Worried that nothing is going to work

[spiral]

Have you had a thyroid function test and has your GP proposed a cause for the other symptoms?

They tested my TSH level three times over the past few years. As I was being investigated for blood in my stool (they couldn't find a cause but nothing to worry about) and then for the irregular periods (again no cause but nothing to worry about probably perimenopause [I'm 41]) My TSH serum level has been within normal range but has decreased each time. The last test was before the hair and weight loss and I haven't spoken to the doctor yet about that. I've just managed to book an appointment so speaking to them in a couple of weeks.

Which doesn't necessarily mean you would also have had the same problems with it. Plus, was it the med, or the way it was taken? Many GPs prescribe starting doses which are too high for those with anxiety disorders. Pill phobia is another possible explanation.

Yes, he started me straight on 50 even though I asked if I should I start on 25... I should have pressed this issue but I was pretty out of it... And didn't tell me to take in the morning so I was awake all night freaking out. Could definitely be pill phobia. It was an awful 24 hours...

If fluoxetine doesn't work then ask for another. Remember, GPs are temporary employees paid for by your taxes, not your master. Make them earn their keep.

Good point.

It is these new brain cells and the connections they form which produces the therapeutic response, not the treatments themselves.

Hopefully I will cultivate some soon :-)
It does make sense that stress is killing them off as when I get a very anxious few days I seem to then quite quickly spiral down the path of ever increasing anxiety.

I'm planning to get back into running once I'm off the mirtazapine. Running definitely does help me but mirtazapine has dampened my ability to run as hard and it's been a struggle.

Thanks for your advice

[panic_down_under]

I've just managed to book an appointment so speaking to them in a couple of weeks.

That's good. It's probably nothing serious, but it does pay to have anything unusual investigated. Sadly, anxiety disorders don't protect us from all the other things our bodies are prone too.

Yes, he started me straight on 50 even though I asked if I should I start on 25...

Sigh!! When I achieve my goal of world domination one of my first decrees will be that every doctor prescribing psychiatric meds must try them for at least 2 days. I expect patient care will be greatly imporoved.

And didn't tell me to take in the morning so I was awake all night freaking out.

It wouldn't have made much difference physically as plasma levels would have remained much the same, but it may have made a difference psychologically.

Hopefully I will cultivate some soon :-)

It takers about 7 weeks for hippocampal neurons to bud, grow and mature, but some improvement may begin earlier. That said, fluoxetine tends to take longer to kick-in than the shorter half-life SSRIs.

Running definitely does help me but mirtazapine has dampened my ability to run as hard and it's been a struggle.

Indeed, it does. Exercise can also promote hippocampal cell growth. For mild cases it may be all that's needed. Nor do you need to run daily marathons to get good results. In fact doing so may be counterproductive. A 30 minute walk 4-5 days a week is often enough to make a difference.