3 weeks in and looking for advice

1. sophie164 16 May 2011 at 15:16PM
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   Hello, I am new to this site and came across it whilst looking for some advice and have found it to be quite helpful reading other peoples stories.

   I am 25 and have recently been prescribed Fluoxetine for depression which was triggered from a breakup with my boyfriend of 7.5 years which has left me devastated, throughout our relationship there were times I probably should have gone to the doctor and gotten help as I have struggled in the past however carrying on as normal has resulted in this situation now. I am now in my 3rd week, the first week I couldnt stop crying (this had been happening for over a month before anyway), the 2nd week I started to feel that the despair thoughts were disappearing and I was able to get up, go to work, go to the gym and didnt cry or felt like crying at all. This week however I feel I have gone back a step, woke up throughout the night with cold sweats, crying, tired and not able to focus. I did have a very emotional and upsetting phonecall with my ex last night which could have caused this? I wondered if anyone has any advice on whether things will get better or has had a similar experience? I am scared that I wont ever get my happiness back or that the best I'm ever going to feel is just 'not sad' but not happy either. I know it takes a while for the medication to work but any advice would be appreciated :-)

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2. t1969 18 May 2011 at 11:50AM

   Hi, i totally get what you are going through. I went through a very heartbreaking break up, it was a long time ago, but i will never forget it. Like you during the relationship i should have sought help, with me i had the signs of stress/anxiousness/self doubt etc, at that time i didnt know what was happening to me. I put up the barriers to protect myself, never let her close and she left. I was devastated. I didnt seek help until 6mths had passed and was prescribed Fluoxetine.

   Things were still hard for about 2 months or so, id be making progress in the right direction then a thought would enter my head or a conversation with my ex would take place and i would be knocked back. I think the conversation you had with your ex maybe set you back a bit as the emotions are still a bit raw.

   Things WILL get better. It takes time for the medication to get into your system, but its important that you help yourself too. By that i mean to keep that positive mindset, dont beat yourself up, dont knock yourself down, get into a routine, make sure u keep going to the gym as that is a great help for lifting mood.

   As for me, after 3 mths on Fluoxetine i started to get my mojo back and within 6 mths i was firing on all cylinders.

   However i did stop taking Fluoxetine as i thought i was better, Within maybe 8mths i started getting the self doubts again. However in my case i have been diagnosed with a seratonin deficiency (last week) which explains my self doubts/tiredness/fatigue/stress etc that has plagued me for many years.

   Im back on the Fluoxetine, but i will be on it for life. I know it works and im looking forward to a great future with no stress. Just remember, everything happens for a reason, and theres always a greater postive to come out of a negative situation. It may not be apparent now, but you will look back and learn something from it and no doubt learn something about yourself and be stronger for it. Keep with the Fluoxetine, dont stop taking it. Take it easy

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