Posted , 5 users are following.
I have just been increased to 40mg. I started on 10, then 20 then 30 and finally yesterday after a long consultation with the doctor my dosage was increased to 40. This was due to the advice of my councillor - she believes I have plateaued. Has anyone else experienced this? I actually just started to feel like me for a few days then boom it all went down hill and backwards 😞 I have to go back in 2 weeks time for further review but he's considering a phychiatrist. Not sure I want to go down that route. Any advice is welcome x
0 likes, 13 replies
jen31560 loo319
Posted
loo319 jen31560
Posted
I've been on them since July x
katecogs loo319
Posted
How long have you been on the medication?
In my experience as I recovered on this medication, it was always 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. It's quite normal in the recovery process to feel like yourself, and then wham you're back in the dark hole again. These blips don't mean the medication isn't working, it actually means it IS working and this is how recovery works. Personally I wouldn't want my dose increased, as you'll get side effects again and will have to experience the ups and downs once more as you progress through all this.
These blips always seems to happen, but they get less and less, and also become not so severe and don't last as long each time. Eventually they'll peter out.
When you have a blip, you just need to accept it's there, be patient and let it ease. Might take a few days or a week each time, but it'll go. This will happen many times.
I often wonder if doctors know about this process. Instead of upping a dose, these blips should be explained, and then encourage you through them each time.
If you need to see a phychiatrist too, I wouldn't worry about it. You'd see a specialist doctor if you had heart problems etc. They're there to help you.
In the meantime, just remember you are recovering, and seem to be on the right path. Blips are normal in recovery. Accept them and be patient xxxxx
loo319 katecogs
Posted
katecogs loo319
Posted
I think once your medication is stable, everything should settle down for you. But remember you will be up and down for a while still ........ but the downs will get less until you're feeling back to normal.
My son has also had this illness this year and has been taking medication since August. Not working since then either, he's about to return to work next week as he now feels able to cope with it.
You will get there xxxxx
amy61309 loo319
Posted
But, I'm at a low point again and have been thinking of going back to the doctor. The last time I went I had a blood test to see if side effects were anything else, excessive tiredness, weakness and no energy. But nothing came up.
However the doctor also said when I was upped to 40mg that I may need to try a different medication. Which I'm worried about, I'm having troubles coping at the moment but I'm not sure if changing medications would make it worse at this point so I'm putting it off.
After that advice I might try and ride it out for a bit longer.
Thanks
All we have to do is remember we are not alone in this and we certainly do not need to be ashamed about accepting any help we need.
katecogs amy61309
Posted
It might your high dose that's making you feel excessively tired etc and often changing/lowering the dose helps.
Im on my 3rd type of SSRI - the first didn't agree with me and the '2nd one was discontinued.
Ive been taking 20mg for 15 years and feel really well and don't have any excessive tiredness etc.
Always seems trial and error with either waiting til your body settles on your dose, or a doseage change or even medication change - but once you find what suits you, all will work out well.
K xx
amy61309 katecogs
Posted
Thanks
katecogs amy61309
Posted
It was a long time ago I changed SSRI's and I was scared in case they didn't work (always think the worst, don't we). Again I had to wait for the medication to start working ...... and slowly it did.
Recovering from this type of illness always takes time ...... such a pain, especially when we want to be well now.
amy61309 katecogs
Posted
Although I only started taking them last year I've struggled with it since I was 14, I'm now 25. But never went to the doctors or talked to anyone, used to self harm and could quite easily do it again.
Sorry I'm rambling just feel like I have no one to talk to.
katecogs amy61309
Posted
I never talked to anyone about my depression because I thought 'it was weird'. It took me 6 months to get help. It was another few years on normal anti depressants which didn't work before I was changed to SSRI's. 4 months later I started to get better, and have been like that since.
i do wonder if your dose is too high. It dosent always mean that the higher the dose the quicker they work or that it'll make you better. I've only ever taken 20mg for years and recovered on this.
I was also told that there's many SSRI's and people react different to different ones. Each tailored to suit different people. It may be that a
not her one would suit you more?
I'd go talk to your doctor again and either try a reduce dose first, and then maybe change the SSRI to another. If you do reduce the dose, do it very very gradually and you can get withdrawl effects too. Sadly you do have to be patient ....... but this type of medication does work so well.
I never thought I'd get well - thought I was the only one like this. It took over my life completely and it was only when I started on SSRI's did I recover. It felt like a miracle.
I read self harm is just a symptom of anxiety. Once the anxiety is under control the feeling of self harm should ease too. It's wretched feeling like this, but you will get better.
Your doctor should advise you on the next best course to take.
Dont worry about rambling ...... we all need to talk, especially as this illness dominates lives so much. Talk as much as you like.
K xx
katecogs
Posted
Silly big fingers on the small keypad!!
amy61309 katecogs
Posted
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