1. < Depression & Anxiety

Please help with reoccurrence of anxiety

Posted by yanks950 @yanks950, 11 hours ago

The last six months have been filled with depression and anxiety intermingled with some time here or there feeling better. I am currently on 120mg of duloxetine (60mg/2x a day), 30mg of buspar (15mg/2x a day) and 20mg of propanol (10mg/2x a day).

A week ago Monday I tested positive for Covid. My anxiety and depression had been under control. All of a sudden my anxiety went to level 1000. Chest tightness, hard to eat, feeling uneasy (I have gad). What did this happen after I was fine.

I am currently in a program to become an X-ray tech and doing summer clinical at the hospital M-F 8-3:30. I went today and felt a tiny bit better then laying in my bed but it was a struggle and towards the end of the day the chest tightness started up.

I try to go out to my local bar at night and have 3 beers to see my friends and try to relax but every-time I come home all I want to do is cry (I know about alcohol and anxiety). Crying feels like the only thing that calms me down. Anyone else?

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Mentor
Susan, volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | 10 hours ago

@yanks950 You've had quite a week or two, between Covid, your daily tech training program (kudos to you on that!) and managing depression and anxiety. A few things to note:

* Just as the Covid virus can cause fatigue, it can also trigger some brain changes contributing to feelings of anxiety. You stated you tested positive a week ago Monday - since today is Monday, I'm unclear if that was last week or two weeks ago. It may take at least two weeks, sometimes more, for the virus to get out of your system. It's generally advisable to retest for Covid after symptoms have resolved, particularly if you're returning to settings where you're coming in close contact with others.

*I may not be following if you've been going out to bars and having 3 bars since you've had heightened anxiety (and after Covid) or if this was before, but in any event you stated you know about alcohol and anxiety. I take this to mean you're aware of the depressive effect alcohol has -after the initial sensation of feeling relaxed and sociable, many people feel the inevitable crash. While socializing can certainly help with feelings of depression, you may want to explore if it's worth the increased anxiety that may accompany after indulging. As you've likely experienced it becomes a negative cycle.

*The meds you've mentioned, Propanolol in particular, has a synergistic effect with alcohol and is generally not recommended to combine the two. Additionally, drinking with these medications can lead to drowsiness, poor coordination and slowed reaction times. So this can have a negative physical impact as well, resulting in compromised safety.

**I saw in the past, a concerned commenter suggested taking a break from your meds. I highly advise against doing so as medications such as these need to be slowly tapered, ideally under the guidance and supervision of a prescribing provider. As you've probably found, medications for depression and anxiety frequently require adjustments to remain feeling as well as you can.

You've asked an important question, but let me ask some in return: Have you retested for Covid after the initial positive test? Have you attempted socializing with a substitute for these beers or sought any intervention for the potential reliance on them? And have you discussed these increased feelings with the provider who is prescribing the meds?

REPLY
1 reply
dbamos1945 | @dbamos1945 | 6 hours ago

@yanks950: Anxiety is awful… leads to insomnia, poor nutrition and generally just not taking care of yourself.
My 2cents are to DISTRACT your selfish mind and keep busy- whether at school/work or home. You need to find some accomplishment and positive thoughts - clean/organize the garage or your closet, paint your bedroom a soothing color, etc. - just get off the couch or fetal position and DO Something! The more time you spend wallowing in self-pitty the worse the anxiety will get. With positive action you will realize better self-worth and be able to make best decisions for tomorrow. Next - encourage your empathy for others and find a way to demonstrate by doing something for someone. You will gain more self-worth by voluntarily helping others.
I know you are hurting, you feel alone and feel you are worthless right now. Believe it or not ALL of us have bouts of anxiety/depression but only YOU can decide to make changes in your thought and action. You can decide tomorrow to be happy, be productive, be successful! Don’t make another excuse why you are miserable… you have the strength and power to change your tomorrow! I know you can do this!

REPLY
yanks950 | @yanks950 | 4 minutes ago
In reply to @grammato3 "@yanks950 You've had quite a week or two, between Covid, your daily tech training program (kudos..." + (show)
@grammato3

@yanks950 You've had quite a week or two, between Covid, your daily tech training program (kudos to you on that!) and managing depression and anxiety. A few things to note:

* Just as the Covid virus can cause fatigue, it can also trigger some brain changes contributing to feelings of anxiety. You stated you tested positive a week ago Monday - since today is Monday, I'm unclear if that was last week or two weeks ago. It may take at least two weeks, sometimes more, for the virus to get out of your system. It's generally advisable to retest for Covid after symptoms have resolved, particularly if you're returning to settings where you're coming in close contact with others.

*I may not be following if you've been going out to bars and having 3 bars since you've had heightened anxiety (and after Covid) or if this was before, but in any event you stated you know about alcohol and anxiety. I take this to mean you're aware of the depressive effect alcohol has -after the initial sensation of feeling relaxed and sociable, many people feel the inevitable crash. While socializing can certainly help with feelings of depression, you may want to explore if it's worth the increased anxiety that may accompany after indulging. As you've likely experienced it becomes a negative cycle.

*The meds you've mentioned, Propanolol in particular, has a synergistic effect with alcohol and is generally not recommended to combine the two. Additionally, drinking with these medications can lead to drowsiness, poor coordination and slowed reaction times. So this can have a negative physical impact as well, resulting in compromised safety.

**I saw in the past, a concerned commenter suggested taking a break from your meds. I highly advise against doing so as medications such as these need to be slowly tapered, ideally under the guidance and supervision of a prescribing provider. As you've probably found, medications for depression and anxiety frequently require adjustments to remain feeling as well as you can.

You've asked an important question, but let me ask some in return: Have you retested for Covid after the initial positive test? Have you attempted socializing with a substitute for these beers or sought any intervention for the potential reliance on them? And have you discussed these increased feelings with the provider who is prescribing the meds?

Jump to this post

So I had Covid a week ago from yesterday. But I have had Covid before and it’s just like a head cold that comes and goes quickly. I have not retested but I have been symptom free for multiple days which is what I told I need to be. I hope what your saying about Covid is true and that it is the cause of my severe increase in anxiety.

As far as the drinking I’m 36 so that is where me and my friends spend a lot of time. I understand I have to drink less but while I’m going through this I have been having 3 beers a night as a way to just get out of the house and be with people. I can’t come home from clinical all day and then be home all night feeling like crap. I normally go home from clinical and maybe take a nap which I wake up feeling horrible from and then try to go out for a little so I don’t go crazy.

I did talk to my psych but he said it was alcohol withdrawal when I first got Covid but it is 100% not as I have gone times without drinking. I need to talk to him again and possibly increase the propanol. I just know every night by 8ish I cry due to how crappy I feel all day for what seems like everyday.

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