Relapse potentially?

angeljade13 · ‎05-01-2016

Good evening. This is my first post. Hope to get some advise. I'm in remission from depression/anxiety which was diagnosed January 2014 so two years on and recently I've been feeling sad and confused. Could I be relapsing already? Currently on appropriate medication for treatment which has been very successful. Anyone else experienced these feelings? Thank you.

blondguy · ‎06-01-2016

Hi angeljade13 This is my first post as well. I have had generalised anxiety with depression on and off since 1983..I still work full time as a tech-rep and manage to get by day by day. I understand your feelings about being sad and confused...and this time of year doesnt help. I am not an expert angeljade but relapsing just may represent having a temporary hiccup in the system. Please excuse my feeble attempt at a response..I dont wish to downplay your symptoms in anyway...as they obviously are real. I also am on appropriate medication to enable me to function and work on a day by day basis. I still know the rainbow will shine...its like a roller coaster...and yes I do experience the feelings you describe.

geoff · ‎06-01-2016

dear Angeljade and Blondguy, welcome to the both of you to the site.

Can I put it this way that I have 'overcome' my long depression but that doesn't mean that I won't have a relapse, because I have had several over this time.

We are never 'cured' from depression if we have had it, it's always there, no matter how much better we feel, but we can get on with our life, but sometimes there are times when we just stumble.

My relapses will last a few days but that's only for me, but if however yours last longer and you aren't able to overcome it then it's back to your doctor, however as your medication has been working well for you then there's just a chance it will pass and I hope so. Geoff.

Neil_1 · ‎06-01-2016

Hi there Angeljade and Blondguy

I too would like to welcome you both to the site and to thank you for coming here and providing your posts.

As you may know, medication is but one mechanism that needs to be put into place in order to assist us against this mongrel illness. The relapsing side of things could be a sign that maybe your meds need an adjustment or at least perhaps a review by your doc?

Another thing to mention here is that during your original depressive period are you able to think back to what “other” things you were doing that was assisting you to deal with this illness. As I mentioned above, medication is one, but we need to have a number of other things set in play to help combat our illness.

I’m happy to write up some more here if you’re unsure as to where I’m going with this; and would also welcome hearing from you again anyway.

Kind regards

Neil

angeljade13 · ‎06-01-2016

Hi fellow members. Thank you for your words of advise and suggestions in allowing me to cope during this stage. I have made an apt to see my GP this evening to gain an understanding as to why this is happening now. I'm a little disappointed this is occurring given I've been on track for the past two years. Before the 2014 diagnosis I had post natal depression with anxiety back in 2000. Have been on meds ever since however did change brands in 2014 when I had a relapse due to personal tragedies x3 within 4 months of 2013. Tough. But I joined yoga, started meditating, joined a dance studio and more recently a gym. I even bought a bike. I also was seeing a pychologist which helped a lot. I may have to make another apt there too. Thanks again all. I appreciate your replies. Lou.

White_Rose · ‎06-01-2016

Hello Angeljade and Blondguy

Welcome to Beyond Blue and thank you for your posts. As Geoff and Neil have both said, depression can come back again at times. Getting past the original depression is a huge milestone and I think that maybe it is never as bad again. Not at all sure of this as I have been going through an enormous relapse for the past six months.

Both the guys have commented on the need for a medication review and this I believe is a useful and positive step. Sadly ADs do seem to lose their effect at times and with some people so a check up may help you enormously.

Neil has asked you what activities or strategies you used early on with your depression. For example, I have always found meditation powerful for me. I used to walk a great deal. Exercise is great for depression as it releases endorphins, good for the brain. I found I could listen to books on CD when I was unable to read because I could not concentrate. While listening I also embroidered so my mind and hands were occupied and this took care of many problems. So if you can recall any of the strategies you used, than maybe it will help to return to these.

