Lets all be anxious/depressed together.

handbagmad

No energy feeling very unwell. Really don't feel guilty about couch hogging for a while. A few days to shut the world out.

Chiquitita

I cant even concentrate enough to watch tv. Eff it

Esel

Chiquitita wrote: »

First night in a couple of weeks that I havent been able to sleep. Head in a spin

A technique I find helpful:

Get comfortable!

Breathe using your diaphragm but (this bit is important) when your belly is going out (therefore when you are breathing in), think 'OUT'.

When breathing out (belly going in), think 'IN'.

So, the thought is the opposite of the breath direction. It is easier if you just remember that you think 'OUT' when your belly is going out, and 'IN' when your belly is going in.

If you lose the flow or get distracted by extraneous thoughts, just start again.

Sounds simple, but lots of effective techniques are...

There is another related technique which I can't remember - I think it is a three-stage process. If anyone knows what it is, please post it here!

Chiquitita wrote: »

I cant even concentrate enough to watch tv. Eff it

Just saw this. TV in bedroom = bad idea, in general.

Chiquitita

Thank you!

Going to do this until I fall asleep...hope you're having a good night!

handbagmad

Can't sleep, my dog though has no problem he is keeping me entertained
He's havin little doggie dreams growling and running in his sleep so cute
Love my little crazy furbaby
He really keeps me going sometimes
Unconditional love

kryptonmight

Feeling a tiny bit better but afraid to say so or embrace it in case things get worse.

Can I just shut my brain off for a few weeks?

Gremlinertia

Storm has made work very difficult today. Lightening has messed up some systems. Was feeling all sorts of stressed yesterday so now I have chest pains. I'll never know if I'm having a heart attack!.

Oh well hope most of ye don't have to leave the house today. :-)

Chiquitita

Hello all

Rothko

Today hasn't been too good. It's manageable though. I'm just finding it a bit more difficult to block out all the negative thoughts. I'll get through it though.

My daily dosage of Lexapro has gone up to 15mg from 10mg and I'm just wondering what other poster's experiences have been with this. I know we're not supposed to give medical advice on here but I'm not looking for any. The doctor said that the side effects shouldn't be any worse from such a small increase, which I'd expect, but I'm just looking to hear from someone who has had first hand experience with it.

Lightbulb Sun

Suas11 wrote: »

Today hasn't been too good. It's manageable though. I'm just finding it a bit more difficult to block out all the negative thoughts. I'll get through it though.

My daily dosage of Lexapro has gone up to 15mg from 10mg and I'm just wondering what other poster's experiences have been with this. I know we're not supposed to give medical advice on here but I'm not looking for any. The doctor said that the side effects shouldn't be any worse from such a small increase, which I'd expect, but I'm just looking to hear from someone who has had first hand experience with it.

Honestly, it's individual and varies from person to person. Could be completely different in the way that it effects you, the next person, person after that etc.

Hugo Stiglitz

Suas11 wrote: »

Today hasn't been too good. It's manageable though. I'm just finding it a bit more difficult to block out all the negative thoughts. I'll get through it though.

My daily dosage of Lexapro has gone up to 15mg from 10mg and I'm just wondering what other poster's experiences have been with this. I know we're not supposed to give medical advice on here but I'm not looking for any. The doctor said that the side effects shouldn't be any worse from such a small increase, which I'd expect, but I'm just looking to hear from someone who has had first hand experience with it.

I haven't been on that drug at all but I can't comment on it specifically. Other ones I've been on when getting the doses increased I've found that it can sometimes upset my stomach, dry mouth and emotionally can be a little bit edgier if that makes any sense.

Chiquitita

Im not on it either but dry mouth is one of the side effects of mine also

Ocean Blue

Esel wrote: »

Venlafaxine has a very short half-life, so tapering off is a long-term and slow process. If going below 75mg, what dose has your doctor stipulated? If it is too sharp a decrease, your pharmacist should be able to make up an intermediate dose for you to try. So, instead of going from 75mg to 37.5mg for instance, they could make 60/62.5mg capsules, then 50mg capsules.

Does your discontinuation schedule include varying between previous (e.g. 75mg) dose and new lower (e.g. 37.5mg) dose on an increasing pattern? That is, when stepping lower, you take your first lower dose of 37.5mg on the first day, next day back to 75mg, next two days 37.5mg, next day 75mg, next three days 37.5mg. Not in that exact pattern maybe, but I hope you know what I mean. This is the preferred method, afaik.

Also, while the discontinuation effects of venlafaxine are fairly extreme, they are relatively short-lived (about a week in total from a cold-turkey stop?).

From what I have read, it's all about the neurotransmitter systems having to up-regulate to normal after having been artificially modulated for so long.

Again, this is personal opinion only. I am not a doctor.

A word of warning on the practicality of this advice. After 14 years of working in Irish dispensaries I have yet to come across any community pharmacy that had the capability to manufacture capsules in the way you describe. Production standards, IMB standards have all but removed extemporaneous dispensing from the pharmacy repertoire other than one or two very basic methods.

Gremlinertia

Can't sleep. Gah. Nightshift later. Oh well..

kryptonmight

Felt like I was getting better yesterday. Now back to feeling like I'm in hell. Will this ever stop.

Gremlinertia

The cyclical nature of it is a sickener at times.

kryptonmight

Gremlinertia wrote: »

The cyclical nature of it is a sickener at times.

I didn't know it went like that. This is a particularly bad spell for me and I'm experiencing lows I've never hit before.

Hugo Stiglitz

Gremlinertia wrote: »

The cyclical nature of it is a sickener at times.

Well said G.

Gremlinertia

kryptonmight wrote: »

I didn't know it went like that. This is a particularly bad spell for me and I'm experiencing lows I've never hit before.

I doubt it does for everyone, but seems to for the majority, periods of ok followed by periods of not so f**king ok and back to ok again (even if it seems like ok will never return, it does, to complete the cycle)

Chiquitita

Oh so im not the only one today.....good to know!

handbagmad

Chiquitita wrote: »

Oh so im not the only one today.....good to know!

no your not the only one. The loneliness and emptiness today is palpable.

Chiquitita

Hello mind and thoughts can you please shut up even for 1 whole day and give me a break!?

kryptonmight

Chiquitita wrote: »

Hello mind and thoughts can you please shut up even for 1 whole day and give me a break!?

Snap, same here.

They need to plug me into the Matrix or something.

cloud493

You know when you just. Just don't what to do.

Chiquitita

lukesmom

I recommend getting out in the fresh air if possible, I know we don't always feel like it. I brought the dog for a long walk today and it cleared my head.

Chiquitita

I'll be leaving the house tomorrow. Tonight i'll be happy when i'm asleep!

Hugo Stiglitz

Best of luck to us all for the week ahead. We will get through it.

Killer_banana

Hugo Stiglitz wrote: »

Best of luck to us all for the week ahead. We will get through it.

Thank you I needed that.

Procrastinated my night away so need to do an assignment before I sleep. >_< Written a letter to take with my to the doctor though and picked a day I'm going so that's progress.

Chiquitita

That's great news, you should feel proud! Good idea about the letter too, no way of forgetting things then which I always seem to do...ooops