Could use some "atta girl"s right now

[Woolybluecurl]

Hi Everyone.....after taking months to find the right anti-depressant (back on the one that actually worked...Viibryd), I've been slowly increasing the dosage and last night bumped up to 30 mg (which is what I was on before). Didn't expect such a rough night....not much sleep and I feel like crap today. BUT I know I'm on the right track and am hopeful. I don't get much support from family or friends, so I could really use a big pat on the back for hanging in there (and maybe a virtual hug or two!). This is such a lonely journey.....not only the trial and errors, fearing the next drug and what it will do to me, feeling sick, not sleeping, feeling like I'm missing out on my life, pretending I feel ok when I don't. It all requires so much energy and I just feel worn out. You get it. I'm grateful for my progress and I'm grateful to have found this fabulous resource to connect with others who understand. Sendng out my love to you all😘

[LilyAnnepuppy]

Welcome to this community. It’s a good place to be for support.

I noticed you said, “I have increased the dose…”. Do you mean your doctor has increased the dosage?

[Woolybluecurl in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

Hi....thanks for your support. Yes, my doc increased the doseage.....I had been on this anti-depressant for several years and it was working pretty well, but I didn't like the side effects and made the mistake of thinking I didn't need it anymore (sound familiar anyone?). Now we're up to the dosage I was on before, so I think it's a matter of my body adjusting to it again. Every step moves me closer to where I hope to be, but sometimes it's like dragging my feet through cement. UUUUGGGGHHHH. One day at a time....

[LilyAnnepuppy in reply to Woolybluecurl]

Good luck.

[Marysblue]

New meds, sleep problems are terrible. What we have to go through sometimes to get rid of depression. Way to go for hanging in there.

[Woolybluecurl in reply to Marysblue]

Thanks so much.....I appreciate your kind words and encouragement!

[Dolphin14]

Welcome to the group

Sounds like you are doing well. Keep up the good work

🐬

[Woolybluecurl in reply to Dolphin14]

Thanks so much for your support.....hope your day is a beautiful one!

[downinthecrud]

Atta girl!

[Woolybluecurl in reply to downinthecrud]

Thanks so much!!!! So glad there are kind hearts out there willing to share😘

[Agora1]

Woolybluecurl, every journey in life is difficult but staying positive and going forward

is well worth it. "Atta Girl" you've got this. Sending gentle hugs your way xx

[Woolybluecurl in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so much----it helps to know I'm not alone. Sending hugs....

[RMHiker]

I went through the same thing. It took almost a year to find the right medication for me. It's really tough, so congrats for hanging in there!

[Grandy1962]

Hi Woolybluecurl

Sorry to hear you had a tough night but good for you for hanging in there. Insomnia is the loneliest place but know that we are all rooting for you. Have you tried any of the relaxation stuff that is on YouTube? Sometimes gentle background noise can help you relax, even if sleep evades you.

I do a lot of digital art which helps me as it doesn’t need any setting up or tidying and I can even sit in bed doodling on my iPad without disturbing my wife.

Imagine yourself walking through a forest as the sun rises, shining through the trees.

[Agora1 in reply to Grandy1962]

Grandy1962, a great "imagery" that I use myself xx

[Woolybluecurl in reply to Grandy1962]

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. It fills my heart to know there are such caring people out there . Sending much love....

[Teaching]

I give you both pat and virtual hug. You are doing great, keep moving!!

[LettersfromE]

Atta Girl!! It's hard finding the right combination. I'm currently on that path with no clear winner as of yet. Seriously, you did it! Be proud! Cheers to the new happy beginning for you!! Sorry, it's messing with your sleep. Hopefully, it levels out soon!

[Woolybluecurl in reply to LettersfromE]

Thanks so much for your support and encouragement, and for reminding me that every little victory needs to be celebrated! I love your positivity! I'm soaking it in.....blessings to you!

[Lve2dance]

We are virtually here for you. ❤️ family is great but sometimes it's the last place you can look to for approval. I personally have experienced that for many things. But here we are genuinely here for you

[Woolybluecurl in reply to Lve2dance]

Thank you so much. I'm new to this site and have already found such love and support....it makes a huge difference to have a community of people I can tell my truth to without feeling criticized or judged. As you say, family can be great, but nothing can take the place of fellow travelers.....blessings to you

[Lve2dance in reply to Woolybluecurl]

U as well. If you want to message me apart from the forum as well I am here

[Woolybluecurl in reply to Lve2dance]

Thank you!!!

