Day three

So, it’s day three of my effexor/venlafaxine medication for depression and it’s… it’s okay. Last time I wrote a blog post I was so tired I could barely open my eyes. I’ve had a couple of episodes like that – at work no less – and it’s not been very pleasant. One of the side effects is yawning but the past two days I’ve been yawning so much that my jaw hurts. The first night, I woke up in the middle of the night (probably because my phone beeped) and had trouble going back to sleep. Last night, I woke up again, in the middle of the night, but this time I am sure for no damn reason.

It was 2:00am and I’d been sleeping for only three hours. I think it was at 3:00 that I finally managed to get back to sleep. I know insomnia can result from taking this medication but I hope it stops. I value my sleep so much more now. :( I’m also waking up before my alarm, which I like, but not when I’ve had interrupted sleep. Tossing and turning is something I just never do, and I never have trouble sleeping… I never have trouble waking up or getting up. It’s just that my sleeping patterns and times I choose to sleep are terrible. I don’t want this medication to screw up my sleeping forever more.

I nearly dropped off to sleep at work today. I decided against taking my medication this morning, because as my first day at my new (third!) web design job, I didn’t want to give a bad impression. However, I kept yawning and my eyes would water and feel so heavy, and I’d find myself squinting at my laptop with one eye closed. I struggled like this before noon. I managed to eat an apple because I had skipped breakfast and actually felt like having something to eat. That’s a change, because the medication has made me lose my appetite. At noon, my boss asked if I’d like to go for lunch so I agreed. He shouted me lunch, which was very nice of him. I had udon but I couldn’t quite finish it because it gave me a headache and I felt full already.

After lunch I started to feel better. I felt more energetic and more focused and I noticed that when I arrived at the train station near home, I greeted my dad and brother excitedly. It’s my brother’s birthday today and he’s finally sixteen. Sixteen seems so much older compared to fifteen and it seemed like it was about time he turned sixteen. I remember I was that age really not too long ago. :’)

I did enjoy work today, for my first day. I really like the environment. I was initially suspicious about the sketchy staircase that leads into the building (looks like one of those old creaky stairs in a haunted house, and is also reminiscent of a narrow walkway leading into an adult bookshop :P), but I don’t mind it now. It’s not so bad. Everyone at work is very friendly and I’ve learned some new things, thanks to my boss willing to teach me and being so patient.

I’ll be honest, I like it better than my second job (the other web design one). While both environments are relaxed, I like that I’m learning more here and I think this one is more relaxed. I hope I can work here through the next year, since my classes will all be during the evening.

I took my medication a couple of hours ago and it’s not kicking in yet but I think that soon, I’ll be uncontrollably yawning. Either way, I am pretty tired now. But overall I feel a lot better and I feel like this afternoon I had more energy. I hope I have a good night tonight.

Comments on this post

HI Wuggs!

Don’t get too drowsy, you *hugg* it’s a gnorrid impression /sweat

I’ll shout you lunch too one day, through a megaphone :3

(Y)

Ah, 16. I remember when I turne- wait… actually I don’t, not anymore. Interesting. I do remember the day I turned 18. I went to the city and just walked around, thinking: “I can do anything now.” Hahaha

But yes, 16 seems a lot older than 15. It may be because it’s the first time a person gains a few more liberties, like being able to drive legally for once.

I’m glad the new job is working out! Hehe. It’s good your boss sounds like a nice guy. I think having a nice boss is one of the things that make enjoying a job a lot easier. Hopefully things go well.

I also am on depression medication and it was a big adjustment at first. For the first few weeks I would get very sleepy within a few hours of taking the medicine also, but I found if I switched to taking it at night I wouldn’t sleep at all so I had to switch back to the mornings. I still occasionally have the same issue with waking up in the middle of the night after 3 or 4 hours but, before it would be every night. I think it just takes awhile for your body to fully adjust so it does get better. :)

I think you should try to always eat breakfast, even if you’re not hungry. They say breakfast helps get your brain going in the morning, and it’s possible it would have helped you feel a little more awake before lunch. Just a thought. :)

It’s weird how the medication makes you drowsy but also disrupts your sleep. I wonder if you could figure out exactly how long after taking the medication you start to get drowsy, and then plan it so you take your pill that many minutes/hours before you go to bed. That way you would be getting tired at bedtime.

I hope you continue to enjoy your job. :D

that sounds pretty terrible. hope you get used to it and it doesn’t make you so sleepy after a while :(

I hope the side effects of the medication wear off. Excessive yawning really is tiring on the jaw.

Your new web design job sounds undoubtedly cool. I can’t believe you’ve had three web design jobs now. :O

Oy! That sounds terrible, but three days is probably not long enough to see any effect. It looks like you had a good afternoon, so that’s maybe a good sign? I’m glad that you enjoy your new job!

Happy birthday to your brother! I kind of remember being sixteen – but like for you, that was four years ago.

Sleep well, and sweet dreams, Georgie!

