Relapse after 4 years

[Schnoodlemom]

Hello everyone,

I am new here but not new to this hell. I was on Zoloft for 15 years for depression and finally got off it about a year ago. I had used Ativan on occasion. I thought I was doing well and that anxiety was behind me as I was done with menopause (I’m 59) and hadn’t used Ativan in almost 4 years. A month ago my anxiety came back. I feel angry and betrayed by my own mind. It’s brought up issues of regret and guilt as well as fear. My doctor gave me a small amount of Ativan that I am using sparingly. I haven’t contacted a therapist yet. I thought it was lifting. Has anyone else gone through a period of relative peace then have this happen?

 

[triceps]

Hello everyone,

I am new here but not new to this hell. I was on Zoloft for 15 years for depression and finally got off it about a year ago. I had used Ativan on occasion. I thought I was doing well and that anxiety was behind me as I was done with menopause (I’m 59) and hadn’t used Ativan in almost 4 years. A month ago my anxiety came back. I feel angry and betrayed by my own mind. It’s brought up issues of regret and guilt as well as fear. My doctor gave me a small amount of Ativan that I am using sparingly. I haven’t contacted a therapist yet. I thought it was lifting. Has anyone else gone through a period of relative peace then have this happen?

Sure sorry about the return of your anxiety. At least you were given a decent break and know that it might happen again. I've been saddled with anxiety for 50 years without a break. I'm quite envious of your ability to beat this stuff for awhile. Let's hope you can do it again. Welcome.

 

[Foxtrot]

Hello everyone,

I am new here but not new to this hell. I was on Zoloft for 15 years for depression and finally got off it about a year ago. I had used Ativan on occasion. I thought I was doing well and that anxiety was behind me as I was done with menopause (I’m 59) and hadn’t used Ativan in almost 4 years. A month ago my anxiety came back. I feel angry and betrayed by my own mind. It’s brought up issues of regret and guilt as well as fear. My doctor gave me a small amount of Ativan that I am using sparingly. I haven’t contacted a therapist yet. I thought it was lifting. Has anyone else gone through a period of relative peace then have this happen?

Hi Schnoodlemom,

Yes! This has happened to me recently and in the past. I have had anxiety and OCD since I was 12 . There have been times where I have had a break. The anxiety is always there but not the debilitating anxiety that severely interferes with my everyday functioning. I had been doing really well with therapy and medication for the last 8 years. A year and a half ago when I became pregnant with my son I went off Zoloft. I did a lot of work with my therapist to prepare for not being on meds and being a new mom. Things were great for six months after my son was born and then wham, almost over night came the delibitating anxiety. For the first time ever, I had what I would consider a mini-panic attack on the subway platform of all places. I have been feeling all the same things as you describe, anger, sadness, disappointment and betrayal. I will be meeting with the psychiatric nurse Practitioner to discuss going back on my meds this week. I have come to accept that anxiety is part of my brain chemistry and just like any chronic health issue, I will have to keep on top of it for the long haul. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Schnoodlemom]

Thank you. Let me know how your visit with the nurse goes and what medication you may go back on. I’m wondering if I need meds again.

 

[scharley1973]

Hello everyone,

I am new here but not new to this hell. I was on Zoloft for 15 years for depression and finally got off it about a year ago. I had used Ativan on occasion. I thought I was doing well and that anxiety was behind me as I was done with menopause (I’m 59) and hadn’t used Ativan in almost 4 years. A month ago my anxiety came back. I feel angry and betrayed by my own mind. It’s brought up issues of regret and guilt as well as fear. My doctor gave me a small amount of Ativan that I am using sparingly. I haven’t contacted a therapist yet. I thought it was lifting. Has anyone else gone through a period of relative peace then have this happen?

ive struggled with anxiety and panic for over 20 years. it was managable for quite some time but in the past 6 months to a year its gotten increasingly worse. i believe it has something to do with my change of life. im going thru perimenopause and its messed me all up its scary and frustrating to relive this all over again. i thought it was behind me as well. i wish you well and hope things get better with therapy keep us posted.

 

[Schnoodlemom]

Doctor put me back on Zoloft. I'm trying to get an appointment with a therapist he recommended. He said there is a biological basis for this and it's nothing I've done or haven't done. I'm not as bad as I was but it's only been 6 days back on. Here's hoping it works.