Anxiety Disorder

[84withb12d]

My mom Has very bad GAD Anxiety. Can’t find anything that helps besides Xanax. Tried a lot of different medications with no luck. Always in flight mode. She’s 84 years old and wondering if someone has any suggestions. Thanks

[Agora1]

I agree that Xanax works for Anxiety however as we age, our body metabolizes the

medications differently. There is more chance of a person falling when being on meds.

This decision must be made by her doctor who can safely take into consideration her

health issues as well as age. I wish you answers for your mother. It's got to be terrible

to be in that "fight or flight" status all the time. xx

[Loughborough53]

I am in the same situation please tag in replies to this … good luck

[Annabella1976]

Why not try CBD oil

[84withb12d]

We did try that a few months ago. The Anxiety is severe and cbd didn’t touch it. Wish it would have helped. May have to revisit buspar again . Was sedating the first time trying that. Maybe do every other day on that .

[MindfulMoment]

I have GAD and panic disorder, Xanax and Ativan are the only things that really touch it. My doctors won’t prescribe it either. They say the risk of addiction is too bad. I don’t think being addicted to feeling yourself is bad, it has never made me feel high, just level. At your moms age I’d think who cares, if it isn’t making her unwell I’d want her to live out her days feeling good. Who cares if she’s “addicted”. But that’s my personal opinion, I don’t know her medical history. Buspar is ok. It makes me feel kinda dizzy and doesn’t really work for bad days. CBD has to be used daily to be effective. Also not very effective in bad days for me. Hydroxyzine is ok. Helps me sleep….sometimes but my sleep is chaotic and I have weird dreams and it makes my heart beat fast, or maybe I just recognize if more. I take lexapro, it works pretty well. Doesn’t necessarily stop the panic attacks but does give me reprieve to work through the anxiety that follows. I’ve tried lots of ssris, it’s the only one that works.

[84withb12d in reply to MindfulMoment]

I know that’s rough, Yes we have tried ssri meds. Bad side effects! Yeah I agree on the Xanax. It is the only thing that keeps her going. Works well for her. No problem with walking or feeling unbalanced on Xanax. Just keep trying different things so maybe she won’t have to take Xanax. But if it works it works! Some people abuse it and some actually need it.

[MindfulMoment in reply to 84withb12d]

Have you tried Reishi mushroom or ashwaghanda? I’ve had positive results with both. I order mine from Omm. Both are adaptogens and help the body balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. They also have one that contains GABA which targets the same area Xanax targets. It doesn’t stop a panic attack in its tracks but it does take the edge off.

[84withb12d in reply to MindfulMoment]

No we haven’t tried that yet but have been researching ashwaghanda. Have thought about trying that just the last couple days actually. She just tried Wellbutrin and just made her anxiety a lot worse after 2 weeks. Thanks for the reply. That’s good to know. Haven’t heard of Reishi mushroom. I will look at those.

[MindfulMoment]

I buy an ashwaghanda tea I drink when I feel myself starting to wind up. It doesn’t work long term and it isn’t as noticeable as like a Xanax but it does take the edge off.

[84withb12d in reply to MindfulMoment]

Thanks that’s good to know, Think anything that can help naturally like that would be a good choice. Maybe that would help reduce the amount of Xanax over time. Which she takes low doses. Has a low tolerance to all medications so far. So maybe supplements would help a lot.GAD Sure looks rough.

[carhartt in reply to MindfulMoment]

Good to know ,I must look out for it

[Moon_Glitter]

Take your mom to a psychiatrist. An un medicated 84 yr old with anxiety is just cruel. I'm 54 on Lexapro, Klonopin and Temazapam (for sleep). If I can be put on these type of meds, surely your mom can. Find the right psych doc who will really listen to your needs.

[84withb12d in reply to Moon_Glitter]

She’s on medications! Nothing cruel going on thank you. You’re not here with her are you? Don’t assume something you know nothing about ! Geeze

[Moon_Glitter in reply to 84withb12d]

Wtf dude. Was just trying to help.

[84withb12d]

Sounded like you were being judge mental. She’s been to the doctors regularly . Thanks but no thanks for your help.