Treatment for Mom's Depression?

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Hello,

My Mom was diagnosed with moderate dementia about two years ago. She was doing OK.

In December, she fell and broke her hip. She had surgery, survived and went into a skilled nursing facility for rehab. She is 96.

She was doing ok, but apparently, she was crying a lot when I wasn't visiting. The nurse practitioner took it upon herself to prescribe an antidepressant. I didn't think she needed it so I asked them to take her off of it. I did this because I have heard that antidepressants can have bad effects on the elderly with dementia. She was on a low dose of one that is supposed to help with appetite too?

A few weeks ago my Mom started sleeping most of the time. She told me she feels bad emotionally but can't explain what it means. She has also told me she feels useless.

Now I am thinking I made the wrong decision about the antidepressants? Does anyone have any experience with antidepressants?

Thank you for your help!

Quilting brings calm

My mom has gone through a couple, she is now on a combination of sertraline and mirtrazipine. These are working well. She is a lot less confused etc now that her anxiety and depression is being treated. Her MMSE score has improved. Please do not get hung up on every possible side affect listed on the warnings.

kamilawal

depression can often occur due to illness, my mother had it after the corona virus, but she took sedatives, rested more, slept and everything passed

Angelbaby87

Sandy:

im a new in home caregiver.i myself have depression and have been on meds since i was a teen.once you are on a depression med (no matter what kind) you are not supposed to take anyone off antidepressants as this will cause more depression/suicidal thoughts etc. they can switch antidepressants but its never a good idea to just stop taking them.bless your heart,i hope your mom is ok and feels better.im currently taking Zoloft for my depression and anxiety and just because theres side effects doesn't mean the person will experience any.

Angelbaby87

i also work with lady with dementia and she's on mirtazapine.

mommyandme (m&m)

Cymbalta really helped my mom when she became depressed and it also helped with some back/leg pain she was having. It has to be titrated up and down but it was a miracle for me.

LicketyGlitz

We were referred to a geriatric psych doctor for my mom when she was in the middle stages. I loved that doctor. After our first appointment she turned to me and said "She's got dementia. That's depressing." Didn't have too many medical people telling us like it is! I second the suggestions of sertraline and mirtazapine. Mom had low doses for both and they helped.