calming drugs

Verl

Dr recommended, for my wife aggression, anxiety mood swing etc.

Seroquel im not sure if i want to drug her yet. I use Xanax when she has issues.

Any info in your families i'm interested in your story.

Verl

M1

Welcome to the forum Verl. I would encourage you to try the Seroquel, it's probably safer for her than Xanax and should be extremely effective. My partner takes it at bedtime, and it has been very effective in helping her sleep better and not be agitated. There are many folks here who use it and there is a wide dose range. Good luck.....

harshedbuzz

I would rather proactively address the mood swings and aggression with something to stabilize her behavior and calm the awful anxiety and moods that drive them than sedate her with an addictive benzo after the fact.

There's also a risk with Xanax, which is great for a situational anxiety, that she could build up a tolerance where she needs a higher dose. Many prescribers are leery of benzos being redirected to caregivers and family members and might be reluctant to increase the dose or number of pills prescribed.

HB 

bozowing

My dad was prescribed Divaproex and the one time he took it worked miracles in his mood.  Problem, he got rid of it and accused me of poisining him leading to another argument.  

If you can control her prescriptions, do so, I'm dealing with heck right now because my dad hid all prescriptions including his heart regulating pills.

Verl

Thx all in regards to Seroquel, we tried and she went absolutely nuts, violent behavior.i have a friend whose wife tried Seroquel and the same thing happened to her

We now use Xyprexa in the day 1 pill 5mg. Then Xanax .5mg at night seems to work for her, calms her and usually puts her to sleep.. Every day is a new adventure, good luck to all of you caregivers. Verl

Olly_Bake

I hear that you want to help not drug. Finding something to help with this is not drugging. You know to ask for the lowest dose possible to start. With that being said, I tried seroquel with dad and it made the symptoms you mentioned aggression and anxiety worse (which were mild) and surely did not work for sleep (what we were seeking help for).

He is now on lexapro (max dose - love it) and lorazepam (lowest dose). Since bringing him on hospice, they've added olanzapine to help with sleep (?verdict still out).

SusanB-dil

We've had good results with Sertraline (brand: Zoloft) for MIL agitation - has AD and VascD.

Always watch for negative side effects, doesn't matter what it is...  If the side-effects of anything are affecting quality-of-life, then time to look at something else.

VeeM

We’ve tried many things sertraline (caused more agitation) and seroquel, respiradone, and rexulti (all caused more agitation and very scary aggression) until I said I don’t think my mom does well with antipsychotics and I don’t want to try anymore. Geri psych has her on lexapro and depakote which have significantly helped. She is still a handful but at least not physically aggressive and doesn’t get agitated as much or as often.

Ho Jo

Ativan works for my husband. As soon as I notice his agitation I give him one and it calms him down.  I had it prescribed for first to deal with him. I rarely take it, especially if I think I may be driving.

May flowers

My FIL is one that has not done well with any antipsychotics, SSRI,  or mood stabilizers. Right now he is the best he has been in the past year, on nothing but melatonin at night. If he ever gets out of control, I don’t know what we will have to use. For that reason, I am convinced he may have Lewy Body dementia (he was dx with vascular dementia)

We had some agitation around diaper/clothing changes, but I have been trying Teepa Snow’s suggestions and they really work for us. We are a week in without an outburst, fighting getting dressed or cussing. My DH is especially good at this because he is funny, goofy, and even sings silly songs as he’s rolling my FIL to change diapers. Lots of reassurance, hand holding, back rubs, eye level explaining what we are doing… it’s working (so far). I’m not sure a year ago it would have worked though. In some ways, he is easier now than then.