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[–] Helena73 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago  (edited ago)

It might be good to have her thyroid checked, sometimes deteriorating thyroid function can cause depression. Also she should be screened by a neurologist for cognitive problems.

Im guessing you want her off the klonopin and other benzos, which are addictive and can sometimes exacerbate depression.

SSRIs like paxil or celexa are usually well tolerated and will help depression and anxiety, at least for a while though they tend to “poop out” after several months or years. I made my dad try celexa, and he complained a bit over some gastro side effects initially, but those went away after a couple weeks and his mood is def better. He’s 80.

You could try this site to ask about meds that might work well for grandma. https://www.crazyboards.org/forum/9-meds-and-other-crap-that-make-life-tolerable/

I do know they occassionally use ECT on older people who arent responding well to meds or cant take them— I know an old lady who had this and it helped.

There are newer therapies like ketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation that might be an option, but I dont know whether they are recommended for older people. TMS seems like it would be but might be expensive.

Sometimes getting some exercise can be huge, it sounds simplistic but if she is in good health, a daily walk might help alot.

Good luck with your grandmother, these are hard times for old folks!

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[–] thelonelyDJ [S] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

I dont think shes seen either of those kind of doctors , but ill put that idea out there too her . Usually its psychologist and psychiatrist mostly , and its sad to see that they dont seem to help much.

Im gonna check out the site , and see what ideas they might have swell. Excerise and company seem to be 2 things that really help and take her mind off of things . In terms of those newer therapies ill look into them more and see if they might help her case as well .

Definitely not easy watching people get old and depression is a bitch where the problem is all in the mind .

Thanks for the words and help!

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[–] Helena73 ago 

She should get a full thyroid panel at her age with depression and any doc can write the script for that test. If shes hypo, push for an endocrinologist.

The truth is the professionals really dont understand how depression and other types of mental illness work. They throw some drugs at the problem, sometimes they work. It’s basically voodoo. The talk therapy is almost useless but it might get her to be more social.

I hear Anafranil which is good for anxiety is also shown to inhibit coronavirus in vitro so, maybe a two for one?

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[–] SillySally44 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

You can try cbd oil and kratom. Both have helped me with my chronic pain, depression and anxiety. My 76 yr old Grandma also takes it. She's been able to get off of all pain medications, Celexa and gabapentin.

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[–] thelonelyDJ [S] ago 

Thanks for the response and sorry for the delay! Shes on Cbd and it seems to help. I think we are going to up the dosage for a stronger one but loser dose . Kratom ive always heard about but I assumed it was always from more opioid addictions, so ill check more into that too. you and the fam be well mate !

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[–] SillySally44 ago 

Kratom is great for so many things. There is a lot of disinfo out there about kratom. Anything natural seems to get a bad reputation. Just be careful of where you purchase it from. Some places have been known to add harmful additives to their leaf. But the plant itself is such a powerful healer. You can check out Dr. Christopher McCurdy on YouTube. Also, you should always use a vendor that tests their products. Ask for lab results. 😊 I wish you all the very best. ❤️