I'm a caregiver for my mum. She suffered from GAD and Depression for the past 20 years and have been taking Serotonin and Xanax. Recently Xanax does not help her anymore (she increases the dosage). She was admitted to hospital and now taking Effexor + clonazepam + Valdoxan.
Every Morning when she wake up, she will complain of heartburn. The panic attack will come a few times in the morning and afternoon where she will feel heartburn and nausea. She will be very depressed and does not know what to do and constantly asking how she can pass by the day. Her voice changes when she feel nervous (that where she know).
During evening time, strangely she seems like a different person where she become calm and feel much more relax.
We are puzzled by her behavior and thinking what could be the reason? Whether could it be any symptom of other mental condition or withdrawal symptoms due to Xanax.
Like 1/2 of a banana with her tea.
Have a few saltine crackers by her bed.
I have a friend named Carol. Carol is about 78 years old, experiencing her first ever bout with GERD. She actually went to the emergency room not long ago, telling the doctor she felt 'weird' in her stomach, and she 'knew something was wrong' but couldn't explain it. 100 tests and $100,000 later, all the doctor could come up with was GERD, which I could have told her for FREE (I've had it for 20 years!). Since her diagnosis, she's been back and forth to the hospital for the same 'weird feeling' in her stomach and she leaves every time with the same diagnosis, GERD, and a recommendation to take Prilosec 2x a day, over the counter.
Not to minimize your mother's pain & suffering, but perhaps she needs to learn some relaxation techniques when she feels anxiety coming on. The 4-7-8 breathing technique is an excellent place to start:
To use the 4-7-8 technique, focus on the following breathing pattern: ... breathe in quietly through the nose for 4 seconds. hold the breath for a count of 7 seconds. exhale forcefully through the mouth, pursing the lips and making a "whoosh" sound, for 8 seconds.
Wishing you the best of luck!
She will mention that it is difficult to breathe and the throat get stuck
When she have the occurrence of panic attack, she will be nervous and her hand start to tremble and she will feel nausea.
The doctor is also trying to find out why isn't the medication working for her.