Depression and Anxiety at an older age

Has your Dr. let you try more klonopin? It took 4 .5 mg to stop the anxiety but now I just take one.

Hi There
I am wondering if anyone has stopped medication Lexapro cold turkey? I am just getting over Covid and Have taken paxlovid for 5 days! My doctor told me to stop the Lexapro 10mg and also my Crestor due to taking the paxlovid. I am feeling better still have lingering cough , I always end up with Bronchitis if I get a cold. I am having a tough time stopping the Lexapro have been on it for 4years or so. I am lightheaded, tired, itchy, do not feel connected and just awful. It has been 6 days since I stopped the Lexapro. Should I call my primary doctor and ask her what to do?? Perhaps she can tell me how to wean off the Lexapro and feel better!! This is insane!! Oh by the way Covid sucks!!!!

Welcome @karzie1, There is another discussion that might be helpful for stopping Lexapro.

-- Tapering off Lexapro or Cipralex (Escitalopram):
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-off-lexapro-or-cipralex-escitalopram/

Did your doctor suggest a tapering schedule to gradually reduce the dosage to make it easier?

Hello all, I'm a 70 yr old man that unbeknownst to me lived most of my life with dysthymia. Throughout most of that time I self medicated with alcohol and cannibas but I lived most of my life always believing the grass was greener on the other side - it was a side effect of the mild depression combined with alcohol misuse. In 2007 it was discovered (again unbeknownst to me) that my now ex wife had embezzled money for over 14 yrs. to the amount of over 7 figures. This trauma catapulted me into major depression and I was at the lowest point in my life. My pcp started me on my first antidepressant to no avail. My spiral continued downward until I was hospitalized, all the time self medicating still with alcohol & cannibas. The birth of my 2 granddaughters gave me some new hope and purpose in life but my depression/anxiety were still present and all the different antidepressants prescribed provided no relief. I was fortunate to be able to take a mindfulness based stress reduction course and learn the benefits of practicing mindfulness. This alone has allowed me to better manage my depression and anxiety and I strongly encourage all to investigate and learn what you can about the benefits of practicing mindfulness. Insight Timer is a free app and a great place to start.
I'm doing better and I'm accepting the fact that my depression/anxiety are a part of who I am and most likely will be forever. I truly hope this helps someone, it's always going to be a challenge and we all need a big toolbox to help us meet those challenges. Thanks for reading, much love and warm wishes ❤️

Thank you. Are you still on this chat?

Yes, I check it from time to time

....just a short comment from almost 80... I believe I was "born anxious and slightly depressed" sort of my nature; you can see videos of, for instance, four toddlers... one will be shy, another sad, one obviously happy and the other, well , another personality. I was shy and not a joiner but able to get by as a child, a teen, an adult and now a senior but have had depression on and off and my last yeas on earth are not too joyful... is this possible to be born with a personality trait sort of nature vs nurture?

So nice to belong to this group. It is so omforting to know I am not alone in this weird new world that introduced itself to me. I understand everything you are saying. I feel I have no purpose. I am 83 and lost my husband almost 20 years ago and chose to remain single. I am sorry for your what you are going thru it is very hard. y GP Dr. took me off depressions meds and I am on Busprione? which is suppose to help with high anxiety. It has only been 2 weeks,, I thought it was starting to work but had been onmeds forbad sinus infection. UGH!!~ it made matters worse but of the predisone now. I pray so many times a day and feel the good lord says "Oh it is her again" More of us need to pray and let him know we love and appreciate him and feel badly for the world we now live in of rie and hate. Thanks for sharing!

My dr. weened me off of Lexipro, It too a month todo this but she added another med that I am now on for 2 weeks. Tie will tell. It is not an easy road we are on...Prayers n meds will do it hopefully!

Sorry to read yur difficult days. Yes I do believe we are born with this horrible situation. Hereditary, my Mom had shock treatments hospitalized and many more mental issues her sister committed suicide, my sister also had issues like me and family.. Yes to me, we are born with this and as we get older it seems to go into full bloom. 🙁