Anxiety with COPD

[Jansy16]

I'm 79 years old & have severe COPD, my Dr prescribed me with a short course of Diazapan which has made me feel more relaxed but won't let me have them long term because of addiction. I've tried other meds but these work better for me. Surely at my age taking a low dose of 2mg once a day is better than suffering with bad anxiety. What do you think & is anyone else taking them long term & helping them as they do me. Many thanks for any reply.

[sassy59]

Hi Jansy, speak with your GP again and put your case to him. If the Diazapan are helping then a small dose should be ok. Xxx

[Bevvy]

The problem with diazepam and similar medication, they are highly addictive. Plus you might be able to take a small dose now, but overtime you will need to take more and more mg to get same effect.

GPs are under significant pressure to not prescribe this type of medication but It would still be worth discussing with your gp. My dad had a similar discussion about taking morphine and addiction. It was pointed out that because my dad is almost 87yrs who cares if addicted!!

[Maricopa]

I have been taking 1.5mg of Xanax called alprazolam for over a decade. My Dr wants me to wean off due to a theory it may give elderly dementia. But I’ll have to take something or my anxiety will get the better of me.

[Jansy16 in reply to Maricopa]

I've tried other meds for anxiety but they didn't agree with me. At my age of 79 I don't think 1 tablet a day will harm. I know they say I would probably want a higher dose than the 2mg I'm on, surely if they suit me should be taken in consideration. Thank you for replying.

[Maricopa in reply to Jansy16]

I’m at the same dose I started with a decade ago.

[garshe]

I take 0.5mg Lorazapam before I go out. I don't take it on a regular basis only when required. The dosage is very low so dont rely on it. xxSheila 💕⚘

[Ergendl]

I had a real problem with diazepam in the early 1970s when they were thought to be the answer to all sorts of mental health problems. Within a year I was taking triple the original dose, and it took a lot of work to get off them.

Do try meditations like the ones posted in HU's Anxiety and Depression Support group, positive thought practices like those suggested by Garshe, and working through those issues which make you feel more anxious xx

[Tykelady in reply to Ergendl]

Me too. x

[PaulineHM]

Sorry that you are feeling anxious. Have you thought about mindfulness training ? I know it is a great help for anxiety.

I often sit with these videos and find them helpful. May be give it a try.

youtu.be/vHP0Ic8WFXg(Not working as expected?)

Go well.

[Mavary]

I think at our age what does it matter if it’s helping us.

[Jansy16 in reply to Mavary]

Quite agree Mavary.

[SparkySW123]

Taking 2 mg once a day I hardly think would make you addictive.! It's a minute dose! I'm 75 and take Diazapam - 7.5. mg up to 3 times a day. I am probably addictive but I find they do help to a certain degree. I don't know whether you suffer from breathlessness due to anxiety? I certainly do and take Oromorph Oral Solution 10 mg/5 ml. A teaspoon of that certainly calms me down. Perhaps have a word with your doctor about that? I also find Camomile tea (must be made from the whole flower) is very good at calming things down. Hope that helps. x

[Jansy16 in reply to SparkySW123]

Yes I'm breathless because of COPD & anxious which doesn't help. I have tried Oramorph but find using the syringe awkward so gave up. Thanks for replying.

[lejaya]

Diazepam is like gold dust in the uk due it becoming a class c drug several decades ago. Even when it helps people like myself gps are very reluctant to prescribe it. which is ridiculous as alot of people including myself end up having to buy medicine that helps us online

[corriena]

Im sorry to be blunt you are 79 how long dose he think this addiction will (a) last (b) affect your future (c) life ( without angziety) 🤬 they make me so cross they need to look at the patient and the affects the meds/ illness is having and weigh up the balance. Go back call them an idiot and say you will risk the addiction insist on the meds that will help you. Short term benifit long term risk good luck

[Jansy16 in reply to corriena]

You are so right, I think I'm capable of making my own decisions on what suits my bad anxiety which is made more difficult in my condition. Thank you for agreeing with me.xx

[GDanker]

I've been taking 1 mg of alprazolam (Xanax) in two doses, once a day for about 15 years. I switched to a new doctor about 7 years ago and at first, he was very much against it and talked about weaning me off of it but over time, as he came to understand my problems better, he gave it up. He came to feel that at my age, (I'm 77) it would be too difficult of an adjustment for me.

To be honest, I don't really feel it helps me that much anymore, yet, a few times when I couldn't make it to the pharmacy for several days and I was out of it, I did feel rather antsy! So, I'm glad that he's more or less accepting of it.

Explain to your doctor just what you wrote here, that it would be very hard on you with your COPD and you would be miserable without it. At your age, what does addiction really matter, in my opinion? I have high blood pressure and will have to take those meds for the rest of my life! So what's the difference? Maybe, if nothing else, rather than be completely cut off, ask your doctor if you can go to a lower dosage as a last resort. I can relate to how you feel!

I live in the U.S. but it's the same thing here! I'm just very fortunate to have the doctor that I have and perhaps my age is also helpful in this situation! Also, I guess I should mention that I have COPD as well and am on oxygen, along, with having various other health problems!

[Jansy16 in reply to GDanker]

My Dr is calling me tomorrow & I hope & pray he will let me take 2mg of diazapan as that agrees with me. Thank you for your input. X

[Currygirl]

Hi, I usually have some wine (not good advice I know) not with diazepam though . I think the docs also use amytryptoline I was had that for teeth grinding x

[GDanker]

A glass of good wine can be very soothing, but as you say, not with diazepam!