Meds linked to dementia..

[Sharon65]

I have been on anti anxiety/ depression meds for 20 years. They did well for me. Decided last Sept to wean myself off but then my mom died. Continued to go off them gradually had the usual side effects. I had read that anti depressants are linked to dementia and my dad had some type of dementia and so did his sister ( late onset in their 80's) Then my dad passed 3 months after my mom and the depression has worsened dramatically. So now I am freaked that I will get dementia because my dad had it and because I was on meds for so long. I am terribly depressed and anxious without meds and it is really affecting my life and happiness. I feel I will end up in a nursing home with no one ( I have a husband but no children) and just slowly wither away. I know I would improve if I went back on them but I am so afraid to. I am at my wits end!!! Someone please help me!!!

[WiseMonkey]

I have been on anti anxiety/ depression meds for 20 years. They did well for me. Decided last Sept to wean myself off but then my mom died. Continued to go off them gradually had the usual side effects. I had read that anti depressants are linked to dementia and my dad had some type of dementia and so did his sister ( late onset in their 80's) Then my dad passed 3 months after my mom and the depression has worsened dramatically. So now I am freaked that I will get dementia because my dad had it and because I was on meds for so long. I am terribly depressed and anxious without meds and it is really affecting my life and happiness. I feel I will end up in a nursing home with no one ( I have a husband but no children) and just slowly wither away. I know I would improve if I went back on them but I am so afraid to. I am at my wits end!!! Someone please help me!!!

Hi, I've had this fear too as I've got Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so have been on a very low dose of antidepressant for 20+ years. This small dose is not for depression (I don't have this), it's for my CFS symptoms. I spoke to my rheumatologist and he said there has not been any large studies done on these meds only a few small ones which have several other variables. My advice to you would be to talk to you Dr or a specialist and then maybe go on a very low dose of medication if you need it.

There are other meds which are meant to cause dementia as well, ie heart meds but there again, nothing concrete has arisen.

Many people get a low level dementia in their late 80's as often the body is winding down. My grandmother and mother both did but they didn't have Alzheimer's, which can be hereditary. I'm 62 and I'm not going to spend the rest of my life worrying about it. My mother did this and then lived to 91 !!