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frustrated! feeling anxious again! need support!

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Posted 1/4/2015 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, hope you all had good holidays? I had a great Christmas and New Year. I could use a bit of support today, as I'm feeling high anxiety, after having a really great stretch of a few weeks. As some of you know, I'm back on the effexor and I'm now at the dose I was on before ( 187.5 )

I was totally feeling great for like 3 weeks and my anxiety started to build 2 days ago, and has escalated to waking anxious today. I was really hoping I was home free, but now I'm saddened that I'm not. I've been on effexor for about 3 months now , and at this dose for over 7 weeks. I'm so scared to slip back and I worry that this med is not working for me. I'm trying to use my coping skills and such, but can't ignore that dang sinking, churning anxiety that's going on. I'm not particularly stressed at the moment either.

I even went through a menstrual cycle without too much anxiety which had me excited that I was doing better.

Ugh, just so frustrated and confused as to what to do. Feeling the blues too.
Just need some support and encouragement please!
Thanks all, Lisa
Posted 1/4/2015 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Think about all your success so far. Look at how far you've come. Just seeing your own improvements is proof that your meds are helping/ working. I too had a great week and then a few not so good days. Then a repeat . I'm on week 6 of my current dose of Lexapro . So I understand where your coming from. I gets me down too when you feel so good for a few days then you go backwards the next. But my CBT told me to focus on the facts that the success and the things I'm doing now that I wasnt a few months ago. And focus on my appetite being back . Focus on my sleep got better. Etc..
Posted 1/4/2015 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa

Glad you had a good christmas and new year but sorry to hear you feeling high anxiety today after having a good few weeks. I call these set backs and we all get them on our journey to recovery so try not to be to hard on yourself and stay as positive as possible and know that this is just a set back and you will get through it.

Continue using your coping skills sometimes it can take a bit of time to get things sorted so persistence of the skills learned in CBT or Mindfulness can really help also keep posting here we are here to support you.

Hibee
Posted 1/4/2015 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
We all have bad days, even on medication:) It makes it ten times worse when we think we will fall back into a bad situation...though I KNOW how hard it is not to do that. Most people recovering from anxiety think the same way. But at some point we have to convince ourselves that we will be okay, to actually be okay. ❤️
Posted 1/4/2015 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Mam i think its normal to have some "what if fears", when one has been down for a long time, give yourself a few days to kick this to the curb, peace

Larry ***
Posted 1/4/2015 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going through the same thing right now. about 10 weeks of lexapro and all along I've had good days and bad days, but I finally had my first panic attack post therapy.

It sounds like your're making a lot of progress and this just a minor setback. Maybe not even a setback but something that we need to except will happen occasionally.

A week ago I thought I had this thing licked and then bang, here we are again.

Hang in there and it will pass.
Posted 1/5/2015 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your help. Today has not been great, but I still managed to find some joy. Took my youngest to the movies and had some laughs. I know eventually I will overcome this, but this bout has by far been the hardest I've had to fight in many years of off an on anxiety. Sometimes I wonder if there is something in my life that's troubling me, that I do t want to deal with. I just wish it would pass already. I'm seeing the p doc tomorrow for a follow up, so I guess I'll see what he has to say. I'll let you know. And thank you again. Peace, Lisa
Posted 1/5/2015 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
wishing you all my best for success with stress relef
Posted 1/5/2015 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
I am in the same boat as you just with Zoloft. Got off it after 4 years and feel so silly that I did. I get a lot of morning anxiety and then it calms later in the day. Like you it makes me so upset. I am on week 4.5 and still have 50 mg to increase to my original dose but feel lousy. You have made progress and this is the main thing. So the medication is working for you!
Posted 1/5/2015 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa!

You & I are so similar, & not just the name lol. This past year has also been my worst bout of anxiety/depression. I'm 43 & neverrrrr had experienced anything longer than maybe 2 months of suffering. I've had anxiety off & on for 21? years but it never got me down. Maybe BC it was random & I'd bounce back quickly. Went on meds 6 yrs ago & stayed on them bc I was scared of withdrawing. Until it oooped out last year then the Med switch which kinda instigated the whole past years issues.

I'm currently transitioning from Pristiq to Viibryd. Nothing horrible but I staved off a panic attack today with xanax. I'm over feeling guilty or weak for taking xanax as needed.

Tis the season too for struggling. Short days, early darkness, less sunshine. I think you're only going to keep improving. I think we are still raw from our extended struggle that any feeling of setback triggers us immediately Bc our guard is still a bit up.

We got this girl.

Lisa
Posted 1/5/2015 6:38 AM (GMT 0)
C.M.

Great advice so far...so I will just add my encouragment and support!

Breakthrough anxiety happens, and often goes as quickly as it comes...

A few off days are not indicative of a permanent pattern. Give it some time, use your coping skills to get you through...and look for brighter days ahead!

Keep posting, and we'll keep cheering you on.:)

S.C.
Posted 1/5/2015 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
many healing thoughts i send. good move talking to the doc.
Posted 1/5/2015 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks you all! I just love you guys! Honestly don't know what I'd do without your support. Hoping today will be a better one.

Lisa, I too have a benzo (klonopin ), but I'm so stubborn to take them. I just feel that I should try and go without, but maybe I should bite the bullet and take them when I need to! I'm not scared to take them, just don't want to get too used to them!

I will let you all know what the doc says today. Feeling not too bad this early morning. Kids are back at school today ( Yay )
Not that I won't miss them terribly; ) ;)
Posted 1/5/2015 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello coops mom,
Yes this anxiety thing comes and goes for me too. It is a daily struggle for me now as well. During periods where I can channel my energies the anxiety is less. Meds are helpful but you have to have the patience for them to work. I am going to look into mindful meditation to see if it will help me.
Posted 1/5/2015 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
CM,

I am going to miss my daughter as well as she is back in school today...

...but there IS something to be said about getting back into a routine! Having a schedule helps me to feel structured and less anxious.

Hope you have a great day full of peace and calm!

S.C.
Posted 1/5/2015 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again everyone. I saw my p doc today and he was pleased with me with regards to feeling good for a few weeks and said not to let a couple of bad days determine my forward momentum.
He didn't think an increase was needed just yet and I'm to see him in a month. I agreed and off I went. My appointments are really only to discuss the meds and not what's going on in my life.

I feel I could really benefit from talking to a therapist because there are things in my life that are bothering me, but here in Canada, the cost is astronomical!! I will continue to use my coping skills with the hope that they can quell some of this breakthrough anxiety. Hope you're all doing well and again, your support is immeasurable! Peace, Lisa
Posted 1/6/2015 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I'm a fellow Canadian as well. I'm also waiting to speak to somebody as well. Been waiting a month!! Glad to hear that your appointment went well!
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