Post by crs80 on Mar 4, 2014 11:11:26 GMT
Hi I got diagnosed July 2013 and started taking Equasym XL. This is a general overview of things to date with some general bits incase it's helpful. Some is lifted from my other thread.
Jul '13:Started on 10mg Equasym XL.
1st day I took the meds I felt like I wanted to be sick for a few hours after but I wasn't. I did have food and drink, so it wasn't that. I put this down to something new my body was accepting. The sick feeling in subsequent days wasn't there, instead, this was replaced with a feeling sort of felt like cotton wool in my stomach. Not painful or uncomfortable, just wierd.
With regards to other side effects, I didn't feel tired at night, I still felt switched on. I did fall asleep, but I find myself even more of a light sleeper than before. It's not terrible, but I'm not ever getting a nice deep sleep all the way through the night.
A few times I have had a lay in and taken meds at 9 - 10:30am - not a good idea as I feel switched on until later. Seems really important to stick to the habit of taking it early in the morning. I have had some light, dull, annoying headaches too later in the day. Something else I've noticed is not gurning, but definately more tension in my jaw - like almost biting down but not quite and not quite grinding or gurning.
Socially with other people I feel like at the moment whilst I am adjusting, I feel like I am more blunt and direct with people than usual. I also know at home I've been quite grumpy - but this may be the tiredness, and the fact I am quite bored and understimulated at the mo - so this may or may not be a side effect of the meds.
I don't feel more motivated or superhuman - but I never expected that. I have noticed that my mind does still drift and think about other things, but I can snap out of it much quicker and keep myself on task and focused on what I want to focus on.
I can also concentrate for longer periods, without having intrusive thoughts constantly. Additionally it's hard to explain how I feel, but the 1st couple of days it felt spacious in my head / mind like my thoughts had room to move around. Think of being squashed and then being given more leg room. That's what it was like as I wasn't flitting between ideas and having almost multiple thoughts at once.
Oct '13:
Having reflected on taking meds since July I think there are 4 well known side effects with these meds / Equasym (obviously it can probably vary dependent on the medication / reaction of the person taking them). The 4 main side effects I noticed were headaches, loss of appetite, sickness, and affect on sleeping pattern.
I have experienced all of these since taking meds, however within 1-2 weeks my body adjusted and the only one that affects me is my sleeping pattern. I should say though that I never slept amazingly before, so it's not a drastic change. This also could be because I only take 20mg Equasym XL and I believe that may be a low dosage. Other side effects I have had are: feeling quite thirsty, but again this seems to have subsided, but I do drink a lot anyway. I also had jaw ache from almost gurning and I still sometimes get this.
Other positive things I have noticed and some people close to me have noticed:
When I used to wake up, I would sometimes 'switch on' feel restless and my thoughts were scatty not focused and I was quite noisey and banged about for no reason, other than a impulsive feeling to make some noise and bang about. I am still a little scatty in the morning, but I am not as restless and don't really bang about much anymore. I am more mellow.
Close family have noticed I am less stressed / frustrated / snappy / restless and swear less and am more patient. They said I used to walk around always deep in thought with the world on my shoulders - that's because I could never switch off, but that has improved and my projection is one of a happier more relaxed person.
I used to get really angry and frustrated over the most trivial things when in my own company and swear a lot. I loved a good swear. I am much calmer and swear a lot less. Case in point: internet closed a few mins ago wiping my whole post. I was a bit frustrated, swore in my head, shrugged my shoulders and thought meh, it is what it is, just type it again. I would not have doen that previously!!
When with friends, I had great energy, was a livewire, funny and my mates loved the dynamic I bought to our group, I made things happen sometimes. I still do, but what they didn't realise when we were talking was I would switch off quickly and had to fight to focus on their conversation. I can focus longer and appreciate what they are saying and filter out thoughts / distractions more successfully than before. I still lose focus - but not as quickly.
My mind is not as busy - I get intrusive thoughts, but not as many and not as often and I can switch them off / shut them down quicker. This was my biggest problem. I have been off all summer and now year 3 of uni has begun, I am looking forward to seeing how the enhanced concentration can benefit me.
Something I will say when it comes to the evening and the meds wear off - the old symptoms appear and carry over to the morning abit.
