Chicken boarders

[scarlettohara]

I currently take citalopram which works well for me. I just wondered if anyone takes ADs and at what time of day you take them ? I take mine in the evening but wonder if I am losing a lot of the benefit while I'm sleeping

[WarrensWorld]

I used to take citalopram, nasty stuff. I now take venlafaxin. straight after breakfast. No drowsiness and far less side effects than citalopram, but still as a few. Best try to get off pills anyway. At this time I'm throwing myself into gardening, not giving the black dog a chance to bite.

[cluckingmad]

I take paroxetine, but for obsessive compulsive disorder.. means a higher dose so much nastier side effects, so I also take mine just before bedtime so the nausea doesn't cause problems

 

However... currently managing to stay stable on a low therapeutic dose, so there is hope that I may not have to take them for life!

[scarlettohara]

Thanks for posting - my side affects went very quicky and I feel so much better (husband of 21 years left me for someone else) but do feel a bit miserable/lonely in the evenings. Will speak to my GP about changing to mornings

[The Dogmother]

Perhaps it might help to sign up for some evening activities.... sports, crafts, reading group... whatever takes your fancy.

[scarlettohara]

I work quite a few evenings and weekends so am happy to stay in when I'm not (with dogs, cats and chooks of course ) but this is when I miss him most I suppose - just nice to have someone to chat about your day to

[cluckingmad]

Keep your chin up sweetheart, we're always here if you need a chat

[scarlettohara]

Keep your chin up sweetheart, we're always here if you need a chat

 

What a lovely thing to say and much appreciated I spend a bit of time on here in the evenings which always cheers me up. I find my chickens so fascinating I want to talk about them all the time - he'd probably find it boring anyway

[cluckingmad]

you're welcome - I'm happy to talk about the girls alllll day long!

[Alis girls]

I also take Venalafine same as Warren world. I get by on minimum dose - I have put weight in and my head feels "muddly" but I am menopausal so that could be that. If i miss a dose I feel nauseous after I re start. I dont know what I would be like without them.

Theres always someone on here Scarlet - which part of Herts are you?

[chickenNutter]

The effects are cumulative, and evenly balanced over the 24 hours so as long as you take them regularly, it doesn't matter which end of the day you take them. The only benefit to taking them at night is if you suffer from drowsy side effects - you sleep the worst off!

 

Was on Citalopram for quite a long time, but made me quite hyperactive, so have now changed to Lustral (also v low maintenance dose as, after many years of different treatments, my doctor reckons I have got a wonky system for regulating the various chemicals in my brain and these tablets help to regulate it. I take mine at night as I feel better that way. Personally I am more than happy to stay on them for ever, the kids call them my 'happy pills'!

[cluckingmad]

funnily enough mine are also termed Happy Pills Must admit, they gave me my life back and if taking a table everyday for the rest of my existance is the price i have to pay then I'm more than happy to pay it

[rachelk]

My friend who is a GP says that anti depressants should be considered in the same way as insulin for diabetics. Diabetics have an imbalance that is treated with insulin, depressedpeople have an imbalance and are treated with anti depressants. It made me think about taking them in a whole different way, and I agree, if taking tablets is necessary then do it. There seems to still be a stigma attached to taking them, but it can make the difference between existing and living.

 

I was told to take mine (fluoxetine) in the morning as they can disturb sleep, so its best to ask your GP

 

Keep smiling.

[chickenNutter]

Hee Hee! Bonkers people of the world on Happy Pills unite!

 

If more people were honest about what the strain of modern life does to their brains, there wouldn't be such a stigma about mental health. I quite like being bonkers! (On a good day!)

[scarlettohara]

Alis Girls - I'm in St Albans if you ever fancy a chat

 

They do make me sleepy and very hyperactive - I do everything in quick time

 

My GP has said to stay on them for at least a year and I'm happy with that - the thought of not taking them is a bit scary

 

I have also had brilliant counselling and I was always very blase about that and anti-depressants - it has certainly made me look at depression with much more understanding. I feel so much more in control and yes probably slightly mad at times

[keyhole kate]

Alis Girls - I'm in St Albans if you ever fancy a chat :

 

Helloooo

Waves from Hemel Hempstead I take citilopram too!!

[cluckingmad]

I am proud to admit to being possibly the original Mad Cow I went through almost 25 years of hell before being diagnosed with the OCD, but not before having two physical breakdowns before the age of 26 Was mortified to be put on antidepressants initially, was on sertraline for a little while but hated it so much I was taken off it... about 6 months of going it alone I went back to the GP (who was wonderful) and went on paroxetine. It gave me my life back, and I totally agree with the diabetes analogy

 

The sad thing is, the GP commented that it used to be folk in their 50's needing help, now its people just starting out in their 20's who are off with stress and anxiety disorders I've been on the paroxetine now for almost 6 years, I'm doing things now I could never have even contemplated doing before I was diagnosed like cooking or baking... and I must admit keeping chickens would never have happened before (I wouldn't have been able to stand the mess!!)

