1. < Depression & Anxiety

Depression and Anxiety at an older age

Posted by pjss48 @pjss48, Sep 14, 2018

I am a 70 year old woman who has had depression and anxiety for a long time. It got worse 3 years ago when my husband lost one of his jobs. I panicked and my anxiety increased. I was afraid to do things. like driving. I have arthritis pretty bad and foot problems. I'm a Christian and my faith has helped me. My husband was a pastor and our church closed 3 months ago. We've had continual stress. Sometimes I don't know what to do with myself during the day. I've gotten help from several doctors, including a psychiatrist. I also have IBS. I am better. I'm taking trazadone duloxetine, remeron and xanax. Also on osteo biflex, probiotic , bentyl and celebrex. I want to get on Sam e but it may interact with one of my meds. Thanks for listening.

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Parus | @parus | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @lauren123 "@parus I have learned that my chiropractor can do wonders for me. When I come home..." + (show)
@lauren123

@parus I have learned that my chiropractor can do wonders for me. When I come home I am able to take a nap and feel so much better when I wake up. He uses a pro-adjuster and knows bout BMS.

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@lauren123 What is BMS??

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lauren123 | @lauren123 | Feb 22, 2019

@parus, BMS is burning mouth syndrome. Also known as atypical or classic trigeminal neuralgia. I have posted numerous explanations and experiences if you are interested.

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1 reply
pigletpmd | @pigletpmd | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @pjss48 "I'm new too. I have depression and anxiety problems, as wrl as serious arthritis in my..." + (show)
@pjss48

I'm new too. I have depression and anxiety problems, as wrl as serious arthritis in my knees back and bone spur in my shoulder. It's frustrating to know what medicine is the best. Today I'm feeling like I don't have much reason for living, not knowing what to do. I haven't done much. I'm trying to work up to taking a shower.

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Boy do I get trying to work up to taking a shower. I’m trying to make myself get on the treadmill first. All I want to do is curl up in a ball and let the world go on without me. I’m so full of depression and anxiety.

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2 replies
jozahn | @jozahn | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @pigletpmd "Boy do I get trying to work up to taking a shower. I’m trying to make..." + (show)
@pigletpmd

Boy do I get trying to work up to taking a shower. I’m trying to make myself get on the treadmill first. All I want to do is curl up in a ball and let the world go on without me. I’m so full of depression and anxiety.

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I feel the same way. What seems to help me is having go get motivated for part time job or volunteering. I dont know if this helps

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @jozahn "I feel the same way. What seems to help me is having go get motivated for..." + (show)
@jozahn

I feel the same way. What seems to help me is having go get motivated for part time job or volunteering. I dont know if this helps

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@pigletpmd Hi I've been there where you are with depression but I did beat it and you can too Don't let the uglies ruin and run your life get out , volunteer if you have a hobby get into it again allot of us on here do art this is something you can throw yourself into Get out doors if you are an outdoor person you can be a warrior over these uglies

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1 reply
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@pigletpmd Hi I've been there where you are with depression but I did beat it and..." + (show)
@lioness

@pigletpmd Hi I've been there where you are with depression but I did beat it and you can too Don't let the uglies ruin and run your life get out , volunteer if you have a hobby get into it again allot of us on here do art this is something you can throw yourself into Get out doors if you are an outdoor person you can be a warrior over these uglies

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@lioness
Excellent suggestion Linda. It definitely helped me. Just being around other people is beneficial. Helping others is very rewarding. I volunteered at numerous places but for me the police department was the most rewarding.
Jake

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@lioness Excellent suggestion Linda. It definitely helped me. Just being around other people is beneficial. Helping..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@lioness
Excellent suggestion Linda. It definitely helped me. Just being around other people is beneficial. Helping others is very rewarding. I volunteered at numerous places but for me the police department was the most rewarding.
Jake

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@jakedduck1 Glad my suggestion found it to be true for you.Where you in the dept?

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Parus | @parus | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @lauren123 "@parus, BMS is burning mouth syndrome. Also known as atypical or classic trigeminal neuralgia. I have..." + (show)
@lauren123

@parus, BMS is burning mouth syndrome. Also known as atypical or classic trigeminal neuralgia. I have posted numerous explanations and experiences if you are interested.

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@lauren123 Thank you.

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @herbnj "Hi, I am a 70 year old male, I have been struggling with OCD, Depression, and..." + (show)
@herbnj

Hi, I am a 70 year old male, I have been struggling with OCD, Depression, and anxiety off and on for many years. The tough thing with my issues is that OCD and Depression seem to be like kissing cousins. they seem to have an effect on each other. I have seen quite a few CBT therapists as well as Psychiatrists. The meds I have been include Prozac, cymbalta, Zoloft, Paxil, and Xanax. I also suffer from various fears as well. It seems as I get older, these issues have become more intense at times.I would be curious if anyone has suffered from these 3 issues for a long time, and if anyone has found success from any specific treatment they have had Take Care.

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Hi, @herbnj - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sounds like you have dealt with your mental health conditions for a long time and tried a number of medications and other treatments.

You may be interested in reading through and participating in these threads related to some of the medications you've mentioned. I imagine you would have much to contribute from what you've learned along the way.

- On sertraline (Zoloft) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peoples-opinions-on-zoloft

- On switching from paroxetine (Paxil) to venlafaxine (Effexor) from https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/switching-from-paxil-to-effexor-xr

- On being newly on alprazolam (Xanax) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/just-started-xanax-anyone-have-experiences-to-share

I would think we have other members who have the trio of OCD, anxiety and depression, some of whom may have been dealing with them for a long time. I'd like to invite @swanie @stressedmesseddepressed @falconfly into this discussion, as they may be familiar with this combination of diagnoses. @gailb @mamacita may also have some thoughts for you.

You mentioned various fears that you've been experiencing, @herbnj. Will you share a bit more about what kinds of fears have been coming up?

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@lioness Excellent suggestion Linda. It definitely helped me. Just being around other people is beneficial. Helping..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@lioness
Excellent suggestion Linda. It definitely helped me. Just being around other people is beneficial. Helping others is very rewarding. I volunteered at numerous places but for me the police department was the most rewarding.
Jake

Jump to this post

@jakedduck1 @lioness Volunteering in a situation that you enjoy can be so rewarding. It can be behind the scenes of in front. Alone or in a group. Results of your time evident right then, or later. Either one works to make you feel good and make a difference. In my volunteering over the years, I have done adult literacy, quilting or crocheting items, animal organizations, ham radio work, and law enforcement support.
Ginger

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