Really gone downhill

[Mojo61]

I'm so upset; I had been doing so well and honestly thought I was on the road to recovery. I have just completed 12 weeks of CBT and my anxiety, although still there in the background, was becoming easier to deal with and my appetite and sleep were getting much better.

Then last Wednesday I started to feel rough again and it has got progressively worse since then. I have had a stressful week so whether that's got anything to do with it or not I don't know, but I know I feel pretty rotten and I'm so disappointed. Is this a blip or a setback? I'm only on 10mg, perhaps I should increase to 20 or do I wait and see if this passes?

I also started a different HRT patch last week, this one doesn't contain progesterone (which I've been on since Feb) and again I'm wondering if this has anything to do with my drop in mood and return of my symptoms... :weep::weep::weep:

[Shazamataz]

Hi Mojo,

I've been in a bad ways since Wednesday too!

It really is likely for you that it's hormonal with the change in the patch. Was it absolutely necessary for you to change and remove the progesterone?

I like to think it will pass. My last two days have not been as bad as the 5 days before.

It may be worth upping your medication but that may cause a raise in anxiety in itself. I know I couldn't face any med changes right now.

Hugs

[Mojo61]

Hi Shaz, thanks for your reply. I only stopped the progesterone because I was getting bleeding on the Conti patch even though my GP told me that it was normal and should settle down by 6 months. She said the only way to stop it would be to go on a Sequi regime which meant 2 weeks of oestrogen only patch and then 2 weeks of a combined oestrogen/progesterone patch. Because I was so fed up with the bleeding I thought I'd try it instead of waiting it out. I wish I hadn't now because I've felt horrid ever since.

I hope you feel better too, it is soul destroying when this happens isn't it?

[Shazamataz]

Totally soul destroying. I feel like my life is over, yes catastrophic thinking, but I've had this for MONTHS now.

Also if it is hormonal (possibly as I'm nearly 46) or thyroidal (I have a nodule but my tests don't show high levels but apparently one can have symptoms) then I can;t do a hell of a lot about it. The GP put me on a progesterone only pill to see if it would help but it hasn't really, just made me bloated with sore boobs! As for the thyroid, there is a long wait for a specialist and maybe even then they can't or won't do anything.

I've also been seeing a psychologist but haven't found it very helpful. He's a trainee and has thrown so much at me I just got overwhelmed and couldn't do the exercises properly.

Maybe go back on the other patches and put up with the bleeding? If you felt better, that is.

[Carnation]

It is quite common in recovery to have a relapse or blip.
I know it sounds strange, but it is part of the road to recovery.
So don't get despondent that you won't get better.
And if you have had a stressful week, obviously that won't help. x

[Mojo61]

Thank you. It is reassuring to know that it is all normal for the recovery process and not a sign that I'm going back to that dark place I was in a few months ago - it just feels like that at the moment.

[Carnation]

No Mojo61, I've heard this story so many times.
There's also a saying; "Too much, too soon". x

[Mojo61]

Have you really? Honestly? Because that makes me feel a whole lot better. I've never had anxiety before so I really don't know what to expect in regards to recovery etc. All I know is that it is so scary when the symptoms come back after disappearing for a period of time.

[Carnation]

Yes, Mojo61. Many, many times, including experiencing it myself.
Don't think for one moment that you are heading back to square one again.
Listen to your body, if anxiety is up, stop, acknowledge that they are there and then go and do something relaxing. Even if the symptoms are still with you, you know that you are looking after yourself, listening to your body and taking control. x

[Mojo61]

Oh bless you! Thank you for being so kind and reassuring. I don't have a partner, hubby died a few years ago sadly, and our son is now 18 so out with his mates most of the time. It is horrible sitting here all alone and frightened so thank you again for making me feel better xxx

[Carnation]

Anytime Mojo61, I've been around here a while now. :)

I'm so sorry hubby is no longer with you, I can't imagine how it is adjusting. :hugs:
I presume your name is also a clue to your age? If so, you are still quite young and maybe in time you can rebuild your life again and start enjoying it. x

[Mojo61]

Yes, I'm 55 lol. Far too old to start again now

[Carnation]

I disagree. The fifties are the new forties. :) x

[MyNameIsTerry]

Yes, I'm 55 lol. Far too old to start again now

You ain't old Mojo!!!

Could this be the steroids? If it has all come on quite quickly, and it's mostly mood based, do you know steroid withdrawal can cause depression symptoms?

---------- Post added at 04:56 ---------- Previous post was at 04:53 ----------

Interesting thread about steroid withdrawal causing what the OP thought was a relapse or blip:

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=183133

[Mojo61]

Steroids?

[MyNameIsTerry]

Oops! Sorry! :doh::doh::doh:

I misread and thought you put prednisolone.

So, I'll change the steroid withdrawal to hormonal upheaval! I wonder what your GP thinks about how you are feeling and whether they know it happens when you change those around? If so, can they help with anything or does it happen for a short time and then it's back to how you were?

[Mojo61]

Thanks Terry. I've been feeling like this since last Wednesday. It isn't showing any signs of abating at the moment either but I'm hoping for a reprieve soon.