Anxiety and Parkinsons

[jcavana]

For my mom anxiety has become a bigger issue since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She currently takes a low dose of Xanax daily. I’m curious if anyone else has experienced increased anxiety - if so how did it affect your Parkinsons symptoms - and what do you take or do to manage it. Thanks 😊

[twitness]

My mom’s anxiety is most helped by small, consistent use of 1500 mg CBD oil. Sic dropd 2x daily with an extra six drops when we do long car rides (of an hour or more).

[rebtar]

I had significant anxiety until I started C/L therapy. Depression too. Now I have neither.

[Bambigirl in reply to rebtar]

Hi. I’m new here. Can you tell me what C/L therapy is?

[rebtar in reply to Bambigirl]

Sinemet. Carbidopa/levodopa

[Mezzomom1]

I started to develop anxiety after 15+ years of PD. I take a small amount of Xanax at night to help me sleep, but what has really helped is changing my meds to Rytary and adding Azilect back in. The Rytary formula just seems to work better after years of regular carb/levo.

[Jennyjenny2]

Depression/anxiety is the biggest issue for my husband as well! His depression had spiraled downhill rapidly, which in turn exacerbated his PD symptoms, which made his depression worse etc etc. He got to the stage he couldn’t get out of bed or the chair, couldn’t do buttons, teeth, difficult feeding himself and showering, choking on food, difficulty dressing, shoes...the list goes on and on!! He started on Madopar and Lexapro at the same time, as we were desperate!!! The anxiety still troubles him, but he is getting SO much better than he was. We have joined a young Parkinson’s support group that has helped immensely, he goes to PD Warrior twice weekly, goes to PD boxing weekly (both are group activities with PwP who understand anxiety) we walk down the beach every day, he swims daily (it really helps clear his head!), he is back to playing 3 sets of tennis in an evening, and we stay away from people who ask stupid questions!!! Forgot to say he’s recently started on B1, which has helped his constipation as it was a real worry to him. Hope this helps.

[justhavefun2 in reply to Jennyjenny2]

I love the part about staying away from people who ask stupid questions! Me, too!!

[Vjbaiocco]

I don't have anxiety but I take 0.5mg of xanax to sleep. Without the xanax I sleep 2 hours then I'm awake the rest of the night.

[Autumn56 in reply to Vjbaiocco]

If you can possibly afford it try cannabis. It solved my insomnia of many years standing. Ask for a nighttime strain like 9 lb hammer.

[Hidden]

I do not have anxiety but depression. It is helped by taking sertraline

[laglag]

I've been having extreme anxiety because they changed the mfg. of my C/L. I started Encaptone & it is not something I want to continue, it gjves me sweats & doesn't extend my "on" time I also started 5 mg of Lexapro & it's not doing much.

[Stazina in reply to laglag]

Lexapro 5 mg is not by any means a therapeutic dose, if you have been on that for at least 3 weeks without any improvement, it time to ask your doctor to increase to 10mg. 20 mg is usually therapeutic for adults for both depression and panic disorder

[laglag in reply to Stazina]

I'm now on 20 mg & it's helping. Thanks!

[Tempest22]

I can't speak specifically for Parkinson's, but Niacinamide, Niacin, No flush Niacin, and lithium Orotate help with anxiety and depression,

[Juliegrace]

B1 has helped me significantly with anxiety. I just read an article that indicated that low levels of B6 - something all PWP who take c/l are at risk for- can be a cause of anxiety.

[Despe in reply to Juliegrace]

Damned if we do, damned if we don't. I think my husband's problem is also low B6.

[Juliegrace in reply to Despe]

But your heart husband doesn't take c/l, just MP? If that's the case, supplementing B6 should not be a problem.

[Despe in reply to Juliegrace]

Thank you, Julie. No he doesn't take meds, just MP. I have a good B-complex which has 75mg of B6. Do you believe it'll be OK then to take it?

[Juliegrace in reply to Despe]

For the best info on B6, below is a link to a post on it by park_bear.

healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

[Despe in reply to Juliegrace]

Thank you. I remember reading park_bear's post, and that's why I was always reluctant to have my husband take higher doses of B6. I ordered the supplement Insomnitol by Designs for Health. It looks like a good supplement having all the right amounts.

[Stazina in reply to Despe]

A good quality B Complex is good for all who suffer from Parkinsons as it is Neuro protective.

[Despe in reply to Stazina]

Thank you! He takes Methyl B-Complex by Quicksilver.

[Rosabellazita]

It makes the tremor 3 times worse