[shannon35]

Hello everyone!

First of all, let me introduce myself. I am 23 (24 in July) and have been married to my best friend for 8 months now. I have struggled with depression since I was 15. I have gone through periods when I am totally fine, but then I swing the other way and things turn bad. Finally, at the urging of my husband, I finally admitted to needing help and was put on Lexapro. It helped tremendously and of course my DH noticed well before I did that it worked!

Because of some other medical issues however, I just recently "weaned" myself off of my medication at my doctor's suggestion. He told me that if I felt I needed to go back on that I could, but to try to help my other issues. I am fine with being off the medication, but just wanted to know if anyone else has gone through this and had effective ways to deal with those times when you know you are starting to feel down.

I have also been extremely exhausted lately, and am not sure if that's due to being off the meds or if it is something else unrelated. I feel as if I could sleep all day!

Thank you for any and all advice. Until I started dating the man who is now my DH, I had never talked to anyone about my depression. It has helped so much to know that I am not in this alone.

[Leenie]

Hi Shannon,

Nope your not alone. Do you notice your depression hitting you at certain times of the year? For me its the fall/winter months (SAD). I have gone off and on w/meds thru the years but I never put 2 and 2 together, meaning SAD.

You really need to talk to your doctor about feeling exhausted and if the meds could have that sort of side effect? Have you had blood work done lately? I know here on the east coast many people are feeling exhaustion b/c of the weather change / seasons.

For me this past year has been really good. In July, 2003 I started the Atkins diet and I have felt really good being on it, carbs just effect my body rotten. Well again I didn't put 2 and 2 together but it wasn't until January of 2004 that I noticed I did not go thru my normal bout with seasonal depression and I would feel comfortable in saying I believe its because of how I am eating (plus losing weight I'm sure helped).

Good luck, I hope your feeling better soon.

HUGS

[tcstart]

Sleepiness is always a sign of depression for me. Often it helps to get moving. It's amazing what a walk around the block will do. Any exercise helps but being outdoors helps the most.