This drug seems to be the drug that works the best with my mother after trying two other medications. It seems to make her more tired. Recent studies have shown that it can cause dementia in patients.
One member of her team provided also non-medicated means to help decrease anxiety like breathing exercises, music, etc. I ask for these tools. So happy the staff member could provide them as many health care professionals seems solely focus on medications.
It's a fine line between quality of life and preserving what is left of a 93-year old's mind.
But I think stress from pain or anxiety is really horrible for brain health also.
So my opinion is yes we do need to not just pop these pills needlessly, but they do help when needed
Also, she has been prescribed Celexa for anxiety. I dont know if it helped her or not but once again she quit taking it as she said she got side effects.
You said it right in your last sentance about the line beween quality of life and preserving what is left (for longevity). If not prescribed and used, there may no longer be any other choice but to use something off label.
it at night to get some sleep. I was prescribed 300 mg. 3 times a day, but if I took it that way I couldn't function especially that I am caregiver to my husband that has Alzheimer's. If I feel pain during the day I just take extra strength Tylenol because I also suffer from Epstein Barr virus.
When my Mom who had mid-late stage dementia went into the hospital, she wanted her normal routine and became belligerent with the nurses. Since she was a fall risk, they didn't want her to get out of her bed. They gave her Seroquel to "calm her down". However, all it did was make her try to get out of bed even harder. At the first hospital, they put her in "soft restraints". I wasn't allowed to be there so I don't know what happened after that. At the 2nd, more elderly friendly hospital, after giving her the Seroquel, she attempted to get out of the bed for 6 hours (she didn't have the muscle strength to sit up or climb over the padded rails and I was there to ensure she did not get out of the bed). In both cases, she then fell asleep for approximately 48 hours (no eating or drinking and barely stirring when they were getting blood from her).
When the doctors and I discussed what happened at the second hospital, they blamed the Gabapentin in her system for the unexpected response to Seroquel.
Luckily, we didn't have to go through the experience a 3rd time.
pat
Your mother is 93. Weighing her age against an increased risk of dementia and sleepiness... Whatever gives her peace and comfort.