Anxiety and depression

[BjAli]

Hi, I’m BJ and I suffer fro extreme anxiety and depression. I’m on 40mg fluoxetine and I’ve also been prescribed prolanalol and premethazine for sleep, because I find it difficult at night. I’m on week 6 now of the fluoxetine but my symptoms don’t seem to have improved. I have obsessive intrusive thoughts that I can’t get out of my head about hurting my children which I know I can’t do because they are bigger than me (20, 13 and 17. I’m also on the verge of menopause and I just don’t know what to do. I can’t get through the day. Can someone help please.

[Darkhouse]

I am so sorry that you are feeling this way right now. Does the propranolol help you cope w your anxiety at all? It should help to minimize the physical symptoms, the racing heart, the sweaty palms, those icky feelings. I too was experiencing a great increase in both my anxiety and depression as I entered menopause. I was lashing out, getting angry at the smallest of things, just acting crazy. I talked to my doctor about the pros and cons of estrogen therapy and decided to try it for myself, and within 5 days of starting, I felt like a new person. I was able to regain control of my chaotic emotions again and I stopped snapping at the silliest of things. I feel so much better now after a few months of taking it. Hormones can really mess our bodies up, especially if we already have underlying mental health conditions, they can make them way way worse. It may be worth a convo w your doc to see if you're a candidate for hormone therapy. In the meantime, there's a meditation you can try in bed called yoga nidra, it's in between asleep and awake. It's very soothing for the body and it helps reduce anxiety and depression. Other things to try in the moment to distract yourself from the obsessive thoughts include going for a walk, taking a bath, coloring or journaling, or calling or chatting with a friend who understands your struggle... There's lots of people here that understand obsessive thoughts like yours. You are not alone.

[BjAli in reply to Darkhouse]

Thankyou very much for your advice. The doctor has mentioned the HRT the last time. I’ve got a review next Monday and I’ll mention it then. All the best and take care

[BjAli]

I’ve just had my dose increased from 20 mg to 40. I think that is why my anxiety has been so bad today. I couldn’t cope. Did that happen to yourself? And when did this feeling stop.

[Rabcooke in reply to BjAli]

Hi I hope you got through the rough time on your increase I am on day 12 on increase to 40mg its terrible I hope you recovered how long did it take on increase until it got easier

[BjAli in reply to Rabcooke]

Hi, this anxiety is terrible, I totally agree with you. The increase in Flouxetine didn’t help me I’m afraid because I’m also menopausal age. I’m now on HRT and I have up and down days with the low mood. The last time I had flouxetine I started to feel better 4/5 weeks after increasing my medication. I thought it would be the same this time round but because of my age it didn’t help. All the best and hope you feel better soon, It will pass. Regards BJAli

[CAGgmb]

When I started on an SSRI, the doctor told me it would take 4 to 6 weeks to feel better. It took 8 weeks or more. We're all different. Have you told your prescribing doctor about this? Does the doctor know about the potential menopause issue? If your current med isn't working for you, there are many solutions.

[BjAli]

Hi CAGgmb

Yes the doctor is aware of the menapause, and apparently fluoxetine is supposed to help with pre menopausal symptoms too. I suppose I’ll just have to stay strong and let this phase pass. Although having said that I have had a better day today. Thanks

[BjAli]

That’s what I’m most worried about. I’ve taken fluoxetine before and it’s really helped with my mood, but this time one day I can cope and the next day I’m double the amount worse. I’m also diabetic and have high blood pressure, so have to be extra careful about what I eat and how often. It’s a very hard time for me.

[Pel3749]

Hi, I also been there. Medication may take longer for some to start to be effective. Your doctor should guide you for whether or not to start HRT. God bless and keep us posted.

[BjAli]

I feel like I’m going to die today, I feel so low. I don’t know how to get through my day. Nothing seems to interest me . I can’t sleep and I’m having difficulty eating. I’m starting to wonder if the tablets are not right for me. I feel like I’m going mad.

[BjAli]

I’m on week 6 of taking fluoxetine and I feel my symptoms are getting worse. I can’t get any relief all day or evening. Should I have seen some improvement by now. I’m beginning to think the tablets aren’t having the effect that they should. I’m also on the verge of menopause. Has anyone suffered this way before. Please help.

[MittensandCharlie]

Hi, just reading all of the posts here and feeling your struggle. I hope that you’re coping okay. I remember first starting anti depressants, they made me feel way worse before they made me feel better. I felt lost, alone and hopeless. It’s so hard but you just have to hang in there. If you really feel after 6 weeks that you’re not adjusting well you this medication, perhaps ,you could discuss with your doctor a different type of antidepressant. I take Mirtazapine at night time which also helps me sleep. My daughter takes Fluoxetine in the morning and Mirtazapine at night, which seems to work well for her. It can be a lot of trial and error, but stay strong, this will pass and things will improve. I went through menopause before the return of my OCD so I’m afraid I cannot offer any advice there, though I can only imagine the pain that this is causing you. Please know that you’re not alone. I found that daily meditation and yoga have been extremely helpful, Shannon Shy’s book and the live group meetings with the IOCDF community are invaluable. Best wishes to you.

[BjAli in reply to MittensandCharlie]

Hi. I’m grateful for the encouragement, but I’m really struggling. I couldn’t stay at home with my family and have now come to my parents home. The intrusive thoughts are what troubles me the most, but now they happen at mums home too.

I’m starting a new antidepressant on Monday which I’m dreading. I’m so scared in case this one is in affective too. 👍

[BjAli]

no I didn’t because even at 40mg I felt I was going mad. Today is my 3rd day off the flouxetine and I feel terrible. I don’t know what to do.

[BjAli]

yes, the doctor said because the flouxetine has only been in my system 6 week’s I should be ok, but I’m really suffering today. I think I’m starting setraline tomorrow.

[MittensandCharlie]

I'm so sorry to hear you're struggling so much. I recently watched these videos on Youtube, perhaps this will help you youtube.com/watch?v=Q9lo2gV...(Not working as expected?) also listening to as many mindfulness, self compassion and forgiveness meditations helped me. It's something you have to commit to daily, you won't see results immediately, but eventually you will start to see the improvement.

Have you also discussed with your doctor trying some anti-anxiety medication in addition to the anti-depressants? It may be something you could try in the short term, until your anti-depressants balance out.

I wish there was something more I could say or do, just please know that I am thinking of you. What you are going through is a soul crushing and crippling disorder, I also felt like I was going mad in June 2022 and that there was no way out, but there is help and it can get better and better, I am proof of that.

Please keep reaching out and talking. Take care.

[BjAli in reply to MittensandCharlie]

Thank you so much for your concern, I’m truly grateful. I thought I wasn’t going to get through today, my mind felt like it was going to burst. I’ve been on these antidepressants 2 times in the past, but this time they haven’t worked. I’ll definitely watch the videos over the next few days and thanks again. X