Depression

What I also know is that DD took one Sertraline tablet during a lengthy ante-natal depression and she got some sort of "serotonin syndrome" with diarrhoea, high temperature, mania (she was hurtling round the house hitting people!) - it was truly dreadful to behold.

There is no reason why this should happen to me, but I am erring on the safe side as you can imagine.

Galen hope you are feeling a tad brighter than the other day and anyone else that has felt/feeling a bit "gloomy" I don't think the dull,damp weather helps, I'm sure the yellow ball in the sky does lift the spirits most times (not always but sometimes)

I can have side effects on some people!

If you are on the look out for side effects, you will find some. Trust your doctor and the psychiatrist.

No, I think you're doing the right thing, Mishap. If you took a whole one you'd be in a state of anxiety worrying about side effects, and it might be difficult to distinguish between the two.

I hope it doesn't take long for you to work up to the full dose.

Mishap - just swallow the damn thing. All of it.

Thanks jane - I do understand and appreciate your advice.

The problem is that I have a history of adverse and strong reactions to various drugs and I would prefer to start very small and gradually build it up, whilst recognising that this may delay the full efficacy. OH, who is an ex-GP, has done this before with various patients on anti-depressants and found that the end result can be good and preferable to abandoning treatment because of the side effects.

After all the recent adverse effects of surgery and painkillers, I would be happier to take it slowly. One possible side effect is I know nausea, and I already have this all day long, so I need to proceed with care. More nausea is a bit of a daunting thought just now, as it is so debilitating.

I will be hoping to up the dose as soon as possible. I can only wait and see how it goes. I have to find a way of getting better with the least adverse effects. Thank you very much for your concern.

Mishap that's good news.
But I'm sure you don't really need me to tell you to take them in the dose the psychiatrist recommends.
They may not be effective if you don't take enough.
You wouldn't take half an antibiotic, would you?

Mishap that sounds encouraging.

GP has just rung. He has discussed my problems with the psychiatrist who has recommended Sertraline as being the least likely to cause arrhythmias. My DD is collecting them as I write. I will chop them up and start on a minute dose and see how it goes. I think that just some light at the end of the tunnel, some hope however small, will in itself be helpful.

I do hope that this morning is a better one for all of you with heavy hearts. One day at a time; and today is a new day, which I hope will bring good things for you all. Even small good things are a step in the right direction so treasure those.

Thanks to all of you. I slept well last night and do feel better this morning. I was made to feel much more cheerful by a call from Bella discussing our meeting in Malta very shortly. I'm so looking forward to it.
It's very strange how one minute you feel you are fine and the next in tears. It can be the slightest thing that sets it off with no warning.
I love music but I can't stand Mahler, so there's no danger of me listening to him.
I'm more likely to listen to Mozart or Queen, a favourite being 'another one bites the dust'!

and ((((hugs)))) for all of you who loved and now miss a very dear partner. x x x

... and hugs (lets have a group hug) from me too.
Funny how little reminders can set off nostalgia.... the winter flowering jasmine, in my garden, is in flower. Bright yellow stars. I bought and planted it around the time of my lovely Mum's last birthday, she died the following January, so altho it brightens up a wintery garden, it reminds me of Mum's last couple of months.

Good morning Mishap Galen Pompa phoenix and Marmight, I do hope I haven't missed anyone who is ill, sad or troubled.

I do empathise having had spells of clinical depression throughout my life. One day at a time was often the only way I got through it. Depressive illness and mental health issues have cursed my family for generations. Sadly my son also suffers.

Please rest, try to find a calm place in your mind.

Some big (((hugs))) from me too, for Mishap, Galen, Marmight and any others feeling sad and low.
I'm low too at the moment, have suffered in the past, and my dd struggles daily.

Mishap I do hope that your gp and consultant will be able to help you soon.
Music is good, I find either Mozart's clarinet concerto or Queens Greatest hits do it for me

for everyone.

And a hug from me, too, to all who have loved and lost such dear ones. Marmight describes the 'hit in the solar plexus coming out of the blue'. I know that feeling so well. Not from the loss of my partner in life (I dread that, should it happen). Sometimes a memory creeps in when we're not prepared for it, and when that happens we feel it's almost un-copeable-with (sorry to the pedants, but it's the only way I can describe the feeling).

Here's a (((hug))) for you, Marmight. Enjoy your day out.

Morning, Galen I hope your spirits are lifted a bit higher today

Here's a morning hug for you Galen. I hope you had a restful night.

{{Hugs}} and from me too Galen, (and to Mishap and Pompa). I can empathise. I am feeling a bit iffy too. Certain anniversaries on the near horizon. Yesterday I started to sort out my/our books trying to downsize and every single one brought memories flooding back, especially 'his' books - all the sailing and architectural ones. I am making myself go out today with a friend, in the wind and rain, to Glasgow for a visit to the Ubiquitous Chip [indigestion emoticon]. I am told that with time, the pain becomes less - it may do I'm still waiting after nearly 3 years, but it still comes back and hits you in the solar plexus out of the blue doesn't it.

Another huge virtual hug from me Galen. Be kind and gentle with yourself

galen, hug from one bow-woman to another

Galen ((hugs)) for you this morning.
Time is said to be a healer - up to a point.
You learn to live with your grief, but the fact that so much time has passed without the person you loved and still love, is painful in itself.
Big birthdays, new decades, the birth of a grandchild, seem to reinforce this somehow.
"The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow
that seemed hard frozen: may it happen for you."

I hope you have some sunshine today. xx

Galen, how are you this morning? Sending a hug and hoping that the sun shines for you today.