6 weeks in

I've also been on it for 6 weeks and it's not working for me either

I stayed on 20mg for some reason though and the Doctor told me pills may not work, can't belive I'm gonna have to go through a complete other pill.

Do you not feel any less depressed at all?

Im about 2 weeks in now and still feeling low, but not \"as\" low, but i think that is due to 2 weeks off work rather than the tablets themselves. Feel just the same, is this common then?

Tonytony why did you come off the Duloxetine? Just looked it up and it seems to deal with both seritonin & adrenaline, whereas citalopram only seems to deal with seritonin? Seems worth a try!

Im 11 weeks in now, and all of the side effects have gone. Its like I am not taking the medication any more, apart from the fact I do feel better...

Stick with it, it does get better. My headaches and teeth clenching were bad 4-7 weeks in, but they do go...

To answer the Q about Duloxetine. That was a long time ago now. Thing is back then I used to drink a lot and smoke weed. I now know that these things effect how the drug works and in fact will make it ineffective eventually. I came off the drug because of feeling low at that time but before all the weed it was working fine.

My doc is reluctant to try anything else right now which is a shame. He wanted me to see a mental health care specialist which I said seemed unnecessary. Anyway am now on 50mg per day. I am kinda doing better at the moment. Still have problems sleeping and feel tired a lot in the day. Concentration is affected I think. Don't seems as sharp. The only other thing is sexual side effects. Not getting upset much now so it is definately having some positive effect.

i'm 7 weeks in & feel they are working for me. The detached from reality moments :shock: & teeth clenching have stopped & my general anxiety is now minimal.

I wasn't looking for a 'buzz' off the medication, just wanted to get back to my old self, must be one of the lucky ones :wink:

Tony tony how did you persuade your doc to let you go up to 50mg? Mine insisted that 20 mg was enough to do the job and then would look to reduce it to 10mg!

I am 5-6 weeks in now and the side effects have gone, i now have my concentration back (although still lacking movation to study) i dont feel like giving up anymore.

I think I am feeling a bit more normal (whatever that is). The depression is still there but im not a crying wreck now and it doesnt feel quite as much of a mission to get up in the morning or to go out and do everyday things.

If anything i feel less anxious and more chilled which is a good thing, i feel like ive realised some of the small things that i felt were so important arent the end of the world if they dont work out (like exams etc)

Like you i dont feel like im on medication anymore, as taking the pill at night before bed has immensely helped the tiredness and quite enjoying being aware that i am having dreams.

The only thing I feel like i'm missing is happiness. I do feel more normal but my normal state is depressed and negative outlook but still being able to get on with everyday life. I definitely went through a nasty dip. But I think partly its because i am very introvert and hate social situations and have lost touch with pretty much all my friends and avoid any social events. Something I probably need to work on but it feels like it is so draining to spend time with anyone other than my boyfriend and my close family.

I wanted to ask you did you feel much difference increasing to 40mg then 50mg? Or did it just make the side effect (tiredness etc) worse?

I wish people would post more on these boards. It would be nice to get more up to date experiences & thoughts.

xxxxx

Hi sarahfacingupto things, Glad to hear your side effects are subsiding and you are feeling the benfits of the drug. Sounds that you would benfit from some sort of counselling as no pill will take way what psychological problems are causing you to feel down. Have just been down this avenue myself and believe me it works.

But what do you talk about? I find it awkward talking and don't really know what there is to talk about? other than moaning about work and study, but i do that to my boyfriend & mum, & it doesnt usually help that much to keep talking about it. Im not sure.

By the way I think I had a couple of shocks last night that woke me up, it was abit like when you sometimes dream you are about to fall over and then wake up with a jolt. Does anyone know what that is about?

Dont know about the dreams but probably to do with how you are feeling. As far as the Counsellor is concerned, a good one will get you talking as they use open ended questions. Only problem is that you can wait a while to see one through your G.P.

Hi Sarah. I found that 50mg was too high and actually started getting other side effects. It was digestive problems so I decreased back to 40 again. Am on 20mg now as gonna swap to Duloxetine. To be honest I didn't notice a massive improvment with the increases but was some.

20mg is enough for a lot of people. Depends how severe your depression is. As the other guy said the pills alone won't fix anything. They just need to make you functional again so you have the ability to deal with any other problems with counsellor etc. I would recommend trying it. A good counsellor can point out things you might not have realised. Cognitive behavoural therapy is good also. You can try it at

moodgym.anu.edu.au if you haven't already.

Hey Tonytony

That mood gym thing looks brilliant, I have just registered & will definitely try it out.

I am 6 weeks in on Citalopram now & am definitely better able to \"function\" as I remember when I had to go and pick my first presecription up it seemed like such a mission & the pharmacy was only round the corner.

On saturday I was feeling low so instead of staying home to study I went out for a walk with my boyfriend & we just sat in the sunshine for some time.

I am starting to feel some benefit again from exercise too. I often feel low in the morning but once I make myself go swimming on a Sunday I feel much better for it.

I think also part of feeling less on edge is my manager has backed off a lot to the point he is not approaching me much anymore. But I think when he does I will feel more relaxed & not let it stress me (partly because I dont care anymore). I think for the first year I was so keen to impress by working really hard as I was sacked from my previous job (for no good reason) but there's only so long you can keep it up. Im in a very career driven job but dont really have a burning ambition to be a slave for the rest of my life.

But I do want to pass the exams & be qualified. So need to get motivated!

I would say it has taken about 6 weeks to feel better & its so subtle that I still wonder if it's the tablets or just because ive taken the pressure off at work & also by deferring exams.

I still dont feel \"happy\" but I guess that is not what the pills do, & until I pass my exams & then the world will be my oyster, I just have to suffer and take one day as a time, but at least Im not 60% wanting to quit like before, not its more a case of, lets have a go, and if you fail both, maybe call it quits, & if you pass 1 reassess the situation.

I am also going to be sitting the exams at work which scares the hell out of me! Dont know why it just does!

Sounds like things are starting to look up so I'm happy for you. Probably is the tablets as can take 6 weeks to get up to speed. I find exercise very useful too. Makes me feel more motivated. Must be helpful to have a partner too.

Know how you are feeling with exams. I have my 3rd year of university to finish. Actually took a year break because last September was too depressed to continue. The uni has been very good about it and my adviser is great. Just worried now if i'm going to be able to handle it this year. Hopefully the Duloxetine will be better for me.

I don't feel happy either. Mind you I've heard its best not to try and chase happiness or you might never find it. I just feel pretty lost most of the time these days.

Tonytony

Well good luck with your start back at uni, I think the only thing that helps with the stress is starting with the material as early as you can.

I found my concentration was zapped during the 1st 5 weeks of the medication but it has passed. My motivation/energy to just concentrate on work is pretty bad though.

I used to be able to come home from work and just get on with it, now Im lucky if I can sit down for 15 mins at a time!

I think if you can find out what books you need etc & plan ahead some sort of routine, you'll be alright. Plus you'll be more likely to work harder than some of the others as you've had a bit of time to reflect & it takes some determination to get back into study mode!

I cant wait to finish exams for the rest of my life! Got only 3 to go, but it seems like a giant mountain, as so scared that I am incapable & will fail!

Just hope to be ready by 1st Nov as going at snail pace at the mo. Plus doesnt help working full time too.

Are you definite about going back to uni? Do you feel the time out has helped?

xxxx