This is the final part of my series on my experience of stopping and starting antidepressants. I’ve written other pieces about my antidepressant no longer working here, how I felt as I gradually decreased my dose of my previous medication here, and the first few days on Venlafaxine here. This is my last article, not because the new medication is already working, but because it will take weeks to do that. I’m over the worst of the side effects now, so I wanted to explain the roughest parts of the transition as that is what scares most people. I will add a few comments to later posts to update you on how I’m getting on, though.

Before I Begin…

I’m going to start with a bit of a sorry, not sorry vibe. I know this post is coming out a day late. I try to stay consistent, as if you’re kind enough to support me and be a Muser, then the least you deserve is a schedule you can count on. That said, it has been a truly gorgeous bank holiday weekend here in the UK. The sun has been beating down without a cloud in the sky. I’m starting to feel a little better this weekend out in the sunshine and topping up my vitamin D 😃.

How Am I Feeling?

My anxiety comes and goes. Last night, I got major Sunday night blues that are an unpleasant hangover from my days at a previous job where I regularly felt sick the night before work. It didn’t apply this time because I didn’t have work the next day and I actually really like my job. It’s just anxiety rearing its ugly head and picking a well-worn conduit.

The nausea has stopped thank goodness. No more feeling sick, and I am able to eat normally. From past experience, when stopping and starting antidepressants, I almost always feel sick, but it doesn’t last longer than three days. Eating little and often helps too.

My sleeping is still being disrupted. I get to sleep fine, but then I was up around 2 am, and I’m awake for at least an hour, usually two. This is contributing to my tiredness, but the pills themselves also can make you sleepy, and I have chronic fatigue, so I suspect it’s a combination of all three.

My mood is good. I know antidepressants take weeks to work, so I know they aren’t responsible. No matter how bad their depression is, most people experience hours, days, or even weeks of spontaneous remission. When mine comes, I don’t question it. I just enjoy it as fully as I can.

How I’m Enjoying My Happy Mood

This was a bank holiday weekend, so three whole days off 😃. On Saturday, I went to the garden centre and bought supplies for phase 2 of my planting. First up was nets to stop my little darlings digging up my veggies while using my carefully prepared beds as a litter tray. Secondly, I got compost to fill some empty pots and grow cat grass and more flowers. Finally, I got some nice stinky manure to nourish my soil.

On Sunday, I did the planting in the morning, and then in the afternoon, I had a barbecue with Mike and Jayne. The weather was glorious, and the food was delicious. Afterwards, we sat out in the sun and enjoyed being outside. I ended the day on the couch watching old episodes of The A-Team. It was great.

Today Jayne and I went out for a walk along the coast with a friend of ours, Rachel. Jayne came back here after our walk, and we had a nice lunch. I spent the afternoon napping and this evening soaking in the bath and washing my hair. It was the perfect prep to get ready for a new week at work.

Onwards

I hope you all had an equally lovely bank holiday. As I said earlier, I know when stopping and starting antidepressants, they take weeks to work, and I likely won’t feel this good permanently. Or at least, not for a while. That’s why I extracted every drop of joy I could out of it. It’s a lesson I’d love all of you to take away too. When joy comes along, don’t question it, or second guess it, or worry it will go away. Live in the moment and enjoy it as much as you can for as long as it lasts. While you’re at it, maybe spread a little of that joy around to others who need it. If we all do, then little by little, we’ll make the world a better place.