Discussion
Nice to see how openly people can share their feelings here ... I wish I could share with someone in real life too 
Emigrated from Asia 10 years ago leaving family and friends behind to start new career. Although I have my family I practically have no other real friends. Sad I know but I send considerable time on forums outside of family life to substitute.
Besides medication I find being surrounded by many friendly and positive people helps. Being in a nice, sunny place seems to life my mood too.
Emigrated from Asia 10 years ago leaving family and friends behind to start new career. Although I have my family I practically have no other real friends. Sad I know but I send considerable time on forums outside of family life to substitute.
Besides medication I find being surrounded by many friendly and positive people helps. Being in a nice, sunny place seems to life my mood too.
I have a bit of question.
How did you guys with full time jobs and the like manage to fit getting treatment in around actually having commitments/a life?
I ask as in the past visiting the GP for a refill of meds and a quick check up seems simple with Saturday and late night appointments available, but how do you fit in a Therapist, CBT and psychiatrist appointments when you work a full time job?
How did you guys with full time jobs and the like manage to fit getting treatment in around actually having commitments/a life?
I ask as in the past visiting the GP for a refill of meds and a quick check up seems simple with Saturday and late night appointments available, but how do you fit in a Therapist, CBT and psychiatrist appointments when you work a full time job?
I told my boss about it, he gives me the time off to go and see the counsellor. I do arrange it for late afternoons so it means leaving 2 hours early 1 day a week but since Im often there 3 or 4 hours later the rest of the week he doesnt bat an eyelid.
I was a bit wary about telling him but already knew his wife had Post Natal Depression so wasnt that nervous. He has been great about it. Even got the company to pay for it on the medical plan! Couple of people Im close to at work also know because I told them but these are people Ive worked with for so long its like they are family
I am starting to feel like I am getting on top of mine now. I think Im going to end up working at it everyday though and it might never go away entirely. However it took me a long time to get myself into this state so it wont sort itself over night. The counseling is starting to get challenging now but I have to say in a perverse sort of way I enjoy it. Maybe thats not the right word but I cant think how to describe it.
I was a bit wary about telling him but already knew his wife had Post Natal Depression so wasnt that nervous. He has been great about it. Even got the company to pay for it on the medical plan! Couple of people Im close to at work also know because I told them but these are people Ive worked with for so long its like they are family
I am starting to feel like I am getting on top of mine now. I think Im going to end up working at it everyday though and it might never go away entirely. However it took me a long time to get myself into this state so it wont sort itself over night. The counseling is starting to get challenging now but I have to say in a perverse sort of way I enjoy it. Maybe thats not the right word but I cant think how to describe it.
279 said:
I have a bit of question.
How did you guys with full time jobs and the like manage to fit getting treatment in around actually having commitments/a life?
I ask as in the past visiting the GP for a refill of meds and a quick check up seems simple with Saturday and late night appointments available, but how do you fit in a Therapist, CBT and psychiatrist appointments when you work a full time job?
I had weekly "hospital appointments" - nobody at work wanted to know any more information, I think they either know I'm a mentalist or just didn't care How did you guys with full time jobs and the like manage to fit getting treatment in around actually having commitments/a life?
I ask as in the past visiting the GP for a refill of meds and a quick check up seems simple with Saturday and late night appointments available, but how do you fit in a Therapist, CBT and psychiatrist appointments when you work a full time job?
I'm just a number in a large corporate though, I haven't met anyone I work "with" for about 5 years so it's fairly easy to get time off to do what you need to do as long as the work doesn't fall behind.mcxuk1 said:
Has anybody got any experience of Mirtazapine?
A bit late for this, but seeing as no one has answered...I hated it. I was put on it as a supplement to citalopram, which wasn't being particularly useful. It exacerbated the mood swings I was suffering on citalopram and turned me into a volatile monster, which wasn't much fun for the OH or our kids.
I gather that at the dosage I was on (15mg?) it was acting primarily as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which later proved to be a bit of a problem for me (I can't handle SSRIs). At higher doses I believe it starts to act as a noradrenaline inhibitor and would probably have felt different had I managed to stay on it (the drug that finallŷ worked for me worked this way).
