Coping through increase (Celexa)

I have had to wait 4 to 6 weeks for a medication to even begin to start to bring up my mood and a little longer for full effect but it was always worth it.
I think it’s nothing short of miraculous that your medication worked for 21 years. I think you should take that as a sign that increasing the dose will probably work, it just may take a little longer because you are older.
There are many stories of hope and healing on this site and many others, try to focus on the positive ones!!
There are also new medicines out there that have shown great promise in treating depression.
Be sure to check out the “Just want to talk” forum for a ton of great humor and jokes.
I’ll be thinking of you 🤞😃

@meryw
Thank you, your words are very encouraging 🙂
Looking back on it now, it was amazing they worked for that long. I feel like I took it for granted now 🙁
My hope is precisely as you said, that the increase of something that was working should help again. As you well know, it's the waiting and the feeling worse that is so friggen hard! I will also add to that the needless worry that it won't work, when I have nothing to support that belief ???
I appreciate your thoughts and commenting. Thanks again.

@rufus31
Don’t you dare beat yourself up for “taking it for granted”! You were living your life and hopefully enjoying it. This whole thing about having to be grateful every minute is just exhausting. It’s the moment that counts.
And stop saying “needless” worry. It’s just another way to put yourself down. You’re worried. That’s perfectly normal and human. You’re probably a lot of other things too! I hope some of them are even positive.
Crying is emotional regulation. There’s no shame in it. Obviously, it’s not something that you want to be doing all the time but it’s also not the worst thing you could do. Don’t hurt yourself. Don’t hurt anyone else. The rest will come to you soon.
Think of things that make your heart happy. For me it’s my animals and nature. What is it for you?

Ditto! Animals and nature are my 2 biggest things. My dogs get me through some of my worst times and I make sure to keep my bird feeders kept up so I can watch whatever comes along for a snack...all critters welcome! I love puttering in the woods, garden, etc .... but until recently the weather has been crap!
I did live life well. I enjoyed it and was a very positive, productive and caring person. That's part of what is SO hard for me right now. I am a mere shadow of what I was prior to this recurrence of the MDD( Crashed on Dec 7th) . For years I have raised orphaned wildlife babies, but this season I just can't do it....No energy, no focus and mostly because many of them come from bad situations (orphaned too long, sick, injured) ...some of them dying is inevitable...and I just could not take the heartbreak I feel each time one dies 🙁
Teeny tiny babies also need to be fed at all hours and focusing on proper (sleeping pill induced) sleep is critical for me right now. I do try to remember that this is now and hopefully it'll all change for the better again.
Thank you for your message/words to remember. I'm a pro at beating myself up....gotta figure out some way to stop that!

@rufus31 Many of us can relate to your dilemma! Medication effectiveness can change over time. Perhaps it is because of a different combination now in place, or the time of day you take it, or a change in the manufacturer. For me, I have been on the same depression med for years, and sometimes wonder if it is still "doing its job" as others have changed in my arsenal.

The good thing is you have recognized it, and are doing something about it. Please be gentle on yourself. It may take more time than you want, but I am betting you will come back to your old self soon. And let us know how you are doing today.
Ginger

@gingerw
Thanks Ginger. Everyone on this platform seems so amazing. Having volunteer Mentors is such a great idea. Touching base with people who have "been there, done that" is so incredibly supportive.
Tomorrow is week 3 of the increase. It seems long, but I know it is only a drop in the bucket in Depression Time. I haven't had any good days since Dec 6th, just variations of easier or more difficult to get through. Like a bad ride at an amusement park, that you are screaming to get off of, I shall just keep on hanging on to whatever safety rail until it's over.
Finding this site had added to my safety rails 🙂
Thank you everyone for being here.

I'd prefer being surrounded by critters in a park than a mall packed with people!

I’m interested in knowing if anyone has been on Paxil. I was for years and I loved it. I now know I was on too much for my age, 78 yrs and 60 mg. I had hand tremors and felt awful. I told my psychiatrist I wanted to taper off and try another drug or drugs. It was a night mare and I ended up in tbe emergency room. I have returned to Paxil and am at 20 mg. It’s working again but I was off too long and am starting from scratch. I still have some anxiety but much better and am in this for the long run. The start up was tough and due to my age it may take longer. Has anyone had experience in Paxil? I feel I am doing the right thing.

@maryjjeandennis - I removed your personal email only because I wanted to protect your safety and privacy. Probably the best way to have a private conversation with a member here is to use the private message tool on Connect. See the little envelope icon at the top right of any page.

Thankyou, I removed my e-mail