2784 replies to this topic

[Axlejames]

I hear what you're saying Axlejames. Having been crushed by anxiety for the last 9 months, I think I've found that it's become easy to default to that state. Almost like my brain has gotten accustomed to the feeling and now it takes less stimulus to become anxious. But there are also days when I don't feel quite so pressed upon by anxiety, and I love and relish those days. Everything is easier and more like it was before withdrawal. I couldn't say that on those days I miss the anxiety in any way. in fact it's always really heartbreaking when the anxiety comes back in a day or two. 

One thing I have discovered is I have been using exercise to help with my anxiety what I did not know is you can over train and cause anxiety and other mental health issues to worsen. That is where I am at I have been over training with no break so now I am working on doing a recovery week for myself to see if that helps with it if not then I know that isnt the cause. I am always looking for a cause so that I can deal with it. Another thing I am working on is realizing that I am a person who runs a little anxious and accepting that. 

[fishinghat]

It is very simple, the harder you train the more adrenaline you produce. Recovery usually takes 3 or 4 days.

 

Light aerobic exercise only.

[invalidusername]

Another thing I am working on is realizing that I am a person who runs a little anxious and accepting that. 

 

Good thing to acknowledge. I am the same realising that I was still uneasy with massive crowds, public speaking an airports, and I have to accept that will still be me... but the coping strategies should be used so that these things do not rule my life...

[Axlejames]

Had an appointment with my Dr. today I asked about medicines that can be taken as needed for anxiety has anyone tried this before. He prescribed gabopentin has anyone used this? 

 

Thanks 

 

chris 

[fishinghat]

Gabapentin is a possibility and has worked for some. It also has a moderate withdrawal. I was on it for awhile. It helped my restless leg syndrome but didn't do anything for my anxiety. Other members have reported some success with it though.

[Axlejames]

Gabapentin is a possibility and has worked for some. It also has a moderate withdrawal. I was on it for awhile. It helped my restless leg syndrome but didn't do anything for my anxiety. Other members have reported some success with it though.

Thanks bud 

[invalidusername]

Better Gabapentin than Pregabalin - just note that one AJ.

[Axlejames]

It has been 6 months off of Zoloft. I feel pretty Ok definitely have bouts of Anxiety , however one thing I have come to see without the medicine is that I am in control of how I feel if I own my anxiety and if I work on owning my emotions I feel better. 

[fishinghat]

You have come a long way AJ. You have much to be proud of. Things should improve even more in the next few months.

[invalidusername]

Absolutely. That is when you know you are on a good thing.

 

A lot of people do not go as far as to stare the anxiety in the face so they can deal with it later in life. This is why pills are never the last word in a cure to mental health. Symptoms come back, and if a pill has been the only cure, you will be back on that pill, whereas if you have learnt to face your symptoms, you are in a much better place.

[Axlejames]

Thank you Fish and IUN you both have been such a huge part of this journey I do not think I would be where I am if it was not for the both of you and others on this forum. Looking back and and not understanding what I was going through I am so grateful I stumbled upon this forum. I hope that as time progresses I can give back in some way. 

[fishinghat]

Glad to help AJ. You hang in there and keep up  the good fight.

[invalidusername]

Ditto - and never sell yourself short AJ. You are a good and honest family man, and a man of his country. You did a lot of work yourself, but will always be on hand to help in any way I can.

[Axlejames]

What are your thoughts on Stoicism. Lately as I try to embrace this philosophy I can feel some of my anxiety and depression melt away. 

[fishinghat]

Stoicism is one of the foundations of mindfulness therapy and has practical benefits.

[Axlejames]

Stoicism is one of the foundations of mindfulness therapy and has practical benefits.

I just purchased a book called the daily Stoic. It is interesting. 

[Axlejames]

Truth time I am not doing so well I manage but my life looks like this I am in a constant state of hyper vigilance thinking if I stay informed and if I in detail imagine every possible bad outcome I can ward off harm to myself and everyone around me. I am in a constant state of tension. When I am not tense and anxious I am depressed after that I am wiped out for a few days and numb then right back at it again. I don't want to take medicine I exercise regularly not as intense as before I am doing all the right things yet I feel as if some kind of impending doom will befall me at any moment. I prayed 3 or 4 nights ago that I would have some type of spiritual experience. Almost immediately I found myself at a chasm like the Grand Canyon in it was this black tar like substance bubbling all around it were spirits some I knew some I did not recognize but somehow I knew one stepped out and spoke to me and said when I am constantly checking when I am consuming things that make me doubt I am in this tar swimming in it I found myself in it almost like drowning but not just in a constant state of fear, however all the spirits pulled me out corrupting some but they were easily cleaned. I was told if I would avoid checking if I would choose to consume something else rather than feeding my doubts this chasm would crust over like a scab and eventually it would be able to be hardened and dug out and I could fill this chasm with light with things that would feed my faith. It was very strange and profound and so real. Just wanted to share this. 

[fishinghat]

Hi AJ. How long you been off the C now?

[Axlejames]

Hi AJ. How long you been off the C now?

Cymbalta about 2 years cause I switched to Zoloft I ve been off that for 6 months 

[fishinghat]

It sounds like a continuation of the Zoloft withdrawal. At 6 months you should be about ready to see some small but steady improvements. 

[Axlejames]

It sounds like a continuation of the Zoloft withdrawal. At 6 months you should be about ready to see some small but steady improvements. 

Thank you Fish as always I appreciate the advice and the help to keep my feet on the ground. Hope all is well. 

[Axlejames]

After coming off these meds has anyone else experienced a feeling of not knowing how to feel. I also look back and realize that times seemed so much simpler before my coming off medicine. I was numb to a lot of things, however I can see clearly now how that was a hug problem. I didnt process anything I didnt have to the pills kept me numb to it. The world now seems so much like I am walking a tight rope one wrong move and I fall. I am looking for advice on ways to find stability. 

[fishinghat]

That level of sensitivity to stimuli will fade with time.  

[invalidusername]

Sorry AJ... had to point out the typo as it was so ironic!!

 

"I can see clearly now how that was a hug problem"

 

[Axlejames]

Sorry AJ... had to point out the typo as it was so ironic!!

 

"I can see clearly now how that was a hug problem"

 

LOL no such thing as a hug problem unless your not getting enough hugs.

[invalidusername]

LOL... absolutely

[Axlejames]

This week has been uniquely rough for me. I am unsure, but its like I have hit depression again. I started journaling,a breathing, app, and practicing mindfulness it helps sometimes. I am currently struggling with finding purpose its like the old me who seemed to be driven by some unknown force has gone away and now I am in my body making all these choices. 

[invalidusername]

Sounds like you are doing all the right stuff, but again, don't always strive for perfection every day. This took me a long time to grasp - particularly as I was scoring my days hour by hour. It made me focus on how good (or more likely, how bad) every moment in my life was. 

 

Think this way is like playing a game of tug o' war with yourself.

 

You need to drop the rope as my therapist is always telling me...

[Axlejames]

Sounds like you are doing all the right stuff, but again, don't always strive for perfection every day. This took me a long time to grasp - particularly as I was scoring my days hour by hour. It made me focus on how good (or more likely, how bad) every moment in my life was. 

 

Think this way is like playing a game of tug o' war with yourself.

 

You need to drop the rope as my therapist is always telling me...

I like that idea drop the rope. Spot on it does feel like a tug of war constantly . 

[invalidusername]

So familiar with that feeling... and so difficult to actually sort yourself out with...