My husband was diagnosed with MSA in 2014 although problems started in 2010. He is now confined to a wheelchair and has difficulties with speech and autonomic function. I have noticed lately that he gets anxious (although he would deny it!) about going to the toilet as I have to assist him into the bathroom and on to the loo. We have just taken delivery of a rotunda to help transfer to and from bed as my back is getting twingy and this has caused more anxiety. Does anyone have any experience of this or the use of anti anxiety meds? I have been in touch with the MSA Trust over the years but was after some first hand experience.
The MSA journey provides challenge after challenge doesn’t it!!!
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matie1
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I was just wondering what causes your husband to be anxious? Is it the fear of falling, the embarrassment of having to be helped? I know it can be hard to find out this information as I know from my dad he couldn't always recognise his feelings or put them into words. I was just wondering whether this might help to address the problem. If it is because of the fear of falling then might some moving and handling equipment help?
Dad was embarrassed that he had to be helped to go to the toilet so we purchased a bio bidet which meant that he could operate it himself and it cleaned him afterwards.
We found that dad became less anxious after starting to take citalopram. It was prescribed because of his depression but it did seem to stop his anxiety as well. I know there are a whole host of other medications which I am sure other people on the forum will be knowledgable about.
my husband was the same. Super highly anxious and a few months ago also needed a turntable type thing. He was already on anxiety meds, which you have to discuss with your GP. What also helped him was cbd drops under his tongue. Mindfulness techniques also work . Everyone is different and everyone responds differently to meds. First make a phone call to GP to discuss, there are some really good things out there, but without full history I would not tell you what helped Duncan. He was on several by the end.
My Sue is on a similar journey and she also got anxious about the same point as you and after chatting with her openly it was about losing her dignity. This is very hard to sort as their pride comes into play and eventually, she had to accept that she and I needed help for day-to-day activities such as toileting, moving, washing, dressing, and more.
Chat with your GP and also the both of you chat with a "counselor" or adviser about the journey you are on and where it will lead, I am sure MSA trust can help with this.
Avoid anxiety meds if at all you can as it will become another medication amongst many that you will eventually end up taking.
Chat Chat Chat to each other about how you both feel and how you are going to conquer this together.
My wife gets anxious as well and prefers things to be done immediately ( or sooner).
Like your husband she has autonomic issues.
We have tried the turntable and the Sarah stand but by the time we make the transfer it can be to late sometimes.
What worked for us was purchasing two commodes, one is next to the sofa and one is next to the bed whenever L needs to spend a penny the commode is only a metre away and a lot more convenient than struggling to get to the toilet in the bathroom.
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