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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lioness | @lioness | Jul 11, 2020
In reply to @lilypaws "@helengrances I'm so glad you got off of clonazapam. I still have to take it at..." + (show)
@lilypaws

@helengrances I'm so glad you got off of clonazapam. I still have to take it at night to help me sleep. I am now getting off of Oxycodone and once I get off of that I will get off of Tramadol. I find most of my pain is muscle spasms. I'm on a antidepressant (Lexapro) and a mood pill called Lamictal. I hope you continue to improve and thanks for your prayers for I can't bend, twist or lift anything heavy. I wear a brace too. My husband keeps on saying I'm twisting, I'm doing the best I can and don't think I am the surgeon told me if I did move that way I could pull out a Screw or break a rod. So depression set in after that visit.
I will continue to pray for you. Jeanie

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@lilypaws . Praying for a quick recovery for you and helenfrancis

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1 reply
Ellen | @helenfrances | Jul 11, 2020
In reply to @juliette39 "Ask your doctor to proscribe Wellbutrin. It’s particularly good to relieve depression in us elderly." + (show)
@juliette39

Ask your doctor to proscribe Wellbutrin. It’s particularly good to relieve depression in us elderly.

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Thank you, Juliette

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Ellen | @helenfrances | Jul 12, 2020

Prayers for all of us tapering off of a “pharmaceutical “!
—-And all those who are helping: the young docs in the hospital who made me laugh! One said he prefers one glass of wine! ( not a pill).
And all our Mayo friends who are not only truthful but compassionate.

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lioness | @lioness | Jul 12, 2020
In reply to @lilypaws "@helengrances I'm so glad you got off of clonazapam. I still have to take it at..." + (show)
@lilypaws

@helengrances I'm so glad you got off of clonazapam. I still have to take it at night to help me sleep. I am now getting off of Oxycodone and once I get off of that I will get off of Tramadol. I find most of my pain is muscle spasms. I'm on a antidepressant (Lexapro) and a mood pill called Lamictal. I hope you continue to improve and thanks for your prayers for I can't bend, twist or lift anything heavy. I wear a brace too. My husband keeps on saying I'm twisting, I'm doing the best I can and don't think I am the surgeon told me if I did move that way I could pull out a Screw or break a rod. So depression set in after that visit.
I will continue to pray for you. Jeanie

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@lilypaws How are you doing today? What I do instead of meds for spasms I use my TENS UNIT it relaxes the muscles The tens send a small amount of electricity to the spasm and relaxed it but if you want to try it check with your Dr first 😊 Stay safe don't overdue 😉

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1 reply
lilypaws | @lilypaws | Jul 12, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@lilypaws How are you doing today? What I do instead of meds for spasms I use..." + (show)
@lioness

@lilypaws How are you doing today? What I do instead of meds for spasms I use my TENS UNIT it relaxes the muscles The tens send a small amount of electricity to the spasm and relaxed it but if you want to try it check with your Dr first 😊 Stay safe don't overdue 😉

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@lioness I had a tens unit a long time ago. I don't know if it would work with my brace on, but I have been in less pain and only take the Oxycodone at night. I will be off of it soon. The surgeon also wanted me off of Tramadol. I'm going to see how that goes. Thank you for you letting me know about the tens. I appreciate it and may be something I can get after I'm off of Tramadol. I hardly take the Flexeril.
Blessings to you. Jeanie

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 12, 2020
In reply to @juliette39 "Ask your doctor to proscribe Wellbutrin. It’s particularly good to relieve depression in us elderly." + (show)
@juliette39

Ask your doctor to proscribe Wellbutrin. It’s particularly good to relieve depression in us elderly.

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@juliette39, can you tell me more about your experience with Wellbutrin? Did you switch to it at a later age? I'm curious to learn more from your experience.

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2 replies
junkartist | @junkartist | Jul 12, 2020

I've been taking generic Wellbutrin (Buproprion) for probably 10 years or so. It is to supplement generic Lexapro (Escilatopron ?spelling?). Both are low doses. I've been pleased with the medicine. It evens out my moods and I feel more solid most of the time. If you have other questions, let me know.

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junkartist | @junkartist | Jul 12, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "@juliette39, can you tell me more about your experience with Wellbutrin? Did you switch to it..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@juliette39, can you tell me more about your experience with Wellbutrin? Did you switch to it at a later age? I'm curious to learn more from your experience.

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oh - and without the dulled down feeling.

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lilypaws | @lilypaws | Jul 13, 2020
In reply to @mimi3blessings "I’m new here and I am 58 and being treated for severe anxiety and depression. I’m..." + (show)
@mimi3blessings

I’m new here and I am 58 and being treated for severe anxiety and depression. I’m so scared to take my Clonozapam but I will take very little. I am a Christian and know that God is right here beside us. But knowing there are people my age going through this makes me feel less alone. I take Lexapro in the a.m. and Remeron at night. Clonozapam as needed.

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@mimi3blessings Hi, I am 68 and I am on Lexapro, Lamictal, and Clonozapam. I am a Christian too and need to pray more. There's so many to pray for and I will pray for you. As I read through the messages I find that no one is on Lamictal. It is used for sesures (SP) but it is also a mood elevator. Don't be scared of taking Clonozapam. I was taking three a day, but just take one or two at bedtime.
I had a 9 hour back fusion surgery and now recovering, It has been a little over one month. I had hardly no depression and some anxiety before the surgery, but now I do have depression. I had to give up my 14 year old very healthy dog. She was having anxiety from the pain I was having and I wasn't able to take care of her now. I wear a brace. I can't bend, twist or lift anything too heavy.
I really miss my dog, but she's at a good place, where we always boarded her and they wanted her telling me, "Can we have Lily,? We love Lily." They send me pictures.I had a tough surgery so I get very tired and sleep in the morning.
Have you thought about getting a dog or cat. They can really bring happiness. I do puzzles on my computer. Hope this helps. I know it's not easy. My son is Bipolar 1, we have mental illness in our family. My mom chose to die at 68. We have no contact with our son, but part of it is his wife is very controlling. They have an 8 year old daughter. I haven't since she was 3, but have skyped with her when shes at her grandmothers in Chicago. My son and his wife are professors, but my son can't teach because of his illness. They live in NYC now, but was at Duke University before. I have written enough, I think all of us have something to be sad about. Prays sent your way.

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