Relapse of severe depression and anxiety after effexor tapering and covid

[Shadyshade]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to share my story and see if anyone has insight. I've been on effex or for the last 10 years (I'm 33 now) at 150 mg at my highest. I wanted to try getting pregnant and I read that it's not good for pregnancy so I've been tapering down slowly over the last several months and got myself down to 37.5 mg about a month ago. Then last week I got super sick probably covid and my depression and anxiety flared up. The illness went away but I now have severe debilitating depression and anxiety. I've talked to my doctor and took my dose up to 75 mg starting two days ago. I'm just waiting for it to work and trying to be patient but it's so hard. I have recurrent thoughts of suicide and my marriage falling apart (even though my husband is so sweet and supportive) and letting everyone down and ruining their lives with my illness. I've had to cancel work this week. I temporarily moved in with my parents so they can help take care of me as my husband works. Will I ever get better? I don't care about getting pregnant anymore. I can't have a child in this state. I just want to be well again. I'm wondering if the covid is also attributing to my symptoms. I read about post viral brain inflammation.

[Casivalentina]

Hang in there! Shadyshade! It seems like getting sick compounds depression. I'm hoping once you're feeling better physically your depression will lift. Be good to yourself. I'm thankful you have a supportive husband and supportive parents!!

[TfrenchII]

yes, to validate your feelings, you will get better. What you are going through is just a season. Remember that. Your mental health does not define you as a person and you don’t have to allow it to be the main focus in your life. Just remember that you’ve gone through this before and the more pain you endure, the stronger it will make you. Treat your anxiety and depression as a teacher. Flip the script in your mind and as wild as it may sound, almost treat it as a way to make you stronger and learn from it. Everyone has ups and downs and the covid probably spiked you a little but it’s all gonna be alright.

[Kokanee1]

I accompany you in your pain. My circumstances in life are not the same but I suffer from crippling bouts of depression and anxiety. I had my first episode at 24 and I am currently struggling in an awful way daily: daily deep crying spells agonizing over the loss of my mother in 2016 which perhaps I didn't deal with because I escaped into gambling addiction which overwhelmingly complicated my life. I'm nearly 62 and 100% abstinent from alcohol with 34 years of sobriety. Through Gambler's Anonymous I have 2 years and 8 months of solid program and recovery. I attend meetings either AA or GA online daily. The familiarity and human contact aids me some to get through another day. Nonetheless, my depression and anxiety are unbearable. It helps me to write about it and connect with others who suffer; it's one of many things I do to try to survive extremely difficult days.All my previous episodes subsided after varying lengths of duration and degrees of severity. I am hanging on by blind faith that this one will subside and I can get back to a fair level of peace and stability my daily life doing everything from breathing exercise meditations, to hot baths, exercise when I can. Often I don't have the drive to face the day to do anything.

I don't know anything about the Covid thing you questioned, sorry. Medications have never helped me ever except for a benzodiazepine called Klonopin which I use sparingly in these episodes mainly at night the lowest dose possible to sleep because complete insomnia for months has been a feature of what happens to me in my episodes.

I believe in a GOD of my understanding and pray daily for all of us who suffer.

You can reply anytime about anything to get understanding and support.

Sincerely, Eric

[RS1974]

Hi DaisySorry you're struggling right now and I think maybe you need to get on new meds as the ones you're on seem not to be working. I think maybe a stay at a mental hospital could be beneficial to you,

No I don't COVID has anything to do with it

[CrowBoy]

I was on 150 mg of Effexor for 18 yrs with good results, took it down to 112 to try to get rid of some side effects, and got very anxious and depressed, which continued even after I went back up on the dose. I’m now doing a switch to Zoloft, effects unknown at this point. The uncertainty and anxiety is hard to bear. I have to agree with the person who said to you this is just a season, it’s always been that way for me. Think of all the good things in your life.