Wondering how common adjustment problems are at the 2 week mark

After reading this member's post by Nessa - http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=83948.0 (it was very helpful!)- and then experiencing something very similar when I'd been here about 2 weeks (it will only be 3 weeks on Wednesday so this post may be a bit early ), I'm beginning to wonder if this may be pretty common.

I also recall something very similar when I was here on my visitor's visa - at around 2 weeks after arriving.  Jet lag hits me pretty hard, and I'm not at all stoic about it.  For the first week I'm pretty certain my body is the only thing that's arrived and the rest of me is hung up somewhere trying to catch up.  I just sleep, sleep, and sleep some more (I admit, being retired makes it easier to succumb to the fatigue). That stage is when I'm physically clumsy, can't remember what was said to me (lol - don't give me instructions during that week and expect me to remember them!), and basically act like someone without a brain.  I've read the same types of symptoms from other members in various posts, so that is definitely jet-lag.

Then, somewhere around 2 weeks (this time I'd had 2 or 3 days when I felt great and almost deemed my jet-lag to be leaving) I have a few terrible night's sleep accompanied by well above normal (for me) sadness, fear, and an inability to keep anything in perspective, almost panic actually.  It's was awful! 

It left within about 2 or 3 days, so it isn't too hard to weather through it (in fact I feel great now), but I just wondered if anyone else might have noticed something similar.

Are you talking about adjusting to being in the UK in general, or with jet lag? The first few weeks were easy for me, because it felt like I was on holiday. After about a month, it started feeling 'real' and my thinking shifted to 'I live here'. That was when I found myself missing family, friends, 'stuff' that couldn't be shipped over to save on expense, our hamster that mom adopted when we went, our old apartment, and everything else. It took a bit to adapt, but I got there.

Although I have always experienced jet lag both ways, I have found it to be worse headed to the UK than headed to the US. It is always all consuming, but I suppose I am lucky enough it only lasts about a week.

I have found though, that my feet and ankles swell horribly on the trip to the UK and the swelling lasts about a week. I have never had it happen on the flight to the US. I haven't been able to figure that one out.

but I just wondered if anyone else might have noticed something similar.

I think you are on to something.

Hey Becca, firstly congratulations on your engagement ....and I can relate to the symptoms you are talking about very well. I've been here for almost a month now and I'm just now starting to get my sleep back in track and not feel almost that anxious feeling. I thought it was just me on how I get when I fly.. My stomach will be out of wack as well as my sleep. It's a lot as I'm learning, adjusting to living in a new country. Like everyone told me, it will take some time and everyone is different. For some it may be a matter of a couple weeks, or months but your mind and body will adapt

Hi Becca, hope you get adjusted quickly.  If you're still having trouble getting your sleep patterns set up, taking melatonin may help.  It will just help you naturally adjust to a new sleep schedule.  You may need to get a prescription from a GP in the UK but it's available on the shelves in US pharmacies.  My grandmother-in-law swears by it when she travels!  Good luck with everything.

Are you talking about adjusting to being in the UK in general, or with jet lag?

That's a good question - both would be my guess.  The panicky feelings, fear, and sadness all revolved about moving to the UK.  Mostly of the "am I doing the right thing?!?", variety.  Lots of "what if's" and "how could I leave (fill in name of family member)?" all culminating in an awful panic about my decision.  Luckily it did only last 2 or 3 days, and to be honest I think it had a beneficial effect.  My fiance and I had some talks that really helped me to see what I was doing - although he was absolutely clueless as to what I was trying to say, poor man.  I'm pretty certain that was because I wasn't making much sense.  

I know there will be many hurdles adjusting to living in the UK, this certainly isn't the last time I'll miss my family and my previous home in the San Francisco Bay Area (the weather there is really nice after all   ).  But I feel I made a step towards accepting that I now live here and it is where I want to be.

If pressed I'd say the trouble sleeping was part of jet-lag, but the emotional reaction came from lack of sleep (I really need my sleep!).  Feeling blue when I'm tired is pretty common for me, this was just far more extreme.  What got me to wondering was remembering a very similar thing happening in January about the same time period after arriving here, and then reading Nessa's post noting another person who described almost exactly what I went through.

I think you are on to something.

Thanks!  

Hmmmm, I wonder if I can get some grant money to proceed with more research on the subject.....  after I have my spouse status of course.  

Hey Becca, firstly congratulations on your engagement ....and I can relate to the symptoms you are talking about very well. I've been here for almost a month now and I'm just now starting to get my sleep back in track and not feel almost that anxious feeling. I thought it was just me on how I get when I fly.. My stomach will be out of wack as well as my sleep. It's a lot as I'm learning, adjusting to living in a new country. Like everyone told me, it will take some time and everyone is different. For some it may be a matter of a couple weeks, or months but your mind and body will adapt

Hi Nessa and congratulations to you too!  

Thank you so much for posting your experience - it's not much fun, is it?  Just about everything you list above is what happens to me during jet-lag.  We really need to be nice to ourselves, this is a pretty significant change - now to take that advice for myself.  

Hi Becca, hope you get adjusted quickly.  If you're still having trouble getting your sleep patterns set up, taking melatonin may help.  It will just help you naturally adjust to a new sleep schedule.  You may need to get a prescription from a GP in the UK but it's available on the shelves in US pharmacies.  My grandmother-in-law swears by it when she travels!  Good luck with everything.

