Lived Experience Forum

[WIP]

@Shine32 - was this question for me?

im feeling a bit better than y'day, but still not great. Thanks for asking. A bad nights sleep didn't help.

they say it's going to be at least 2 weeks till I notice any small difference of the new meds. In the meantime, I'm going to experience the 'washout' side effects of stopping my previous antidepressant.

how are you going?

[Shine32]

@WIP  Im

going through a change of medication myself and it's not going well 

I don't know how people get through this 

I seem to be feeling worse everyday 

I try for help but don't know what more people can do to help 

I'm glad to hear ur doing better then yesterday 

[WIP]

@Shine32   Changing meds is NOT easy at all.  With my depression, I was taking life day by day.  Since changing meds, I seem to take things hour by hour.

The washout period is the hardest, with lack of sleep and other withdrawal symptoms.  Night sweats, tears, irritability, cranky, negativity, brain zaps etc etc.  I'm sure you've got some or all of those.

How long have you been on your new medication?  Were you off your previous medication for a period of time, or was it a next day swap out?

I can relate that you feel worse every day, I do too.  I do find that if I get a reasonable nights sleep, that does help a lot.

I didn't think anyone could help either.  Y'day I gave Lifeline a call to just have someone listen to how tough things are for me at the moment.  Having someone listen, and actually understand did help.  I helped me to get through y'day, when I didn't know how I was going to.

I find that each day, if I find something....anything.... to think about looking forward to, that helps too.  Today, I'm looking forward to going to my Chiropractor for a back adjustment, as I know that will help me feel a little better physically, and who knows, maybe a bit better mentally too.

I'm here for you, if you ever feel like chatting with someone who knows what you are going through.  Maybe we can help each other 

When is your next follow up session with your Dr?  Would it be worth bringing the appt forward, seeing you are struggling so much with the change over

[Owlunar]

Hi @Shine32 

It is difficult going through a change in medication - I am going through the same thing myself right now and feel light-headed often and lose my balance from time to time - so although you might be feeling your side effects differently it is something many people here experience

I am taking a different pain medication and it works really quickly and well - so until I have a procedure done on my shoulder in a couple of weeks - hopefully - I will take these tablets

So - it's different with other types of medication - I know - and it is extremely hard to get anyone to listen - I think I know why - they don't know what to do about it or maybe there needs to be a time for the medicaion to start working

Not a good place to be in at all but you have come to the right place and I would like to thank you for sharing this and all the best with this forum - it works for a lot of people

Dec

[Shine32]

@WIP  That sounds very positive 

can I ask are you working while going through all of this? 

I only ask because I don't know if I can keep working which will mean I won't be able to afford to live in my home and I don't know how people are living with this illness and managing to work 

if if not working how do people survive with no income 

[Shine32]

@Owlunar  Thank you for your message sounds like you are also going through a difficult time 

have you found anything that helps you 

[MDT]

Hey there @Shine32

changing meds is difficult. But I am also minded of seeking advice on these things. I trust your consulting doctor is helping in that regard.

I recently changed some medications in my own life and it's sometimes the break we need.

Part of the experience I should think.

Btw, I think I've not met you before.
How are you today?

[Owlunar]

Hi @Shine32 

Yes - it is a tough time and for some reason we do feel better when we learn we are not alone

I have emailed my specialist to send information to my GP which means he can help me

Alson - seeing as I am so light-headed it's better to only stay on my feet for a short person of time

All the best - and yes - third idea - persist - I have been doing that one though a really rough couple of weeks

Dec

[WIP]

Hey @Shine32 

How have you been going today?  Hanging in there I hope 

No, I'm not working at the moment, but that's due to COVID atm.  I must admit, I would have had to think really hard and ask my doctor many, many questions about how I would go changing medications, if still working at the time.

Just remember, this discomfort that you've got now, while swapping meds isn't permanent.  It will pass.  I was told it would take me around 2 weeks for the withdrawal of the old med and the new one starting to kick in, for me to stop feeling so awful.  And 2 weeks is a long time.  But, I might be lucky and it may be shorter.  It's going to be up to 6 weeks till I feel the full benefits of the new medication - apparently.

Do you have any sick leave up your sleeve that you could use for the short term?  You will be able to keep working - you were working when taking your previous medication, and you'll be able to work also with the new medication when it starts to kick in. It's this swap over period, that is really testing you.

For people who can't work due to their illness, there is Government support - the disability pension covers diagnosed depression (I believe - but you'd have to check). 

I've had depression most of my adult life, and been able to have a very good career, while taking Antidepressants and engaging in psychotherapy. The problem is that antidepressants can start to lose their effect after awhile, and I've had to swap over to other ones.  This is the first time that I've really struggled with the swap over of meds.

[Shine32]

@MDT  I took a little break and now trying to go back into the ones I had been on for years

I'm starting to lose hope a little to be honest