Medication Problems?

[jdtm]

My mother (83 years old) has had three major surgeries in the past six years.  She is in her own home with my father (87 years old and very healthy) and both do not want to change their residence.  She also has an anxiety disorder - GAD which, I believe, has been exacerbated by the surgeries.  Her family doctor has placed her on the lowest dose of Effexor XR, Oxazepam, and Risperidol (as well as Levothyroxine, Calcium and various other vitamin pills).  She has been on the three medications for almost two years.  Many, many insignificant events and items cause her great distress.  After the last surgery, she began to suffer panic attacks and is now agoraphobic.  Two months ago, she started to hear "music" in her ears while sleeping causing great distress.  Are we dealing with a reaction to her medications or the result of an untreated anxiety disorder or something else or a combination?  Frankly, her doctor is of very little help but will ask for a referral if she requests one.  Any suggestions?

[jdtm]

Thank you for your prompt response.  It is so difficult to see one's mother in a situation that I feel does not have to be.  But, the final responsibility will be hers - whether or not she addresses the situation with her doctor.  I will certainly encourage that.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The best thing you can do is get a consultation with a geriatric specialist who can sort this out.  My best guess is that it is an anxiety disorder issue but a good clinician will look at her cerebral blood flow and the interaction of all these medications with her anxiety disorder.