such a silly thing but it works for me

I do know what you mean dizzy However sadly I have been very depressed in the summer before so I dont think it affects me that much. I do like long walks in the summer sunshine but if I am down I tend to be down anyway.

I think I am going to phone the Dr tomorrow, I feel myself getting worse and I guess an agency would rather have a nanny that can realise and accept help than one who is so ill she cant work.

Will see if I can get the courage to phone in the morning lol

My dr has said to me 2x before "you come to the drs a lot for someone so young" which really upset me - made me feel like an attention seeker. When I first moved to her practice I had labyrithitus and tonsillitus. I have been on the antids for 5/6 yrs but have never needed any help with that from her just repeats, I also have a bad back which my physio deals with. Plus have been having gyno probs too.

x

Phoned got an appointment for Thursday x

oh, well done. If the GP suggests adjusting meds -- well, you know the ADs work at the right strength, don't get too stressed if they advise a higher dose again.

Also, have you asked about some counselling? You sound as if you've had some terrible losses in your life, and maybe you could do with some support in dealing with this? (The book I mentioned is good at helping you to look at underlying reasons for depression, too: I found it incredibly useful.)

Hope you feel better soon