Anyone know about the drug Citalopram for anixiety and depression?

Sure wish I could correct a spelling error..above post should be ..."hooked me up to a big scary metal bar" not hooded.

My Mom who has dementia is 91. She started taking citalopram 10 mg about 2 years ago. Shes usually happy most of the time. She's not dopey at all. Sometimes she sundown's and can get nasty wanting the care givers to go home. I wish it helped better with that. She can be good for weeks and then have a bad week. Maybe medication wouldn't help that. Not sure. It's something you could try and if it's not good stop it!

Supercharts, i hope you don't believe everything you see on YouTube!

All in al, celexa and its generics are good drugs that have been used successfully for many years.

Many older people develop anxiety/depression as they age, i think, due to loss of cognitive skills and because brain chemistry changes. It also seems true ( in my mom's case) that childhood traumas and fears resurface. If the brain is damaged in some way ( my mom has had some small strokes that were not detected, and then a big one, together they resulted in cognitive loss and loss of speech skills). There is no amount of reassurance that helps my mom be calm the way a combination of antidepressants and anti anxity meds does.

I'd give it a shot and see if there is improvement in three weeks or so. These meds take some time to work. Good luck.

I agree with what your saying Grandma 1954.At first Virginia was told whats going on when she was lifted back and forth from bed to wheelchair but the nursing home has it seems to me more than average trun over in nursing aids that are on duty plus she has to be turned over more often because of bed sore she got in the previous month they say as often as ever 3 hours but i do not exactly how often they do.I very doubt that the aids who transfer her talk and explain often enought. She has other trigger points that may not be passed on from one aid to the other especialy on weekends and or holidays.Today i am writing down all the trigger points i know of bu observing Virginia these past 2 months.Something new i agreed to just 2 days was i agreed to permit a anxiety drug for Virginia it started Friday at a very low dose 7.5 mg the drug has a starting point of 15 mg and some patients go as high as 60 mg as safe ( Virginia i was told will not go close to that amount) I said ok to this drug because it is used for anxiety only not for Depression or Psychosis.We will see how she does i just had to do something and i was asking nurses if anyone they know was taking this drug and found out a few were with good results i am watching Virginia closer than ever now she needs relieve with as safe a drug as i can find praying this anxiety drug will work plus i forgot she will be taking 500 mgs of tylenol twice a day along with the drug. The drugs name is Buspirone (Buspar) Thanks for your post appreciate all the post i receiver here in Aging care.

hi Baalou if the drug we are trying now does not work and Virginia is not doing as well as i want her to i will again take a look at other drugs such as the one you have mentioned.I do not believe all i read on the internet i do check out the source. Mostly from Doctor's and Medical sites and forums from people who actually have taken the drug.TY for your post i will keep it in mind if needed.I see that they found small strokes that your Mother had undetected that is something i will take a closer look at ty

My mom takes this in the evening because that's when we seemed to have the most anxiety issues. I'm thinking we may have to increase slightly because I don't think 10mg is doing what it should. I'm going to talk to her doctor about it next week.
Good luck!

A very widely used medication; if you don't see benefits within a few weeks, try another class. I am not sure you have to do DNA testing for a simple antidepressant like this one. My mom is on a similar drug-same class, as was my dad when he was living. They both have benefited. I was on it for 8 years. Keep in mind that this class of drugs can be safely discontinued by tapering the dose. I would not second guess the doctor and your possible bias against medication to treat depression and anxiety. For my dad, it brought back enjoyment of life. For my mom, it is a mood stabilizer which does not cause her to be zoned out. Good luck.

My 85 yr alz hubby has been on it 4 years & turned him from a lion to a lamb. Best thing for him. Should have been on years before but then of course he thought he was perfect.

paulahelen2 TY
Good to know it helped your Mom i will keep an open mind on the depression drugs but i am cautious. If the anxiety drug does not work i will keep on looking for something that does work.Sundowns seem to be difficult for Virginia also

auntie2seven
The evening are the most difficult for Virginia as well. The mornings are not easy but it seems the sundown's are the worst.Virginia is taking a low dose of 7.5 i would think it will be raised afer one week. I read that the drug starts out at 15 mg and that the highest safe dose is 60 mg that not where Virginia is going or your mom but it good to know. TY for you post

Reno55
EXACTLY what i want a widely used safe drug to see how Virginia does and i have seen less restlessness already but it seems to ware off my evening. Virgina takes 7.5 in the morning at 9:am and evening at 9:pm. I am not completely against drugs but ( i know its necessary in many cases) and has helped many people. TY for your post

miface
Thats wonderful it has worked for as long as 4 years i hope and pray it works for Virginia and believe it will! The good news is i can see a bit difference in Virginia now after only few days and at only 7.5 that leaves us with lots of room for adjusting her drug up if necessary. TY miface

What med is Virginia on 7.5 mg of?

Oh my glad you asked
Virginia has started taking Buspar (Buspirone) this is her 3rd day i go every day and watch for any changes and or side effects. Happy 4th of July to all Supercharts

My mother was 100 and in a nursing home. She was the same - so restless she kept getting out of bed and the wheelchair and very unhappy. It helped calm her down. At that age, we told the doctor give her anything that will make her life less stressful and help her mood (as long as it doesn't make her ill). She seemed to tolerate it very well.

I've known folks who have done well on Buspar alone and in combination with other meds for depression and anxiety. Just remember, no grapefruit or grapefruit juice. I'm glad they've found something that you are comfortable with and that gives her relief.

AmyGrace
So far its looking good Virginia is not as restless as she was and quieter.After being with her for 4 hours today i was able to leave and her emotions were more under control than usual. Its early yet but so far so good! ty

Hello Baralou
It really surprised me the Buspar has helped Virginia so quickly. She is more relaxed not hollering i was told by the Nurse on duty last night. So far its been the thing i been looking for to get relief for her as it does hurt saying no to the drugs offered but i thought they were to strong and i wanted something like this and grateful its working so far. I do see a more relaxed Virginia without the fear i seen before. I know its early and could change but so far working very well.I cannot tell you how much it helps me as well to know finally RELIEF for Virginia. No grapefruit or grapefruit * ty

Since my last post Virginia has gone up for the last 4 days taking Buspar from twice a day 7.5 mg to three times a day 9:am 2:pm and 9:pm . This worked for the 4 days but now Virginia is getting scared again and gets demanding on occassion i reassured her that she is safe and it looks like the dose will have to be raised to at least 10 mg three times a day. I am wondering now how far up i should go? I know some patients take as much as 60 mg of Buspar. Virginia has been helped by the drug Buspar shes been much better since taking it !

Are there any other factors you can identify that might be upsetting her and causing fear and anxiety?

It seems she's reaching the benefit of the doses quite quickly. You might also want to discuss with whichever doctor is prescribing it what the options would be if she reaches the maximum safe dose but is still anxious.

Hello
Yes there are the trigger points that she had last night that i think caused her to get fearful. She was put in bed to early(8:pm it was still light out) a trigger point for Virginia or she asked to go to bed but changed her mine plus they closed her door t(his is a trigger point for Virginia) and she could not see her TV another trigger point. She is ok with the morning staff cause she knows them but the afternoon and evening staff have a lot of turnovers and she has trouble with new staff on occasion. The Doctor would suggest anantipsychotic drug. Virginia was very good today nurse said it could of been just a bad day. TY