It’s Friday, and I’m reporting in with my Moodblog. I’m at work right now, and I have a meeting in a few minutes, but I just wanted to post something while I thought of it.
I have been PMSing for a week or so, I believe, but NO PERIOD! I’m on Loestrin-24 Fe, and that has been known to happen in the past. Once, I didn’t have a period for 70 days, I think. It’s not that I enjoy having my period, but it’s comforting to know that it’s the reason why I feel so crazy, ya know? My period is horrible and painful when I’m not on the pill… or even when I’m on any other birth control, besides Loestrin… so I should be elated when I don’t have it, but it just feels weird (yes, I am sure I’m not pregnant).
At any rate, I’ve felt the need to take Lorazepam during the day twice this week, which I try to avoid, and I’ve gotten all teary about dumb things on a couple of occasions (e.g., when the dean of the college where I work asked me to make a certificate for someone, when I am not his administrative assistant, and I was supposed to be attending this event as an audience member, not an employee). Anyway, I just wish Aunt Flow would get here and assure me that I am hormonal, not crazy. However, since I’m on day 32 of my cycle at this point, I’m not holding my breath…
Moodblog,
Wow I just randomly came across your blog through a google search about the meds I’m on… just had to comment because I’ve been going through so much of the same stuff as you with meds for the past few years. Haven’t found the right combination yet and it’s quite frustrating… Prozac for anxiety and hormonal depression, lorazepam for panic attacks, trazodone to sleep, and provigil to try to help the “lethargy/fuzziness” I feel during the day. It’s hard to live an active life with all that! So, basically, I sympathize and hope everything gets better for you… and there are plenty of us dealing with similar problems…nice to know we’re not alone! Best, KT
It is nice to know we’re not alone! I’m interested in this “provigil to help the ‘lethary/fuzziness.’” I’d never heard of anything prescribed for that purpose and would be interested in learning more (not that I want more meds).
Anyway, thank you!
Hi again,
Yeah, I certainly have been loathe to add new meds, too, but after trying tons of different things, Provigil is working pretty well for me. My psychiatrist says that after being on antidepressants for a long time, many people start to get a sedating effect from it, which can also make you feel apathetic, get more panic/anxiety attacks or waves of depression, etc. It also lessens your quality of sleep so you often feel exhausted and unfocused despite many hours of sleep. In my case the Prozac does a decent job other than the sedating thing, so we’ve tried various stimulants to deal with that. Ritalin and Adderall (stimulants if you don’t have ADD) worked briefly but then the side effects were too much (headaches, jittery feeling, etc.) so in came Provigil. It’s actually a medication for narcolepsy, but can be used for people who have sleep disturbances or trouble being alert during the day. Not sure if your doc knows about it or if it’d work for you, but who knows… good luck though!