PasserbyDave

Just had to check in tonight because I've been struggling. All my life I dealt with serious chronic anxiety, and I finally got control of it after I stopped drinking 2 ½ years ago - partly with the help of medication. Now the meds have stopped working and the physical anxiety is back like blockbusters. I can feel it all through myself, head to toe. One good thing is I guess I did learn a lot about how to deal with my nerves, because so far I've still got control of the mental/emotional part of the anxiety. I can still talk to people without waves of nervousness taking over, and I can still focus at work though not as well. But my Addictive Voice is with me just as much as ever, telling me a drink would help. I've been able to catch those thoughts barely before they arise, to see right away what a Bad Idea a drink is, and to tell my AV to shut up and get out of my head. That's still working, but I have to watch out for that voice every moment. My doctor is trying to figure out the medication situation, but that takes time. Meanwhile, it's hard. I knew this could happen and now here it is. So far, I'm winning. I'm holding on tight, like I'm on some crazy kind of extreme roller coaster.

sleepie

Hi Passerby I am glad you posted here.
Anxiety is a real devil and I have it too. For many many years.
Sorry to hear your meds no longer work.
Really admire your abstinence from alcohol.

SoberLeigh

Sorrynto hear about your meds and your increased anxiety. Hope that you and your doctor can figure something out soon.

In the meantime, I hope you check-in here often; there's always someone who cares.

Great job staying sober!!!!

zjw

I hope this roller coaster eases up for you in time. thats kinda how its been for me. its still a ride thats for sure just not as jerky and a bit more smooth.

Dee74

Know there is always support here Dave.

what helped me a lot is recognising that a lot of feelings are the result of fear, and that sometimes those fears are built on a whole bankful of what ifs. It helps keep me in perspective.

I also do a lot of breathing exercises and just regular exercise to keep me grounded.

If meds have helped in the past tho, I'd recommend you go back and see your Dr - maybe a little medication tweak could help?

D

ScottFromWI

Hey Dave, count me in the anxiety sufferers group too. Looking back at my drinking it was most definitely a ( failed ) attempt to self medicate as well. My anxiety is mostly health related but also social at times. I've recently ( in the last 6 months ) been doing occasional talk therapy and attempting meditation/mindfulness practices and reading. It seems to help manage a lot. I feel I will most likely always have some anxiety, but accepting that and knowing I can manage it really helps. Talking about it here helps too, I hope we can help you as well.

PasserbyDave

It's good to see everyone's responses. SR is a great place to be - to be able to talk about it here, like Scott said. Also thanks Dee, for your point about fear. I've been learning to know my own self better - it'll help to look for the source of the fear now - the what ifs - to get me over this hurdle.

Tooshabby

I get it too, Dave. I've had it really bad in the past - for years, and self-medicated with alcohol. Needless to say it just made it worse. Hopefully the doc can sort something out for you. I also think mindfulness is a great thing to get into. Anxiety usually comes down to believing in fearful thoughts.

Debbie329

The mind is always on high alert for threats its part of our survival instinct.......which blocks us from seeing a lot of the good stuff in our lives......just thought I'd throw that out there.