Mom tanks in afternoon. Has anyone experienced this?

Xanax isn't recommended as a long term solution for anxiety bc of it's addictive properties, short term benefit, and long term side effects. It's more intended to take in an emergency situation like a panic attack event or as infrequently as possible. I just went thru this conversation with my medical team, in fact, who warned me to use as little as possible of it. I would attribute your mom's tanks to meds, due to the following possible side effects associated with Xanax:

Alprazolam may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

drowsiness
light-headedness
headache
tiredness
dizziness
irritability
talkativeness
difficulty concentrating
dry mouth
increased salivation
changes in sex drive or ability
nausea
constipation
changes in appetite
weight changes
difficulty urinating
joint pain

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

shortness of breath
seizures
severe skin rash
yellowing of the skin or eyes
confusion
problems with speech
problems with coordination or balance

My mother had good luck w Wellbutrin after being unable to tolerate most other meds in general. Maybe mom's PCP can work with you to try some different meds to help her?

Also, spinal stenosis can cause weak muscles and neurological issues in the hands, feet and legs when nerves are compressed. The numbness or what mom called dead feet caused her such issues for decades.

If she has good bloodwork numbers, mom may not be at the end of her life stage right now. My mom lived with severe neuropathy in her feet and legs, and CHF till she was 95. Wheelchair bound and DEFINITELY full of angst over the dementia, neuropathy pain and the rest of it. If you think your mom is approaching eol, look into a hospice evaluation. They do a good job keeping the elders comfy.

Best of luck to you.

I wonder if her electrolytes are low in the afternoon. I'm not a nurse but Gatorade around 3 p.m. used to perk up my mom. Coffee wasn't good, neither was tea (caffeine is present even in the decaffeinated versions). Mom was always happy to get her fruit punch version of Gatorade. You could try it.

Thank you and all good questions! She has the blood work of a 20 year old! She does indeed have thyroid problems but they are managed with medication (40 years). She does not take meds herself and we are sure she is on the right meds at the right time. Interesting enough, she take little medications. Her spinal stenosis makes her weak and numb. It is quite sever and her immobility is causing her angst. Thank you for responding!

Just for due diligence I have to ask if she's been checked for any other health issues, such as thyroid, vitamin deficiency, anything else that could cause her that symptom?

Also, is she administering the Xanax to herself? If so, it is not out of the realm of possibility that she isn't taking it properly... maybe forgetting and taking too much?

Can you elaborate about what kind of neuor problems she's having? At 86, she certainly could start to have memory issues and the beginnings of cognitive decline. I would make sure a reliable person is giving her the meds to see if this relieves the trance symptom. If you are going by asking her, I wouldn't rely on this... have someone else give her the meds if this isn't already happening. At her age she won't recoup as quickly, and may not come back to her pre-incident level of abilities. You both will need patience and tempered expectations. I hope you find the source of her problem and can figure out a solution!