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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by reichdon on November 9, 2004, at 5:05:22
I am beginning to suspicion that my 88 year old father is mildly depressed. He has reason to be; last May we had to put my mom into an Alzheimer's unit after 65 years of them being together. Dad is extremely lonely and a little guilty that he can't take care of my mom. He is living in the independent area of the same retirement community as my mom's nursing home is in.
Dad says he doesn't feel very hungry lately, doesn't sleep very well, and doesn't seem to enjoy activities he used to like. He also seems to dwell more on the sad things in his life. He can however still crack a joke. Do you think this sounds like depression?
Do you have any suggestions of what antidepressant might work for a man my dad's age?
My mom was pretty anxious acting when she first went into the Alzheimer's unit and first they tried Paxil for her, but she got more confused and too sleepy. Now they have her on a low dose of Lexapro and that seems to have given her back some alertness. She seems pretty happy now. Do you think this might be a good drug for my dad as well?
Thanks for any help you can give.
Posted by MKB on November 9, 2004, at 6:47:31
In reply to AD for elderly man, posted by reichdon on November 9, 2004, at 5:05:22
I don't have anything to add about the antidepressant you mentioned, but tha amino acid L-Tryptophn is natural, safe, and effective for many people without unpleasant side-effects.
Order from www.healthrecovery.com. (By the way, I don't work for them; I just know that you can get it from that company.)
Posted by linkadge on November 9, 2004, at 8:19:35
In reply to Re: AD for elderly man, posted by MKB on November 9, 2004, at 6:47:31
As much as I hated remeron, myself, some statistics show it is much better tollerated and effective in older populations. Ie really helps sleep, and apetite.
Anyhow, perhaps a low dose of a tryciclic such as amitryptaline would be good. If nothing more than to stimulate the apetite, and promote restful sleep.
Linkadge
Posted by reefer on November 10, 2004, at 5:09:00
In reply to AD for elderly man, posted by reichdon on November 9, 2004, at 5:05:22
I would seriously recommend Remeron(mirtazapine). Here in Sweden it is THE most used AD in the elderly population. It seems to cause less side effects. If he would start it he would become very tired the first week or so and get loads of restful sleep, but might complain of being tired in the day. This however should fade over the first 2 weeks and is normal.
Good luck
Posted by dove on November 10, 2004, at 9:11:30
In reply to Re: AD for elderly man, posted by reefer on November 10, 2004, at 5:09:00
I would like to add that Silingual Remeron (melts in the mouth and immediately acting) is available in some areas. This form of Remeron was a very positive experience for me, improved sleep with no daytime (or morning) grogginess, improved appetite at breakfast and lunch (no late night munchiness), and improved interaction with people in general.
The other benefits with Remeron are that improvements can be seen fairly quickly, and if the med isn't helpful to your Dad, it could be stopped and something else initiated immediately.
Remeron doesn't have that wash-out period before a new med can be introduced, and it can be taken in very very small amounts. For sleep enhancement, I found that 5 mgs was beneficial, whereas, for snapping at my severe depression, I needed to go up to at least 45 mgs per day.
Just some added thoughts... Good Luck!
dove
Posted by mindevolution on January 16, 2007, at 4:52:22
In reply to Re: AD for elderly man, posted by dove on November 10, 2004, at 9:11:30
why don't you ask him if he is depressed? don't force him into anything, side effects can be harsh especially for the elderly. if you do try something, make sure it is low low dose.
This is the end of the thread.
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