Severe extreme anxiety non-responsive to ECT or meds

[gigem]

My mother has been fighting both for a few years now with a recent 13 month reprieve.  Suddenly 3 weeks ago, her anxiety has gone through the roof.  She has gone from a productive, dancing, waterball playing, socializing and happy person to an absolute recluse and is nearly fully immobile.
She has undergone 10 ECT treatments in the last 3.5 weeks and is on such a huge daily dose of Ativan that we are getting scared.  She gets a 2mg injection at the doctor’s office and then 4 more mg. per day on ECT days.  On non-ect days, she takes 6mg of Ativan.  They tried Valium instead but she got zero relief from it.

At 69, she walks around the house saying things like:
1. Help me Rob, help me
2. This is the worse it has ever been
3. I’m so afraid (but is afraid of nothing specific).  No specific phobias.
We are about to switch doctors…AGAIN…to get another set of eyes on it to try to figure out the severe anxiety.  She has been to at least 7 psychologists and 7 psychotherapists.  Had every test under the sun and has all of her other systems in check (heart, thyroid, adrenals etc).

The question I have is “What combination of prescriptions seemed to work or what therapy seemed to work to get your anxiety somewhat under control?  She would rate hers at a 10 out of 10 and it is making her crazy.  Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.  I pray that you still have yours under control!
***@****
Rob

[Paxiled]

I didn't know ECT was used for just anxiety -- it's used generally for untreatable depression.  Question:  did she have this level of anxiety before they used ECT on her?

[CRSeaside]

It's hard to say. I have anxiety. Bipolar. And attention problems.
  So the meds that are helping me, may not do much for your mom.
  I do recommend family & friends. A support group thru NAMI. Look on web site for time & place.  Maxy

[mchr1111]

I don't have a good answer to your question. I'm still trying to figure it out myself. But I know how she feels. I say those exact same things to my husband mid-panic attack. If you've ever had one, you know it's probably one of the worst curses on earth. I hope your mom gets better and gets through this dark season.

PS. I take Zoloft and klonopin and they work moderately OK. I'm starting back in therapy again too.