Update on Self Esteem Post

P

Pollytc

Cathlete
Hi all, and thank you so much for your support late last week when I was feeling extremely low. I was very, very unmotivated all weekend, and became very depressed. I couldn't even face going to work today, and my sister called me and made me promise to go see my dr. I did, and I got in today, and he prescribed an anti-depressant for me to take called Effexor XR. I am to take this for the next three weeks and he is going to see me again then. He said I probably won't start noticing a change til after two weeks, and the full affect til around six weeks. Have any of you, or anybody you know ever taken this stuff? Oh yeah, he also gave me a brochure of this registered dietician and exercise physiologist to possibly call, but after looking at the brochure, I know for a fact I cannot afford this. But, like I told him earlier, I know what I NEED to do as far as diet and exercise goes, but its finding the motivation and energy to do it. That's the key for me.........motivation and energy. Anyhow, I am taking to heart all the great advice I got from you guys these past few days and am going to start doing some homework on this self-esteem of mine!!

Again, thank you so much for being here. I truly appreciate it more than you will ever know.

Kim
 
Kim, finding the motivation is right in front of you! Cathe.com! I know I would love to be an exercise partner and encourager for you and I know I am not alone in that.

I saw my doctor a month ago when I was unable to shake my depression and I started the anti-depressant Lexapro. It took a couple of weeks for it to kick in but I am feeling like my old self and my motivation is back! I just hit four weeks and the difference is amazing! I agree that you don't need a dietician or an exercise physiologist particularly if the cost is a problem. There are woman galore right here to guide you with all of that fun stuff. All you need is a plan to follow and to make a promise to yourself to do a little at a time. I started with walking and yoga and have incorporated Cathe back in as things progress. You can do this! Please feel free to call on me to help in anyway I can.

Big hugs!
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi
 
Kim, if your doctor feels this will help you, then give it a fair try and see if you feel better about dieting and working out, okay? People who are experiencing a true clinical depression need the meds, even if for a short time. It's a chemical imbalance, and you need the meds to balance things again. Hang in there!! We're all here for you!!

Carol
:)
 
All I have read on depression and anxiety disorders, which in the last three years is a lot, has informed me that depression is not just about an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. The imbalance is caused by life events. We do not start off with chemical imbalances. Therefore to take an anti-depressant can be useful for treating the symptoms and to give you a helping hand while you gather the strength and courage to deal with the life events and issues in your life that have brought this depression upon you.

I am not here to be a negative voice, just to offer an alternative perspective. The Effexor RX could work well for easing your symptoms. But only in a minority of cases does antidepressant medication alone "cure" depression. So, please explore additional options for getting at the underlying causes of your emotional malaise, for a long lasting recovery. Certainly, making you a priority, looking after yourself through good nutrition, balanced exercise, additional quality rest and sleep, social outings with family and friends, exposure to sunlight daily, especially in Winter, are additional things you can do to help yourself.

On a side note, I took Effexor RX four weeks ago. A 35mg tablet made me sick for 48 hours. But I have had to reach the conclusion that my body chemistry is too sensitive to tolerate any antidepressant medication. Make no mistake though, these are powerful, mind-altering drugs.

Bear in mind, as your body adjusts to the meds, you may find yourself tired, sleepy, and therefore you should take it easy working out. You may have to take down the intensity and frequency of your workouts for a few weeks, to avoid making yourself unwell.

I wish you all the best for a successful treatment with Effexor and recovery from depression. Come talk whenever you need to, there are many on these boards who go through or have gone through the same experiences as you, so we are good listeners!

Take care,

Clare
 
Yes, I take Effexor, and it has been miraculous for me. I feel that, rather than changing who I am or altering my personality, it actually allows the real me to come through. From time to time, I've tried discontinuing the meds (under my doctor's watchful eye), but I soon become easily overwhelmed, awake repeatedly in the night panicked with worry about something totally insignificant, or I'm simply too depressed to care about anything and barely able to get up in the morning. I take a very low dose, but I feel infinitely better when I take it than when I don't.

I know many people don't believe in taking unnecessary medication, and I agree wholeheartedly, but it is just as important for my health and well-being that I take my Effexor as that I take my blood pressure medication. I hope you won't have to take it long-term, but I'm glad you got help for your depression. At the very least, the medication can help you ease the depression enough to find the energy and motivation to help yourself find other ways of getting through this.

