With the help of fluoxetine, my dysthymia is fully under control...
Category Everything Else
As I shared nearly a year ago, I started taking fluoxetine (generic form of Prozac) to battle a condition called dysthymia. It's chronic, low-level depression. I finally got to a point where I talked to my doctor, and he explained what I was suffering from. I just thought everyone felt that way. He put me on a low dose prescription of fluoxetine, and we waited for it to kick in. About seven weeks later, I noticed that I was starting to enjoy life again. I had the "ah-ha" moment when the kids poured water on my laptop and I didn't go off the deep end. And over the last three weeks, I've have a series of events that confirm that this was absolutely the right path for me.
For one, I'm changing jobs with absolutely no fear or anxiety. In the past, I've been a basket case before starting a new position (or even a new project with a client as a consultant). Can I handle it? Did I make the right choice? And so on. That's gone now. Thankfully...
Next, the speaking gig at Lotusphere. A few years ago, even the mere thought of that would keep me up at night. Now, I did the speaking and actually enjoyed it. Instead of being full of fear and self-doubt, I was experiencing anticipation for it to start. Major change...
And the car yesterday... A year ago, that would have thrown me for a loop. While I'd prefer that it hadn't have happened, I just can't seem to work up any major anger or indignation over it. Had they messed up our PT Cruiser, maybe... :-)
The last time I saw my doctor, he asked how it was going, and I told him how much of a difference it made. He cautioned me to not stop taking the meds because I thought I was "cured". I told him he'd have to pry them from my cold, dead fingers before I gave it up. Perhaps sometime in the future I'll consider whether or not to come off the fluoxetine. And at some point, I'll probably experience the "Prozac poopout" where the regular dosage becomes ineffective after a period of time. But for now, this has truly been a miracle drug that has helped me to get back on the fast track of life and start living again.
So... To any of you (especially men) who are struggling with this, talk to your doctor. It's not a sign of weakness. There's a much better life out there.
As I shared nearly a year ago, I started taking fluoxetine (generic form of Prozac) to battle a condition called dysthymia. It's chronic, low-level depression. I finally got to a point where I talked to my doctor, and he explained what I was suffering from. I just thought everyone felt that way. He put me on a low dose prescription of fluoxetine, and we waited for it to kick in. About seven weeks later, I noticed that I was starting to enjoy life again. I had the "ah-ha" moment when the kids poured water on my laptop and I didn't go off the deep end. And over the last three weeks, I've have a series of events that confirm that this was absolutely the right path for me.
For one, I'm changing jobs with absolutely no fear or anxiety. In the past, I've been a basket case before starting a new position (or even a new project with a client as a consultant). Can I handle it? Did I make the right choice? And so on. That's gone now. Thankfully...
Next, the speaking gig at Lotusphere. A few years ago, even the mere thought of that would keep me up at night. Now, I did the speaking and actually enjoyed it. Instead of being full of fear and self-doubt, I was experiencing anticipation for it to start. Major change...
And the car yesterday... A year ago, that would have thrown me for a loop. While I'd prefer that it hadn't have happened, I just can't seem to work up any major anger or indignation over it. Had they messed up our PT Cruiser, maybe... :-)
The last time I saw my doctor, he asked how it was going, and I told him how much of a difference it made. He cautioned me to not stop taking the meds because I thought I was "cured". I told him he'd have to pry them from my cold, dead fingers before I gave it up. Perhaps sometime in the future I'll consider whether or not to come off the fluoxetine. And at some point, I'll probably experience the "Prozac poopout" where the regular dosage becomes ineffective after a period of time. But for now, this has truly been a miracle drug that has helped me to get back on the fast track of life and start living again.
So... To any of you (especially men) who are struggling with this, talk to your doctor. It's not a sign of weakness. There's a much better life out there.
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Comments
As for me, milkshakes are enough to give me that giddy feeling, but if I ever find the milkshake rush fading, I'll be sure to try Prozac.
Posted by Ben Langhinrichs At 14:18:56 On 19/02/2004 | - Website - |
Posted by Nathan T. Freeman At 10:03:37 On 20/02/2004 | - Website - |
i'd not heard of "chronic low level depression" before, but i think i know some people who this would help.
thanks again.
Posted by marcus At 06:42:52 On 23/02/2004 | - Website - |
"Better living through Chemistry."
Posted by Bas At 07:24:15 On 20/02/2004 | - Website - |
living in a nutshell, i guess.
Posted by suz At 05:22:07 On 21/03/2012 | - Website - |