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[pants46]

Foxylady, thanks for your understanding. I "went back to work" on Wednesday. I've agreed with my manager to do afternoons for now, and I work from home. He's been very understanding, he said that any contribution I can make while in the process of recovering would be valuable and appreciated. God, that's enough to make me cry again.
Anyway, I haven't been productive, at all. But I did switch my laptop on !! Baby steps 
Anyway, Foxylady, I wanted to ask you how long you've been on the fluoxetine (that's prozac right ?) and how long on the HRT ?
I've been on citalopram for 11 weeks, although started on a really low dose and built up to the 20mg I'm on now. And I started sequi patches for HRT 6 weeks ago. I've suffered, am sufffering side effects and really want to (need to) feel better soon  xxx

[LuLu71]

Foxylady, thanks for your understanding. I "went back to work" on Wednesday. I've agreed with my manager to do afternoons for now, and I work from home. He's been very understanding, he said that any contribution I can make while in the process of recovering would be valuable and appreciated. God, that's enough to make me cry again.
Anyway, I haven't been productive, at all. But I did switch my laptop on !! Baby steps 
Anyway, Foxylady, I wanted to ask you how long you've been on the fluoxetine (that's prozac right ?) and how long on the HRT ?
I've been on citalopram for 11 weeks, although started on a really low dose and built up to the 20mg I'm on now. And I started sequi patches for HRT 6 weeks ago. I've suffered, am sufffering side effects and really want to (need to) feel better soon  xxx

Hi Pants, I'm so sorry for what you are going through. it's so hard to try to keep going at work and then there's the stress of feeling like you're not doing the best that you can do...I've been there too and am finally feeling better after two months on HRT. I did resign from my job though and am worried about finding another job in case my symptoms come back...

Your last post struck me because it is so nice to hear that a male boss is being so understanding with what you are going through. So nice that in the midst of it all, your boss has your back. Yay! My boss was great too as she is also going through menopause. She's hired me back a couple of times on a part-time, contractual basis and sometimes I think she may be too nice because I feel so useless when I go back!

I hope you get better and get your mojo back soon 

[Foxylady]

Hi Pants46 (sorry for late reply). I started Fluoxetine a week before HRT so almost 12 weeks now on it (yeh its Prozac). I felt a difference within the first 3-4 weeks my mood which I didn't think was a problem as I wasn't weepy emotional or angry emotional lifted, I feel more energetic, more like my old self. I'm putting it down to the Fluoxetine as I think from what I've read it would have been too soon for it to be HRT that made the difference. GP started me on it for hot flushes (I thought my mood was fine but looking back it's been flat). Not had any side effects I'm aware of with it but don't want to be on it long term, once I feel the HRT is doing it's job I will gradually reduce the dose of Fluoxetine. In relation to side effects you could ask the GP to prescribe a different SSRI as you may not have these side effects on a different one, I think you always have to balance the benefits with the impact of the side effects on you, does one outweigh the other? Over the last 2 weeks I feel my sleep/insomnia has improved (my biggest issue now) although not consistent but hopeful it's the HRT starting to work. I'm glad your boss has been so understanding, long may it continue.
The other thing I've done is reassess my diet, I started the Fast 5:2 in Jan lost 22lbs so far (I'd read somewhere by losing weight it can reduce symptoms by up to 70%, for me it was a no brainer).

[pants46]

LuLu71, thanks for your reply. Glad to hear you are feeling better after 2 months. That gives me hope  I hope you continue to get better and better.
Your boss sounds lovely too. Thank god for nice people. Would she hire you back permanently ? xx

[pants46]

Foxylady, you've lost 22 pounds so far .... that's amazing. Well done you. 
I lost 2 and 1/2 stones a couple of years ago. Thank god I did. I could do with shifting another 2 stones, but I don't think that's achievable right now.
Like you, I don't want to stay on the ADs long term. Which makes me wonder whether I should try another type, or just hang on long enough for the hrt to work, then get off them altogether.
I have started to obsess about this decision. Which doesn't help my mood !!
Anyway, I've already had a pity party on another thread this evening. So I won't repeat myself.
But I'm really glad your regime is working for you. Long may it continue. xx

[Foxylady]

Thanks Pants46, I feel very determined/motivated (at the moment, also lost 2 stone yrs ago but all back on with stress/frustration of trying to get a diagnosis and change of job/studying). I suppose I feel like it's something I can do to possibly alleviate some symptoms, plus it's fun getting into old clothes again!!  .  I had decided last night that I would start weaning my Fluoxetine in the next few weeks, however overnight & this am been really hot flush/sweaty, awoke in a pool of sweat. Think know I will discuss it with GP this week at my 3 month review, maybe I have been too optimistic (also worried my mood/energy levels will dip). I suppose like alot of things its very individual and trial and error.

[pants46]

Foxylady, if you're not getting side effects from the fluoxetine, I'd stay on it longer. Make sure the HRT is working.
When I saw my doctor last week she said I should stay on the citalopram for a year at least. To begin with she was talking about increasing my dose 
In the end I got her to agree 6 months at this dose, then 6 months at a lower dose. Of course this is all dependent on the HRT  working.
But I'm struggling with side effects of the citalopram at the moment. So don't really know whether I can stick it out.
Glad you have the motivation needed to make life changes. I can bearly drag myself out of bed. Some days I don't !!
I'm sure you will reap the benefits in so many ways 
xx

[Foxylady]

Thanks for your advice pants46. It has taken me 3 years to get to this point so I know where you are coing from re barely dragging yourself out of bed. Saying that up at 7am today drenched in pool of sweat, lay down at 1030 & slept till 1230... I rarely if ever do that as I'm worried it willimpact on my nightime insomnia & work. On holiday this week so taking it as it comes.