Did either of you see a psychologist? I wonder if, once the initial 'attack' is over, talking to someone like a psych may to consolidate the good work you have done on your own or with your GP. I am just realising how much of my past I have been trying to ignore and push away, (and how much is coming back to haunt me). Seriously though, my relapse has much to do with a huge trauma of several years ago and had been triggered again by an unfortunate interaction of two medications. One is my AD and the other was prescribed to reduce the odds of my breast cancer returning. Bad combination and I feel I am only now getting to my feet. Climbing out of the pit is another huge task to face.

The reason for telling you these details is show that other things in our lives impact on depression, sometimes without us realising, but become a huge trigger in the return of depression.

Love hear from you both.

Mary

White_Rose · ‎06-01-2016

Hello Angeljade

I wrote my reply before your last post hit the thread, so please excuse me for the overlapping suggestions.

Mary

angeljade13 · ‎06-01-2016

Hi white rose. Thank you for your msg and suggestions. I visited my dr this evening and it appears I will need to increase my medication dose for a short time until I can get back on track emotionally. It has made me feel a little better however I would be lying if I didn't admit I'm sad that my meds have let me down. I will continue to do yoga and my walking and attending the gym to ensure my exercise is maintained. Will also meditate as I have been every night. I will keep you updated with my progress. I am committed to beat this...I just cannot spiral out of control again. Thanks, lou

Neil_1 · ‎07-01-2016

Dear Lou

Thanx so much for your latest responses – it’s been great to hear from you with the things that you’ve done in the past and the things that you’re setting in place now.

I can see so much positivity coming from you at this time and I really believe that with this awesome attitude you’re going to boot that mongrel black dog right where it hurts and to make him go away from you for a long long time.

And yes, it’ll be great to get updates from you.

I wish you all the best with your upcoming goals that you’re aiming to reach.

Kind regards

Neil

blondguy · ‎07-01-2016

Dear Lou

You have a pro-active approach towards your current feelings Nice1. Thanks to Mary Neil & Geoff for your help too...some really good positive suggestions for me. I think Geoff really got it right when he mentioned about sticking to the medication...Depending on the person of course a review of the medication is always an option. I have had two reviews and both exacerbated my symptoms so i do empathize with you Lou about how you felt when your meds let you down. My GP and myself tried but learnt the hard way on that one. I also had 2 months of increase in severity in my symptoms when I tried a Generic AD last year since my regular brand was out of stock.I should have known better and stuck with what worked!

This might not work with everybody as we are individuals of course...In therapy I was taught not to fight the depression as it only exacerbates the symptoms...Instead I swam with the tide instead of against it....it brought an increased feeling of peace. Its not easy by any means but when the feelings of dread come I still do use a sincere & true calm acceptance of these awful feelings....it actually takes the bark out of that black dog!

Well said Neil re the black dog he does come back now and again and makes my life awful.A Black dog is still a K9 though..He can only bark and carry on for so long so before he runs out of energy...Similar to an anxiety state..it feels awful but does reach a point where it loses its intensity and the symptoms decrease alike the Black Dog running out of steam.

Good point too Mary re Psychologists, and yes I have them and they DO help with re-booting the system 🙂

Just a note re Psychologists: Some people cant afford them (like me now) I did find a community based psychiatric nurse some years ago twice a week for 3 months....he was brilliant! Really helped, big time.

Best Coping Mechanism (to me) 'the power of distraction'

Best Black Dog Help: 'a dog is a pack animal..he needs a pack leader...YOU are that Pack Leader..The human...not the dog 🙂

Best Simple Quote re this awful disorder: 'Be gentle with Yourself"

You are healing already Lou....Not only with your pro-active approach....but by just being on here! Those feelings you have now are awful, I know. For me I now accept there will be stumbles and dips along my path with true calm acceptance(I keep trying anyway...getting there). I Love taking the bark out of that dog:-)

If just1% of this post has been of help to any sufferer of this disorder Nice1

Take Care Lou

Paul