Early return of symptoms!
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Posted by Hadrian, 22:39 25 July 2010Hi everyone, after having my best winter for years with a smooth mania free transition into spring it appears that my old friends paranoia, anxiety,lethargy and anger are back!!!!. It's been a bit dark and gloomy up here in NE England, coupled with me working a load of nightshifts so hey presto; SAD returns! Time to dust down the old light box. Isn't it weird that you can go almost the whole summer without even thinking about the light-box? I'd even forgot where I'd put it!!
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Posted by Maggie, 20:08 26 July 2010I tried a visor as my first option for treating SAD a while back, with no appreciable effect. However, a couple of years later, when I asked about light therapy again, Lumie suggested that that particular visor was not suitable for what I needed, so I got an orthodox one, the upright one that fits well by a PC.I now have 3, in various parts of the house. Your mentioning a visor has reminded me about them and I might well get one as an add-on to my others for this winter. They would be ideal for reading in bed, of which I do a lot in the winter. I can never seem to get the angle right with the others. I would use it in conjunction with my PC one, my one in the kitchen and my spare. You could always try eBay or Lumie reconditioned, or their 30 day trial.
Hope this is of some help, Maggie | |
Posted by PurpleIvy, 17:58 14 August 2010I had a really good winter as well, following summer hiccup with all that dull weather last year. I only had a couple of days off work.
I think I need to plan where I'm going to put my light boxes. My work room at home, where I spend quite a bit of time has an east facing window that has next door's house not that far from it, so natural light is poor. Need to decide on a routine before I'm incapable of it! I shall medicate as previous years from the autumn equinox. There didn't seem to be much support here last winter...or did I just miss it. Sorry if you were out there! | |
Posted by Hadrian, 10:57 17 August 2010Cheers Maggie! I agree with Mrs Ivy, the forum doesn't seem to be what it was, but maybe we will have some new members as the Autumn kicks in?
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Posted by Jackie, 09:44 19 August 2010Hi - I thought it was just me having problems already - this is my first year of realising that all my symptoms led to SAD and so I havent a light yet - can anyone suggest a reasonably priced effective one for me as I really dont think its going to be good for me this year, as although I didnt connect it with SAD till recently, I spent so much money on holidays abroad over the last few years to make me feel better that I am now in a pretty bad financial way and wont be able to afford to go away- so that is another SAD sympton!!
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Posted by daisythefirst, 15:18 19 August 2010Hi Jackie, I personally use the Brightspark that's highlighted at the top of this page. Between last year and this year we have had 3 holidays abroad and to be honest I feel so bad when we come back that I don't know if the holiday is worth it - even though I really enjoy them when I'm away. I find I'm much more stable if I stick to my lightbox and anti-depressants - that's what works for me. I'd encourage you to try a lightbox, I wouldn't be without mine now - and it does pay for itself over and over again.
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Posted by PurpleIvy, 15:23 29 August 2010Well, the middle of last week was dark in North Wales and I had a 'down day' or two. Feeling better now the sun is out.
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Posted by marky999, 10:39 3 September 2010And I too thought I was the only one who's symptoms had returned too soon :o/
The last few days I have had the most awful anxiety ! not so much depression, but I do feel very low with it :o( The anxiety got so bad that I had to go see my GP and he had to give me an anti anxiety med :o( first time ever I have had to have one ! I too work shifts and am finding it very hard at the moment on if I can go back to work on Saturday or if I'm going to have to ring in sick :o(, I hate going sick as I know it adds to the anxiety of the whole disorder, but I really can't see myself functioning properly when I feel like this. I have upped my anti depressants at the request of my GP and now have to wait and see how that goes. I have had enough of this disorder, I really have, nearly every damn year it creeps back, I just wish it would go away :o( | |
Posted by dahash, 14:30 7 September 2010The summer here in central Europe wasn't really that sunny and September is just... well... depressing, cold and wet.
So my symptoms started really early this year, and are quite bad so I went ahead and pulled my Lumie light out, and I've started taking St. John's Wort today too. I'll see how it goes. And the possibility of having a mid-winter holiday, somewhat helps too. Look at these beaches; aaaa :) http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/travel-tips-and-articles/1139 | |
Posted by Donna, 18:42 8 September 2010I have been on my anti-depressants for 2 weeks now due to feeling anxious already. Am so glad I'm going to the south of france this Saturday but am worried about my return :-(
Here we go again......wishing you all the best of luck once again. | |
Posted by PurpleIvy, 19:48 8 September 2010Do you use a lamp Donna? Might be a good idea to have a good dose of it each day when you get home.
I went to Nice a few winters ago. The weather was unseasonably good there and I felt so much better almost immediately. Theoretically there was only about 1 -1 1/2 hours more light there, but the weather was better,which meant we could spend time outside and the light clearer and better quality. | |
Posted by Donna, 19:53 8 September 2010I stopped using mine 3 winters ago when starting on Citalopram as found the light therapy didn't work anymore after using a lamp for nearly 20 years!