Best wishes,
Shari
 
Here's my story! In 2001, I experienced a depression that came on out of the blue and with no apparent reason. I went on Paxil then and went off in about three months time when I was able to use diet and exercise to keep things in balance. This last depression, which was much more severe, indeed came on as a result of stressors. The major one being Plantar Facsitis. Running used to be my anti-depressant and when the injury worsened and did not respond to treatment, I dropped everything. On top of that, I have gum disease and having been working closely with my lovely peridontist to keep that under control. One of my bottom front teeth was deemed hopeless and it had to go. But my periodontist decided to take all FOUR bottom front teeth and do surgery to replace bone loss so that my bridge work wouldn't be compromised and it took three months to get my bridgework done by the time the healing took place and we convinced my insurance company that I was a good candidate for bridge work. I have gorgeous bottom teeth now but it was really scary for awhile! I was stressed out, depressed and it just snow balled from there into a really deep and scary darkness! This time, I am going to stay on the anti-depressant for a minimum of 6 months and go from there. I am having a physical in January and I plan to back in tip top shape by then! One of the things that hs been so doggone depressing is going from an advanced exerciser to a bum! Not really a bum but I definitely need to build my endurance back up. I am amazed at how quickly my body has responded though. My muscles remember and they are coming along very well indeed!

It's so easy to get down. At heart, I am an intelligent, sensitive, happy woman but all my life, I have fallen into depression at times. There are those moments when I want to know why and I feel sorry for myself because I have had eating disorders and abused alcohol and just when I thought I had conquered that hell, here it came again, adding to those bad, sad feelings. That's just the way it is and it's as hard as hell when things are out of whack, but is passes. At least I know the signs and I know there is help out there. I am hopeful and I am on my way! A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi
 
Kim,
I work with a woman that is 38 and is mildly retarded and she has to take Effexor XR for depression, I don't remember it taking that long for it to work on her, in fact we had to go in and have hers upped from 150 mg, to 300 mg a day ... and before that she was taking a lower dose. I think you may see a change for the good sooner than 2 weeks. But for my client it does work. God bless .. Rhonda :7
 
Bobbi:

thanks for sharing your story. It is encouraging for us all to know of others' struggles and that it is posible to pull through, with ups and downs and continued committment to self-care.

My story would be something like yours, just when you think you might have one thing licked, along comes something else that throws you back down.

I am glad to hear that you are struggling on and recovering from recent body troubles to a healthier place. All the best on your continued journey.

Clare
 
Thank you, Clare.

I think it's a blessing to be dealing with this now when there's so much research going on regarding mental illness and the new drugs are quite remarkable. I have a close friend who's brother is a neurologist and he says that the depressed brain is like a lock and it's a matter of finding the right key to fit. Depression is still somewhat stigmatic but that too has improved. I went a full decade on a very even keel so I am just going to deal with this and move on, hopefully back to that stage. One thing about the times that try us, we learn from them and become stronger and capable of recognizing the warning signs sooner. It's quite a conundrum that one can be depressed about being depressed but I have learned that anything that keeps us from reachng our full potential is a waste of time and there's no sin in needing help, only in not getting it! And as Kim says at the end of every post, One day at a time....
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi
 
Bobbi, my daughter was diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder shortly after the events of 9/11. She had symptoms as far back as 4 years old, but we just didn't see it for what it was. My husband and I are both RN's, but when it's your own child, you don't see it as easily. Anyway, she's on Paxil, and has been for two years now. It was literally a lifesaver for her. She told me some time after she started on Paxil that she had been having suicidal thoughts, along with the anxiety-ridden and frightening thoughts - the "obsessions" - but she was afraid to tell anyone. Within two weeks of her going on the Paxil, it was like we had Nik back again. Since depression often goes along with OCD in kids and adults, they use SSRI's to treat it. I agree with everything you're saying about depression. I'm not always thrilled she's on this med, but I do believe it saved her life. Her psychiatrist believes she may outgrow the need for the drug one day, and certainly exercise will help her do that, but that motivation has to come from within Nik one day. I have to tell you that I was never a big fan of people taking anti-depressants, but God opened my eyes a little when my own daughter needed them. If they are used under carefully controlled and monitored circumstances, they are safe. More importantly, they give someone the temporary means to deal with all that is going on in their lives at the time. It was explained to me when they first wanted to put Nik on the Paxil and I was unsure about it at that point that she didn't have the means necessary to fight this without the drug. Once I understood that part (I was being a Mom, not a nurse!), I was all right with it. I've never regretted my decision. I could have lost my daughter to suicide without that medication.

