The Black Dog Gang

I'm never sure if I'm depressed or not, gonegirl.
I think heartbroken night be a more apt description, but still, its weighing very heavily on me at the moment, so it's time to do something.
Would you believe, I feel better just by posting here?
Thank you for listening.

You ask how I fill my days, Anniebach well I 'potter' really. First thing I prepare fruit for breakfast and veg for lunch. Enjoy a cup of tea, let the cat out then back upstairs to the laptop and waste a good hour or more. Then I wash, dress and eat brekkers, wash up and continue pottering. A bit of the dreaded housework (but not much), maybe reading, go for a walk - weather permitting.
Hobbies absorb me, a bit of gardening, quizzing, reading, sewing, watch telly, on Saturday there's the giant crossword, Sunday morning I go for a drive, then do the main shopping. Most Tuesdays my sister visits me, I visit her on Fridays, That's it really. Not very exciting but I manage to fill my days. I'm rarely bored - but I do much of those things alone. I was widowed nine years ago and don't wish to re-marry. I miss having someone around to do 'nothing' with iyswim.

Gone girl
Do you mind me asking if you sleep well on fluxetine, l think Prozac it can be called also would it increase your appetite. I am on Lexapro and l still have anxiety, it has increased my appetite somewhat but it does help me sleep. Overall it has not been a great medication.
Best wishes from Dawn

Dawn Yes, I do sleep well. I find it's best to take it first thing in the morning. If I do forget I will take it up to about midday. After that it's too activating.

Best to you too.

Oh - and yes! I think it might increase my appetite. I have to watch overall calorie intake in the day. I've definitely put weight on, but I think that might be just down to normal post-menopausal weight gain.

Your days sound nice * lovebeigecardigans1955*. You do seem to get more of a shift on than I manage though.

Hi girls I find fluoxetine made be lose my appetite.. think it works different on different people..I don’t sleep very good I also take it in the morning.

Me

Hello all. Gonegirl I've found that if I really delay breakfast until around 10.30 am and then lunch (biggish meal) at maybe 2.30 - 3.00 pm and only have something very small (if I feel peckish) like a 'yogurt lolly' early evening it helps to keep my weight stable. I was overweight about a year ago and it took me a very long time to lose it. I'm not mathematically gifted enough to count calories!
It sounds like I pack my days but I don't really. I spend far too much time sitting down - not keen on exercise.

I'm the same about exercise these days. Didn't used to be. Used to love walking, but it's quite hard now.

Good morning good Annie, how are you, how did your therapy go ? Really hope you managed to get there without too much anxiety. Mental health really takes some beating, I'm struggling with my tablets, just trying to get through the days, and there dragging.
The weather here today is awful might go out later, even in the rain.What will you be doing today ? Hope your having some visitors, I love having people visit, hoping to see my two dgd today fingers crossed.

I have not been following this thread, but, as someone who takes an anti-depressant, I just wanted to say to everyone "Just hang on in there" - it worked for me in the end.

Thanks luckygirl. I've only just started on antidepressants, can't believe I'm even saying those words, seems strange, to have got into my early 60s then decided to take the bull by the horns and address my phobia and related anxiety. I've started to tell people too, and I think it's helping, I think the penny will drop for a few people, as I know I have some odd ways, some times, all to do with my phobia. Do you mind me asking how long you have been taking tablets, and how are they helping ?

Hi all x sorry haven’t posted for few days, therapy twice this week, exhausting and emotionally painful.

Katyj. Fantastic , you will do it x

lovebeige I so understand , I can go 2 weeks without seeing anyone, depends when younger granddaughter can come down, she is in university. Good that you go for a walk. I am hopeless at counting calories and am longing to get to size 10 and I don’t exercise!

MissAdventure keep posting x

I don’t visit the therapist, we use Face time, if anyone looked through the window during a session they would see me looking at lap top, talking and eyes going left to right, right to left.
Younger daughter coming today, and younger daughter too,
Coming down from Lincolnshire for 5 days , she usually comes twice a year for 2 days,

Next step with therapy, have to go out on Fred (my scooter)
With my daughter walking with me and next Tuesday have to walk down the garden path (gulp) clutching iPad ,face timing therapist. Hope I don’t have to swivel eyes and walk at the same time !

All on medication keep taking it,

MissAdventure do see the grumpy GP, she is there for you, not you for her, and she is paid more ?

Hi Annie. You had me puzzled when you said you were seeing the therapist, but finding it difficult to go out.
That's when technology really comes into its own, good to see you've still got a sense of humour, mine seems to have disappeared hope I can find it again soon. Enjoy your visitors, I haven't had any today, maybe tomorrow fingers crossed . Sounds as if your coming along nicely with your treatment, on to the next stage outside .Keep on doing what your doing, and think about spring and summer around the corner, how lovely would it be to be able to have a walk outside.

I do like to keep busy and l endeavour to have a focus for each day. However if l am out and about and chatting with people l can get triggered often. It is like an emotional reaction l feel. Does anyone else get triggered easily and any tips possibly for dealing with them.
Thanks all. Dawn

Dawn I have that to come when I start going out , do keep going out there please, it’s the reason I have agoraphobia, I didn’t want to go out in case I met people , this led to not able to go out the front door .

Hi Anniebach just wanted to say hi see how every one is doing.. I keep reading all your comments. Trying to stay up to date with what’s going on..

Annie, the only way I could face going out was to keep saying the words to Walk with me oh my Lord, I found the words Hold My Hand and guide me on Thy way to be a great source of comfort and gave me courage.
To all on this thread my love and thoughts are with you xx

I've been a bit down today but am not sure exactly why. Yesterday was St Patrick's Day and this always gets me down as it's when late DH got his terminal diagnosis.
Sometimes it's silly little things which sadden me - like it's 'one more thing.'
I've a lot to be thankful for really, they've just faded into the distance a bit for the moment.

Hi Joce hope things are ok with you x

lovebeige dates to bring sadness , stay brave x

Grandmashe thank you x

I went out with Fred today, had arranged with therapist I would leave the bungalow and just ride on Fred along the garden path, to path leading to road in the Cul de sac, I did the paths, crossed the road drive into the parking area the other side of the Cul de sac, it was cold and drizzling so I then came back to the bungalow, I think if the weather had been kinder I may have gone a little bit further . My younger daughter is down for a few days so I had company,

I did it

That's fantastic Annie

Oh well done Annie, so so pleased and proud of you xxxx

Wow Annie fantastic.You must be so proud of yourself. How did you feel once home ? I hope you feel amazing, and empowered. Ready for another trip out tomorrow.

Thank you. I was so fearful going out the front door, sat on Fred and concentrating on how he works the fear calmed.
Driving away from the bungalow gave such a feeling of freedom so I just went further than I had agreed to go .

My younger daughter didn’t walk along side , she stood on the front path. I am not yet ready to go it alone though, it will take time. What matters now is - I did it and will do it again.