[Lve2dance in reply to Woolybluecurl]

Of course

[bethelbee]

Hugs and kudos to you for hanging in there!! It's always a tough road but you are on your way. Hope you get back to where you want to be!! Take care and, as my therapist frequently told me, nurture yourself.

[Woolybluecurl in reply to bethelbee]

Thank you so much. I feel so blessed to have found this site.....who knew there were so many people like me? I spent a good deal of my life trying to hide the shame associated with my anxiety and depression.....like I would be shunned by family and friends if they knew what was really going on with me. I think we're fortunate now that there's more acceptance and understanding. Doing my best with self-care.....keeping things pretty simple because that's what feels best. Blessings to you!

[bethelbee in reply to Woolybluecurl]

Glad you are getting lots of support on here!! Sorry you feel your friends and family may shun you if they knew, but maybe they wouldn't. It's almost impossible for anyone who hasn't actually experienced depression and anxiety to understand what we go through. There is so much more acceptance of mental health issues these days but we still have a long way to go! I have been very open about my struggles over the several decades of dealing with it. The more open we are we can spread more awareness and help to reduce the stigma. BTW, we are the same age, I'll be 68 next week. Am presently depression free thanks to TMS.

[Hidden]

(((((Hugggg)))))) I understand, please, hang in there, it gets better 🙏

[Woolybluecurl]

Thank you so much! I'm overwhelmed by the love and support I'm receiving from this site.....what a blessing!

[Pitalife]

Good job,I too been on looking road to finding a med that works well,it's helping me so I'm hoping the best,as I do for u and everyone struggling,this is great group for positive feedbacks and shout outs,hang in there and join us all on a long journey to try and have a life once again..stay well...

[Hidden]

((HUGS)) found the right antidepressant did ya? well, good. I hope it helps.

[Weatherwoman]

Pat yourself on the back for sticking it out & finding what works for you. I am SO darn scared to change meds. even tho. the one I am on now (SRI) has some side effects which are making me more anxious & depressed! I need the courage to try, at least, & will be all alone --the being All alone & changing meds. bothering me --Yes, there is A lot of support & understanding on this site!

[Woolybluecurl in reply to Weatherwoman]

I hear you my sister.....the whole experience of trying new meds is terrifying because you don't know what they're going to do to you. And it's so individual.....I'll share some info that helped me. My doc did what is called a Combinatorial Pharmacogenomic Test for Psychotropics through a company called GeneSight.....it breaks down your genetic make-up and determines which drugs will work best with you....I had this done a few years ago, but it's been a roadmap to what drugs will best interact with my system. I don't remember the cost.....but you may run it by your doctor and see if that's something that's available to you.

[Weatherwoman in reply to Woolybluecurl]

Thank you So much for your post. I shall look into that. I talked with my Psych. today (re. meds), and she is going to add on a low dose new med. Now, I have to work up the courage to try the med. Problem is besides my Anxiety/depression, I have a "med. phobia," as I feel Out of Control as a new substance is going into my body & I don't know what's it's doing, how it's interacting with my other meds., etc. And, worst is my thinking "worst case scenarios" (Catastro.) thinking as it looks like a lot of us do with these Anxiety Disorders. Anyway, starting on a very low does, and not lowering the meds. I currently take, yet! Thanks, again, for hour input & understanding --it helps!

[Woolybluecurl in reply to Weatherwoman]

I understand completely! Trying these drugs can be so traumatic.....but it sounds like going slow with a small dose will be a bit easier. Be extra gentle and kind to yourself during this time.....it takes a whole lot of courage to keep trying. I had been trying to just power through all these changes....trying to keep life "normal." Part of that is important, but I'm also finding I need to lay down and rest just about every day, to listen to what my body needs while it's finding it's way with the new drugs I'm putting into it. Eat as healthy as you can. Take walks. Drink water. Find something funny to watch on TV (Jim Gaffigan is always a go-to for me). Keep moving forward.....sending hugs!

[Weatherwoman in reply to Woolybluecurl]

Thanks so much for writing & your encouraging words. Caught your HUGS😀

[Tara52]

Hugs!💗Keep hanging in there. Praying for you to find strength and comfort. 🙏