My dr, in response to this feedback has given me 4 scenarios to trial with my meds and up to a slightly increased dosage of 30-40mg, to see if this completely nails some of the symptoms that still persist a bit. And he wants me to write down and keep a note of effects it's having on me for follow up end of January.
I want to add to anyone reading, meds are not a miracle cure, they are an aid that can improve certain elements and symptoms, that will make you more efficent as a person hopefully. But it's you as the person that will make the real difference when using meds. If you don't try to make a change / want to change, certain habits will persist. I relapsed into some bad habits despite being on meds and have had to try and train myself to nail bad habits, day dreaming, procrastination etc.
Mar '14:
Ok so we're in 2014! I've definately learned a lot about myself over the last year. I am now on 30mg Equasym XL. I never tried the other scenarios, as 30mg affected my sleep. As soon as the meds wore off my mind was a million miles a minute and the restlessness returned. So I have also been given 50mg of Lyrica (an anxiety / eplilepsy type drug I think). It seems to be countering the restlessness really well and helping me actually sleep pretty well through the night.
I've also noticed since taking the meds I get sad more often. Not depressed, but definately sadder than usual. No one else can see it or notice it. I can just feel it inside. This obviously is something I have to contend with a balance out and consider against the positives the meds offer.
My memory and focus is definately better since going to 30mg dosage. Im on a teaching placement in an outdoor activity centre and almost everyday new schools arrive. I work with a group of 8-12 children and I will generally know their names in 30mins to 2hours - this would not have been possible last year. People on placement think I have an amazing memory! If only they knew!!
Generally I haven't changed as a person much personality wise - which is good to know. Although some people have noticed I am more focused at uni, and a little calmer. Good stuff generally.
I do still procrastinate and waste time - but am more aware of it now. Even on meds we have to push ourselves, use effective strategies, and keep focused and productive.
I've lifted a quote of mine off another thread - whether your on meds or not this is important to remember:
This is our blessing and our curse to carry. Some days the things we hate about ourselves make us the very life and soul of any situation, witty and sharp like lightnng - no one can keep up with us, funny until we make ppl cry with laughter and out of breath, silly and giddy never growing up like peter pan, and drawing ppl to us like a moth to bulb. It's how we deal with the situation and make the best of it, every day, drawing on all your positives and strengths, and being the best version of yourself you can be that will make a difference, especially on the foggy, procrasination filled frustrating days.
Jul '13:Started on 10mg Equasym XL.
1st day I took the meds I felt like I wanted to be sick for a few hours after but I wasn't. I did have food and drink, so it wasn't that. I put this down to something new my body was accepting. The sick feeling in subsequent days wasn't there, instead, this was replaced with a feeling sort of felt like cotton wool in my stomach. Not painful or uncomfortable, just wierd.
With regards to other side effects, I didn't feel tired at night, I still felt switched on. I did fall asleep, but I find myself even more of a light sleeper than before. It's not terrible, but I'm not ever getting a nice deep sleep all the way through the night.
A few times I have had a lay in and taken meds at 9 - 10:30am - not a good idea as I feel switched on until later. Seems really important to stick to the habit of taking it early in the morning. I have had some light, dull, annoying headaches too later in the day. Something else I've noticed is not gurning, but definately more tension in my jaw - like almost biting down but not quite and not quite grinding or gurning.
Socially with other people I feel like at the moment whilst I am adjusting, I feel like I am more blunt and direct with people than usual. I also know at home I've been quite grumpy - but this may be the tiredness, and the fact I am quite bored and understimulated at the mo - so this may or may not be a side effect of the meds.
I don't feel more motivated or superhuman - but I never expected that. I have noticed that my mind does still drift and think about other things, but I can snap out of it much quicker and keep myself on task and focused on what I want to focus on.
I can also concentrate for longer periods, without having intrusive thoughts constantly. Additionally it's hard to explain how I feel, but the 1st couple of days it felt spacious in my head / mind like my thoughts had room to move around. Think of being squashed and then being given more leg room. That's what it was like as I wasn't flitting between ideas and having almost multiple thoughts at once.
Oct '13:
Having reflected on taking meds since July I think there are 4 well known side effects with these meds / Equasym (obviously it can probably vary dependent on the medication / reaction of the person taking them). The 4 main side effects I noticed were headaches, loss of appetite, sickness, and affect on sleeping pattern.
