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Elderly parents

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Original poster

Sertraline for elderly Mum

15 replies

GettinTrimmer · 23/03/2022 22:40

Hi, my 91 year old DM is depressed and anxious.

The Doctor prescribed her a low dose of Sertraline. Does anybody have any experience of an anxious and depressed parent taking Sertraline, and if so, does it help? She's only just started taking it.

OP posts:

PingPages · 24/03/2022 00:34

Yes it did help me. You may have to give it a good few weeks to see the impact and it could be a bit rocky to start with. Hope it goes well

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 25/03/2022 16:56

I just found out today that my mum is on Sertaline. She has been taking it for about a month and they are still tweeking the dosage. She has been very agitated and weepy. Now (for the past week) she is very tired and can't string a sentence together, doesn't seem to understand what is being said to her. As I say, I've only just found out what medication it is so I'm going to google it and see whether the way she is today is a common side effect.

AnnaBlush · 25/03/2022 23:34

It helped my relative, good that your GP started low doses. I think elderly are more susceptible to medical changes- so if there is reaction just try to give it time

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 25/03/2022 23:39

Yes its great, I'm on it long term for anxiety, depression and I'm 60. It's really changed my life.

Doublevodka · 25/03/2022 23:48

I had Sertraline for around a year for anxiety and it made a difference. It just really helped me through a particularly difficult time.

Original poster

GettinTrimmer · 27/03/2022 18:54

Thanks for replies. She is not too good today feeling panicky and distressed. I hope it improves but only been on it since Tuesday.

OP posts:

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 28/03/2022 12:12

That's what my mum was like. She is 85 and I would say she has been depressed since her much younger sister died 12 years ago and then my dad died 3 years after that. But she would never consider talking to the doctor about it. She has been in a home since October and has had several bouts of being very weepy and they were getting worse so about 5 weeks ago they arranged for her to start on antidepressants. The first couple of weeks she was terribly agitated. She wasn't making any sense and couldn't tell us what was wrong because "they" were listening all the time.

The past two weeks she has been a lot calmer but very spaced out and unable to speak in sentences - she's a bit like a toddler put two or three words together.

Also she has not been diagnosed with anything but for a year or so has had a tremor in one hand. Since taking Sertraline the tremor has spread to the whole of that side - her leg is shaking as well.

From what I have read online that seems to be a common side effect of the drug. Also it seems it can increase the symptoms of dementia. I can see anywhere whether or not the body gets used to it.

Original poster

GettinTrimmer · 28/03/2022 12:44

Thank you IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere has it alleviated the depression at all?

OP posts:

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 28/03/2022 13:59

It's really hard to tell. She is not so weepy - although she hasn't cried when we have visited her, she has been more inclined to be angry with everyone around her. She has certainly stopped being agitated. But she is so sleepy and not responding to us. For instance she was served a cup of tea and some biscuits. I knew she couldn't see the cup and plate on the table so I picked up a biscuit and gave it to her. She took it but just sat with her hand in her lap holding on to it, didn't attempt to eat it, and eventually let it go. We are asked her if she wanted a drink. The tea is served in large heavy mugs and this one was particularly full. She said yes so my cousin picked up the mug and mum wrapped her hands around it but my cousin was afraid to let go in case she dropped it. When my cousin tried to guide it to her mouth she pushed it away but didn't let go and didn't understand what it was.

I have to say that she has changed completely since she started taking the tablets. Definitely not so sad but not at all with us.

Original poster

GettinTrimmer · 28/03/2022 14:04

Thanks IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere best to your Mum.

OP posts:

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 31/03/2022 13:38

I spoke to the home this morning and mum has deteriorated so suddenly since starting on the Sertraline they have had the doctor out and she has stopped taking it. Obviously no one knows if she will "come back" at all but they are struggling to get her to eat and react to them. I really hope she doesn't become anxious and distressed again. It is such a horrible situation for her.

Original poster

GettinTrimmer · 31/03/2022 20:11

I do hope she is OK IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere my DM also been taken off the Sertraline due to low sodium levels. Have blood tests been at all helpful?

OP posts:

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 31/03/2022 22:30

I don't know. I'm visiting tomorrow and hopefully will get a chance to talk to a nurse. They are all lovely but so busy.

Bluechinavase · 21/04/2022 11:33

My mum is now on it. She’s 92 and has probably been depressed since my Dad died 12 years ago. Depression is quite common amongst elderly folk according to my health worker pal because, as she put it. ‘No-one wants to live that long’. She seems cheerier but I wasn’t aware of the side effects of making dementia worse. Will keep a close eye.

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 21/04/2022 21:59

It's been three weeks since they took mum off the Sertraline and she is still the same - very sleepy, zoning out all the time and not able to feed herself consistently. Her confusion is worse - even to expecting my dad to come and collect her (he's been dead 9 years) - so I don't know if that was the Sertraline or just a sudden deterioration.

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