Wow, Jane, thanks--that really does help. I'm not going to feel so guilty now about giving my mom a benzo (alprazolam) since that's the only thing that gets her through the worst times. I can't tell you how guilty I was feelilng because I'd often read that benzos are very bad for dementia patients and worsens their dementia. But obviously your FIL's doc is not against their use.

I'm sorry Sandy that your mom has to suffer because they're not treating the anxiety. Both the neuro and geriatrician pushed zoloft for my mother. But each time she reacted the same as with the celexa: she got on her knees, wild eyed, and grabbed my arms begging to help her die. It was bad even though the dose was small.

I wish doctors tried harder to individualize a patient's medicine needs instead of thinking one size fits all or believing everything the drug sales reps tell them. Bless those doctors who do try and care.

[QUOTE]Now she complains that she's sleepy all the time. Yet.....she does not take naps, so I don't think it's making her that sleepy.She might. I've had an anxiety disorder for as long as I can remember and have guinea pigged lots of meds. One was another SSRI that made me feel drop-dead exhausted with heavy heavy eyelids, yet I could not sleep. So she may be feeling something similar. I can't tolerate SSRIs at all, yet others swear by them, so the doctor really needs to monitor individual reactions. But I remember how frustrating it was to struggle to keep my eyelids open, yet not be able to sleep.