LO Depression in Early Phases

Lgb35

we are in the earlier stages where my DH is very aware of his decline. He feels “stupid” when he can’t remember things or people. He has told me since the diagnosis that he wasn’t going to stick around for the whole journey. He is taking anxiety medication now but I think we need to add an Antidepressant. Have any of you used Prozac? What have you tried?

Thanks for the advice

trottingalong

My DH takes Sertraline. It really did help him when he was diagnosed. The Neurologist that prescribed it initially did not want him taking any anti anxiety meds such as Xanax because of a possible link with memory issues. We recently increased the dosage of sertraline because through his progression he still knows something is wrong and gets more depressed.

Carl46

My wife is on a small dose of Sertaline and it helps her. I took Sertaline myself for 20 years, until it didn't work anymore and my doctor prescribed another med.

Bailey's Mom

Carl46, My HWD has wild mood swings (he has always had them…I've known him for 60 yrs). He has been extremely agitated and angry lately so PCP has prescribed Sertaline (originally she prescribed Lorazepam but I said no because of the potential side effects even though it allegedly works faster). Glad to hear that Sertaline has helped your wife…my HWD hasn't started it yet. Could I ask what dosage she is taking? If it doesn't work for him I may have to take it!

Carl46

DW is on 5 mg Sertaline daily, the smallest dose, and takes 5 mg Olanzapine daily for agitation. The former was prescribed by her PCP at my suggestion, the latter was prescribed initially by a hospital psychiatrist. She is pretty cheerful most of the time, a great improvement from sitting weeping with tears running off her chin.

I had mood swings for many years, going from elation to depression with a sinking feeling like an elevator dropping. Sertaline helped a great deal. I no longer have the kind of nightmares that make me afraid to go back to sleep either. I wish those meds had been available when I was a teenager.

GothicGremlin

My husband's mom is on Lexapro, which has really helped her, but she's very early Alzheimer's. I wouldn't even say she's mid-stage 4 at this point.

My sister was on Sertraline starting when she got to stage 5, and it was helpful for her until about right around early-stage 6.