Posted by CJ Nightowl on April 29, 2003, at 10:48:56
In reply to Zoloft, posted by canwetalk on April 29, 2003, at 8:25:41
> My 87 years old mom was placed on Zoloft a year ago due to depression. She is on 50mg of Zoloft. Mom says she does not understand why she is still on it because she feels she is no longer depressed.
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> Have read on Zoloft and I am concerned about it's side effects etc. I do know that mom does not remember things as she once did and this all started after being on Zoloft. She seems not to have the energy she once had. She was driving still and everything. Now it is like she is an entirely different person.
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> I do think that mom is not always taking her medication because she sometimes acts strangely. Could anyone give me some suggestions in dealing with her. I am very concerned this is my mom.
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> Does Zoloft react differently in someone her age? I believe it does because she has changed entirely after being on this. I mean this is suppose to be for depression but now there are so many other things that are there that was not there since taking the Zoloft.Jeez, I remember when I was on Zoloft. It was a great drug for my depression, but it did allot of damage (temporary) to my intestines. Lots of stomach pains, gaseousness, IBS stuff. Also, I think that was the drug that gave me a problem with word recall. You know, when you are thinking of something but can't pull the word out of your brain? I suppose it could be worse if the person was elderly like your mom. Also, the fatigue factor crept up until I was just so completely without energy, I didn't even want to shower.
If it were me with my mom (and I just lost her 5 months ago) I would wean her off of it. Screw the doc if he doesn't agree. Cut the 50 mg in half and do that for about a week then try a half on one day and then a quarter on the next and do that for another week or so. But try to keep very close watch on withdrawl signs, such as dizziness. That would be really bad for someone her age!
Good luck, I will pray for you and your mom.
CJ
poster:CJ Nightowl
thread:223113
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030429/msgs/223143.html