My husband has been so moany-groany over his aches and pains (he's 84, and he does have arthritis and a bad leg) that I asked the neuro if there was any kind of anti-depressant he could give him to maybe make him feel better in general. He prescribed Trazodone, half a tab (but I don't remember the mg) and he started it about 10 days ago. It has made a big difference in the way he feels! He had to stop the one .25 seroquel he was taking, and seems to be waking up more at night but is handling going to the bathroom by himself then (! - but still wet in the morning). He's awake more, more alert, reading the paper, watching TV, getting up to get things he needs in the kitchen, and not moaning nearly as much. STILL very confused as to time, how to dress, and still having his delusions, but in general it's a big improvement.
On top of which I came down with a stomach bug and have been feeling lousy, so it's good that he's not needed as much tending! (I'm better this evening)
So glad to hear of the improvement. Mine takes Lexapro and it helped for awhile. It did stop his nightmares all together. Hes held weight better to since he started it. I am so happy to hear of anyone here getting improvement.
briegull, have you ever noticed that you get sick when you have the time to relax a little? Seems like when I was running around like the proverbial chicken I'd be healthy, but every time I could afford to a few days off, I'd come down with some sort of bug. MOST annoying. Your husband does better, you can relax a little, and poof!
Briegull, so very happy you are seeing an improvement! thats just it, finding a drug that actually works for the specifics intended and the right person. i feel the same way after getting DH OFF the namenda and all AD drugs. I saw an immediate improvement in his general attitude and aptitudes which really surprised me -dont get me wrong he did lose some cognitive abilities but the exchange was well worth it for me. i just wish everyone else who is having issues finding the right combo of meds or 'no meds' decisions could say the same. jolly good -:) divvi
my dh takes trazadone at night to help him sleep. it has made a big difference in his sleep pattern,although we recently had to adjust the mg's up from 50 mg to 100mg because it was not working as well anymore,it does help with mood also. jav
Sunshyne, yes, exactly - it's like when the kids were little. One kid would be in the terrible twos and the other a mild almost-four, then two would become 3 and four would break out like a wild man! Never had them both in a calm time at the same time.
My poops are NOT better, it turns out, or not much so. I've been emulating divvi's DH, shall we say. Call in to gastroe. guy.
Divvi, Maybe you can help me out. What memory medication was your husband taking? And how did you take him off? Did you do it gradually? My husband is on Namenda & Razadyne I am taking him off the Namenda per Neurologist, then the Razadyne, however, it scares me to death that I am not doing the right thing. Anyone can jump in with advice, it will be most welcome.
Briegull, My Mom with AZ is on Trazadone, same amount as your DH and it has worked the same kind of wonders. I am so happy with the result and much less of the "moany groany" as you put it :). She is much more enjoyable to be with and I find I want to be with her more so win/win for us. I wonder if age has anything to do with the prescribing of this drug. I don't know too many younger folks taking this. Maybe like Aricept seems to be better with the older folks and Razadyne better with EOAD. I don't know ,but happy for your (and mine) positive outcome.
Isa, if you notice the date on my original msg, it was 18 months ago. The Trazadone has been a lifesaver, although now he's taking a total of 100 mg/evening.
I said then:He's awake more, more alert, reading the paper, watching TV, getting up to get things he needs in the kitchen, and not moaning nearly as much.
And it is certainly true that he seldom naps, but he doesn't read the paper or attempt to, doesn't get up to get things he needs, just sits in the kitchen and watches TV morn to night. He does still understand much of what he sees on TV, though I notice he's getting more and more interested in PBS Kids and less in the serious stuff.
Recently we've added Sertraline (zoloft) and THAT has improved his mood even more. Except when he's very tired at night, he's mostly happy and alert (though still delusional of course, and unable to verbalize a lot.)
My husband was on trazadone it caused horrible nightmare and very vivid dreams. He is now on Ambien. I am on mirtazapine and yes it does cause a ravenous appetite, not what I need, but I do sleep well!
Briegull, I sure hope you feel better today. I think every one I know has had one form or another of "the bug" lately. Trazadone is a good pain reliever. As you know, I can't take narcotics but that is what is prescribed for me sometimes. Neurontin handles nerve pain issues wonderfully, too.