It’s only been three days, so I guess I wouldn’t expect your body to have adjusted to them yet, however I’ve never taken those pills before, so I’m not sure how long the side effects last. I don’t know what my Dad took since he never talked about it openly (except with my Mum probably) and it was a long time ago too. But anyhow, I hope that your body can adjust to it soon, because I imagine excessive yawning and disrupted sleep isn’t something you want to have for a long time :/

That was nice of your boss! I’m glad you’re enjoying your new work environment :) And happy birthday to your brother! I remember when I turned 16. Oh man, it was ages ago now, it feels weird thinking about it.

♥

I had to rewind back to catch up on why you suddenly are taking antidepressants. I had expected you to be super happy with graduating from university but I guess I was wrong. =( You always seem so motivated I can’t believe this is happening. *HUG*

Speaking as someone who has taken antidepressants before … well yeah I don’t want to talk about it actually but personally I really hate them. They make me feel dependent on something. Whatever happens I hope you’ll feel better, keep me updated and informed? Since I still think I’m missing something here.

Happy birthday to Brandon, I know I spelled it right this time. He can finally drive, haha. It seems so long ago I was that age. Also good luck at your new job it sounds so exciting, and hopefully graduate school doesn’t overwhelm you in the fall. I hear a lot of diff stories about it so I don’t know what to expect.

*HUG*

I am eagerly awaiting the day that I turn sixteen. I will be able to drive and see my friends and have a decent curfew from my parents; I will have my own car and a job and my own transportation to school. Oh, I’m so excited! 👏 I already know how to drive, along with the rules of the road, but I’m legally too young. My birthday is just around the corner, though (March 13th) and I’ll be 15. Six months after that, in September, I’ll get my learner’s permit and can legally drive with an adult in the car! /faw Oh the excitement I’m feeling!

Congratulations on your new job, and your kinder boss. I hope this one fairs better than your last. I hate the side effects of medication, especially anti-depressants. I feel like all they really do is make you sleepy… Sometimes I think I should go on one because most days my mood is effected by level of sadness. I am slowly getting better, but some mornings I will wake up and feel like the entire world is falling down around me. It sucks, really.

Hopefully your body slowly builds up a tolerance to the drugs and you won’t have trouble sleeping and won’t be yawning so much. :) The best of wishes to you. ♥

P.S. Thanks again for the logo. I love it. ;)

i hope the side effects will wear off soon, and that you stop waking up in the middle of the night. the medication can’t bother your sleeping patterns forever! i just read your other blog about your diagnose about depression and i really hope you feel better soon!! <3 one of my friends where diagnosed with depression two years ago, and i really hope you won't need go through the same her.

well it sounds like a good day at work, can i ask what you're doing as a professional web designer? is it fun? my parents and teachers have all started to talk about different jobs, and right now, i have no idea where i'm going to land.

16 is not a really big difference from 15. i usually never talk about my age, as my mom doesn't want me to, but i am currently 16 years old, and i don't consider myself as much older or wiser. maybe when i'm 20 and can look back at this time, i'll understand how big difference it really is. congratulations to your brother!! :D

I read your previous blog, you take part in a depression study, I hope you find it helpful :)

I think you should try to always eat breakfast, even if you’re not hungry. Before I didn’t eat breakfast, and I felt tired. Now I eat breakfast a piece of fruit and a glass of water, and I feel more awake.

It’s weird how the medication makes you drowsy but also disrupts your sleep, I guess your body haven’t adjusted to them yet. I hope the side effects of the medication wear off soon.

I’m glad you’re enjoying your new work environment. Happy birthday to your brother! :)

Having depression is not a delightful sight inside and out. I hope you’re getting better soon one way or another :/. You’re better than to have depression!

Congratulations on getting a new job with web designing! :D. For that, I shall give you an internet cheer!

*claps* I. Am. Proud of you. I am proud of you!

Your boss sounds really pleasant for giving you a lunch :D! Happy belated birthday to your brother as well :P! I can’t believe I’m older than your brother o__o……

I hope you’ll enjoy your job with many days to come! Heck, I know you’ll gain some more spiffy web designing skills and can’t wait to see those in action :P!

Your friend is right! You can be thankful every day and any day, especially in today’s recession :P. I guess this Thanksgiving day is for the purpose of a grande feast!

Thank you for the luck :D! Honestly enough, I’ve seen the works of other people’s pages and it can’t compare to my work :/. Now I’m just paranoid that people will start “capping” (talking crap) about me because I’m not in the class -__-!

Complaining on Twitter is much better because you can overlap “tweets” over tweets :D!

Take care(:

Wow Georgie, I didnt even know you started on the medication and already on day three. The side effects dont seem terrible like what Ive heard or read online. I hope you do well with them. I honestly would be hella scared to go on them but from this perspective it looks like its not too bad. I like the fact that your posting the results which is really helpful. =) Do take care though

That must be really uncomfortable. I hope the side effects will wear off soon! I hate waking up in the middle of the night, too! And it’s worse when you can’t get back to sleep. Get well soon Georgie!

Wow, you’re medication have a great side effect. I can’t imagine the feeling you were experiencing there. Good to know you’re happy with your new job! Congratulations Georgie ;) Get well soon!

Oh I mean YOUR, sorry about that /eee