Situational or med tweak needed?

[mele48]

Well, it's been a long while since I posted - my anxiety battle has been mostly upswings lately.  The last few weeks have been tough, though, especially the last week.  Let's just say that my family ***** the very life out of me.  Bleh.

The last several days, the anxiety has been higher than in the last year.  I'm currently on 125mg of Zoloft, slowly but surely titrating off Xanax (currently on 0.175mg PM, 0.375mg AM), and 100mg gabapentin PRN.  I've doctor's approval to take up to 200mg gabapentin AM and PM, which of been doing the last 2 days with little relief.  I've rolled out the usual tool kit - getting out in the sunshine, self talk, exercise, continuing to eat well.  I'm willing to bet my system is just fritzed after 5 days of too-much-family time.  I'm not opposed to upping the Zoloft, but, like many anxiety warriors, I'd prefer to be on less medication, not more.

I'm 105lbs, 5'4", so I'm not sure how much more Zoloft my body can metabolize.  I have a regular appointment with my psychiatrist in 2 weeks.  I'd appreciate any thoughts you fellow warriors have.

[specialmom]

Hello.  Ahh, the joys of family, right?  The thing about medication is that it is supposed to smooth out the edges but doesn't ever fully eliminate stressful things in our lives.  Meaning, it would be abnormal to NEVER have a bad day here and there (or 5 in a row trying to deal with chaos that family or a particular 'seasonal' situation can create).  If you function pretty well the vast majority of the time, I'd consider this situational and that it is part of life.  We're all going to have things that no matter what meds we take, sends us over the edge briefly.  :>)  That's being human.  Maybe planning ahead of time and setting boundaries with family would be your best bet.  As in, instead of 5 days, cut it down to 3 and have an escape plan.  :>)  Let us know how you are doing!!  

[mele48]

Hi, specialmom.  You're so right about meds; I told myself in the beginning that just because I'm having x number of good days doesn't mean I'm "done" with anxiety.  With yours and Paxiled's more objective perspective, I agree - I think it's situational.  My dilemma is that if I make the hard choice and take care of myself, a loved one gets very hurt.  It's the worst kind of double-edged sword, but one I know I can't ignore.  Need to do better about boundaries with the family, regardless of how much I love them.  

[Paxiled]

They probably don't actually get that hurt, but you can't fix everything at once.  One thing at a time -- a healthy you is going to be much more helpful to others.  Peace.

[Paxiled]

Metabolizing a drug is more dependent on liver metabolites than on your size, but I'm with you -- you don't need more drugs, you need time to decompress from the stress.  Don't expect perfection and you'll be less disappointed.  Are you in therapy?

[mele48]

Hi, Paxiled.  Yes, I've got an appointment in a couple weeks.  The fun thing about my anxiety battle is that I never see it coming.  I'm good about not expecting perfection, and tried to plan for my triggers.  I think you're right - I just need more time.