connie, I think you honestly won't notice any effects for at least 2 weeks, and even then, not the full effect. With SSRIs, you have to give them a full month to really kick in.
What I can say from my own experience with it is that it's NOT like flipping a lightswitch in a pitch-black room -- there's no sudden onset of Zippidee-doo-dah -- but more like a fog burning off. And then, a month or 6 weeks after starting it, I realized that, huh, THIS is how other people feel ALL THE TIME?
I hope you don't mind me saying this, but from the way you've described the stress you're under -- particularly the meltdown you had in the doctor's office -- it sounds like taking an antidepressant, even temporarily, could be a good thing and help you get some psychic equanimity.
What Teppy said. Taking an AD is like taking insulin--it's not a matter of willpower, it's a matter of chemistry.
Damn, I take a lot of pills.
If it makes you feel any better, I take 2 antidepressants (Wellbutrin and Zoloft), blood pressure meds (benazepril), Claritin, drugs for my IBS (Bentyl and Gas-X), and most days I take ibuprofen a couple of times for some damn thing. And then there's migraine drugs when I have a migraine, Ambien when I can't sleep, Flexiril when my back is jacked up...
Don't make me list all the vitamins/supplements I take. It's comical.
I hope you don't mind me saying this
Not in the least, I've suspected I need something for quite a while.
And then, a month or 6 weeks after starting it, I realized that, huh, THIS is how other people feel ALL THE TIME?
Or, if you're me - well, I guess maybe I might feel a little better, kind of? also, zzzz...
/mememe med bitterness
Damn, I take a lot of pills.
Medications: 2 for blood pressure; 1 for ADD; 1 for anxiety; 1 anti-cancer; 1 for GERD; 1 for sleeping; 1 as-needed for anxiety; 3 inhaled asthma drugs; and daily handfuls of ibuprofen and antihistamines, plus the hydrocodone I'm taking right now to grit out the five weeks until my ortho appointment for the tendinitis. (There are only three weeks left now. I keep calling hoping for a cancellation. I want my cortisone shot. Sob.)
Better living through chemistry.
I'm down to thyroid meds and vitamins, and OTC for pain. I see my new doc tomorrow. I suspect that state of affairs won't last.
2 for diabetes, 2 for high blood pressure, one for cholesterol, one for depression, one OTC for joints, one antibiotic, one aspirin, 2 vitamins. A few of those are take twice a day. Could be worse.
Thanks, all, for the hugging.
The storm is passing; I'm still at work for 2 hours, but then I will sleep. I'll be able to, now.
{{{SH}}}
I wish TCG had mentioned he was going to be working late before I bought heavy, perishable groceries. Ouch.
