Alzheimer's and lots of anxiety

Lithium for anxiety in a demented elder? I thought Lithium was an old drug used in bipolar disorder. Maybe it'll work, but make sure she has her labs checked regularly. I think, if I can remember that far back, that lithium has a very narrow therapeutic vs toxic range.

Lithium...no. Take her to another Doctor. Me personally I would not give it to my mom. Of Course you know as we age our body slows down and lithium is a medication that does require lots of fluids . Because the elderly is at risk for dehydration and because her body is slowing down you are looking at some serious side effects. Elderly folks can get great benefits from taking Ativan or Xanax as as needed drug for anxiety...Oh and yes, my husband takes Lithium for bi-polar...

I'll second that, CHF and Chronic Renal Failure are partners in crime.

Lithium + Renal Failure gives me the heebie jeebies.

Levin.

Preliminary evidence suggests that buspirone may be a good nonsedating alternative to treat Alzheimer's disease patients with persistent anxiety symptoms and agitation–aggression. Effective doses reported range from 15 to 60 mg/day is generally well-tolerated.

problems are not the problem, but the problem is in trying to to cope with problems on our own and with our own resources and in our own strenght, or weaknesses. with the help of the lord we can handle its challanges and heartaches. but the good news is that we have- the good shepherd- to walk with us alongs life way. you have nothing to worry about cast your cares on God and he ll lift the burden for your sake....

my mother who is 81 was going through some anxiety problems, although she doesn't have alzheimers. We decided to make sure she had a good multi vitamin/mineral qd, 50-100 mg. B complex bid, 600 mg calcium with 250 mg magnesium and 400 iu vitamin D bid, 1 g of omega 3 fish oil tid. After 2 weeks, she was much more relaxed and started sleeping better because of the calcium/mag before bedtime. She also took 60 mg ginko biloba bid, this really helped her memory!!

My husband is CHF, asthma, 1 horse shoe shaped kidney.And for stress/anxiety Dr has him on prozac. If CHF dosen't get him, renal failure will, eventually. Lisa W