So, I completely agree with you that there is no sin in getting help when we need it!!!

Carol
:)
 
Carol, it was suicidal thoughts that sent me scurrying to the doctor once the depression deepened so much I was afraid not to do something. I would weigh it out and think I don't want death but thoughts of sucide would creep into my mind and it was horrifying! I thought about telling Kim about antidepressants and my history with them but I was afraid that I was off base. It is so great to have a place to discuss all this and to have people respond. I am sure you are aware how isolating depression can be. I am so happy your daughter has responded so well. I am going to stick with the meds as long as my doctor recommends. I wouldn't think twice about using medication for a physical ailment, I refuse to look at this any differently.

So you are an RN? I have been seriously considering becoming one in a few years time. My kids are growing up and I have been blessed to stay with them but I want to have a back up plan to avoid the empty nest syndrome and all that jazz. Nurses make such huge differences in peoples lives! I have a friend who was an accountant and hated it. She got her RN and just loves working with people and caring for them.
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi
 
Yes Bobbi I am an RN! I've been one for 17 years, and I absolutely love it!! I've always worked Critical Care, starting off in Neonatal ICU when I first graduated, and then moving to adult ICU a couple years after Nik was born. It's a very challenging profession, but also a very rewarding one!!

If the meds are helping you then I believe you should stick with them! You are right when you say you wouldn't think twice about taking something you needed to help you with a physical ailment. Depression and other chemical imbalances in the brain are no different. Yes there are other ways to treat them, but sometimes people need meds too. If you were diabetic and you needed insulin, you would take it until a time perhaps when you no longer needed it, but that time might never come. If you had heart disease and needed medication for the rest of your life to help prevent a heart attack, you would take it. Psychological diseases are no different. If Nik needs the Paxil or another SSRI for the rest of her life, then so be it. At least she's here! She's a straight A student, and a bright, fun kid, and I thank God every day for her!

Keep me posted about your plans for nursing school! I'll be happy to help in any way I can!

Carol
:)
 
Hello everybody!! Thank you soooo much for sharing your stories with me. I'm optimistic that I will get through this........especially knowing I have all of you to lean on. I don't know if it was the Efferox or what, but the past two nights I could not keep my eyes open. As a matter of fact, I was in bed by 7:00 p.m. last night. Today I'm feeling much better as far as not being so sleepy and nauseated. Thanks again for being there for me. Each and every single one of you are wonderful!!

Love,

Kim
 
I's probably the meds, Kim. I was oh so sleepy and had a very upset tummy at first but that has worked itself out. These past few days I have felt like myself, smiling, laughing and full of joy! I am ready to take on the world! It's you who are wonderful! You are conquering this problem that has plauged you! Keep up the good work and remember it's a day at a time or even an hour at a time but you'll be back at the top or you game in no time!
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi
 
Hi,

I've been taking Zoloft since June and I love it. It has drastically improved my quality of life. I have finally found a dose that makes me feel totally normal, however it did take over a month for it to start working initially and it was a tough month, but now I feel great. The downside is that I am always sleepy now and I lost 10 lbs that I did not need to lose in the first month and have never gained it back because the medicine has killed my appetite BUT - its a fair trade off for not having to feel overwhelmed by anxiety and sometimes depression. I was nauseated and very very tired in the very beginning too. That passes, but I do notice I'm constantly more tired than usual, but its livable. I'll take that any day over being obsessed about whether or not I left a fan on all day and unable to concentrate on anything but whatever stupid thing I'm freaking out about at the moment.

Jill
 
Hi, Jill. I am glad to hear it's working for you! It's interesting that you are still sleepy. My side effects have gotten milder over time. My appetite is off too but I eat healthily until I am full and I am not worried about it. I agree that it's a good trade off. If you are eating less though, you may be low on iron or something in your diet which could affect your enegy levels. I am so happy to feel like myself again. Also I am having my thyroid checked at my physical in January because that can be a factor in depression for some women although I suspect it won't factor in since depression has visited me on and off since I was a teenager. Thanks for sharing!
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi
 
I can't agree with everyone more - if it helps you to take medication, by all means work together with your physician and take it. There is no longer the stigma of someone taking an antidepressant that there seems to have been years ago. I don't think anyone believes in taking medication unnecessarily but there are answers out there that can make life altering changes for the better. Just like Shari said, "rather than changing who I am or altering my personality, it actually allows the real me to come through."
Good for you for recognizing a problem and getting help.
 
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