So fed up! Feel like I'll never be better

I take it you came off the medication and have restarted again?

I took them for 15 years and had a break for 1 year.  I restarted them again in August and had forgotten how the side effects were.  I'm better again now.

When taking this medicine you'll be up and down for weeks, probably months, with the down periods getting less and less until they eventually stop.

Reading that you had a good spell 4-5 weeks and another at 7-8 weeks suggests to me that this is what's happening.  It just means the medication is working, and this is normal when recovering.  I'd forgotten this, but have also experienced this second time around.

People often make the mistake of thinking they're not getting better, when all it is is the side effects and this up and down period.  Upping the dose will just give you more side effects, so I would just ride it out at the moment, and let it pass.  

It might have worked in 4 weeks for you the last time, but it might be taking longer this time.  If it's worked for you before, then it'll work for you again.  Don't go looking for answers as to why it's taking longer .... maybe you're expecting it to happen quick and are making yourself anxious.  Just accept how you're feeling, and it'll come soon.

So much patience is needed.

K xx

my understanding is that it CAN take a significant amount of extra time for the effects to work if you are taking them for a 2nd or 3rd time. and the longer yout took thn for before, the longer it may take for the full impact to be achieved a second time. you ay also require a higher dose like you suggested. but not decessarily. It might be worth seeing your doctor now to discuss this with him, as well as another appointment in 3 weeks. that way you can make a bit of a plan together and he can either reassure you, or have some wonderful medical explnation that we on here just arent getting quite right '-). And he may decide a different way forward altogther, or make a plan to ensure thesde can work their best for you. Ive often found both myself and other clients (yes, therapists can stuggle too) often will for somethng to go away so badly that they place so much emphasis on the pill. i certainly know i ahve done that at times. but the pills can only help. we must make other changes too. either psychologically, or phyically. doing something physically differen, even doing physical exercise, whatever you find enjoyable, or  even just a walk if thats sometjing you dont usually do. each day after dinner. they can make the worl;d of differemnce and help the medication work fully. These drugs work on the happy hormones in your body by not letting them be absorbed back up. if no happy hormones are secreted at all, then there arent going to be moads left to keep in the body to keep you happy! i realise i've gone a bit off topic there. sorry. i hope what ive said may be helpful for someone though, even in just a small way xx

 

Going to go to the doctor later this afternoon.  We'll see what that produces.  Hardly slept a wink last night.