I feel pretty good now and during the last few days so hopefully my sleep will continue to regulate to a more normal pattern.  I have taken melatonin before and completely forgot about how helpful it can be.  Thank you for reminding me, I'll try to buy some to keep on hand in case sleep problems recur.  

Hey Becca.. Going through the mental, emotional and physical changes/adjustments is challenging but if there is one thing that I continue to have faith in is that these feelings will pass. Its hard for anyone to understand unless they have gone through the experience. My husband has certainly been trying his best to help me cope but there are times when I find it hard to even explain how I'm feeling sometimes. The feeling of leaving a home that you've known for years, friends, family, work etc.. but as you said and what others have told me, be kind to yourself. I'm also trying to get out and do things.. I start working on Friday which is great, but going out for walks, window shopping etc.. Staying in too much with these types of feelings I find make it worse.

Staying in too much with these types of feelings I find make it worse.

I couldn't agree more.  I'm a homebody by nature, and now that I'm retired it's all too easy to just stay in, but getting out really makes a significant difference in my mood.

Congratulations on starting a new job!   

I know how you feel! I'm still on US time personally (I'm in my second week here so far) and if I dare wake up at 7 am with my husband I feel like death walking! As well as lying in bed unable to get comfortable or fall asleep until about 3 am. I've visited here several times before but this time seems to have hit me the hardest with jet lag. It doesn't help that everyone in my household is an early riser. On top of that I come from Florida so the weather is chilling me to my core, and it's always the hardest for me to wake up in the morning when I know it's cold. I just want to stay in my little blanket cocoon of heat!  

In terms of getting used to the UK i'm definitely having a few bumps here and there! I'm an only child and I've spent most of my life in a household of 2, but now I'm in a house of 6. I also miss my dog so much, but I know he's in safe hands with my mother (he has epilepsy and gets nervous easily, plus he has a strict schedule with his medication so I don't trust flying him out). Also I haven't gotten a phone plan or bank account here yet, and I don't know the area very well so I feel a bit like i'm living in a bubble! I'm used to being an very independent person so it's weird depending on others for stuff.

My current biggest issue is my hair struggles! I'm natural and follow the Curly Girl method and all of my holy grail hair products that were easily found at stores for reasonable prices are impossible to find here unless I want to spend $15+ dollars on Amazon. I expected as much so I was set to be perusing the hair product aisles for ages reading the ingredients but it seems difficult in general to find hair products without silicone/excess sulfates that are geared towards women of color in the area I'm in. The last winter I was here my hair definitely suffered for it 

It can be rough all right!  I'm definitely missing the over 2 extra hours of daylight I got in California this time of year (It's probably even more from Florida!).   

Next time I decide to change my life around and move almost 6,000 miles away, I'm doing it in the summer!!! 

The product search is difficult too.  It amazes me how similar the US and UK are in so many ways, but so many of the products I'm familiar with and depended on in the US are nowhere to be found here.  Good luck with your search - a woman's hair products are sacred! 

It can be rough all right!  I'm definitely missing the over 2 extra hours of daylight I got in California this time of year (It's probably even more from Florida!).   

Next time I decide to change my life around and move almost 6,000 miles away, I'm doing it in the summer!!! 

The product search is difficult too.  It amazes me how similar the US and UK are in so many ways, but so many of the products I'm familiar with and depended on in the US are nowhere to be found here.  Good luck with your search - a woman's hair products are sacred! 

Been living here for years now.  If I saw Tide on a shelf at a store tomorrow, I would load every one in my cart!

Been living here for years now.  If I saw Tide on a shelf at a store tomorrow, I would load every one in my cart!

Benadryl would be my first choice for a "grab what I can" product - it's not OTC here!   

Benadryl would be my first choice for a "grab what I can" product - it's not OTC here!  

Yes, it is, but it's called Nytol here and it's sold as a sleeping tablet, not as an anti-allergy medication. It's also sold as a generic brand as well -for example, the Boots-own brand is called Sleepeaze.

It sold in two strengths - diphenhydramine 50 mg (one tablet per dose - 'One-a-Night' Nytol) or diphenhydramine 25 mg (1 or 2 tablets per dose - 'Two-a-Night' Nytol).

The Benadryl here is non-drowsy and contains a different antihistamine to the Benadryl in the US: acrivastine rather than diphenhydramine.

Yes, it is, but it's called Nytol here and it's sold as a sleeping tablet, not as an anti-allergy medication. It's also sold as a generic brand as well -for example, the Boots-own brand is called Sleepeaze.

It sold in two strengths - diphenhydramine 50 mg (one tablet per dose - 'One-a-Night' Nytol) or diphenhydramine 25 mg (1 or 2 tablets per dose - 'Two-a-Night' Nytol).

The Benadryl here is non-drowsy and contains a different antihistamine to the Benadryl in the US: acrivastine rather than diphenhydramine.

Really?!?   

Thank you!!!  It never occurred to me to check other types of medication for the same ingredients - whoo hoo!!! 

Really?!?   

Thank you!!!  It never occurred to me to check other types of medication for the same ingredients - whoo hoo!!! 

No problem . If you ever have any medication questions in terms of what the UK equivalent might be or whether you can get something similar here, don't hesitate to ask.

I worked behind the pharmacy counter at Boots for several years and I've lived in both countries, so I'm semi-familiar with the difference in medications and which might be sold under different names.

Also, if you're ever in a pharmacy and aren't sure if they sell what you want, just ask them to look it up - they should have a large book in the back of the pharmacy which lists every medication sold in every country, the ingredients in them and the UK equivalents.