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Suggest Remedy For Severe Anxiety And Depression In Elderly Person

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Posted on Sun, 29 Nov 2015
Twitter Sun, 29 Nov 2015 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 28 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on
Question : Years ago, (10? 20?) I was diagnosed with ADHD, Depression, Severe Anxiety, coupled with Panic Attacks, & "Sudden" Daytime Weakness & Fatigue usually occurring at times of heightened emotion - good or bad. Now, at 71, with intense marital difficulties, (after 52 yrs.) just THINKING/PLANNING can and does often result in extreme weakness, fuzziness, drooling, blurred vision, a feeling of helplessness, fear, confusion, unsteady gait, and the inability to organize important legal facts. SOOOOO - I NEED to go to bed. I'm awake and aware. I'm sure part of it is now escapism & that, plus the fact I'm sabotaging myself by not proceeding, makes it worse. At my age, they have dropped the H from ADHD, of course. Adderall, tempered with Klonopin used to help. Again, at my age, they have drastically cut my dosage. Up jumps the marital horror, and I'm a mess - in bed most of the time. I had a couple sleep studies. I did not go into REM. HERE IT COMES....I DO NOT HAVE NARCOLEPSY!!! How about the new kid on the block, "CATAPLEXY WITHOUT NARCOLEPSY?" What do you think, what can I do, who will listen to ME & MY symptoms, who will either close the old book or open the new one? (fyi: Actually, I've never been particularly depressed, but depression is a popular diagnosis, so that's what I get hit with, EVERYTIME! Anti-depressants (dozens of them, lol) do not help me, some make me worse, & others make me very ill.
I was fortunate in having a Family Practitioner who KNEW me, really knew ME.
When I finally got to her, she was beyond LIVID! She stormed into the waiting room, told my husband to follow her. In the exam room, she demanded knowing why he hadn't gotten me help much sooner, etc. She then made an emergency call to one of the finest Psychiatrists I have ever encountered. During the next 7 years, I was closely monitored by Dr. Crawley and a colleague, Dr. Grace. I was sent to a Neurologist, had sleep tests, brain scans, etc.
DIAGNOSIS: Cataplexy WITHOUT Narcolepsy, extreme emotional abuse, lack of familial support, panic disorder, etc. To add a little gravy, they discovered I am an opposite, & every anti-depressant tried, laid me low.
Finally (after a few years), they told me about Adderall. They didn't mess around, they put me on 20 mgs 3 times daily. After a week they upped it to 30 mgs 3 times daily - combined with 1 mg 4 times daily of Clonazapam to temper it & treat the panic. I never abused my regimen - I never had to. MY GOD, I HAD A LIFE AFTER ALL! Later, they added 100 mgs Modafinil 1 or 2 times daily, prn. We moved to Nevada. Now, when I need help the most, & The FDA became bored, my Adderall (overnight!) was cut to 5mg 3 times daily. My Clonazapam to 3 times daily. My Modafinil to 1 daily. I now can barely function, have PTSD, an Aspberger's husband & they suspect my son of malignant narcissism. (certainly amoral) They are very intelligent, very charismatic, loved by most, & tried to have me committed, (which is looking safer). My son tried to kill me at least twice & told the Police I hallucinated. lol They say they want rid of me, but will not provide the means for me to escape. (heck no, I BELONG TO THEM!)
They have XXXXXXX Services in their pockets, & I cannot afford an attorney. I can't find pro-bono, because MY "HUSBAND" MAKES TOO MUCH MONEY.
There are Policemen who know, but their hands are tied - it's DOMESTIC. Fun, huh? Bizarre!
They even forged my IRS.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Return to original doses.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

I have gone through your query and understand your concerns.

You have encountered really tough situations in life.

ADHD, Depression, panic, Anxiety, cataplexy, lots of investigations and drugs, then their side effects..lot it is!

You were however doing good with adderall, Clonazepam and modafinil.

As soon as your dose was reduced, you could barely function.
Well, I think it was very unprofessional to reduce your doses abruptly. This the main reason that you are unable to function now.

If you could get back to a local psychiatrist to give you a valid prescription of those drugs with earlier doses, I think you would be better.

This platform, unfortunately, does not allow us to write prescriptions.
However, if you need any further advices, I will be available in future as well.

Wish you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD(Psychiatry).
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2144 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Severe Anxiety And Depression In Elderly Person

Brief Answer: Return to original doses. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I have gone through your query and understand your concerns. You have encountered really tough situations in life. ADHD, Depression, panic, Anxiety, cataplexy, lots of investigations and drugs, then their side effects..lot it is! You were however doing good with adderall, Clonazepam and modafinil. As soon as your dose was reduced, you could barely function. Well, I think it was very unprofessional to reduce your doses abruptly. This the main reason that you are unable to function now. If you could get back to a local psychiatrist to give you a valid prescription of those drugs with earlier doses, I think you would be better. This platform, unfortunately, does not allow us to write prescriptions. However, if you need any further advices, I will be available in future as well. Wish you good health. Regards. Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD(Psychiatry).