I'm willing to try medication now

Good deal, DITL!

Keep us posted on how you're faring... sounds like things are going well atm... woohoo!

I was taking the med (generic Paxil) mid-morning because I knew I'd always be awake for it then, but it's been making me too sleepy the first part of my work day. So, I'm going to start taking it at night around bedtime. I missed a dose yesterday because I'm making the change--skipped the morning and forgot it at night. I had lots of energy for work this morning, no sleepiness at all, and I was getting multiple things going at once. I didn't have that since I started taking it, so it might be mellowing me out too much. I'll see how work goes after I resume the pill tonight.

DITL,
Ah, the fun of tweaking when we take the meds. Right there with ya! Superb job of noticing how you're responding to it and making adjustments. Let us know how the switch goes and keep up the great work!!!

Hugs,
Kosh

I'm taking the medicine at night now. I'm also at 10mg instead of 20. I think things are a lot better. Sleep still feels active like I'm dreaming more. But I'm not tired other times when I don't want to be. And I took my long walk today and had almost nothing to think through. I use the 45 minutes or so to reflect on the week and how I handled things. I feel very good about how everything's been going. So when I thought of things and asked myself what I want to do about it, my answer was I'm already doing it and it feels good. Of course, I could just be in a hypomanic phase. A few weeks of this and I should have a better idea.

Hi Dark in the Light!
Great to hear from you! I can completely remember having the active dream side effect when I was on something r other... Dang... Tried so many they run together... Along with the fatigue when you don't want it! The night time dose works like a charm, though. It must be sooo good to take that 45 minute walk and... Reflect back on your week and feel good about how it went! That doesn't sound like a hypomanic phase to me : ). It sounds like honest to goodness peace of mind and balance that brings us out of the pit and in a few weeks... It will be very interesting how your outlook changes even more. Cheering you on!!!

Hi Dark in the Light
I am new on here having only just joined yesterday & I just wanted to say thank you for your great post. I have just posted a question on one of the other threads about my dilemma about taking medication. I was brought up not to take medication and I am worried that psychologically I won't let myself take it. I am having psychotherapy three times a week which is helping. I am so scared that the drugs will have side effects and that I will feel weird not 'being me' anymore. I need to sit down and read all the entries on here. I must admit I am so excited and overwhelmed by finding this great site and all the wonderful entries. I want to be able to read everything now!!! So I feel a sense of panic as I don't know where to start and I am worried I will miss bits out! OMG its wonderful to feel that I am not alone anymore. I am I 44 and was diagnosed in Jan having been originally diagnosed two years ago.

Bigs hugs & kisses
Sarah x

Welcome to the forum, Sarah.

I don't believe I've seen your other post yet. I'm sure though that if I don't have the answers you're looking for, several other people here will. I used to not even take cold medicine. But as I get older, I feel less willing to put up with the cold symptoms. So I've gradually overcome the same kind of mindset.

I hope you're on the right path for your treatment. As side effects go, those affecting one person may not affect the next. You may not even get the same beneficial effects as someone else. So many people on this message board have talked about the trial and error of finding the right med(s).

Sarah,
Dark's only recently begun to try out meds and talked on here quite extensively throughout making that decision, so I'm sure you guys have/had a lot of the same feelings and concerns and lots to talk about.

DITL- how you faring lately with the meds? Any positives or negatives yet?

Hugs,
Kosh

Thanks for asking, koshka.

Taking the 10mg of generic Paxil at night seems to be working. I'm ready for work in the morning and I'm getting things done quickly. I feel hypomanic in the right amount. When I started, 20mg in the morning made me very sleepy much of the time, although not the first few days. Another good effect was that fast flashing lights didn't bother me. I'm not epileptic, but strong flickers tire my eyes out real quick. A whole bunch of them at a roller skating rink didn't bother me on the med. I haven't been around any since I dropped to the lower dose so I don't know how I handle it now yet. I've been grinding my teeth lately. I never used to do that. Or maybe I did and didn't know it.

I could just be in the hypomanic phase now. I guess I'll know more in another week or two.

DITL,
Sounds like the tweaking doses is helping. They have you only on an AD? No mood stabilizers? Was just wondering cuz you mentioned that the Paxil at a certain dose instigates hypo in ya.

Hugs,
K