Hello! I am a long time sufferer of depression and recent to anxiety. I'm 68 years old from the USA. Past treatments included ECT (8 times) and lots of meds. Am going for a consult for spravato this week and am investigating transcranial magnetic stimulation. I take one mg of lorazepam for the anxiety, which sedates me, but I feel good after the sleepiness subsides. Doing therapy, but it's not helping.
Any words of wisdom are appreciated. I need help.
Thank you!
Hi, I'm your age, and have done all that you have for many years. I've really given up; trying to make the best of whatever I have. It hurts, but I figure everyone has their hurts in life, to one degree or another. Sorry for whatever you've been through in your life - I think no one gets this without major negative things that have happened.
I’m 69 years old, from the USA, and have had episodes of depression with anxiety since my late teens. It’s always been controlled with antidepressants, but this latest bout is not responding well to the meds. I find the anxiety really hard to live with.
I’m so used to negative thinking ( guilt, shame, catastrophizing about the future), that I fear this will be hard to change, and it’s definitely part of my problem. Cognitive therapy and mindfulness may be my best bet. Change from within is so slow, but it offers me some hope, and something to do with my time besides obsessing with anxiety.
I’m glad you’re trying many different things, and not giving up. It takes strength, I know.
Sorry you are struggling.. Definitely know what you are going through. I'm 69 and was on antidepressants for decades until about 5 years ago when I became treatment resistant to them. Am presently on Buspar for anxiety and do have Ativan as a prn but haven't needed it for a while. My therapist recommended TMS, which at the time I hadn't heard of, and I'm so glad she did! For me it's been a game changer and life saver(literally at one point). I've had 3 rounds, the first two lasting about 6 months each and the last one is still working after 3 years. Treatment was 5x/week for 6-7 weeks with each session being about 20 minutes. It's noninvasive and after each treatment you can go about your day. It's a big time commitment but well worth it if it works for you. You may not notice an improvement until a few weeks in. With one of my rounds I didn't feel better until towards the end. Whatever you decide I hope you get relief!! If you have any questions about TMS feel free to ask. BTW, my Medicare covered my treatment.
I too had good results with TMS and it was paid for by my insurance although I had to pay a small copay ($30.) for each session. Another thing to look at is making sure your hormones, thyroid and adrenals are functioning well, if not they can cause or contribute to depression/anxiety. Another thing I did was start asking myself what was right with me instead of what was wrong with me, it's simple but it definitely helps.
I'm sorry to hear that. I am 73 and have had depression and anxiety for over 25 years. It is worse now that I am alone most of the time. (lot of time to think) Most of my friends have passed and a few acquaintances have their on life and I'm not a second thought. My nearest relative is 50 miles from me, my son, and we meet up once a month and have lunch and chat. He calls several times monthly to check up on me. But mainly I'm alone. I'm on 10 mg of Florxetine. I forget which one it is a generic of. I have 2 daughter that live in different states from me and we are somewhat estranged. (that is one of the reasons for the depression) I wish I had some encouraging words that could help you on recovery but the only thing that is positive in my life is my love of God. With out His help, I would be so much worse. I have sever back pain and only take tylenol for it because I don't want on any opioids. I'm limited in my activity. Another reason for the depression. My health is in a cycle. Never ending. Just try to think positive.
i tried spravato and TMS and didn't work at all.
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