Sunny with a Chance of Clouds

Here’s a quick update on my meds and mood…

Recently, my psych doc added a new med. I was to finish out on a low dose of one of my antidepressants, at the same time adding this new mood stabilizer. Once I was finished with the old med, I was simply to keep taking the new one. I started that process, and my mood tanked a little bit; I wondered if part of it could simply be the reduction of the antidepressant by 2/3. Then we changed our scenery by traveling to see our kids last weekend. Thursday-Sunday, my husband and I visited the kids at their college. It was a short trip, but very nice to see and be with them.

We got home last Sunday, my last day on the antidepressant med. So that means that this is the first week without my old antidepressant, and the mood stabilizer instead. (I’m still on one antidepressant.) I feel like this is the week to use to evaluate the effectiveness of this new cocktail, at least until I see the psych doc next week.

I admit I’m surprised. I fully expected to be feeling worse, that this new med combination would not be effective. And I’m honestly not sure that it is, completely. But I can say that the feelings of hopelessness and despair – hallmark characteristics of major depressive disorder – are gone. Ok, maybe not completely. But they have faded waaaay into the background.

My mood is still down. I’ve been too busy this week – not enough “space” in my days – so I’m tired, physically and emotionally. But the daily hopelessness is gone. That’s a big “Praise God!”

I credit last week’s prayer time with my therapist, the warfare prayer I’ve prayed almost daily (I slightly modified it), and your prayers and encouragement.  Thank you, and Go God!

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:13-16 NLT (underline is my emphasis)

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places… Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Ephesians 6:11-12, 18 NLT