I am having a difficult time with DH having depression. He has Avanza 30mg which he takes at night, but by morning the effect seems to have worn off and he is getting around like a wet week all day. He gets so depressed that by night he is a whining, pathetic shell of a person. I don't know what to do with him, as the Dr. says that the Avanza is the best for him, but his depression is making me upset too. Has anyone else encountered this problem and is it Alz., I suppose it is as everything that's nasty and upsetting is part of the DISEASE - how I hate it ! It will be a miserable Christmas this year, as most of my family will be gathering on Christmas night and DH is so bad by night.
Depression makes everything worse with an AD patient. Often they have to try different medications and dosages before they get the right one. My husband was waking up every morning crying. He has been on Celexa- 40 mg. for about 2 years, and it is working well. He is also on a small dose of Risperdal to control the rages.
Most of our spouses are on some kind of antidepressant and/or anti-rage drug. Is your doctor a memory disorder neurologist or a primary care? Many primary care doctors are not knowledgable about AD. Nothing wrong with changing doctors until you get the one who knows AD and who understands the necesssity of keeping the patient calm and content.