My mojo has gone.
Discussion
Dose no.14 of Venlafaxine has just gone down my neck and according to my research, the beginnings of a positive effect might start soon. The side effects haven't been too punishing. I've been a bit sleepy on and off and had a sweat or two. Since last Friday's huge panic attack, I've been 'air hungry' in the mornings. This can be a side effect but my money's on its being somatic...I'd taken four doses before the panic so it pans out.
I'm the first to admit my diet is poor...since becoming separated I've lived on the expected bachelor rubbish.
Also, I couldn't go swimming with my back problem, though hydrotherapy is a possibility.
A couple of updates. I took Venlafaxine no. 14 last night. I was disappointed to not feel a lifting of mood but week 2 is apparently a benchmark. I also received verification of a referral for CBT...sometime in the next 6 weeks or sooner.
The only way is up? Maybe.
Also, I couldn't go swimming with my back problem, though hydrotherapy is a possibility.
A couple of updates. I took Venlafaxine no. 14 last night. I was disappointed to not feel a lifting of mood but week 2 is apparently a benchmark. I also received verification of a referral for CBT...sometime in the next 6 weeks or sooner.
The only way is up? Maybe.
Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:
Have you managed to meet with anyone from Mind following the cancelled appt? The best friend is a Samaritan volunteer, and he speaks highly of them as a resource for anyone with mental health issues.
I also thought, just over 8 years ago I lost one of my oldest (25 years) and closest friends to a car accident. Boy, did it hit me hard, and this was the first thing that lead to my breakdown (the others being job losses and in turn financial worries, a violent ex, and skin cancer)
My dad, who has had health problems stemming from his treatment by the bank that he worked for, told me in the days after Stu was killed to make sure I walked plenty. A minimum of two miles a day he said, and I did just that. Every evening for an hour or two I walked the perimeter of the town I then lived in (10K residents, a few square miles) collecting my thoughts, compartmentalising worries, taking in fresh air, sounds of nature, and of course the well-being of exercise. I'd really suggest you try it. I don't know where you live, but if possible find somewhere to undertake this. I promise you, it helped me in my time of grief.
Thank you. I'm sorry to hear of your loss and am glad walking helped you.I also thought, just over 8 years ago I lost one of my oldest (25 years) and closest friends to a car accident. Boy, did it hit me hard, and this was the first thing that lead to my breakdown (the others being job losses and in turn financial worries, a violent ex, and skin cancer)
My dad, who has had health problems stemming from his treatment by the bank that he worked for, told me in the days after Stu was killed to make sure I walked plenty. A minimum of two miles a day he said, and I did just that. Every evening for an hour or two I walked the perimeter of the town I then lived in (10K residents, a few square miles) collecting my thoughts, compartmentalising worries, taking in fresh air, sounds of nature, and of course the well-being of exercise. I'd really suggest you try it. I don't know where you live, but if possible find somewhere to undertake this. I promise you, it helped me in my time of grief.
I live in the Lake District but sadly, my mobility is badly limited by a slipped disc that's no longer operable.
I've had three sessions with Mind counsellor - airing and discussing the problems certainly helps.
I'm obliged for the time being to follow the medical route with the Venlafaxine. I hope the psych input of a CBT therapist will help.
What a night. My divorce hearing was unexpectedly brought forward so I had to be there at 8.45 today for a pre-hearing discussion and was panicking. So I did my usual early rising trick. Rather than getting into bed I just nod off sitting up. Lots of TV and double the permitted amount of Valium did the trick.
Six hours after entering the court I was divorced...the consent order and decree absolute are both done. The outcome was more financially hurtful than expected but I'll be keeping my house. Such a relief after facing losing it for the last 27 months.
I took my 20th Venlafaxine last night...still awaiting an improvement. I see my GP in six days, perhaps about upping the dose to 75mg/day.
Still, one bridge crossed at last.
Six hours after entering the court I was divorced...the consent order and decree absolute are both done. The outcome was more financially hurtful than expected but I'll be keeping my house. Such a relief after facing losing it for the last 27 months.
I took my 20th Venlafaxine last night...still awaiting an improvement. I see my GP in six days, perhaps about upping the dose to 75mg/day.
Still, one bridge crossed at last.
Edited by lurky on Thursday 8th September 17:29
Well, I've been on Venlafaxine 37.5mg for a month and last night took my 4th dose of 75mg...a review is due in about a month. It's lightening my mood somewhat but it isn't yet doing much for the anxiety.
There's an upside though. The majority of the ex's furniture went this morning. This means I can get on with prepping the ground floor of the house as self catering holiday accommodation. She takes over the formerly joint holiday flat on the 1st Oct.
At least I'll be occupied finding furniture etc and buying lots of bedding.
There's an upside though. The majority of the ex's furniture went this morning. This means I can get on with prepping the ground floor of the house as self catering holiday accommodation. She takes over the formerly joint holiday flat on the 1st Oct.
At least I'll be occupied finding furniture etc and buying lots of bedding.
don4l said:
I have a slipped disc. I've had it for 42 years. Over the years it gradually got worse and worse. About 5 years ago, someone at a party said "Oh, I usded to have a slipped disc". "Used to"?
Turns out that she used a TENS machine, and it worked. They only cost about £35 so I thought "why not". I used it every evening for an hour. After a month there was no noticeable difference. Then, over a two week period, it got much better.
I still need to use it every now and again, but it has transformed my life.
CBT is very good.
I had it for an extreme fear of heights that had spread its wings into other aspects of my life. On my first session, the therapist asked if I would watch a YouTube. I said "of course". Before starting it, she asked if I was nervous. I replied "Not at all".
30 seconds later, she said to me, "You have to keep your eyes open for this to work".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-nTcslBXpA
Mmm, a bit of the exposure therapy known as 'flooding' on the acrophobia thing there...quite clever, using a You Tube video. Turns out that she used a TENS machine, and it worked. They only cost about £35 so I thought "why not". I used it every evening for an hour. After a month there was no noticeable difference. Then, over a two week period, it got much better.
I still need to use it every now and again, but it has transformed my life.
CBT is very good.
I had it for an extreme fear of heights that had spread its wings into other aspects of my life. On my first session, the therapist asked if I would watch a YouTube. I said "of course". Before starting it, she asked if I was nervous. I replied "Not at all".
30 seconds later, she said to me, "You have to keep your eyes open for this to work".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-nTcslBXpA
My slipped disc was approached with a microdiscectomy first, then another with a laminotomy. The outcome was diagnosed as 'failed back surgery syndrome.' Two further surgeries left me with an implanted neurostimulator - a permanent TENS machine that has an electrode in my spinal canal. It can't cure me but it reduces the pain. It's still painful (I call it ' the 3-foot toothache' but I no longer need heavy duty painkillers every day. I was left with bad mobility and must use a walking stick.
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