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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on December 25, 2009, at 10:59:13
Hi
My mum is 82 years old and showing signs of depression. I would like her on a med. I was thinking of Remeron because she hasn't been sleeping and is losing weight. Or maybe Paxil because she also has anxiety.
Do the elderly have to take a lower dosage of anti-depressants than the rest of the population?
She is seeing her doctor in January. She also started meds for alzheimers and I don't know how depression and dementia are related or if they are. Anyone know?
Thanks for your help.
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on December 25, 2009, at 11:10:36
In reply to Antidepressant for the elderly, posted by Maxime on December 25, 2009, at 10:59:13
Maxie I think stay away from the TCA's as the cardiac Atrial fib. Tough call. I did see one lady once in a wheelchair do well on prozac but Alzheimers too? I don't know? love Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on December 25, 2009, at 13:22:24
In reply to Re: Antidepressant for the elderly » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on December 25, 2009, at 11:10:36
Thanks Phillipa. I really want to do my research because I don't trust her GP to prescribe the right med or amount. I can always ask my pyschiatrist.
Posted by linkadge on December 25, 2009, at 13:47:16
In reply to Re: Antidepressant for the elderly » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on December 25, 2009, at 13:22:24
Did the depression develop or worsen after the treatment of dementia. The cholinsterase inhbitors can cause depression.
Remeron is an option, but paroxetine might be a stronger AD. Yes, I would use lower doses.
Linkadge
Posted by willey on December 25, 2009, at 14:29:39
In reply to Antidepressant for the elderly, posted by Maxime on December 25, 2009, at 10:59:13
Well i dont have any technical reasons why,but my dying grandma was put on remeron.Hope that helps.
Posted by floatingbridge on December 25, 2009, at 14:48:03
In reply to Antidepressant for the elderly, posted by Maxime on December 25, 2009, at 10:59:13
Maxine,
I bumped into some info re parkenson's that also mentioned Alzheimer's. Ragaline--someting like that
Will dig it up and send a link.fb
> My mum is 82 years old and showing signs of depression. I would like her on a med. I was thinking of Remeron because she hasn't been sleeping and is losing weight. Or maybe Paxil because she also has anxiety.
>
> Do the elderly have to take a lower dosage of anti-depressants than the rest of the population?
>
> She is seeing her doctor in January. She also started meds for alzheimers and I don't know how depression and dementia are related or if they are. Anyone know?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Maxime
Posted by mtdewcmu on December 25, 2009, at 20:39:24
In reply to Antidepressant for the elderly, posted by Maxime on December 25, 2009, at 10:59:13
> Hi
>
> My mum is 82 years old and showing signs of depression. I would like her on a med. I was thinking of Remeron because she hasn't been sleeping and is losing weight. Or maybe Paxil because she also has anxiety.
>
> Do the elderly have to take a lower dosage of anti-depressants than the rest of the population?
>
> She is seeing her doctor in January. She also started meds for alzheimers and I don't know how depression and dementia are related or if they are. Anyone know?
>Depression is common in the early stages of Alzheimers.
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Maxime
Posted by Maxime on December 25, 2009, at 22:12:48
In reply to Re: Antidepressant for the elderly, posted by linkadge on December 25, 2009, at 13:47:16
Hi Link, it worsened after she was started on the Aricept. She was a bit depressed before but it's gotten worse since she increased the aricept.
Posted by linkadge on December 26, 2009, at 7:50:04
In reply to Re: Antidepressant for the elderly » linkadge, posted by Maxime on December 25, 2009, at 22:12:48
Aricept can cause depression. Not sure what to suggest as most alzheimers meds act on the same neurotransmitter system.
Mentioned above was rasigiline. It is a parkionsons meds related to selegiline (emsam). I think it may have effects on alzheimers too.
I would personally take her off the alzheimers med and put her on some remeron to start. Often ADs have some nootropic effects in alzheimers and can actually treat some symptoms.
The omega-3 fatty acid DHA also shows some promise for slowing the decline in alzheimers.
Linkadge
Posted by Maxime on December 26, 2009, at 16:51:19
In reply to Re: Antidepressant for the elderly, posted by linkadge on December 26, 2009, at 7:50:04
I don't want to the alzheimers to progress so I am scared to take her off the medication. Sigh. It's so hard to deal with ailing parents.
Posted by linkadge on December 26, 2009, at 18:25:09
In reply to Re: Antidepressant for the elderly » linkadge, posted by Maxime on December 26, 2009, at 16:51:19
Well, I know that in my age, I'd rather be happy and forgetful then sharp and miserable.
I don't know how much proof there is that drugs like aricept actually slow the progression of the illness.
If you wanted to go a herbal route, turmeric has anti depressand and antidementia effects. Some studies have shown that turmeric can actually reverse alzheimers to a certain extent - that is by attacking the alzheimers plaques themselves.
It shouldn't be taken with an SSRI as turmeric is an MAOI.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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