Depression and Anxiety at an older age

I am 63 years old with depression, anxiety, panic and agoraphobia. I have had a difficult time finding a medicine or meds that help! This has been going on since 2007. The right combo of meds has not been found! I am miserable. It starts hard and fast as soon as I wake up as the day goes on it doesn’t let up until late afternoon and afternoon esp when my husband comes home! I have just changed therapists and go to see her after 1st of year. I pray we can find some relief for me! I can’t even drive myself places and appts. My husband takes me. I’d love to find a magic pill but know that is just not realistic! Thank you for this site where people can help each other. A blessing!

@csimpson55, I so empathize with you! I’m older also, and it’s tough feeling so miserable. My anxiety came out of the blue about 3 years ago. I’ve come to believe it’s been a cumulative lifetime of Type A personality, a few traumatic life experiences, and a dose of heredity. After trying to go “natural” in the treatment process, but with no success, I opted for quality of life and started on Escitalapram (Lexapro) - 10 mg. It’s reduced my feelings of nausea, nervousness and doom somewhat, but it’s certainly not a cure. My doctors are now looking into vagus nerve damage as the culprit, but who knows! I’m grateful to be going back to Mayo in March. If they shed any further light on this anxiety, I’ll pass it on in this forum. In the meantime, if you just want to “talk”, I’ve got a lousy vagus nerve but 2 healthy and sympathetic ears!

@csimpson55 I can. Only imagine how you must feel. I had terrible anxiety and depression when this illness first hit me. I even had to call for an ambulance once because I was sure I was having a heart attack! But a full workup by a cardiologist said it wasn’t a heart attack but anxiety. I’d never had such a thing before. It sure turned my life upside down! I’ve had to learn different techniques to control and prevent the attacks.
I wish you luck with your new therapist and hope you find good medicine. I’m glad you found this site and group—we’re all in the same boat of finding answers

Hi I read your response and I am curious as to what techniques you utilize to control and prevent attacks I have both OCD and a good deal of anxiety as well@@@

@herbnj well I’m not sure if these will help you, but try. One is to concentrate and slow my breathing because faster breathing will only make the situation worse. Then, while I’m doing that, I should look around and see 5 things I really like, then 4 things/people that I love, 3 sounds I enjoy, 2things I enjoy doing, and 1 person I really like being with. If I concentrate and do it right, I can banish anxious/panicked feelings. Another is the “ tapping method” by Nick Ortner. He has you tap yourself in a systematic way while you say “ I want to get rid of anxiety” with each tap. Then you do a round of tapping saying “ I deserve to get rid of anxiety “ , then “ I give myself permission to get rid of anxiety “, then “ I will get rid of .......”, and, finally, “ I am getting rid of anxiety “ it seems kind of silly, but it works for me. I’ve used it during an MRI and after I got bad news at the doctors. If you have a therapist, they can help you learn more. Google Nick Ortner to see if the website talks about the method I mentioned. Hope I’ve helped a little. Best of luck

@csimpson55 I think we all wish for that “magic” pill at times. Connect is a healthy place to be and share.

@lioness St. John’s Wort does not help. Mine is cognitive and it oft takes me time to pull myself back out. I try to not go too deeply into that darkness. Just me. It does help to come here. I am thankful to be able to do some art. My grandson is my healthiest antidote.

@parus,@ginger @suecreader Yesterday I had a fibromyalgia flare nothing helped me but I discovered that while I got emails and answered them I forget about my pain for a little while so big thanks to everyone

@lioness Been in one of those on my end too. Any idea what brought yours on? I have not a clue. Distractions help. Would that I could just sleep through it!! Rainy here today. Still playing around with the zentangle type drawing off and on. And you are surely welcome.

@lioness Glad we could be a "shiny object" for you ;)) I wonder if it has to do with the weather and wind? Today I am headed towards a double dose of CBD due to my flare.
Ginger