What medication made the whole sandwich generation thing more manageable for you?

[Anonymous]

Drugs helped me. I was having panic attacks and anxiety. Got help with Lexapro and later Zoloft after years of suffering - the drugs are in the same pharm family but Lexapro made me sleepy. I am grateful that these drugs exist and don't think I will need them once my mom passes.

[Anonymous]

I just spent a couple of months on a very low dose of Lexapro for anxiety. It was very effective - the constant feeling of panic went away, and I was no longer prone to fury over small things. But I gained 15 lbs, and given that I was already overweight (peri menopause, mid40s weight gain) I dropped the Lexapro. That wasn't fun either. This was my first time ever on any kind of mood related drug, and I would not do it again unless I really couldn't function without it.

[Anonymous]

Kinky sex with DH.
Binge-watching superhero movies, TWD, and GOT

[Anonymous]

Vodka

[Anonymous]

I take Lexapro + Wellbutrin. Sex drive is not an issue because I am widowed and after a few forays into dating relationships decided I found more enjoyment from stuff like book clubs (actually, maybe a lower sex drive is an effect and worth it because anyone who wasn't DH was just a complete downer in the end).

If you felt anxiety on weed in college, don't even attempt it. I enjoyed it for a long time in college and for awhile after and over time the anxiety got worse.

Any med you may have taken in the past may result in a different response when you try it again. I took Prozac for a long time, then was off it (I think it was a health provider thing but actually don't recall) and when I went back on it during a bad time it was awful--severe anxiety and lost a ton of weight--I was physically hungry but in such a tizzy I could barely eat, or sleep. Switching meds made a huge difference.

But--realizing that the sandwich thing is not going to go away for a long time, try hard to find ways to offload some of the work (hands on, mental effort, whatever). Look for gerontology resources for ideas. If you're someone who willingly worked 70 hour weeks, you may have a tendency to take on way more than you should or perhaps need to.

[Anonymous]

Do you want to take medication for the rest of your life??? Why must you feel that you need a pill to make you feel better?

[Anonymous]

OP- what kind of practice does your therapist work in, what kind of credentials, and have you raised the question of medication to that person or your PCP? Doesn't mean getting an Rx right off the bat and with the PCP you can bring up the side effects you did not like, referral to a psychiatric NP or a psychiatrist might also be a good idea just to get their take on medications, side effects, and your specific symptoms.

[Anonymous]

Frequent short vacations help me the most. I tend to take on too much of my parent’s care since I’m the only local child, and I have to step back once in a while. I need to remember that I’m 40-something, not 80-something. My husband and kids need my time and attention, too.

[Anonymous]

Right. You need to step back and dump responsibilities before you go on meds. That's crazy. Can parents/inlaws go into care facility? The guilt isn't worth your health. Or at least be dropped off for a month in respite care?

[Anonymous]

Following this closely. I am in the same boat except I don't have time to even go to a therapist. On a moderate level, really intense exercise helps- walking is pleasant but want manage depression. I use class pass and try to do at least 3-4 High Intensity Interval classes a week. I should aim for at least 5.
Meditation but that really needs to be a daily thing to see a difference.
I tried a super low dose of zoloft, like 25-50 mg, it took the edge off but I gained 10lbs in two months so I stopped.
I am perimenopausal and have a young kid and parents with major health and financial issues. my marriage is really in a rough spot too. I have a medical marijuana card in DC, very easy to get if you just follow the steps. The dispensary recommended two different tinctures for me. They didn't do much but there are dozens of strains to try so I haven't given up on that. I think it would make me more relaxed and less likely to yell at my family in the evenings.

[Anonymous]

Wow! So glad to hear it's not me. I have aging parents in their mid 80s and my father, who was never particularly pleasant, is getting grouchier as he ages and develops serious medical issues. We're starting to worry that it's taking a toll on my mom, whose health is great. They probably need to move out of their house but we're having no luck convincing them of that.


I have TWO boomerang kids living at home as they look for jobs.
Our dog has medical problems.
I hate my job.
I thought i had depression but it was actually anxiety, as Lexapro worked great for me.

I'd be interested in hearing more about what others do for self-care. I'm having trouble sleeping and know I should be exercising more but who has time!
Would also love to know what you tell people at work when you miss the meeting because of another old people nursing home crisis. I mostly lie.

[Anonymous]

not just me, that is.

[Anonymous]

OP, perhaps you can start on a low-dosage of Zoloft.

[Anonymous]

Klonopin 3 times a day. Wellbutrin. Exercise 3 x week. Ice cream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is this even a discussion - Lexapro.

My BFF says Life is Lovely on Lexapro

I’m a Zoloft girl myself. YMMV