Need some advice.

So, I stepped away from the forums for a bit because I was feeling pretty good for about a month and a half now and then boom, right after Halloween, I have been hit with anxiety again. Its not the same intensity as in I haven't been feeling many physical symptoms but I have just been feeling the fear in my chest, jittery, butterflies in my stomach, etc...

I have been on 20 mg of Lexapro for 12 weeks and 1mg of Klonopin 2xDay for about 1 month and a few days. Im wondering if this is just a setback on my road to recovery or if the meds are pooping out on me or worse, I have developed a tolerance for Klonopin and now need to take it 3 times a day instead of 2. I just feel like it stopped helping me with my anxiety. I had a few crying spells again. And have been feeling depressed.

I also start worrying that maybe I am bipolar II because I have weeks where I am great and then I crash and feel depressed. But my doctor says I dont show any of the signs of being bipolar.

The only thing that has changed is that since I started feeling better I kind of through caution to the wind and started not watching my diet as much anymore, eating fast food, ate a lot of candy on Halloween, and had a pretty big argument the Sunday after Halloween with my wife, I also stopped being as diligent with my mindfullness meditation. Then I woke up with morning anxiety that I hadn't felt in a while.

Uggh, I am once again feeling somewhat depressed because you feel like you are overcoming anxiety and then boom you get hit with a few bad days and you think its coming back again and will never leave.

Any advice?

Thanks everyone!

TKBG,

We often have times that are challenging...and yes...they can be 'helped' along with our own less than great choices!

Backing off on healthy habits such as good nutrition and use of our coping as are naturally going to factor in to how we feel.

The good news is that this is pretty easily turned around...and once you do, you should see improvement.:)

Ups and downs...setbacks...little detours...these are all an expected part of recovery.

However, this doesn't put you back at the starting point again...

...simply get back on the road to recovery from where you veered off...and keep moving! ;)

(picking up a new coping skill can be a great kickstart!)

With encouragement,

S.C.

Hi TKBG

Sorry to hear you have had a return of your anxiety after a good period I know how frustrating that can be but unfortunately set backs happen so it's important to remain as positive as possible and tell yourself you have got through it before so you can do it again. I hope you feel better soon keep us posted we are here for you mate cheering you on.

I think we should all meet up on the Spanish Island of Ibiza lol it's a great place what you reckon?

Hibee

Ibiza is cool if you don't mind listening to listening to EDM music 24/7 ha ha...those days of hard partying are over for me!

I agree with everyone above. Get that diet back under control, and keep up with your self help coping skills. Things will get better.

I'm on the same meds, and same dose (prescribed-but I only take half the dose of klonopin daily) as you, and I still have down times. Especially when I spend a weekend eating take out too much.

Any place warm, and I'm there. Save me a seat on that jet.

I used to get freaked out at "relapses" when I first started medication so know that's not uncommon and normal to be concerned but like someone said, it isn't medication poop out.

We all will at times for various reasons, have anxiety here & there. If we didn't, we wouldnt be normal The key to recovery for me, and I'm still a work in progress, is how I react to it when it does arise. By continuing to practice coping skills (I see a psychotherapist, use mantras, pray, etc), you will learn to quell the anxiety at its early stages.

Ps: I can almost guarantee your candy binge, (I can only assume you raided your kids bags lol), was a huge contributor to your anxiety/depressed feeling. I can't do sugar anymore like I used to. That's not a bad thing but I do love sweets. I have to watch them now bc they will make me feel physically bad, even sugar rushes, & that will set off anxiety. It's not worth it. I've a friend who just made the connection that her depression is almost non-existent when she doesn't eat sugar!

Wishing you well.