At low doses you will sleep a lot, probably with rather lurid hi-def dreaming (weird) but will feel forever tired. Your weight will also rocket up, partly as a direct side effect of the drug and indirectly by the way it makes you crave sugar and turns you into an eating machine. I jumped 20Kg in 6 or 7 weeks and had to buy new trousers. If you are familiar with them, I used to eat two packs of those large Belgian chocolate biscuits that you can buy from waitrose (1250 KCals per pack), on top of my normal food intake, and still felt ravenous. I cant remember how I managed to get that under control.
As ever with psychiatric drugs, YMMV. For some people it is the magic bullet and allows them to function relatively normally.
I had to go to the doctors today...the crying, not sleeping, and wanting to hide away from the world feelings have all returned over the last 2 wks, with the 8 wks beforehand not being too pleasant either. I know exactly when it started, but I thought I was handling it okay, but clearly not.
Been put on 20mg Fluoxetine yet again, but have been told it will probably be upped to 40mg before the end of Jan.
This medication has had amazing effects before...here's hoping it works this time too. If it stops the crying alone, that will do me for now.
My life is not settled just now, and with one major issue namely my ex which I don't see completely disappearing (although I am doing everything possible to cut ties) unless he gets time for taking my car without permission, and writing it off whilst trying to kill himself.
Been put on 20mg Fluoxetine yet again, but have been told it will probably be upped to 40mg before the end of Jan.
This medication has had amazing effects before...here's hoping it works this time too. If it stops the crying alone, that will do me for now.
My life is not settled just now, and with one major issue namely my ex which I don't see completely disappearing (although I am doing everything possible to cut ties) unless he gets time for taking my car without permission, and writing it off whilst trying to kill himself.
Ruskie said:
Another month and another 'fog'. I could tell it was coming on so tried to be subtle and pre warn my partner that I wasn't feeling very good and that I couldn't explain why. When I got in we argued over something petty and that was over a week ago with sniping going on since and her basically telling me to leave and she doesn't want to be any where near me. Had a chat tonight and got no where. No appetite, can't sleep. No enthusiasm. My other half just doesn't get it no matter what I say. Some things have been said on her part that seem pretty final. All in all in a pretty s
t situation. Rock and hard place spring to mind.
It sounds like she doesn't want to understand actually. And this may be part of the problem, rather than a result of it.t situation. Rock and hard place spring to mind.The only time I ever get these sort of 'fogs' is when I have had an argument with my wife. Sounds petty, but it puts me in a sort of 'dead' area where I just don't want anything, don't care about anything, just do not give a damn, no interest in my daughter or hobby or life.
My Nan passed away yesterday, I have had a cry about it. But not a good, long cry. Still feel pretty numb about the whole thing, despite not being on any meds for about 2 months.
Today is strange, I feel hyper, I'm rushing around, talking faster than usual and not making much sense! Can't say I've felt like this before and not sure I like it! Feels like people are noticing it and probably thinking I'm on something!
Had the "fog" return over the festive period too, probably because I had a few nights out and a few drinks! But on a positive note, since leaving my old job to work for myself, the good days definitely outweigh the bad ones!
Today is strange, I feel hyper, I'm rushing around, talking faster than usual and not making much sense! Can't say I've felt like this before and not sure I like it! Feels like people are noticing it and probably thinking I'm on something!
Had the "fog" return over the festive period too, probably because I had a few nights out and a few drinks! But on a positive note, since leaving my old job to work for myself, the good days definitely outweigh the bad ones!
I was shocked to see how long ago I started this thread.
Basically I am the lowest I have been for a long time. Got the 'Fog' in situ for a week now, never been that long before. No energy, no appetite, stopped exercising, no one in the house wants to be near me. I'm isolating myself by taking dog out for massive walks so I don't have to be sat in the house, bored. I can't sleep, I feel apathetic about work. Fallen out with the OH again. I am sick of tolerating people and lowering my standard to accommodate them. I literally am a time bomb waiting to go off.