I have experienced all of these since taking meds, however within 1-2 weeks my body adjusted and the only one that affects me is my sleeping pattern. I should say though that I never slept amazingly before, so it's not a drastic change. This also could be because I only take 20mg Equasym XL and I believe that may be a low dosage. Other side effects I have had are: feeling quite thirsty, but again this seems to have subsided, but I do drink a lot anyway. I also had jaw ache from almost gurning and I still sometimes get this.
Other positive things I have noticed and some people close to me have noticed:
When I used to wake up, I would sometimes 'switch on' feel restless and my thoughts were scatty not focused and I was quite noisey and banged about for no reason, other than a impulsive feeling to make some noise and bang about. I am still a little scatty in the morning, but I am not as restless and don't really bang about much anymore. I am more mellow.
Close family have noticed I am less stressed / frustrated / snappy / restless and swear less and am more patient. They said I used to walk around always deep in thought with the world on my shoulders - that's because I could never switch off, but that has improved and my projection is one of a happier more relaxed person.
I used to get really angry and frustrated over the most trivial things when in my own company and swear a lot. I loved a good swear. I am much calmer and swear a lot less. Case in point: internet closed a few mins ago wiping my whole post. I was a bit frustrated, swore in my head, shrugged my shoulders and thought meh, it is what it is, just type it again. I would not have doen that previously!!
When with friends, I had great energy, was a livewire, funny and my mates loved the dynamic I bought to our group, I made things happen sometimes. I still do, but what they didn't realise when we were talking was I would switch off quickly and had to fight to focus on their conversation. I can focus longer and appreciate what they are saying and filter out thoughts / distractions more successfully than before. I still lose focus - but not as quickly.
My mind is not as busy - I get intrusive thoughts, but not as many and not as often and I can switch them off / shut them down quicker. This was my biggest problem. I have been off all summer and now year 3 of uni has begun, I am looking forward to seeing how the enhanced concentration can benefit me.
Something I will say when it comes to the evening and the meds wear off - the old symptoms appear and carry over to the morning abit.
My dr, in response to this feedback has given me 4 scenarios to trial with my meds and up to a slightly increased dosage of 30-40mg, to see if this completely nails some of the symptoms that still persist a bit. And he wants me to write down and keep a note of effects it's having on me for follow up end of January.
I want to add to anyone reading, meds are not a miracle cure, they are an aid that can improve certain elements and symptoms, that will make you more efficent as a person hopefully. But it's you as the person that will make the real difference when using meds. If you don't try to make a change / want to change, certain habits will persist. I relapsed into some bad habits despite being on meds and have had to try and train myself to nail bad habits, day dreaming, procrastination etc.
Mar '14:
Ok so we're in 2014! I've definately learned a lot about myself over the last year. I am now on 30mg Equasym XL. I never tried the other scenarios, as 30mg affected my sleep. As soon as the meds wore off my mind was a million miles a minute and the restlessness returned. So I have also been given 50mg of Lyrica (an anxiety / eplilepsy type drug I think). It seems to be countering the restlessness really well and helping me actually sleep pretty well through the night.
I've also noticed since taking the meds I get sad more often. Not depressed, but definately sadder than usual. No one else can see it or notice it. I can just feel it inside. This obviously is something I have to contend with a balance out and consider against the positives the meds offer.
My memory and focus is definately better since going to 30mg dosage. Im on a teaching placement in an outdoor activity centre and almost everyday new schools arrive. I work with a group of 8-12 children and I will generally know their names in 30mins to 2hours - this would not have been possible last year. People on placement think I have an amazing memory! If only they knew!!
Generally I haven't changed as a person much personality wise - which is good to know. Although some people have noticed I am more focused at uni, and a little calmer. Good stuff generally.
I do still procrastinate and waste time - but am more aware of it now. Even on meds we have to push ourselves, use effective strategies, and keep focused and productive.
I've lifted a quote of mine off another thread - whether your on meds or not this is important to remember:
This is our blessing and our curse to carry. Some days the things we hate about ourselves make us the very life and soul of any situation, witty and sharp like lightnng - no one can keep up with us, funny until we make ppl cry with laughter and out of breath, silly and giddy never growing up like peter pan, and drawing ppl to us like a moth to bulb. It's how we deal with the situation and make the best of it, every day, drawing on all your positives and strengths, and being the best version of yourself you can be that will make a difference, especially on the foggy, procrasination filled frustrating days.