Fluoxetine or not?

Hey Psychie

I've having the worst winter for years too so you're not alone. I've been on fluoxetine for the last 4 weeks and the side effects aren't nice, which I knew already as I was on them last year, but I decided that it was the only thing I could do that would help me survive the winter. Only you can decide whether meds are the right way for you, though. Do you normally get worse as the winter goes on or are you like some SAD sufferers that have the worst times in autumn and spring and could therefore hope that it will actually get better if you sit it out and use your lightbox?

Take care of yourself whatever you decide. Sending you hugs cos I know how bad it gets.

Sandy x

ps don't get annoyed with yourself that you're worse this year. I think a lot of us have been because of the rubbish summer.

HI psychie,im sorry you feel so bad,have you spoken to your doctor about medication. If you dont want to take Fluoxetine, there are other options such as citalopram.How many mins a day do you use your light? Perhaps you could use it for a little longer each day.Dont forget,as sandy said, a lot of us feel worse this year. Whatever you decide to do please keep posting and tell us how you are coping.


paul

You know, last year I wasnt overly bad till Christmas. This year its October again.

Remember that SAD is with you all year round.

You have a sensitive solar panelled (not faulty) rechargable battery in that brain. If youve not had much light in a particular year, you will slow sooner.

Its nothing to kick yourself about. This is the way we are.

Its my way of understanding SAD and the way I come to terms with the bad times and the better times - I hope it helps you.

As long as youve got support,
you'll know what to do when the time is right - but never be frightened to ask!

I mean to send this info with lots of love, hope it doesnt sound to starchy - it just comes from my heart.
Me x

Taking medication is one way of actively helping yourself cope. It's not for everyone.

I feel quite differently towards it these days. I always used to feel as if I was giving in and weak, but this year, starting before I needed to has made me feel strong and as if I have taken control. It will be interesting to see how long this state lasts, but I do feel quite well at the moment. I know that it's really important to keep up with all the good things that I do to help myself... good routines etc, so that I don't go downhill.

Thanks to all.

I have just got back from the docs and am on fluoxetine. Saw a different GP who was so great and even asked me whether I get a bit manic in April and September - which I do - which I thought showed some insight. She has also referred me on to a Psychiatrist to see whether they have any other suggestions for meds or treatment.

I went to see the deputy head at school (I am a teacher) and told her that I may be a mess for the next few weeks due to side effects etc. She was quite supportive and agreed to move my break duty location away from the dining room which would induce anxiety in anyone! and protect me from covering classes for absent colleagues until Christmas.

I think I feel better about doing it - I am exhausted though and very tear stained. I began teaching psychological abnormality today to my sixth formers! I felt like a walking case study! Obviously they are unaware and I want it to stay that way but think this topic will be difficult again this year.

Thanks so much for everyones support it really helped.

xx

Hey Psychie, I work in a 6th form college and in the winter I find even moderate noise levels difficult to cope with.

True Jeanne. I really would rather not have to take medication. I thought my GP was daft when he suggested taking early, but he has been a great GP in all other respects so I trusted his judgement.

I do feel so much better this year.

Quote:
"Some people think taking the tablets is the easy way out,"

Sad, but true. There is nothing easy about dealing w/ depression, absolutely nothing. Medication can just as literally save your life when dealing w/ severe depression as it can w/ heart disease. And even after meds, you still have to deal w/ all the symptoms that still leak through no matter what.

I have fibromyalgia and severe chemical sensitivity, a disabling combo already. But by far, dealing w/ a yearly dose of major depressive SAD is the hardest thing I ever go through. I compare it to getting thrown in the dungeon ever year for almost half of it. That's how it feels when I'm in the thick of it.


Jeanne

HI jeanne, goodness you certainly have a lot to deal with, I hope im not being too nosey,but how do you treat the combination of conditions you have? I think im quite ill sometimes, but guess my problems are not so bad after all.

Jeanne, I agree, I'm definitely going to start meds earlier next year like Purple Ivy. Started fluoxetine way too late this year. Really didn't expect to get bad SAD as I didn't have any thing to stress about (or so I thought - somehow my anxiety managed to find something random to cluster around) so didn't do anything to prepare and ended up with my worst year for ages. Been persevering for the last 6 weeks with light therapy and 20mg of fluoxetine which normally gets me through but I've just had to increase my dosage as I just don't seem to be getting out of this dark hole.

Hi Paulst,

There isn't really any treatment for what I have, though I'm sure certain people would be happy to tell me different (please don't). There is only damage control, lots of supplements, mild exercise and pain killers. I"ve tried many interventions, both medical and natural and some made me worse. I've learned to take it in stride when its not depression season.

Depression is brutal for anyone, no matter what else you have or don't.


Jeanne