What are the common symptoms/feeling of improvement? Do you just wake up one day feeling normal?
I started to realise daily the side effects getting less and less, I still get odd bad hour but not bad days.
I also became more and more relaxed, noticing that I didn't seem to panic or get anxious, this has been over 6 weeks.
No anxiety- the world is a safe place again. That's the best way I can describe it. Took me ten weeks. I no longer have morning anxiety or diarrhea. My appetite is back. I feel adventurous and interested in life again.
Yes, exactly as the other described.
Recovery creeps up very slowly - I've not heard of anyone just waking up well.
Side effects will very slowly ease off - sometimes so slow you hardly notice it. I started to notice I was more relaxed, my mind able to focus more, enjoying things a little more ......... then one night I was at an exercise class I suddenly realised I hadn't thought of 'it' for a whole hour!!
Early morning anxiety was the last thing that left me. I'd wake every morning with awful anxiety, but by the end of the day it had worn off and by evening I'd feel quite happy, relaxed and more like my old self. This happened daily, and the nice feeling began happening earlier and earlier in my day. One day I woke up and realised I didn't have anxiety ...... it just got better and better.
Recovery often comes in waves - you might start feeling well, happy and then find a few days or a week later you'll feel bad again. This is normal and will happen time and time again ..... but this means recovery is happening. Eventually the bad times get less intense and less frequent, and the well time get stronger and more frequent.
Don't try and hurry it - you can't. Let recovery come to you. It will.
The wait is worth it. The world becomes a happy place again.
K x
Thanks for your reply Kate. This is the first time I go through depression and anxiety. At first I was on citalophram and had a horrible reaction to it that sent me to the ER. Then my GP put me on Cymbalta, but did not see much improvement in 11 weeks. Most of the time I was feeling dizzy and drowsy throughout the day and with very low energy. I also had horrible insomnia.
My Psychiatrist took me off Cymbalta and prescribed Fluoxetine 20mg. I've been on it for 31/2 weeks. During this time the dizziness and drowsiness is almost non existent and my energy seems to have improved. I still have to take 1/4 of Lunesta 3mg. Will the natural sleep eventually kick in? Also, every morning is quite a challenge getting out of bed. I just don't feel like starting another day. No motivation at all. Once I get up and take a shower I tend to feel better. By the evening time I feel better than the morning and afternoon.
will the morning energy get better?
That is awesome! I'm at 31/2 weeks. I have seen some improvement in my energy. I used to feel very drowsy and dizzy before starting on Fluoxetine. Now I'm able to drive without getting dizzy or my eyes trying to constantly shut down. My appetite has also improved.
I'm still struggling with insomnia and lack of interest and motivation for daily activities. The mornings are the worst! Just don't feel like starting another day.
I'm currently taking 1/4 pill of Lunesta 3mg in order to sleep through the night (used to take the whole pill). Do you recall how you felt at your week 3 and 4?
I really hope for things to get better within the coming days. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in this group. I know we will make it to the other side.
Thanks!
Different meds suit different people and It's often trial and error finding the right one for you. Glad to hear you're having good progress with this one.
Yes Imany people find the mornings the worst. It isn't always an indication of how the rest of the day will be though.
Every morning was awful for me, and like you, once I got up and got going the day got better.
You'll probably find your days will get better and better over time - just let it take its time - you can't hurry it, but it will slowly happen.
Expect to have bad mornings for now - they will eventually ease. Your sleep should eventually return to normal too.
Remember, you are recovering and it will take time. It does get better and your mornings will eventually be pleasant and full of energy.
K x
Thanks Kate! Your words are very uplifting. I was starting to get a little desperate, since this whole thing started almost four months ago.
Thanks again!
It's horrible isn't - people underestimate what depression and anxiety actually are - completely different to what anyone can imagine. Only suffering with it can give you a complete understanding of how it feels.
You're not alone - it's very common. You will get over this - you never think you will at the time, but you will.
K xx
Thanks! I'll complete 4 weeks on Wednesday. Should I give it more time to make more improvement? I heard of people saying that 4 weeks should be enough time for an AD to work.
Does that sound accurate?
Thanks for taking the time to respond. You are a tremendous support.
Four weeks is very optimistic. It can take up to 12 weeks, depending on how well you metabolize the med. I don't say that to depress you even more but to tell you to give it the time it needs to work for you. I'm completely me again after 12 weeks. And I feel like I'm a stronger person for going through it all.
