Exhaustion 2: Depression Boogaloo
So the exhaustion/depression continues, which is why I haven’t been keeping up with this blog. I can barely keep up with my email; blogging has been beyond me.
My vitamin D is within the normal range, but a low normal. I’m taking a calcium + D supplement, but my doctor doesn’t think I need a prescription vitamin D. My iron and B12 are normal. Upping my Zoloft didn’t help at all. My doctor thinks that the Zoloft was no longer working for me, so he prescribed citalopram (generic Celexa). This is my sixth day on it and so far the only change has been that I am even more exhausted. Seriously, yawning all the time, falling asleep in the middle of the day exhausted. I am overwhelmed by most housework and normal day-to-day tasks. I have been pushing myself, whenever possible, to go outside and get some sunshine, because that does help. Even sitting out on my balcony and reading a book for a little while makes things more manageable.
Adrian has been my rock throughout all this. He is so helpful, doing more cooking, cleaning, and childcare when I am sleeping or just schlumping around. Thinking up ways to make me feel better. I am so lucky to have him. I’ve also been blessed with support from other channels– my sister did a load of dishes and helped my kids clean up their room while she was over yesterday. On Monday my friend Olga hung out with me for a bit and lent me her stroller so I could get outside.
I’m hoping the citalopram will start to work and prove to be what I need, and the side effect (if that’s what it is) of increased exhaustion and lethargy will go away.
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Just curious if you’ve had your thyroid checked? My doc kept trying to put me on different depression meds, until she finally checked my TSH. Tip: if you go this route, make sure you get your T3 and free T4 levels checked too; normal TSH will cause a doc to dimiss thyroid issues but the other two levels can be way out of whack (secondary hypothyroidism) so this is really important. Also, Floradix helps me, big time. Hope you feel a positive change, soon!
July 29th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Yep. Thyroid is fine.
I had a couple days of feeling almost human, but now I am back to wanting to sleep all day. Just utterly exhausted.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I’m so sorry that you are suffering. It sounds miserable. My mom has severe depression (among other things, but don’t get me started). She is on Lexipro and Abilify. She had tried a bunch of other stuff, including Zoloft, and they just couldn’t help her.
The Lexipro / Abilify combination is the only thing that didn’t make her lethargic, anxious or cause her undue weight gain. Maybe you could mention it to your physician.
I wish I was closer, I’d love to help out. I hope you feel better.
Take care!