Basically I am the lowest I have been for a long time. Got the 'Fog' in situ for a week now, never been that long before. No energy, no appetite, stopped exercising, no one in the house wants to be near me. I'm isolating myself by taking dog out for massive walks so I don't have to be sat in the house, bored. I can't sleep, I feel apathetic about work. Fallen out with the OH again. I am sick of tolerating people and lowering my standard to accommodate them. I literally am a time bomb waiting to go off.
Ruskie, I know how you're feeling. I've been through it and improved and gotten worse again, and some of what you describe is how I'm feeling at the moment. What are you doing about it? Have you been to your doc recently and are you taking any meds? I've upped my tablets myself as I'm going through a bit of a stressful time at the moment.
Ruskie said:
I was shocked to see how long ago I started this thread.
Basically I am the lowest I have been for a long time. Got the 'Fog' in situ for a week now, never been that long before. No energy, no appetite, stopped exercising, no one in the house wants to be near me. I'm isolating myself by taking dog out for massive walks so I don't have to be sat in the house, bored. I can't sleep, I feel apathetic about work. Fallen out with the OH again. I am sick of tolerating people and lowering my standard to accommodate them. I literally am a time bomb waiting to go off.
Is it "the job"?Basically I am the lowest I have been for a long time. Got the 'Fog' in situ for a week now, never been that long before. No energy, no appetite, stopped exercising, no one in the house wants to be near me. I'm isolating myself by taking dog out for massive walks so I don't have to be sat in the house, bored. I can't sleep, I feel apathetic about work. Fallen out with the OH again. I am sick of tolerating people and lowering my standard to accommodate them. I literally am a time bomb waiting to go off.
JumboBeef said:
Ruskie said:
I was shocked to see how long ago I started this thread.
Basically I am the lowest I have been for a long time. Got the 'Fog' in situ for a week now, never been that long before. No energy, no appetite, stopped exercising, no one in the house wants to be near me. I'm isolating myself by taking dog out for massive walks so I don't have to be sat in the house, bored. I can't sleep, I feel apathetic about work. Fallen out with the OH again. I am sick of tolerating people and lowering my standard to accommodate them. I literally am a time bomb waiting to go off.
Is it "the job"?Basically I am the lowest I have been for a long time. Got the 'Fog' in situ for a week now, never been that long before. No energy, no appetite, stopped exercising, no one in the house wants to be near me. I'm isolating myself by taking dog out for massive walks so I don't have to be sat in the house, bored. I can't sleep, I feel apathetic about work. Fallen out with the OH again. I am sick of tolerating people and lowering my standard to accommodate them. I literally am a time bomb waiting to go off.
t we deal with constantly, the 111 calls, the pissheads, the frequent flyers, which are part and parcel of the job but it is really grating on me. I am doing my BSc as well in my spare time and having never failed an essay in 3 year previous have found myself failing the latest one. It's a case of not putting the time and effort in and taking an apathetic look at it rather than an ability thing. I have got to do 2 essays in 2 weeks now feeling like I do.
Still reluctant to speak to GP about medication Ruskie?
I finally accepted after a long period of denial that maybe my mood swings between misery and manic highs was a form of depression, and realised I needed to do something about it for sake of my partner and kids.
I spoke to my GP and was diagnosed Mirtazapine a few years ago which has helped balance things out for me - I was bogged down with the similar fog you describe.
My attitude was I didn't want to go down the route of daily pill-popping since I have had a fairly hard time for almost 20 years with Crohn's Disease and was already fed up with taking tablets morning noon and night.
However my GP explained it to me like this:
Prednisolone steroids taken in the morning made me hyper and brought me 'up', strong painkillers throughout the day (Tramadol, Co-proxamol when available and Solpadol) literally a handful at a time having the side effect of binging me back down a little, then to counter insomnia due to such a high steroid dose I was taking sleeping tablets. GP compared it to my brain being strapped to a rollercoaster and suggested anti-depressants to basically level everything out.
