Tired or depressed?!

[MarmadukeM]

Hiya I have had a rough time lately and am on a few different medications (pregabalin, quetiapine, mirtazipine, Vortioxetine). I’m back at work on a phased return but I’m struggling a bit, like this morning I just had zero energy or enthusiasm. Doesn’t help
that I have had disrupted sleep for over 2 months now (and I think my antidepressant Vortioxetine isnt helping with that!)
anyone else been in this situation? Trying to kind of get on with life but feeling knackered and wondering if you’re even on the right treatment? Doesn’t help that doctors just tell you to wait a few months before making any adjustments. I do sleep but I wake up frequently during the night. Last night was 11.30, 12.30, 2.00, 5.00 and it’s been like this for weeks. Argh!

Quetiapine is usually great for helping with insomnia. What dose are you on and do you take it at night?

@Changeforsquizzers 350mg at night xx

@Changeforsquizzers and 15mg mirtazipine for the insomnia. I should be sleeping like a baby! That’s why I wonder if Vortioxetine is not right for me - that’s when I started having the insomnia, when I was out in that. I have bipolar disorder type 2 so I think I’m super sensitive to stimulating meds x

Blimey, I found 50mg of Quetiapine made me sleep really well.
Im not surprised you are exhausted on all those meds. Could you get them reviewed?

So sorry, I’ve just seen that your doctor said no adjustments for a few months. They sound very dismissive so maybe try another GP?

@Changeforsquizzers i might see if I can get a private psychiatry appt. I was put on some of them by the community treatment team. I saw a post where someone said it was a case of ‘drug and dump’ and I’d be inclined to agree 😖 My gp said to me ‘I’m not being funny but can you even think straight?!’

Yes, private psychiatrist would definitely be the best option if you have private medical insurance or can fund it yourself.
Its so unfair to expect you to cope with a phased return to work when you are drugged up to the eyeballs.
Best of luck x

I’ve never been a good sleeper but Vortioxetine definitely made my sleep worse.

@BlackMess did you stay on it or did you swap to something else? X

I’m off it now but no suggestions of what to take instead. My mood has very much worsened. In some ways it’s better as I felt all over the place on the Vortioxetine with racing thoughts and I was vomiting a lot. I’m kinda calmer now in that I’m not having thoughts at all but I’m very low. Not sure what to do next. MH nurse wanted to write and ask secondary care and GP wont help as MH nurse is dealing with it. So kinda stuck in limbo with nothing.

@BlackMess ah that’s shit. Sounds familiar though unfortunately. GP doesn’t want to touch it but you aren’t under psychiatry either so it’s like you have no one in particular 😖
hope you hear something soon. If you are waiting for the nurse to contact t them i would recommend chase it up - I work in general practice and they can get a response pretty quickly if they do it as urgent. X

@MarmadukeM thanks, I wasn’t sure whether I should chase it or not as it’s only been 10 days. But then 10 days is a long time when struggling with dark thoughts

@BlackMess I would chase it yes. You could make GP appt and explain about your mood and ask for urgent advice. Just tell them how bad you are feeling. X