FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

Concerned about my medication

Rod_NR93
Community Member

Hi all

I'm feeling down. I have anxiety and depression. For months my psychiatrist and I had been trying to find the right antidepressant for me. I was despairing but in December we tried one that turned out to work well. I have been on that drug since then at the highest dose, in combination with another.

I felt so happy I was finally getting relief from one and I have been improving bit by bit ever since. This past week though I have felt the old symptoms return and I'm almost terrified the drug I am on has stopped working after four months of steady improvement.

I predicate this on the following though. Since February I have been sick on and off with a throat infection and last week it flared up again. I have also just finished a course of antibiotics. I have spent a lot of time this past week in bed and I still just don't have it in me to go out. This is almost certainly adding to my depression.

My question though is this. If an antidepressant is working well for me, should I expect it to work all the time or are relapse periods while on the drug normal or not to be alarmed about?

Thank you

2 Replies 2

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi Rod, no matter how much your medication is working, it's not going to stop your anxiety depression 24/7 365 days a year, there will be certain periods where something else may happen, which you are not prepared for, or know what to do, that doesn't mean you are at fault, this is what this illness has the ability and strength to do.

I'm not depressed but have still had a few relapses because my situation has suddenly changed, fortunately, I know that it will pass in a couple of weeks.

If you aren't feeling well after quite a while then you must go back to your doctor.

I hope you feel better soon, so please let us know.

Geoff.

Nurse_Jenn
Community Member

Hi Rod,

Great to see you posting on the forum. I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with a sore throat and infection but it is good news that you have found an antidepressant medication that works for you. Having symptoms of depression or anxiety can ebb and flow despite having good medication management. This can be from a wide variety of reasons. For example stress, illness, even international travel and associated jet lag can stress the body significantly.

I like to use analogies. Imagine if you have a broken leg. You may have had many different treatments to get back the leg back to a functional recovered state (casting, physio, strengthening etc.) but in the long term there may be a weakness to that limb that you just have to be a bit careful of and is more vulnerable to injury. You might keep an eye on this leg a bit more and if you get pain, you may go back to the physio etc.

With depression and anxiety, people can recover and maintain long term recovery but during periods of stress or illness, some people may be more vulnerable to symptoms resurfacing and I always encourage people to not ignore any symptoms and to try to start self care strategies early. Like any part of the body that has gone through a recovery journey, it is always good to act early if symptoms start to recur.

Using a journal to track your mood and symptoms is a good way to make sure you are improving over time. I also encourage you to focus on healing your throat infection, healthy eating, getting enough sleep and visiting your GP to check in.

Optimistically, as your infection clears, your energy will return. But if you are not starting to feel well, visit your GP and seek some further advice and support. Let us know how you go on the forum if you are up to posting.

Wishing you the best possible outcome.

Nurse Jenn