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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

lioness | @lioness | Mar 4, 2019
In reply to @pearlbaby7 "@parus The first thing I thought was, "Oh honey!", then that I just wanted to give..." + (show)
@pearlbaby7

@parus The first thing I thought was, "Oh honey!", then that I just wanted to give you a big hug. You are not alone. Everyone experiences life differently and there are always going to be those that have no point of reference and don't understand. Do you have someone to talk to when it gets bad? Someone who will listen and not judge, just support you? I'm wishing you peace for today. That you can relax and know there are people who understand and care like the people here. Lyn

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@parus I'm so sorry you feel horrible ,not bad but it sounds worse. My thoughts are with you hope you have a sunny day coming

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Lyn | @pearlbaby7 | Mar 4, 2019
In reply to @parus "True about being critical. If I have offended someone I am sorry as I can be..." + (show)
@parus

True about being critical. If I have offended someone I am sorry as I can be critical. I will work on this undesirable part.

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@parus That was not directed at you. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear about that being about me.

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Lyn | @pearlbaby7 | Mar 4, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@pearlbaby7- You hit the nail on the head with this one! Good morning and thank you!..." + (show)
@merpreb

@pearlbaby7- You hit the nail on the head with this one! Good morning and thank you! My belief is that, whether we want to admit it or not we all judge, some more intensely than others. Got a chuckle out of your joke! It's a winner and so are you!

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@merpreb Thank you. You are all sweet!

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karen00 | @karen00 | Mar 4, 2019
In reply to @parus "This is not a reply to anyone. I have so much angst these days about nearly..." + (show)
@parus

This is not a reply to anyone. I have so much angst these days about nearly everything. I put on my social face to keep others happy and it has become exhausting to the point of rarely feeling a part of anything. I know chronic pain which many have plays a role. Nothing can be done for most of the issues I experience. When I see chronic pain in my records along with depression I know there likely will be no help or hope.
If there are those that want to accuse me or others for wallowing in self pity then these people are heartless.
Many of us here work hard for quality of life and it is admirable. Those that are critical are likely far more miserable than they can admit.

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@parus Oh dear!!! I feel so awful for you! Just let yourself feel bad-don’t fight it! Did PT a few days ago make things flare? ALWAYS remember, when you are feeling cruddy, there is a Connect member thinking of you. I am praying for you, my friend!!!............Karen

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 4, 2019
In reply to @judymcd "Why is your job to keep others HAPPY? Your job is to be happy with God." + (show)
@judymcd

Why is your job to keep others HAPPY? Your job is to be happy with God.

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@judymcd, I like your question "Why is your job to keep others HAPPY?" It's a question that can lead to useful self-reflection.

However, on Connect members are asked to be respectful and inclusive. This means that we shouldn't tell people what they should or shouldn't do, either in terms of medical advice or religious beliefs. The Community Guidelines offer more thoughts on how members keep the community welcoming, safe, inclusive and respectiful https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

Judy,
I encourage you to take part in this discussion about spirituality on Connect:
> How Spirituality Can Help Stress https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-spirituality-can-help-stress/

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1 reply
karen00 | @karen00 | Mar 4, 2019
In reply to @parus "I do believe I need to take a break. If I could delete my original comment..." + (show)
@parus

I do believe I need to take a break. If I could delete my original comment about my angst I sure would as feeling preached at and lesser than because of my lack of faith I am not needing once again.
Thank you to members for understanding. Until I can regroup I need to find comfort another way.

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@parus Do you think I am preaching at you because I say I am praying for you? Did I say anything about your lack of faith? I don’t understand....Karen

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Lyn | @pearlbaby7 | Mar 4, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "@judymcd, I like your question "Why is your job to keep others HAPPY?" It's a question..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@judymcd, I like your question "Why is your job to keep others HAPPY?" It's a question that can lead to useful self-reflection.

However, on Connect members are asked to be respectful and inclusive. This means that we shouldn't tell people what they should or shouldn't do, either in terms of medical advice or religious beliefs. The Community Guidelines offer more thoughts on how members keep the community welcoming, safe, inclusive and respectiful https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

Judy,
I encourage you to take part in this discussion about spirituality on Connect:
> How Spirituality Can Help Stress https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-spirituality-can-help-stress/

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@colleenyoung Or volunteering. Thank you!

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Parus | @parus | Mar 5, 2019

Well, I received a call later yesterday referring me back to the pain specialist since an MRI is not an option ( drat that VNS) which the NP ordered so she could refer me to a doctor. I did assert myself and will see the ortho NP to discuss options again for pain which is why I was there and we did discuss options. Back to feeling like a ping pong ball. PT is not pleasant as everything is stirred up. Just keep doing it. The arthritis is devouring the cartilage and there is nothing can be done. They keep trying different things in PT which has my muscles confused and sending new pain messages. Just do it and don’t whine. Seems I have hit another dead end. The whole body is connected so depression/ anxiety are high right now. There are times the best one can do is ride it out. They continue to pull and stretch on me. Maybe it will help. ☹️

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3 replies
Lyn | @pearlbaby7 | Mar 5, 2019
In reply to @parus "Well, I received a call later yesterday referring me back to the pain specialist since an..." + (show)
@parus

Well, I received a call later yesterday referring me back to the pain specialist since an MRI is not an option ( drat that VNS) which the NP ordered so she could refer me to a doctor. I did assert myself and will see the ortho NP to discuss options again for pain which is why I was there and we did discuss options. Back to feeling like a ping pong ball. PT is not pleasant as everything is stirred up. Just keep doing it. The arthritis is devouring the cartilage and there is nothing can be done. They keep trying different things in PT which has my muscles confused and sending new pain messages. Just do it and don’t whine. Seems I have hit another dead end. The whole body is connected so depression/ anxiety are high right now. There are times the best one can do is ride it out. They continue to pull and stretch on me. Maybe it will help. ☹️

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@parus Good Morning! It might not feel that way but I'm glad you took control with your appointment. I had such a visual when you said you felt like a ping pong ball. Is there a way you can flip that so that you're the stationary player and they're the ones coming in and out? Kinda like you're the conductor and you ask them to speak or be quiet as if they were the musical instruments in your orchestra, playing YOUR score of your life. You could even assign an instrument to each one, like naming one the bass drum because everytime he comes in the room he booms at you. Or maybe he's a big round guy that looks like a bass drum. With your artistic ability you could actually draw them all. I'd love to see those drawings!

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1 reply
Parus | @parus | Mar 5, 2019
In reply to @pearlbaby7 "@parus Good Morning! It might not feel that way but I'm glad you took control with..." + (show)
@pearlbaby7

@parus Good Morning! It might not feel that way but I'm glad you took control with your appointment. I had such a visual when you said you felt like a ping pong ball. Is there a way you can flip that so that you're the stationary player and they're the ones coming in and out? Kinda like you're the conductor and you ask them to speak or be quiet as if they were the musical instruments in your orchestra, playing YOUR score of your life. You could even assign an instrument to each one, like naming one the bass drum because everytime he comes in the room he booms at you. Or maybe he's a big round guy that looks like a bass drum. With your artistic ability you could actually draw them all. I'd love to see those drawings!

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@pearlbaby7 Hahaha!! I would love to see those drawings too. I can see them even though others may not. 😉

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