Discussion
Dave - I agree on the pentasa but I take it out of habit. Ive found since they switched me from the large tablets to the micro granules though it has been more effective. Im currently having some problems because for some reason the Azathioprine has started to be metabolised badly into TMPT (I think) and causing problems with my bone marrow.
Russkie - I do understand what you mean about the pills but you have had this thread running since December 2011 and it seems like trying to sort it out yourself hasn't really worked yet. Surely its got to be worth trying the pills or getting some help and at least after a while you can then know for sure they wont work. Lots of people seem to have found help with pills or other methods. I dont know many people who have been able to work it out for themselves longer term?
Russkie - I do understand what you mean about the pills but you have had this thread running since December 2011 and it seems like trying to sort it out yourself hasn't really worked yet. Surely its got to be worth trying the pills or getting some help and at least after a while you can then know for sure they wont work. Lots of people seem to have found help with pills or other methods. I dont know many people who have been able to work it out for themselves longer term?
I know we all know this but I do find the phrase 'happy pills' to be misleading. What they did/do for me is to take the edge off and allow me to function. They aren't a magic bullet, Ruskie, at least in my experience. Seriously consider them as a possibility. Depression can be caused by a lack of serotonin in the brain. It stands to reason that if the lack of a chemical can cause the problem, taking something to help with the availability of said chemical in the brain can help.
When you are at the docs, ask about cognitive behavioural therapy or "talking" therapy. It isn't a quick cure, and (despite what the NHS believe) it isn't a one-size-fits-all, although it is pretty flexible. It isn't in-depth analysis like you see in Hollywood films, and you have to do a lot of the thinking work yourself, but they are there to help you sort things though, and generally cope with things. It has the potential to at least partially sort the problem out (more importantly, help you cope with it) rather than just mask it, which some anti-depressants can tend to do.
Being a bit hyperactive and very restless sounds like a classic symptom of anxiety. The line between depression and anxiety is very blurred, but it is the sort of thing CBT can help with. If you do get offered therapy sessions, try and stick with it too. Early on it just feels like ticking boxes (especially if its just the short course of sessions) but I found it helped to discover some causes which were totally obvious in hindsight, but I just couldn't see.
Being a bit hyperactive and very restless sounds like a classic symptom of anxiety. The line between depression and anxiety is very blurred, but it is the sort of thing CBT can help with. If you do get offered therapy sessions, try and stick with it too. Early on it just feels like ticking boxes (especially if its just the short course of sessions) but I found it helped to discover some causes which were totally obvious in hindsight, but I just couldn't see.
Ruskie- I can see where you are coming from with the pills, as I kind of have the same attitude. I went to the GP and accepted Citalopram, but I didn't take them long enough for them to take effect properly. The side effects put me off and I refuse to take them now.
I still think you should at least speak to the GP, mine was very good and it wasn't until the second appointment that he started to suggest medication, in fact the first time he suggested I don't take them and try other methods first.
It really did help speaking to him though.
I got out of the situation that I thought was causing my depression (work), but I still get the fog and I'm starting to realise that there are other issues causing it.
One thing I have done is become quite open about it with close friends and family, as it makes my relationships with them easier. I tend to be quite short with people or ignore them completely during bad spells and have upset quite a few people this way.
Talking about it is hard though, there are only a couple of people I will talk openly to about it (not including total strangers on the internet!).
I still think you should at least speak to the GP, mine was very good and it wasn't until the second appointment that he started to suggest medication, in fact the first time he suggested I don't take them and try other methods first.
It really did help speaking to him though.
I got out of the situation that I thought was causing my depression (work), but I still get the fog and I'm starting to realise that there are other issues causing it.
One thing I have done is become quite open about it with close friends and family, as it makes my relationships with them easier. I tend to be quite short with people or ignore them completely during bad spells and have upset quite a few people this way.
Talking about it is hard though, there are only a couple of people I will talk openly to about it (not including total strangers on the internet!).
Rickyy said:
Talking about it is hard though, there are only a couple of people I will talk openly to about it (not including total strangers on the internet!).
Talking about it with strangers is easier for me than people I know. I've told a few of my closest friends, who have all been very supportive other than one who cant understand why I suffer from it. He wasn't nasty or anything but in his words "cant see what you've got to be depressed about" Still not told my parents everything though, they would just worry too much
Edited by richtea78 on Thursday 1st August 23:42
richtea78 said:
He wasn't nasty or anything but in his words "cant see what you've got to be depressed about"
That's spectacularly unhelpful, although well-meant I'm sure.I have a friend who has in theory the perfect life. Slim, tall, attractive, lovely house, multi-millionnaire husband, two lovely children. People say "What on Earth have you got to be depressed about."
However it doesn't work like that.
It really doesn't matter how ostensibly great your life is, if you're depressed, you're depressed.
Not something I'd wish on my worst enemy.
