Anyone know about the drug Citalopram for anixiety and depression?

Will try the Cinnamon and Searment. We used to use Lavender that was very good also ty

Tylenol 1000 mg every day is way too much.

GardenArtist
Exactly what we will do once Virginia is home. She likes to paint and we both like classic oldies i have a ton of oldies from 1920 to 2000.Lots of free time together will also help. Music does help we are in a exercise class in the nursing home and Virginia looks forward to it.

I am trying to help virginia Sorrynotsorry but have to get all the opinions i can before i decide. My help is never ending for her.

GardenArtist
I read all the links about Celexa (Citalopram being the generic name for Celexa) They are informative and i am forming an opinion on what to do about the decision i have to make for Virginia. Your post is full of information so it tool me awhile to post back ty for you for your research.

supercharts, I can fully understand your concern of one drug leading to another. I hate taking any type of medicine, it took a team of wild horses for me to even take aspirin. But as I got older I had to start taking blood pressure pills which I didn't like but eventually my cardiologist was able to adjust the dosage so I wasn't in a fog.

Yes, there are tranquilizers to take for just anxiety, the pills from ages ago one eventually would need to also take an anti-depressant.

There's also aromatherapy. Cinnamon and spearmint are relaxing.

I applaud your vigilance in caring for Virginia, and in your concern for the potential of additional drugs being added. In your position, I would search high and low for alternatives to drugs to address her depression.

However, she could be weaned off the drug when she no longer needed it.

But I'm wondering if there are other methods? Music and art therapy are noted for their ability to be mood stimulants, and they don't have side effects. Have you tried bringing CDs (or whatever music medium you use) of her favorite music? Coloring? Can she work large piece puzzles?

We played Kate Smith CDs for my mother; my father enjoys Mexican music b/c he was stationed close to Texas in WWII, He also loves polkas. They really gets his feet tapping in time to the music!

Other music, such as harp music, can induce relaxation. During my sister's last battle with cancer, we generally played mood music or light classical at night so we both could sleep.

A few weeks ago I was watching a PBS special on folk songs, during one of their marathon fundraisers. Those old songs were so meaningful, and were so powerful in inducing either calm, peace, recollection or just plain relaxation.

Are there any music programs with visiting musicians in the facility where Virginia currently is? If so, take her to them. Some of the old post WWII songs generate enthusiasm as well.

Once I took my music, brought my mother and an acquaintance she made at the rehab facility, and we went downstairs to where the baby grand was. There were just 2 of patients at that time, but after playing awhile, other people began rolling themselves in in their wheelchairs. It was really a touching moment to see how music affected them.

There's also pet therapy; they have the power to induce relaxation, and can easily cheer someone up in ways that medication can't.

Let her take something to feel better. The poor thing.

It may be a natural reaction because on her floor in the nursing home most patients are on drugs and i would guess Antipsychotic and or depression drugs. Being on no drugs would be harder on her but they do not have a chance of going home Virginia does and i am afraid if i open the door to one drug would i not be opening the door to more drugs.Is there not any just anxiety drugs out there for anxiety only? TY Churchmouse for you comment

I did a quick check for side effects and/or interactions, which MAY occur if any of these conditions exist:

Liver or kidney disorders, heart condition or irregular heartbeat, epilepsy, diabetes, glaucoma, bleeding disorder, manic episodes, any previous allergic reactions to any meds, getting ECT, taking MOA (which doesn't seem to apply here), and/or any other med ( which also doesn't seem to apply, OTC and/or herbal supplements.

I don't know if Tylenol is one of the OTC meds (or even if it's an OTC med at that dose) is one with which it might interact.

I always also check to determine if there are any class action suits against the manufacturer; if there are, that's a red flag as class actions suits require a significant number of people who've suffered a reaction, and last I checked (it's been awhile) must be certified to be a class action suit.

They're not random suits in which someone feels a drug may have caused a certain reaction or side effect, but reflect that significant number of people believe they have suffered from the drug.

Apparently Citalopram is the generic name for Celexa. I also did a quick check for class action lawsuits and PM'ed the links to you.

I think FF's doctor is way ahead of the curve in doing the genetic testing and definitely would consider that before trying a new drug such as Celexa.

Poor lady! I'm sorry for both of you - for her because she must feel so awful, and for you because it's hard to overcome your reasonable aversion to mind-altering drugs. But the clue is in how *disproportionately* unhappy she seems. That's not a natural reaction to being in a nursing home - that's her brain's chemistry getting messed up by disease and it needs correcting, as you say.

Hello churchmouse
This sounds good: "after which you should see the edge come off her anxiety and bleak misery without any obvious "doping up". She needs relief other wise i am totally against drugs i am getting some insight in a difficult decision of a loved one. Thank you.

TY freqflyer
The DNA is great idea i may try that one seems like that way the right choice will be made.I like the idea of cutting the dose in half too!

Citalopram 10 mg per day was safe and effective* for my then 88 year old mother with multiple co-morbidities who had become acutely depressed. There are some concerns over 20mg per day if the patient has heart problems, but 10mg will not be a problem; and in any case the problem is an incredibly technical one to do with EKG intervals - way over my pay grade to explain.

*It takes some weeks for the effects to show: you don't just pop a pill in her mouth and magic her back to her normal happy self. Allow a month at least, after which you should see the edge come off her anxiety and bleak misery without any obvious "doping up."

Thank you answry
I can equate the shouting match to Virginia's loud talking and hollering when her trigger points are happening like the hoyer used to hoist her in and out of the wheelchair and bed.Glad to hear they work for you and your parents thats a plus on the side of Citalopram.

Medicare does pay for this test. They used it with my hubby to verify his pain meds and whether or not there would need to be adjustments and/or removals.

Superecharts, when my doctor prescribed an anti-depressant for me, first she did a DNA test which would let her know what family of drugs would work best with the brain receptors, and this DNA test is my understanding paid for by Medicare.

The turn around on the DNA test is a couple of weeks. Then my doctor gave me samples of one drug to take, the lowest dosage available, and had me cut that dosage in half to start off with. Such drugs usually take 4 to 6 weeks to work.

Both of my parents, 82, are on citalopram and were place on it this year. It has made a noticeable difference with them. Attitude is what I notice with them but not sure if they had the issues you mentioned. Well not diagnosed anyway but they do not seem to have as many shouting matches. They are NOT nursing home patients although suffering from things such as mobility problems, diabetes, emphysema, arthritis, etc. I ran all of their drugs through a drug interaction website and it said no interference. So far so good.

I myself also take from time to time although not on a daily basis. I take because of relationship issues. It does seem to help get me out of my want to cry spell and helps to lift my spirit. Of course I do other stuff to help as well.

@GardenArtist No other drugs or any meds of any kind she was to start Tylenal 1000 mgs. with the Citalopram as soon as tomorrow if oked by me.

A critical issue is what other drugs is she taking?