It takes different times for different people - took me 6 months - but please don't be alarmed by that timescale - we are all different. During my recovery it wasn't intense all the time, it had got easier as the time went by. Don't put a timescale on recovery for yourself, because if you're not better by then you'll feel despondent. Just let recovery come to you in its own time - I often say count recovery in months, not weeks. It can take a long time as its quite gradual. But ..... the wait is worth it. You might however feel much better in 4 weeks - but please don't expect it.
During recovery you might be up and down too. Sometimes you think you're feeling better and getting there and suddenly find yourself down again. This is normal and this pattern often repeats itself throughout recovery. Some people get better real quick.
Take the meds, let them work, and just wait - and when you're fed up with waiting, then wait some more. Perseverance and patience will pay off in the end.
Please don't worry about how long it takes - you will get there.
K xx
I'be been on Flouextine For 6 weeks and I am feeling myself again although everyone is different. Try not to concentrate on how long it will take to work fully in terms of days and weeks, look at how you feel everyday as anticipation and worrying will only make your symptoms worse.
Thanks Cheryl! Your comment certainly gives me hope.
Thanks! Yes, I think just thinking about the time it may take makes the symptoms worse.
Thanks Kate! Since I'm not working at the moment, I find it difficult to occupy my mind in other activities and I feel that makes things a little worse.
I look forward to the days where I will have the energy back.
Since your recovery was quite lengthy, was there any specific activities that helped you through the process?
Thanks
Hi Moises
It is difficult trying to keep occupied because usually you just want to slump on the sofa, stay in bed because of lack of energy. Occupying yourself won't distract your mind completely, but its a start of trying to carry on as normal and eventually you'll begin to enjoy whatever else you're doing. Even a daily walk in the evening helps - and its free 
Its no good frantically trying to do something else and then keep checking to see if the illness has gone, because it won't be. You can't get rid of the illness like that, and doing things frantically causes tension, and tension leads to anxiety.
My son had a breakdown 2 years ago and had a hell of a time and couldn't work for 4 months. I encouraged him to take up music and I accompanied him to an African djembe drum class and he also joined a guitar class - things he found difficult becuase socialising was hard for him. Throughout his recovery he religiously went to these music groups and he began to take real interest in them. He recovered after 9 months and today, 2 years later, he still plays drum and guitar and is now in the performance group. He's now off medication.
Also during his recovery I went walking with him every evening and also cycle rides. He didn't enjoy them and didn't really see any scenery .... but he kept going.
For me, I joined a dance class - again the music was such a healer. 15 years later I'm still dancing and now a teacher
Music is good for the soul - movement too.
Exercise is good as it helps burn excess adreneline (anxiety), and it also raises endorphins (feel good hormones). It is difficult to do anything too strenuous if your body isnt ready, but walking is good.
Also taking a calm attitude to life in general is good. Anxiety thrives on stress, so learning to calm down really helps. Walk slower, drive slower, just float along and try not to rush from A to B. Eat healthily (if you can) and sleep (if you can). All of this whilst you wait for the medication to work helps to heal your body.
K xx
Im at week 10 and can say I feel 50% better but not where i want to be. But i went from not leaving my home to now going out, pushing myself, but anxiety is always my shadow...i get nervous once im somewhere, lightheaded, but i try not to run, stay there and face it, as ive convinced myself it wont harm me, but beleive me it's been hard. im hoping as time goes by i wil get better.
Hi Kate,
Thanks. I'll pick up some of the great suggestions you mention. I've been going to the gym every other day to at least fast walk and run on the threadmill for 30 minutes.
You are absolutely right about the "wave" like recovery. Yesterday I had quite a bit of head pressure and weakness, but today is much better.
Thanks for all the support you provide, not just to me, but other members of this forum. I've seen your comments on other posts and are full of hope and inspiration.
The gym is perfect - great for anxiety and depression. It'll help elevate your mood.
Yes that's it - this recovery wave happens little by little ljust ike that - it starts small like perhaps not so much head pressure and weakness, then it might come back for a while. Next something else will be relieved and will come back, and then something else and before you know it you'll start realising you feel ok - and then you'll feel really ok and then you'll feel 'omg I feel wonderful'. That's how it creeps up.
Am only too glad to help. It'll might be you on here one day helping others when you've recovered 
K x