My regular oppo has had a similar experience of late Ruskie, we are in the same trade. My mate was having a real hard time. I did start noticing a difference since spring. After he had a time out, of about one month, I did notice a change for the better. He did confide that meds were prescribed(Citalopram). I now it's horses for courses and we still chelp about the usual flak that comes during a shift, but I was quite surprised at the improvement in outlook. Work/homelife has certainly improved.
Chin up dude. Hope things get sorted.
Chin up dude. Hope things get sorted.
Edited by BadRotorFinger on Friday 2nd August 11:35
Mobile Chicane said:
It really doesn't matter how ostensibly great your life is, if you're depressed, you're depressed.
I believe there are two types of depression.1. Some form of chemical or somesuch imbalance in the body which leads to having no desire to enjoy things and therefore be depressed.
2. Depression caused by circumstances
10mg of Citalopram can be a life saver. Just don’t fall into a pattern of getting increases… that’s the prob I find with AD’s – people tend to get ‘used’ to the lower dosages so need to up it… like any other drug I guess?
Anyway, I was at a festival last weekend and partied pretty hard but now I am still feeling it – a few days later. I’m shattered – physically and mentally.
Perspective is important. I feel okay other than that because I know it will pass, but going through it isn’t nice especially when you really feel like doing nothing but crawling up into a ball and being left alone.
Anyway, I was at a festival last weekend and partied pretty hard but now I am still feeling it – a few days later. I’m shattered – physically and mentally.
Perspective is important. I feel okay other than that because I know it will pass, but going through it isn’t nice especially when you really feel like doing nothing but crawling up into a ball and being left alone.
With hindsight I've Suffered all my adult life. Came to a head following the death of my my mum in feb 12.
Admitted it a few months ago and started on citalopram. It helped a bit but now I'm back where I was.
The fog is back. I'm exhausted. Irritable. Can't concentrate and it's affecting my performance at work to the point that its immanently going to land me in the brown sticky stuff.
Also the last few days I've had a lump in my throat like I'm about to burst into tears for no reason
Really not feeling great at the minute.
Admitted it a few months ago and started on citalopram. It helped a bit but now I'm back where I was.
The fog is back. I'm exhausted. Irritable. Can't concentrate and it's affecting my performance at work to the point that its immanently going to land me in the brown sticky stuff.
Also the last few days I've had a lump in my throat like I'm about to burst into tears for no reason
Really not feeling great at the minute.
darren9 said:
With hindsight I've Suffered all my adult life. Came to a head following the death of my my mum in feb 12.
Admitted it a few months ago and started on citalopram. It helped a bit but now I'm back where I was.
The fog is back. I'm exhausted. Irritable. Can't concentrate and it's affecting my performance at work to the point that its immanently going to land me in the brown sticky stuff.
Also the last few days I've had a lump in my throat like I'm about to burst into tears for no reason
Really not feeling great at the minute.
Hang in there mate. Things will and DO get better whatever you may be thinking right now.Admitted it a few months ago and started on citalopram. It helped a bit but now I'm back where I was.
The fog is back. I'm exhausted. Irritable. Can't concentrate and it's affecting my performance at work to the point that its immanently going to land me in the brown sticky stuff.
Also the last few days I've had a lump in my throat like I'm about to burst into tears for no reason
Really not feeling great at the minute.
Totally understand and feel where you are coming from.
Just remember, to have the high's in life, you need the low's.
Try and look at the bigger picture also... there has to be something to look forward to and be happy about right now, even if you don't feel like it.
darren9 said:
Got lots to be happy about. Decent wage. Out this weekend for a night within mates (very rare) nice house. Lovely wife. Amazing little boy. Just feel detached from it all though. Like I'm not really there.
Depersonalisation/Derealisation. I've been there. I still get it. Very strange feelings if it's the first time you've encountered it too.The worry is that you feel more 'yourself' after a drink or something else not quite legal, but that can be a bad thing to get into on a regular basis.
It feels like there's a pane of glass between you and the real world, or like you're in a bubble, or your life is someone elses and you are just the spectator through their eyes...
It does go, it does come back.
Things like hangovers can make things worse though, so be careful about drinking too much.
The best advice I can give is to just 'keep going' even though you really don't want to and you don't feel anything, just keep doing the things you would otherwise be doing. It will make you stronger in the long run I believe, and when you're out of this hole, you'll feel even better for it.
The worst is when your dreams feel more realistic than your actual life!!!
darren9 said:
Thanks for the reply. At least I'm not alone. A lot of comfort to be taken from others.
Yep, definitely not alone! I think this is way more common than people realise.If you and your missus have a good relationship and she’s understanding, it’s definitely worth bringing it up with her, just to tell her how you feel, you know it will pass but if you act odd or not yourself, this is the reason why but you’re trying.
She will appreciate it and it will do wonders for the long run.
ETA: when I feel really low and detached, I find that reading or watching things like astronomy interesting – anything scientific where human beings have an understanding of how nature works. It makes me feel insignificant and helps to lift my mood. I guess it’s not for everyone but as I say, it helps me.
Enjoy your weekend and don’t get TOO hammered – you’ll feel like s
t for days. 
Edited by mu0n on Friday 2nd August 10:13
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