Sorry to hear that you are feeling awful. It is good that you have spoken to your community mental health nurse about the symptoms you've been having. As you said, you vow to be positive about this and so do we! We are here for you and we support you!
It's the 16th February 2010 and it has been one week since I decreased my Seroxat from 30mg to 20mg.
I feel quite awful. Headaches, loose bowels, irritability and fatigue are the most prominent. I had a good chat with Community Mental Health Nurse who I work with today. He said that today is technically the first day my body is adapting to the new dose as Seroxat stays in the body quite a long time.
I should be positive about coming off the antidepressant. But at the moment, the negatives are outweighing the positives and I feel a little out of control which makes me uncomfortable....
This only the first step in getting off this drug and so far, it's not great. I vow to be positive about it though: I'm on my journey to starting a new chapter in my life! :)
I have spoken to my GP about the light therapy and am now in the process of purchasing something to trial out.
There are no financial resources available to me but I'll just ebar the cost, I have to say, if it is as good as I've heard it is, (2 out of 3 feel the benefits) then I'm willing to try. I'm on the right antidepressant so lets see if we can get this working even better.
I've not been diagnosed with SAD; however, my depression is worse in winter. It has been recommended that I try light therapy to offset this, however at this point I think it is cost prohibitive. I don't know what financial resources might be available to you with this type of therapy but you may want to check it out and talk to your doctor about it.
It is great to hear that you've had a breakthrough. You have stuck with your homework, worked hard and worked the program. Hard work does pay off! You have learned a lot about challenging your thoughts and self-esteem, and you've been able to put this into practice, good on ya!
Members, what have your experiences been with switching medications? How has SAD affected you?
Wow, I just looked down and realised I've been harping on about this since March! lol. If only my GP could see! haha.
I had a review last week. To me, we have a had a breakthrough and a barrier and here's why.
BREAKTHOUGH - I FINALLY HAVE A DIAGNOSIS! Yes, it's true, after 2 years, they have finally diagnosed Seasonal Affective Disorder. I know it's not something I should be happy about but I am because for many years, being told your have depression was just so frustrating. The CBT taught me so much about challenging thoughts and self esteem but it still didn't explain the un-triggered episodes and low mood. Seems keeping a mood diary and the CBT narrowed it down. So thanks to Depression Centre for all the amazing advice and CBT programmes you have.
BARRIER - Seems my GP is reluctant to switch me from Seroxat. I really wanted to try another AD. I was quite forthright with her! I explained that I felt it was unreasonable for me to battling with diets and excercise when I am on a medication that makes me gain weight and I think she realised that I'd done my homework. She said we should wait until February when the daylight starts getting better and then possibly (and she said possibly) look at trying another.
Anybody here have experiences with switching from Seroxat - anyone here have SAD?
I think you should also discuss the side effects of your birth control and I think it's an important thing to discuss if there is an alternative treatment that won't cause unwanted side effects.
Am feeling the need to discuss with Dr that if I'm trying to lose weight, I'd rather not be on a medication that actually works in opposition to this!! lol
