Middle ground for feelings

[Willow2022]

Another post asked what the title of our life would be and it got me thinking:

Does anyone have extremes in feelings and motivation when taking meds?

Before Prozac (this time) I felt too much: every emotion was a tidal wave and anxiety made me feel like a cactus was under my skin. Not to mention a lot of suicide ideations.

Now, a month in, I don’t have major emotions, sort of numb. Which is a good and bad thing. I also find my motivation is gone. I have zero drive to do anything. Simple things like eating a decent meal, doing dishes, taking a shower… none of it has appeal. It’s like I’m severely depressed but without the hopeless feeling. I just feel… nothing.

Has anyone else gone through this?

I am searching for a therapist but haven’t found one yet that takes my insurance.

[LoveforAll41]

Yes, when I was on fluoxetine(prozac I am pretty sure?), I was often tired and fairly numb. It was definitely preferable to wishing I was dead though.

Having recently gone off of venlafaxine(effexor) I have been amazed by the power of my emotions, but I think that I am getting used to it. I think that I will be okay to continue this way if I get back into therapy. I usually get deeply depressed and start meds and therapy, but this time I am going to start with therapy and see how it goes.

[Willow2022 in reply to LoveforAll41]

Yes! I feel that was too. I have been on and off Prozac (fluoxetine) 3 times and each time, my emotions were so intense I would just cry most of the time. But this being numb and really not caring about what I do or don’t do is odd.

[BlueAgave in reply to LoveforAll41]

LoveforAll41, may I ask how long it took for you to get off the venlafaxine? I've been on it for 10 years. Just curious how it went. Thanks.

[LoveforAll41 in reply to BlueAgave]

I was on it for a year and a half I think. The emotions were pretty crazy going off, I was astounded by their magnitude. It always helps me ride them out knowing that a lot of the crazy swing of things is caused by the med change though. I will say I was at probably the best point in my mental health that I had ever been, and an extended pharmacy mixup made me go a month without it anyway so I just stayed off it.

[BlueAgave in reply to LoveforAll41]

Oh wow. It scares me to think about getting off because I've been on it for so long. I would have to go really really slow. Glad you felt better after.

[BlueAgave]

You know, I've had similar feelings. I've never been on Prozac, but many other different antidepressants and I have often felt no motivation. I never really thought about it being the medication. 🤔 Now that you mention this, I'm wondering if this has been my low motivation issue. Honestly, I've been thinking I've just become lazy all these years. Years ago I would get excited for a trip or concert etc... and now it's like blahhh. Thank you for bringing up this topic.

[Willow2022 in reply to BlueAgave]

I am coming up on a month of being back on it, over a week since I had to up the dose (per doctor’s recommendation). I have an appointment this week to see how I am doing and I will bring it up.

This month though, since being on it, especially a higher dose, I notice I just don’t care to do things that would have normally driven me crazy to leave: take out the trash, vacuum dog hair, finally hang that picture in that empty space, finish the quilt sitting in the corner…

[BlueAgave in reply to Willow2022]

I can see how it could possibly be antidepressants in general. I've been on venlafaxine and feel like I have to force myself to do anything productive. I'm going to bring it up to my psychiatrist too next visit.

[mizzou7016]

Prozac has helped me level out. Moods are mixed

[Willow2022 in reply to mizzou7016]

I am happy you found something that works! That can be a process in itself. It works for me too as far as leveling but I wonder how to get any sort of motivation while on it. The meds seem to dampen the drive to do things as well as intense feelings.

[KatJ1982]

Hello. Yes, prozac did not work well with my body. Unfortunately, medication is a trial and error. Contact your insurance directly. They should have a website of local therapists that accept your insurance. I hope you find some relief soon.