Was reluctant at first, and the first few weeks were tough till my brain and body got used to the changes. Now years down the line I realise it has made a big difference to my well-being. Not saying it will be the same for everyone (I certainly did not want to speak to doctor about it) but glad I did.
Also found when Crohn's does become active that even though physically I feel like st I don't feel so mentally affected by it.
I finally accepted after a long period of denial that maybe my mood swings between misery and manic highs was a form of depression, and realised I needed to do something about it for sake of my partner and kids.
I spoke to my GP and was diagnosed Mirtazapine a few years ago which has helped balance things out for me - I was bogged down with the similar fog you describe.
My attitude was I didn't want to go down the route of daily pill-popping since I have had a fairly hard time for almost 20 years with Crohn's Disease and was already fed up with taking tablets morning noon and night.
However my GP explained it to me like this:
Prednisolone steroids taken in the morning made me hyper and brought me 'up', strong painkillers throughout the day (Tramadol, Co-proxamol when available and Solpadol) literally a handful at a time having the side effect of binging me back down a little, then to counter insomnia due to such a high steroid dose I was taking sleeping tablets. GP compared it to my brain being strapped to a rollercoaster and suggested anti-depressants to basically level everything out.
Was reluctant at first, and the first few weeks were tough till my brain and body got used to the changes. Now years down the line I realise it has made a big difference to my well-being. Not saying it will be the same for everyone (I certainly did not want to speak to doctor about it) but glad I did.
Also found when Crohn's does become active that even though physically I feel like s
t I don't feel so mentally affected by it.Been a journey richtea thats for sure.
Off prednisolone now as it brought on osteoporosis and also binned Pentasa as a waste of time.
Just taking azathioprine now as trial of mercaptopurine (essentially a tablet form of chemotherapy type drug) was too brutal for my body.
Won't let Crohn's control me - I will control it.
My attitude is I have Crohn's but will never let it have me.
Off prednisolone now as it brought on osteoporosis and also binned Pentasa as a waste of time.
Just taking azathioprine now as trial of mercaptopurine (essentially a tablet form of chemotherapy type drug) was too brutal for my body.
Won't let Crohn's control me - I will control it.
My attitude is I have Crohn's but will never let it have me.
I'm not deliberately being awkward or stubborn nor am attention seeking but at least by dicussing it hear people have some insight.
. I hear what your saying about the pills but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Call it stubborn male attitude or something.
Distraction is the key at the moment. Still can't sleep though. Went to bed at 2am was awake by 6.30am.
It's interesting the patterns that follow me around. My head goes around things over and over darting to different things for no more than 5-10 seconds. Also my music reflects where I am at.
. I hear what your saying about the pills but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Call it stubborn male attitude or something.
Distraction is the key at the moment. Still can't sleep though. Went to bed at 2am was awake by 6.30am.
It's interesting the patterns that follow me around. My head goes around things over and over darting to different things for no more than 5-10 seconds. Also my music reflects where I am at.
Ruskie..
I am not surprised that someone that has such an understanding and responsible job as you have, is in this position.
Considering your recent posts, I can see exactly where you are coming from.
I have suffered from depression, on and off, for at least 20 years.
Situations change as does the mindset..
However, .... admitting that you need help is a step that needs climbing.
It is not shameful..
It is not a defeat..
I promise you that once you talk to your doctor and accept their help and agree to take the 'happy pills', that you will feel your shoulders drop immediately.
You will have a good nights sleep...
I am not surprised that someone that has such an understanding and responsible job as you have, is in this position.
Considering your recent posts, I can see exactly where you are coming from.
I have suffered from depression, on and off, for at least 20 years.
Situations change as does the mindset..
However, .... admitting that you need help is a step that needs climbing.
It is not shameful..
It is not a defeat..
I promise you that once you talk to your doctor and accept their help and agree to take the 'happy pills', that you will feel your shoulders drop immediately.
You will have a good nights sleep...
Edited by digger the goat on Monday 29th July 00:17
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