Depression 2

Perhaps think of it as having something to look forward to, rather than a target?

Glad things are improving for you.

Mishap, I know I have said this before to someone else with depression/mental illness but if you can afford it try complementary therapies. Indian head massage is wonderful to buck you up and they can use mood lifting oils that really do work, body massage too is good and there are many people practicing. Its not good for my condition, apart from reiki which I practice, but for you it would work wonders.
Most practitiioners will work in your home or you can travel to them which ever you prefer.

mishap sorry to read that you are experiencing such difficulties. Reading this thread (for the first time today) it is a testament to your strength and resolve, and also the kindness of Gransnetters and others who have helped, including the gung-ho GP and the "on-the-ball" cardiac nurse.

I'm full of admiration for you.

Book the baritone concert, unless you are really feeling so dreadful that day that you absolutely can't make it, it can surely only be of immense benefit to someone who loves music as much as you do.

Mishap I too have only just read this thread and I do sympathise have experienced several periods of depression myself and have decided today to make an app with the GP (first available 12 th January!!!).

I do hope you are getting some help and seeing the fog lift a little- there are so many kind and wise people on here and I'm sure they are more than willing to lend an ear. My good wishes and I hope Christmas is not an ordeal for you. here's to a better 2015.

Just popped in to say "hello Mishap sorry im not much help with any advice other than what OP have said, I know there is always someone around on here to chat what ever time of day (and no doubt there are night owls amongst us)

Many thanks to all of you.

After a weepy evening, I went off the beta-blockers last night and the old ticker is working overtime but has not descended into anything serious. I started on the anti-depressant last night and coupled it with a very very tiny dose of lorezepam which helps relieve the nausea and gives me a good night's sleep. I am a bit lethargic this morning, but up, dressed and on my feet. It does seem that the combination of anti-d and beta-blocker was what was rendering me semi-comatose; so it has to be one or the other, but not together it would seem.

All your kind words are hugely appreciated and mean a lot to me at a time when I am aware that I am not the best of company - even online!

I am very aware that up till now I have never really understood the nature of depressive illness and how bad it can be. I hope that as a result I will be a better friend to those who suffer from it in the future.

Weeping is nature's stress release. Sorry it sounds twee when I put it like that but it's true. Don't worry about crying. It's good for you.

I think you're right to choose the ad over the beta blocker but you need to let your gp know what you're doing so he can alter your records.

Crumbs Mishap, I really admire you, depression is a truly miserable illness as I well know and mine was relatively mild. As Teetime says, hopefully the fog's beginning to lift . Can you ask a friend to go to the concert with you so you have a bit of support if feeling a bit wobbly? I found having my very good friend with me made a huge difference when I managed to get out of the house, would have struggled without her.
Do hope things continue to improve, even if the medication takes a bit of juggling to get right.
(((HUGS))) and a big bouquet to you x

PS I also found 'fighting' it pretty useless, it is a gradual process and progress can be slow, but I'm sure you'll get there x

It looks like you are a bit more in control of managing your depression now, mishap. Good to see they listened to you and agree with your need to treat it more effectively. It should have a knock-on effect for your arrhythmia if you feel less anxious. Good health for the new year

Re buying those tickets - I would, and see how I feel when I get to that date, even if you lose the money. If you feel like going you will at least know that you are a bit better, if you don't, you will know that something isn't working.

Was it someone on here who said that anxiety is when you worry too much, depression is when you don't care about anything at all? I was depressed a long time ago but it was a lightbulb moment when I read that. I'm so scared of it happening again that I do have some very elderly pills squirrelled away, as a sort of comfort blanket.

I have arrhythmia too, and no-one ever mentioned it being a problem 20-odd years ago. I am still alive to tell the tale!

I have everything crossed for your Mishap in the hope that your meds will now work for you as opposed to all the trial and error episodes you have had to endure.

I sincerely hope also that this will see you turn a corner and you find yourself going from strength to strength.

Well done, your lovely DD

((((Hugs)))) x

One step at a time Mishap, you are getting somewhere. xx

A dear friend has just rung to say that she is going to buy 2 tickets to the concert that I want to go to, and if I am well enough to go with her that is good, but if not she will find someone else who would like to go. I just have to get better with this sort of kindness on tap.

You must be a special person Mishap to have people show you such kindness.

That's lovely, mishap. I'm glad for you that you have such a kind friend. I hope things improve steadily for you now

That is a dear friend Mishap. I am so hoping you will make the concert.

What a lovely friend to get the tickets and manage to take the pressure off you. Hopefully things are now moving in the right direction. Be kind to yourself - you've got a lot of healing to do and it's going to to take a while. Tomorrow is the shortest day. May the returning daylight lift your spirits a little more each day and help all your pains retreat.

Mishap have you been referred to an Electrophysiologist about your arrhythmia? Cardiologists are not the experts when it comes to arrhythmias. It's not good to leave your arrhythmia untreated as it's causing an increased risk of stroke, and it damages your heart in the long run. Are you on Warfarin to mitigate the stroke risk?

Thanks for your post crun. I am not on an anticoagulant as I have only had one episode of AF and I was at the time on an anti-coagu;ant for several weeks as I had just had hip surgery. I was told that I should finish that course and, if I had no further episodes of AF, then I would not need any more.

The arrhythmias that I had subsequently were SVT and they tell me that this does not carry a stroke risk as the blood does not pool in the heart during the episodes. I hope they are right. These episodes stopped a few weeks ago in response to the beta-blocker, which I have now stopped to allow me to take the anti-depressant and so far (fingers crossed) no further episodes.

What a lovely friend Mishap, very special - as she obviously thinks you are

A little something to lift your spirits is that it's the shortest day today, so we'll be having more daylight

Just seen the CPN - suffice to say she saw me at my very worst - which is probably a good thing in a way.

She was very good - professional, competent and caring. And above all else she had time to listen. I am to see her in 2 weeks. She thinks the combination of going off the dosulepin suddenly plus all the other traumas are at the root of it and seems confident that I will get better when the drugs kick in. I have to hope she is right.

I feel happier now that a mental health specialist is going to monitor my progress - I feel less adrift and it gives me a greater sense of security in the middle of this disturbing situation.

Mishap, that sounds promising, hopefully you can have a happier Christmas now. Anti depressant do take a while to kick in and have an effect, so be patient in the knowledge that they will work.

That's good news Mishap, it's reassuring for you to know that there's someone you can turn to who is used to dealing with your situation. Hopefully you can now have a better Christmas than you thought. I do hope so

Onwards and upwards now Mishap, I hope you are able to have a restful and happy Christmas.