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Recovering from depression

Posted , 5 users are following.

iris46
iris46

If anyone is feeling well now, can you please tell me if low mood and motivation are the last symptoms to lift? I've only been in higher dose for 24 days, and seen other improvements

2 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • louiselost
    louiselost iris46

    Posted

    I'm glad you've seen other improvements - after taking a certain anti-depressant pill for several weeks I've found my mood has been lifted.  I would say that has been the first symptom I've recognized.
    • iris46
      iris46 louiselost

      Posted

      I'm pleased that's happened for you. Wednesday I was busy all day....went for massage, shopped, trimmed from hedge...congratulated myself. Yesterday I went to see new baby in afternoon....chatting with parents and sounding fine, but with that low feeling inside. I'm meeting my daughter for lunch at 1, but I've cried all morning! Mind you, the weather is dull.... That never helps my mood. I'm trying my VERY best....I just want that smile back in my diaphragm where I feel low.
  • lorraine52317
    lorraine52317 iris46

    Posted

    Hi iris

    After 4 different ADs, from my experience once you get the right AD it's almost instant improvement which gets better and better. What AD are you on and how long have you been taking it? I was on one AD for six months and cried buckets and felt unwell the whole time! You can usually gauge if it's going to work around the six week mark. Some people would say give it longer but I wouldn't be one of them! I think the goal should be recovery in the quickest time possible! ♥

    • iris46
      iris46 lorraine52317

      Posted

      Hi Lorraine....I'm taking sertraline. I got up to 150mg last year after a bereavement and I defied death myself in summer. By November I was quite strong again but had a big blowup with my daughter. We didn't speak until into March. I'd been strong for those 3 months, but as soon as we started speaking again, I started crying and crying, and all the stress came out. My doc increased my dose 24 days ago, and I'm not too bad, but I can't shift this flat mood, which leads to lack of motivation of course.
    • lorraine52317
      lorraine52317 iris46

      Posted

      Hi iris

      lack of motivation and energy is the hard part and shows your depression hasn't lifted yet. I would give it another week and if no improvement i would definitely go back to the docs. Your mood and motivation will return as soon as your meds start doing their work. In the meantime be kind to yourself with plenty of rest xxx

    • iris46
      iris46 lorraine52317

      Posted

      Thanks Lorraine. The manufacturers Google article says up to 6 weeks to start noticing an improvement, and up to 8 weeks to see full improvement. It's not altogether easy is it? They do say that low mood is the last to lift. I'm doing everything to encourage myself! Hell I'd hate to have to change meds!!!! It's rough
  • KMRC
    KMRC iris46

    Posted

    Iris, I am so happy to hear you are starting to see the light again.  Depression sneaks up on us and, once we take charge by getting on an AD, it will kind of slowly sneak back out.  There are so many ADs out there and it is all trial and error for the docs.  I have been on Paxil, after tying maybe 6 others that made me stare at the walls, huddle under the covers, become paranoid or that just made me sicker.  I think 6 weeks is a long time to see improvement.  I was doing so much better after 2 weeks (and therapy) and I was thrilled.  I didn't have 6 weeks to wait, I was in the bottom of an abyss.  Glad yours is working for you.  Are you also in therapy?  With a good therapist, you can move mountains.
    • iris46
      iris46 KMRC

      Posted

      Thanks for your kind words! I seem to be getting thru the side effects now...phew! I've still got that sad/tense feeling in my diaphragm which doesn't help motivation. All my problems started last year when I had a bereavement, then I almost died myself. Then my daughter and I didn't speak for 3 months...I've had a lot of stress. I'm eating/sleeping well, done some gardening this week. But this is still only day 24 of increased dose, but I want that little smiley back in my diaphragm area!
  • Leah55
    Leah55 iris46

    Posted

    Well, you "hit bottom" emotionally, and definitely you want to be better.  Those are, in fact, the best motivators.  Glad you are seeing improvements!!
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