My prescribing doctors were always puzzled by how quickly mental health drugs affect me. Apparently, it normally takes at least two weeks for a medication to build up in a patient’s system enough to start working.
But not me. I usually feel the effects within a day — two tops. Apparently, it’s a common trait among bipolar people.
Lest you unipolar depressives get too envious: We also have to increase dosages more often, which means we top out and either have to add or switch medications. At one point, I was on three antidepressants,taking 10 pills every morning.
Anyway, all this background is to say that, yes, I was given a new antidepressant in my system and, yes, the depression has already receded a little.
I started a sample pack of Rexulti on Tuesday. I take 0.5 mg a day for one week, and 1 mg a day the second week. Then I meet with my doctor to evaluate.
But I can definitely see progress. Wednesday I started feeling a little clearer. The thought of an errand or chore didn’t make me feel completely overwhelmed. And I could think about leaving the house without feeling my soul shrivel.
In fact, I actually voluntarily ran a couple of errands. I mean, I wasn’t chomping at the bit to do them, but I actively offered to go because I felt up to them.
These (and other) things are still a little harder than I think they should be, so I’m hoping the higher dose will help a bit more. But overall I’m definitely pleased with the results. Maybe then I can convince my body that more fruit and less chocolate is okay.
I’ll keep you guys up to date, and I’m very close to being done on that last installment of the inspiration porn posts. Then I promise I’ll try to talk about something financial rather than disability or depression. I think most of us could use the change of pace.
Donna Freedman says
Glad to hear that the medicine is taking hold. Long may that wave!
Donna Freedman recently posted…Drinking from the hose, eating from the dirt.
Becky says
As a unipolar depressive I’m very happy for you. I know that feeling when the depression starts to lift. My problems are nowhere near yours. But it took a long time to even realize I was depressed. Years. Events at work saw a return. Your determination when yours came back helped me seek help again. Thanks.
Abigail says
Wow, that’s a huge compliment. I’m glad that you’re getting the help you need. It makes the world of difference, even if it takes a little time for the help (therapy or meds or both) to take effect.
If you read the Hard Times post, then you know that even people like myself with ongoing depression struggle to realize that things have gotten worse. Or perhaps to accept that they’re staying that way. So it’s completely understandable that you didn’t realize you were depressed. It sneaks up on you. Plus, it messes with how you think so that it can seem either like it’s always been that way or that this is just how you’re supposed to feel because the world is awful or that we’re bad people or whatever.
I hope the stuff at work gets resolved in a positive way for you, but it may also help once you’re getting some support from whatever form of help you decided to seek. In the meantime, please be kind to yourself.
Susan says
Encouraging news. Hang in there.
Abigail says
Will do, thanks!
Catseye says
I’m glad that the Rexulti is helping you. May you feel even better next week!
Abigail says
Today’s the second day of the 1 mg, and I think I see a bit of a difference. But since my sleep is uneven without my med, it can be hard to compare apples to apples when every two or three days I have a fog of exhaustion affecting thinking/feelings. I guess the next couple of days will tell me what I need to know.
Amanda says
I’m so glad it lifted the fog a little!
Amanda recently posted…The Most Surprising Development on My Personal Finance Journey
Abigail says
Me too. It’s nice to be able to think about errands/chores without wanting to cry. (Except inasmuch as both suck in general.)
jolie says
Do you find your medications affecting your memory? My sister is bipolar and her memory (short term and recall) has degraded significantly. Just wondering . Glad you are feeling better. That feeling ‘clear’ is so important.
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Abigail says
Sorry to hear about the side effects your sister is experiencing. Due to the brain fog that comes with fatigue, I don’t know that I’d be able to discern between fatigue and meds affecting short-term memory. But I think overall mine’s still pretty intact in general. I’ve always been a bit easily distracted, thereby forgetting what I was about to say, but I don’t think that’s worsened much with either the Lamictil or the Rexulti. If it’s too bad, she might want to try something else, though god knows it’s a) hard to deal with the side effects of weaning off a med and b) scary since you don’t know if the next one will work.
Lynn C says
Am so glad you’re (finally!) getting some relief. Here’s hoping it’s the beginning of a trend!
Abigail says
Thanks! I’m officially on the 1 mg as of yesterday and I *think* I see a difference from even the 0.5 mg. But time will tell.
Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life says
Crossing my fingers that it stays working. There’s something wrong with that sentence but I simply can’t care.
Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life recently posted…On the home(buying) front: money choices
Abigail says
Nah, the sentence works. You just take care of yourself amid all the current… Everything. *Virtual hug*
Lisa O says
Good news…glad to hear that you are on the upswing!
Kat says
YAY! Hey, screw inspiration porn- small victories work way better.
Unfortunately, I’m being bit by the most frustrating thing about AIP (at least, for me). Once they drug me up to get me over the pain of the attack, my GI system has gotten way off track. This means my metabolic rate fluctuates. So, a relatively stable medication regiment is suddenly doesn’t work right and I get to go through “do I need to tweak this or just eat more yogurt?” moment. In the mean time, they try to keep me out of pain.
This latest two-step has included a little twist. Normally, I tolerate opiates no problem. They stop pain, I stop feeling stressed by pain, thank you and goodnight. Then came fentanyl patches. I had been unprepared for that strength and may have uttered something about the smoke detector staring at me and asking the husband why said smoke detector was doing so… how much of a smart as is my best friend? “No sweetie, that’s the carbon monoxide detector. The smoke director is trying to see down my dress again.”
dee says
There are three generations that have mental illness in my family. My dad was bipolar (although since that was so long ago, no one knew about that diagnosis then), I have depression/anxiety and my daughter also has bipolar. She was diagnosed last year and she is now on her third med…lithium…which is working great for her. It’s so hard to watch her struggle with life but she is slowly learning how to make better choices for herself. This disease is so different for each person but what difficulty we all have when we or someone we love has to bear this burden. I appreciate everyone who shares their comments on this. Dee
Abigail says
I’m glad lithium is working for her. I dates a guy who was on that. It’s old-school but as long as it works, I’m happy for your daughter. I hope both of you take good care of yourselves.
ZJ Thorne says
(I know I’m late), but I hope that you found a good balance of meds for your current needs. Lots of solidarity!
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Abigail says
Thanks, and yes the new med is definitely helping. Thank goodness!