can someone dhare their experience with depression and losing a job

Hi,

I have written before about this subject so I apologize beforehand for rehashing already discussed material. I was fired from my last job due to depression. I know it was due to the illness byt when I look back now over two years ago to the winter of 2007/8, I cannot remember experiencing a lot of the warning signs. What continues to puzzle me is that I was on meds (Paxil-40mg), seeing a therapist once a week and not drinking. I can recall having trouble concentrating and withdrawing socially...Can anyone share their experiences with depression and work, and how it led to their dismissal or taking sick leave

 

Just wondering, have you thought about signing up for disability? That might be the ticket for you.

Hope that you feel better soon. Keep posting. We are all here for you.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen

Linx,

Thanks for posting what you did, and welcome to the forum!

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen

hi everyone, i lost a job i really loved when depression took over. it was just part time retail, but i got so withdrawn and tired i had to quit. i'm on meds that are not working.every day is miserable for me.i do nothing around the house. i don't do errands, and it is a job just getting a shower every day.any advice is welcome.   empress of darkness

Hi Empress of Darkness,

Welcome to the depression forum. I am so glad that you joined us.

I have fibromyalgia, so I have experienced the fatigue. I spent two years in bed. No fun. I take adderall for energy, maybe something like that will help you.

Keep posting and know that we are here for you.

Hugs, Karen

I think it is safe to say we have all lost jobs along the way because of our mental health and the state it was in at the time.  I had one job that stressed me out so bad I would come home and drink like a six pack every night (thats alot for me, petite person), anyway, it never occurred to me that I just needed to find another job because of what the one I had was doing to me.  I did not know at the time I was bipolar which has sent alot of puzzle pieces falling into place now that I look back.  Try and get yourself well, first and foremost, only then can you contribute at work, at home, in relationships.............etc

Hey Karen and Jamiee!  Med adjust about a week and a half ago, feeling very well again!  Miss talking to you guys.  Was manic as all get out not long ago.  Mania and depression truly are "polar" opposites.  When I am manic, I can get some stuff done!  The only problem is you then spirl down into the dirt and can barely move.  When I get manic, I try to just use it for something good, like cleaning or waxing the driveway....hahahahaha.........

Later

Gem

Hi kp,

I was taking 375mg of effexor a day.  For a long time, I am now taking 75mg effexor and 50mg of pristiq.  My husband thinks that they switched me because effexor is going generic in June.  I don't know, but I still feel good and hope to lose some weight.  I also take abilify and xanax.  I truly think that the abilify is helping me the most of all.  Not sure though.  Don't want to find out either.  So far the switch is going good.  I hope that it continues and I hope to lose some weight. 

Gem,

I am so happy to hear that you are doing well.  And really glad that you posted to let us know.  Keep up the good work.  And stay happy.

I did a few more Christmas wreaths today and a swag.  Almost done with it all.  It still is nice weather, but was cold today and suppose to snow tonight.  Not looking forward to that.  It has been a very mild November. 

Take care both of you.  Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

Hugs, Karen

They just don't know if it causes weight gain or not, but you can take a much lower dose. It has more to do with norepinephrin (sp) in it. I did good with 375mg of effexor and the abilify. But coulnd't lose any weight. The abilify is a mood stabilizer and is also for bipolar and an antipsychotic. I guess that it works for a mood stabilizer for me. I have been doing good since I have been on it. And that has been for over a year now. But it doesn't work for everybody. But it can be taken with most antidepressants and effexor and pristiq are both one of them. The psychologist said if when I get off the effexor completely I have a bad day, to take two pristiq. So that should take care of the transition. But I am hoping that I wont need it. I really think that abilify is the one that is helping me the most. I have lost five pounds, but have been eating sweets because fo the holidays, big mistake I know.

I took effexor for years then one psychiatrist said I wasn't taking enough and the increase did help. I just got sick of taking five 75mg capsules. Do you take the xr? That is the capsules. But I have insurance, it costs over 700.00 a month for that dose. I think that they were happy to pay for the switch. lol...

I get stressed on Saturday nights when I have to fill my pill box because I take so many medications, right now I am on ten different things a day. But I have fibromyalgia so I take pain meds and adderall. Also blood pressure and cholesterol medications. That isn't counting my supplements and stuff. So there is a lot to pay attention to when I am filling the boxes.

Well, I am rattling on now. So I will say that I hope that your meds work for you. Are you on any mood stabilizers? I know there are a number of different ones. A lot that I don't know the name of. I was taking risperdol and did gain weight off of that. But if it wasn't for that, it would have worked well. I liked it because it was as needed. I only had to take it when I was feeling bad.

Keep posting, let me know how you are doing. Take care,

Hugs, Karen

Hi Precious Gem,

Yeah I can relate to the drinking to handle the stress of work. I drank myself so many night into oblivion to smooth out the rough edges and try to make it through the next day in class with a smile on my face. I later discovered through AA how irritable, short-tempered and cloudy my judgement was even on the days I did not drink!

Hi there,

I agree, you need to give the meds time to work. But often it takes a little experimenting with meds to firn that right cocktail. Cymbalta can also help with the fibromyalgia. I have it too. But I take norco for pain. Also a muscle relaxer. Plus adderall to give me the energy that I need to live a halfway normal life. I am working now after seven years of not being able to.

You have a lot on your plate right now. You are lucky to be able to work from home. But like me you have two things aginst you. The depression and the fibro.

I take abilify. It is a good bipolar med and a mood stabilizer. Also was taking effexor, but going on pristiq. They all work good for me. But you might need something different. Try to be patient. It can take four to six weeks for the new anti depressant to start working good. If that doesn' twork for you, get ahold of your doctor and see if there is anything else that you can try.

I hope that you get things sorted out. Remember you can always come here to vent and discuss things. We are here for you.

Hugs, Karen