 

My girls are now therapy for me - after a really pants day at work they're the perfect tonic for any glumness - how anyone can look at them, knickers in the air pecking at everything and not smile is not human

[WarrensWorld]

Alis Girls - I'm in St Albans if you ever fancy a chat :

 

Helloooo

Waves from Hemel Hempstead I take citilopram too!!

I lived in Bushey Heath for 14 years, I was begining to think it might be an Hertfordshire epidemic. (just trying to make light of).

[keyhole kate]

Alis Girls - I'm in St Albans if you ever fancy a chat :

 

Helloooo

Waves from Hemel Hempstead I take citilopram too!!

I lived in Bushey Heath for 14 years, I was begining to think it might be an Hertfordshire epidemic. (just trying to make light of).

 

There could be something in that after all

kk

[sparkysmum]

Hello, have never been on anti depressants but have been "teetering on the edge " from time to time. For me exercise always helps. Produces lots of "happy hormones" & gets you fit at the same time. Stay well Lots of Love . Axx

[Snowy]

Can I add a very gentle word of caution here? I know you need to stay positive, and part of that is to make light of the condition. However using words like 'bonkers' 'crazy' and 'mad cow' can sometimes be unhelpful! I find when people are newly diagnosed, they can be quite distressed at having a 'mental health problem'. It takes a lot of explaining to get them to understand that it is a chemical imbalance in the body that causes psychological symptoms of depression, they are not 'cracking up' or 'losing it'.

 

So carry on being positive, keep taking the happy pills, but just be aware of how is appears to someone who doesn't understand yet

 

OK, that's todays lecture over with

[Alis girls]

Waves from Mill Hill - yes it is easy to be blase. I have good days and bad - yesterday was bad - I was soo hyped up my Blood pressure had soared (checked at work) and my head pounded. i was worried i would have a stroke. Went to bed at 6.30pm slept for 2 hours and back to bed at 10. Feel better today - done a lot and also fell over delivering leaflets - it may not be connected bu co'ordination not good. Hope you others are faring better. My animals are a comfort - soft fur and feathers is very comforting and the beat of a tiny heart felt as you hold them (I am now geting poetic and maudlin) I will go before I have you all weeping in the aisles

[sadietoo]

Hi, just wanted to say I don't take and never have taken anti-depressants, but my Mum was on everything that was available in the 70's, and I'm just soo glad the drugs have moved forward..... but going back to Scarletto'hara's original posting....evenings seem to be a particular problem, but (it seems to me) that part of what is going on is grieving for what has gone, and I'm not really sure you can medicate for that....for my own personal tragedy, I found the best way to move forward and start to feel better again was counselling...In the meantime, sending love and hugs, keep the faith in yourself, you will come through it.xxx

[mostin]

Hi there *waves*, don't worry, it hits oooop North too .

 

Been fighting the black dog for quite a few years now. Chickens are a godsend but the "happy pills" enable me to function and still be employed at the worst times.

 

I am bi-polar so I take fluoxetine for the depression, and tompiramate to try to control the highs and lows.

 

I was told to take mine (fluoxetine) in the morning as they can disturb sleep

 

I was also told this about about Fluoxetine, so take it in the morning, but the other drug, which is also used to prophylactically treat my migraines, is a split dose, morning and night.

 

I'm tweaking down the dose right now, as happens every summer, when I feel better and can be more active, but I've no doubt it will go back up again in the winter when there are anniveraries that remind me of events I'd rather forget, and stressful family get togethers.

 

I used to feel a complete failure about this, but now I realise that that's just the way things are for me. I've had some courses of counselling but quite often have ended up a lot worse, as I'm just not ready to deal with a lot of things yet.

 

Sometimes, you just need time, and a helping hand along the way. You can't rush healing, no matter how much you want to.

 

It's always nice to know that there are people on here that understand, and I have met some really lovely and caring people through the omlet chicken world.

 

Big hugs to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[welovemarmite]

My friend who is a GP says that anti depressants should be considered in the same way as insulin for diabetics. Diabetics have an imbalance that is treated with insulin, depressedpeople have an imbalance and are treated with anti depressants. It made me think about taking them in a whole different way, and I agree, if taking tablets is necessary then do it. There seems to still be a stigma attached to taking them, but it can make the difference between existing and living.

 

I had a psychiatrist explain it to me in this way and as a result I feel quite happy to take mine. I take citalopram and have done for a few years. The only side effects I get are when I change my dose level. i was also told to take them in the morning as they can keep you awake at night. I am in the process of reducing mine and am now on half what i was in january. A lot of mine is winter related although not solely, so trying to get my dose down really low or even off them before winter so I can try with a much lower dose for winter.

 

I wish people were more open about it all. It shouldnt be something we are ashamed about.