My mother was always the take-charge, get-stuff-done type, but in the past six months, our family is noticing that she gets very worked up and anxious when she has to cook, clean, pay a bill, shower, or if someone comes to the door or calls unexpectedly, etc.
My dad, 79, is blind and my mom "took care of" him for years. In December, they decided to sell their home, where they had lived for 58 years, to downsize, as they were starting to have trouble navigating the 12 steps to enter and exit. We were hoping the move to a smaller senior living apartment all one on floor (through the Area Agency on Aging), as well as getting Meals on Wheels, would help alleviate any potential problems, but since they moved in, both her and my dad are floundering rather than flourishing. My brother and I are helping our parents with such things as paying bills, going to get groceries and helping to prepare meals, but we are unable to stay with mom and dad full-time due to work obligations. When mom has to heat something up in the microwave, she gets very anxious, almost to the point of panicking. She gets "rattled" (to use her word) using the washer and dryer. She doubts everything she is doing and is convinced she's going to mess something up.
A phone call from her Dr. office that she wasn't expecting (they were calling to let her know they wanted to adjust her blood pressure medication) caused her to have an anxiety/panic attack, which led my dad to call 911 and have her taken to the emergency room in early February, at which time she was admitted to an inpatient geriatric psych unit for a week. She was tested for a UTI at that time and the hospital said her test came back fine, no evidence of a UTI. The hospital Dr. put her on Lexapro 10 mg, but six weeks later, it doesn't seem to be helping, so her PCP suggested she increase her dosage to 20 mg a day.
She had been taking Ropinirole for restless leg syndrome since November, but she hates to take any kind of medication so she wouldn't progress to taking any more beyond half the prescribed dose. She blamed the Ropinirole for making her tired, listless, and weepy. She said she can't think straight, can't make a decision, doesn't have any desire to do anything, and blamed the Ropinirole for "affecting her brain." We were wondering at that time if she just didn't want to take the pill, because she had read the side effects and hates taking any kind of medication to begin with, and we thought that it was actually the move or perhaps another physical reason that was causing these feelings.
The hospital put her back on the full dosage of Ropinirole while she was in the hospital to address the restless leg syndrome, and she's been taking the Ropinirole and Lexapro ever since mid-February.
Has anyone heard of Ropinirole causing side effects such as confusion, anxiety, or panic? I'm wondering if maybe she just might be right, because we can't figure out why she's such a panicky, fearful, emotional person now, when she never used to be.
I understand a move is a huge life event that takes adjusting to, and especially for two elderly people. But this anxious behavior is new for her, and we are wondering what could be causing it, and what we can do to help. Any thoughts or insight would be very much appreciated.
I wonder also about the medications, but I think there needs to be now a full visit with POA/MPOA present and I think there needs to be initial testing done for Mom with neuro-psyc MD who can also go over the drug situation.
The acute anxiety is indicative that something is wrong, and AARP says that anxiety is one the the single most ignored and common problem for our elderly. I at 80 am ACUTELY aware of how much more anxiety is a component in my daily life. The feeling of some small change in routine, of your stomach kind of dropping out over something that is really very small is not uncommon as we age, but there is for your Mom the fact that she is on two drugs. That she is giving too much care. She needs an MD to consider going over side effects and possible interactions very carefully, and to consider withdrawal of one or another of these meds. Medications that may initially work can often go wrong down the line.
I am sorry this is happening but I am thankful you are on top of it, and your writing such a complete description for us shows me that you ARE on top of it. Discuss this with Mom. Tell her what you are noticing and ask her if she has noticed, if she has thought about it, if she has any thoughts. And ask her to go with you to her doc for a full workup; include neuro-psyc in that. Treat it like the mystery it is. Tell Mom you are on this and partner with her in solving what is going on for her.
I would also suggest that they now need in home help at the very least.
I sure wish you luck and sure hope you'll update us.
My Mom [90+] wouldn't tell me, but I had a lightbulb moment why she and Dad didn't want to move was because of her own very limited eyesight. My Mom probably could find her way around their long time home blindfolded, use all the appliances, do the cooking, etc. If she and Dad would have moved, Mom would have so lost.
I know for myself [76], as I now have age related eye issues, any new appliance will be simple to use, and I mean really simple. My last washing machine I felt like I needed a pilots license to use. Got rid of that machine, bought a basis Speed Queen, oh my gosh I and sig-other could set the controls in the dark.
The drug interaction between these two medications includes the symptoms your mother is experiencing.
I would be advocating for her to temporarily discontinue these drugs to determine if they are the cause.
I'm sorry to say doctors are lazy, and too careless (in my experience), to consider how all those magic pills they prescribe may be making things worse.
Start with the simplest, most obvious possible cause for her recent changes, and go from there.
My best wishes to you.
sweet you are to be so caring.
While reading the part where you say your mom is anxious now using the microwave, washer and dryer- If it was me I would like to tell you that I feel anxious and that I would appreciate it if you helped me do it-by being there- over and over so I could repeat doing it myself often enough for it to become an automatic body-memory.
That would be so kind of you, because when people do things for me, sometimes it would be really helpful if they could be patient enough to help me relearn do certain things for myself.
Sending love to you all xo
I think I might rather have the restless legs.
All possible causes for her anxiety and confusion need to be investigated, however.
Your description of your mother's recent change in confidence, and diminished ability to easily do familiar tasks perfectly describes how my sister was behaving prior to her dementia diagnosis. She, too, had been a long time caregiver for her husband, and had no difficulty making decisions or getting things done. The stress of that, however, over a very long term, took its toll on her, imo.
...just another consideration.
Best of luck to you in helping your mother figure this out.
Just a tidbit of information concerning the restless legs.
Once finally able to sleep after fits of “creepy-crawly” legs I would wake with restless legs numerous times throughout the night until I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. Once I stopped ALL sugar the restless legs totally disappeared!
I now have the A1C of a non diabetic, sleep like a baby and NO creepy-crawly or restless legs!!
Definitely recommend a try!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ropinirole-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20066810
Was any cognitive testing done?
We all do a lot of things by habit, without needing to think. It's really hard when too many change, and virtually everything is just that little bit different.
I’m wondering if it might help to hire a carer, even for a week, to be with your mother at a busy time each day. Let mother work the washing machine, the microwave and all the other ‘new things’, with the carer there for support if M is a bit lost. You need someone who will shut up and support, not take over, while M learns confidence to do it herself. One metal object sparking in the microwave can be quite frightening, if things have gone into cupboards you didn't expect. M makes the cup of tea, finds the mugs and loads the dishwasher, with someone there to monitor - you get the picture.
Is there anyone in the family who works shifts and could spare some time? Many schools and colleges are coming up to a couple of weeks holiday over Easter – is there someone younger in the family who could take it on for payment (and lots of thanks!)? It just might help.
I thought again of an old experience of putting the wrong bowl in the microwave, and getting terribly upset at the sparks. It's enough to worry anyone!
Also, I wouldn't want to take the medications you mention.
I feel that your kindness calmness and consideration is so helpful
in itself- could you Google suggestions for natural ways to treat restless leg syndrome- I know that when I get leg cramps at night
that if I take a quarter tsp Potassium citrate powder in a little water
that they go away- maybe you could watch some enjoyable TV, listen to music together....
Maybe she's a bit burned out caring for your dad. I know about that. Perhaps she needs to have some good cries to relieve her anxiety, and to talk about her feelings.
. Moving, and the process of growing old in itself-are both a huge learning curve.
You and your brother are doing great. You are doing something so important and valuable for your mom and dad. Know that, trust your own hearts, and all will be well .
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