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Setbacks with GAD - help!

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Posted 3/18/2017 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
New to forum but not GAD and depression. Mid 40s guy - 17 years of this stuff but successfully treated most of the time. Weaned off lexapro last summer - great until anxiety came back after new year's day. Been on effexor xr generic - 75mg for 4 weeks then 150 mg for last 3. Higher dose brought me back to normal-felt great for 2 weeks then gad can back last Tuesday out off blue. Thought I could push through it - but 4 days later still have that persistent dread feeling, tense feeling and sleep is in short supply. I take low Xanax dose as needed but only temp fix. Of course being myself up - feel like I failed, let down family, worried I won't get back to normal ever, etc. I know I'm doing better than I was 4 weeks ago but hard to convince myself of course. So now I'm ruminating again and second guessing everything. My therapist wasn't concerned but that appt was on Tuesday when gad first kicked in.
In summary I'm scared and looking for others that have been there and might be able to relate. Looking for some encouragement from others - is this just a typical set back and expected?. Sorry for long post - been storing this up for a while and decided to reach out. Thanks.
Posted 3/18/2017 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi GADfly

First of all welcome to the forum you will find good support here from others who can relate to what you are going through so your not alone.

When you increase the dosage of a medication it seems to be the norm for things to get worse before they get better and this can sometimes take a few weeks before you start to see some improvement so I would stick with it for a few more weeks and if things have not improved go back and speak with your doctor.

In the meantime have a look at our resources post for some useful links to self help sites on the web I can highly recommend the Mindfulness Meditation links as it really does work wonders on anxiety.

Stay with us and keep posting we are here to support you.

Hibee
Posted 3/18/2017 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Hibee! Was getting worried no one would ever reply! Just realized how silly that sounds given the issue at hand!
I do appreciate the reassurance - for me the problem was it took 2 weeks on higher dose - I felt great for almost 2 weeks - then slipped at been back down for 4 days now. I think the surprise of having the relapse is what got to me the most and compounded by self doubt. Just didn't expect to have to deal with this again since I had improved.
With GAD there rarely seems to be a trigger and the worry is just chronic and unfocused on any one thing. I just worry that I won't get better again, will affect my job, hurt my family, I'll have to take a leave from work, etc. The whole irrational scenario playbook as I understand it. Seeing a therapist in addition to meds - mainly talk therapy as we've talked about CBT techniques but it doesn't seem to work well with GAD. Would love to hear if it's worked for others with this issue.
Again thank you for your compassion - so good to discuss with others who can directly relate by experience. Hope to hear more from you and others soon!
Posted 3/18/2017 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
BTW Hibee - just noticed your diagnosis. I have two boys that are Aspie's and one of them had ocd and anxiety as well. I felt one positive from my recent experiences is having a greater appreciation for when my son has a really bad bout of anxiety and gets overwhelmed I can relate and try to help much more. Certainly won't pretend I understand everything he (or you) goes through every day but hopefully I can support him better.
Thanks again!
Posted 3/18/2017 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your increase of challenges recently. However, I want to encourage you that setbacks are a normal part of the journey...and not a harbinger of your Rx failing...or of your recovery moving in the wrong direction...

...it is just a temporary detour, and you'll get back on track again soon, I am sure.smile

Keep working on your therapy techniques...but seek to work self help as well, as I found this a winning combination for me.

The 'Therapy Worksheets', 'Positive Affirmations/Mantras' and 'Stress Management' links from our Resources (top of the main forum page here) are all key for me...check them out and add some tools to your tool belt.smile

Keep posting with us as well. We understand, care and support is key!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 3/18/2017 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Scaredy Cat - I do appreciate your support and reassurance. As you can no doubt relate the uncertainty of anxiety is bad enough, but when you have anxiety and uncertainty about your anxiety and treatment it makes life really interesting. So glad I made the decision to join and post. Found that most forums I've visited tend to just focus on negative experiences, bash meds and make me more anxious. Happy to find a positive place that does focus on support and healing. I hope that as I progress on my journey I can provide support and reassurance for those that are working through the challenges in facing now.

I still remain positive and am trying very hard just to accept this as just a speed bump on the journey to recovery. I admit that my greatest fear is that my meds are losing their effectiveness of need a higher dose already. Based on what I'm hearing what I'm experiencing is normal and somewhat expected. Definitely gives me some peace of mind.

Thanks again!
Posted 3/18/2017 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Absolutely...with your positive outlook...I see you getting back on track quickly!

I recently had a setback as well. I had a first panic attack after going years with out one. There was a definite trigger...but like you, I still feared that I had regressed right back to ground zero.

That is what the anxiety would have us believe, right?

However, I picked up my tools....got to work, and exited that detour...and continued on from where I left off...never looking back!

You can do the same. We will be here cheering you on.smile

S.C.
Posted 3/19/2017 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Scaredy Cat,
Thanks for the kind words and for sharing your experiences and challenges with setbacks. Makes me feel better knowing that others faced the same issues and fears but came out the other side and kept getting better. Happy that you were able to move past your episode - imagine that pa was a big surprise after such a long period of good times.
I am trying the tools I have as well as some of the new ones if found in the resources area. I will stay strong and hope that the effexor kicks back in soon. Felt a little better yesterday evening but if course it's now Sunday and I can already feel the pre-work week anxiety looking in the shadows. Will stay positive and keep moving forward.
Now if I could only figure out how to get over my sleep issues - tried several meds (Ambien, Ambien xr, Lunesta, Trazadone, and Xanax) which all help me fall asleep but always wake up in early morning hours and then toss and turn. Maybe another thread I can post for advice.
Thanks again and I will continue to check in with everyone on my progress. Feels good to have a community of support!
Posted 3/19/2017 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, you can start a new thread on sleep issues...

...and also do a 'Search' here (upper right blue tool bar) to read archived material and find recommendations on the subject.smile

S.C.
Posted 3/19/2017 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, S.C. I did check the archives and there were a few dated posts about effexor and sleep but seemed to be different from what I've be experiencing. I will start another post tonight - one on effexor as a whole and another on the sleep issues.

On my original post, it's been an interesting weekend. Have felt very anxious in the mornings - had to use coping skills and also a to-do list today to keep me busy and distracted. Kept ruminating on whether I need to increase the meds (still waiting on GP's response on that) or take a Xanax to relax. But both Sat & today I started to feel better in the late afternoon and evening. A month ago when I was in the deepest throes of the anxiety the impact was the exact reverse with morning being better. My dear companion appears to like keeping me guessing. Certainly not fully back on the wagon yet but I hope these little improvements, however how small, are a sign that I am moving towards recovery.

It has been such a pleasure talking with you - told my wife how helpful everyone has been on the forum. She's happy because I'm not driving her crazy with questions and concerns that she doesn't have the personal experience to answer (thankfully for her!).

Thanks again and I look forward to keeping in touch with you!

Jim
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