How do you know if your depression is adequately managed?

I've been paying a great deal more attention to my depression lately because I can feel it creeping in as the holiday approaches. Admittedly, I've not been working out as I should be, and part of that is probably depression-related as well. At the same time, I could be forcing myself to go, but I'm not. I feel run down and lack the energy necessary to expend during a workout. I'm also fully aware that I would feel so much better if I pushed through it and hit the gym, even if it wasn't for the full 90 minutes. The truth is, sometimes I get in my own way. Anyway, I've been looking at different ways to control my depression better, and I thought I would share some of the…

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Why I’m increasing my antidepressant today

I gave myself one week to grieve the loss of my marriage and that week was officially over. While I'm not hitting the ground running, at least as quickly as I was hoping, I am moving forward. In a little while, I have an appointment with my PCP over the phone, due to COVID. I've made the decision to talk to my doctor about increasing my antidepressant. The reason behind this is that I recognize that everything has taken a toll on me and while I'm not defeated, I'm also not in total control either. Depression is influencing me a bit more than I'm comfortable with right now, and frankly, it has been. The last couple of years have been difficult and I've been dealing with a lot. COVID has…

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Is this an adverse reaction to his antidepressant?

Emmett's been on Prozac for about a week or so now, and I noticed something today that I'm a bit concerned about. Frankly, I'm not sure why I didn't connect the dots sooner. Anyway, I've been noticing a significant increase in Emmett's energy levels. At first, I thought we might have to revisit his Adderall dose because his dose is very low. Today, however, it occurred to me that this may be related to going on Prozac. One of the ways that Bipolar is first noticed, especially in children is if they are put on an antidepressant. Use of antidepressants can cause someone who's Bipolar to swing into a manic phase. This is how we first became aware of Gavin having Bipolar disorder when he was little. This isn't an…

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I’ve been taking #Prozac for about 8 weeks now

I wanted to share a quick update in regards to my ongoing war with Depression. As many of you already know, I've been in a lifelong war with Depression. Recently, I shared that I went back to my doctor because I wasn't coping with life, and I was drowning in negative thoughts. About eight weeks ago, I began taking 20mg of Prozac daily, in conjunction with the Wellbutrin I was already on. I wasn't excited about going back on another antidepressant, but truthfully, the alternative wasn't an option. When I said I was drowning in negative thoughts, I was referring to constant worries about my kids, their future, my health, my wife's health, and literally everything else, all at once. Most of these worries were outside of my control and…

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Getting kicked in the ass by withdrawal symptoms again

The last day or so, I've been feeling better. Tomorrow makes two full weeks since I took my last dose of Paxil. It's been a mixed bag of absolute misery and somewhat survivable. Yesterday I was doing really well and thought I was finally at the tail end of this shit but I was wrong. I've been struggling with emotions today and feeling nauseated. I don't want to eat anything or even think about eating anything. I was supposed to see my doctor on Tuesday but that got bumped because Emmett needed to see his pediatrician. Like I said, I was feeling better and I thought I was past it. With any luck, this is just a minor setback...

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This is what withdrawing from #Paxil is doing to me

I wanted to touch base and let you guys know where I've been. Since last Thursday, I've been really, really struggling both physically and emotionally. I was doing pretty good, or so I thought. For most of the last 90 days or so, I was going okay. I would feel changes each time my dose was reduced but for the most part, I adjusted well. When I took my final dose last Thursday, I thought I was going to be free. Instead, I find myself struggling more than I ever have before. To be clear, I'm not struggling with Depression, the Fisher Wallace Stimulator I'm using is helping out a great deal on that end. The problem I'm having now is how my body is reacting to no longer having…

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