Depression

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

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).

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.

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.

... 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.

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

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'!

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.

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.

Mishap that sounds encouraging.

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?

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 - just swallow the damn thing. All of it.

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.

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

I can have side effects on some people!

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)

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.

Mishap that is very very unusual.

Sending Love Its my black time of year too. I try to meditate and watch 1 comedy movie a day. Laughter is a good medicine. x

I am another person who only needs small doses of some pills.
My doctor is surprised how little of some of them I have required in the past, to give the same effect.

You could not get serotonin syndrome from one sertraline.

I shouldn't have posted that. I am not an expert. Sorry.

It was a high dose I believe.

(((Huggs))) in abundance for all who need them. I don't have anything like the problems to deal with that some of you have mentioned but suffer with anxiety quite a lot. These dark mornings and evenings make things worse.
Galen I can't tell you how many times your posts have cheered me up. Hope you feel brighter soon.