Yes that's where I'm going on Saturday Ivy...to Nice...can't wait! | |
Posted by jacqui, 20:33 8 September 2010Hi all,
Having had a relatively easy winter last year I was really hoping that this year would be siilar. But the symptoms have kicked in with a vengeance this week. Tonight I deided against going out as I couldn't cope around people, but am now at home feeling ridiculously lonely and trying not to cry. Yep, check. Back to my standard of 'people problems'. :( | |
Posted by Bagpuss, 08:06 10 September 2010Hi all, Nice to see everyone back on the forum, although not nice that everyone's symptoms are returning, obviously. I can definitely feel mine hovering, I got my light box out for the first time yesterday. The darker mornings make my heart sink. Jacqui, sorry you're feeling so down, I can totally emphathise with the SAD people problems, mine usually starts around Christmas, then I don't want to socialise at all.
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Posted by Sue, 13:20 11 September 2010Hi All,
This is my first time in the forums - I'd never thought about looking for further info here! My symptoms returned with a vengance about a month ago, which is about two months early for me. Life was becoming very difficult but it didn't occur to me that it might be my SAD because it was so early. Been using the light for a week now and feel normal again, thankfully. Until I read here about you all suffering early this year I had assumed that mine was caused by my moving offices back in June - I'm much further away from the window now. They've agreed in work that I can use my light there which is great. | |
Posted by Koko, 13:14 12 September 2010Jacqui,
I can totally relate. It's the worst feeling in the world to be lonely but unable to reach out. I call this people-fricka-phobia to try to make light of it, but it's no laughing matter.It's real and it's awful :( I've started feeling it too this week. Normally I can push myself to get out there, now I get so anxious and weepy I just can't. What's worse is that I also want to retreat from my family too, whom I love to pieces. I feel like a zombie at home and I'm normally loving, chatty and fun :( I took L-Tryptophan last winter at the suggestion of someone on this forum and it helped a lot. I may have to try it again now. I want to do something while I still can. Once I start the downslide, I won't come back up 'til Spring. Hang in there, you're not alone! Koko | |
Posted by dahash, 09:32 14 September 2010I have that people-phobia too. I feel much better when I can share and talk to someone, but making myself reach out takes enormous amount of energy and motivation. And it doesn't always work either. Bummer :(
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Posted by bliss, 10:03 30 September 2010mine seemed to kick back in on one evening last night!? Started to feel the depressive feelings and detachment from my partner etc etc...
Im now at work giving myself a half hour blast with the light to see if i can take the edge off the dullness im feeling in time for an office party tonight. Im djing and i dont feel like even going at the moment... I had totally forgotten how terrible SAD makes me feel but im fighting back! Good luck guys, anyone else? :) | |
Posted by PurpleIvy, 16:56 30 September 2010I've got to the stage where I have stuff arranged and really don't want to go. Meal out with the girls last night and I had to make a really big effort. FOrtunately someone was giving me a lift so I didn't have to worry about that. Unfortunately I forgot I wasn't supposed to drink on the medication (I don't drink very often, so it's not usually an issue.) and the 2 small glasses of wine made me feel like a pile of poo this morning. I had steak, which is one of my 'red wine' times!
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Posted by Linda, 17:48 2 October 2010Hi there,
I'm very glad to have just found this forum as this is my fifth winter with SAD. Like too many of you good folks, it seems to have begun considerably earlier this year, but I thought it was just me overreacting to other factors. Seemingly not! What I'd really like to know is whether a bodyclock / dawn simulator would be helpful IN ADDITION to my light box. I'm really having trouble waking up properly in the mornings, and when you have a late start, it does eat into the day. Living in the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides) doesn't help either - once we are past the autumn equinox it gets seriously dark! My light box is mostly just enough to keep me going (ie working) but I'm really feeling that I need some extra help this time - although preferably without resorting to anti-depressants (usually Citalopram). | |
Posted by Ray of sunshine, 22:23 3 October 2010Hello everyone, hi Linda
I use a bodyclock/dawn simulator - wouldn't be without it. I have used for around 3 years now and even my husband (who doesn't have SAD) agrees that it helps him with early work starts. The brightspark is also great - have used for 3 years. Have also bought Lumie Zip as it's portable and rechargeable and only needs 30 mins. I used this for first time properly today as I started flagging last week and felt really down. The children want me to keep using my Zip as I definately had more energy today. Chins up everybody and do whatever helps as quickly as possible! | |
Posted by DeNNis, 17:26 20 November 2010I have felt terrible over the last month and have had a great summer and managed my first half marathon! However all my energy has disappeared and luckily I have managed to drag myself to work everyday but thats about it! I have a brightspark to be honest I am feeling to lazy to even bother using it. I have managed to start today and really do help it makes me feel better. Feel SAD :-)
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