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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Has she tried a Benzodiazepine? While some doctors are reluctant to prescribe them because they can be addictive, I can’t imagine it would be a concern for an 87 year old. They can work quite well for acute anxiety.[/quote]

I was just thinking…at 87 can’t you get drugs that might be addictive…but it’s worth it at that age?

[/quote]

OP here. My mom was taking a benzodiazepine for sleep, but not in very high doses, but we took her off it because she had elevated blood ammonia (which has terrible psychological side effects) and benzos can either cause that or make it a lot worse if you already have reduced liver function (which most elderly people have to some degree). Her blood ammonia levels are now normal. For sleep she takes mirtazapine (Remeron) in a very low dose and just started buspar for anxiety.

I also wanted to add that when my mom is in a depressive episode with generalized anxiety disorder she has a completely different personality. 6 months ago she was happy, involved in many activities and not anxious. She was doing well for about 3 yrs. Before that she had another depressive episode that was equally terrible as this one that lasted for 10 months. Prior to that she hadn't had a depressive episode for maybe 15 yrs? It's the contrast that shakes me, and the fact that she came out of the episode 3-4 yrs ago...I think this is triggering a lot of the anger my siblings and I are having. There's also the history from our younger years that my mom basically got better when we finally broke from the stress of taking care of her and told her to f*%* off. Yeah, we realize doing that now would just hasten her death. But [b]we've also talked with our mom about how if she can't shake the anxiety, she likely won't live much longer.[/b][b] Her depressive self honestly repulses me...my pity is all gone and I can't stand the thought of her going out like this.[/quote]

If this is the best you can do, maybe you all need to take a step back and let paid caregivers be more primary in her life. Shaming her for being unable to “shake” a lifelong mental health condition is not going to work. It is especially not going to work when the threat is “or you will die”; she is 87 and will be dying regardless.

If the benzodiazepine was working, she could consider going back on it. Elevated ammonia in someone who is 87 is not like elevated ammonia in a 47 year old. Cutting her off from treatments that worked for the benefit of her long-term health is insane. She is 87; there is no long term.

Have you gotten treatment for your trauma? It sounds like you could use it. Good thoughts to you.[/quote]

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