My dh has been doing very well with Celexa for the few months that he's been on it. But, now that winter is upon us, we both seem to be having Seasonal Disorder. He has begun waking up in a very foul mood. As soon as his morning meds kick in, he's more reasonable. But, I'm wondering about the Lorazepam rx that his new doc prescribed - should I give him this drug before he goes to bed or try to get it in him in the morning along with his other meds? He can be very menacing in the morning and I don't like him like this at all. I don't want to see aggression rearing its ugly head. I understand that the Lorazepam does take a while to kick in??
not sure of the 'shelf' life of lorazepam mothert. when did the dr say to take? if hes up alot at night i 'd try before bedtime. and see how long it affects him. if he sleeps all night it may affect how he is in the morning too. it may make him drowsy. if so he may wind up sleeping alot during the day. maybe ask the dr who gave it. they will know more about how long it lasts in the system.
Thanks, Divvi, I'll ask his new doc. Also, in looking at the internet about this drug, I found many testimonials that it should not be given to dementia patients and be discontinued for anyone fairly quickly. Have you heard anything about that?
i think most of the drugs we use here for dementia are mostly 'black boxed' warnings attached. meaning shouldnt be given to 'elderly or dementia'. i think its a cover your (butt_) way of dealing with the off use of these drugs for the pharmaceuticals just in case something does happen. most of us have used one or another. with the understanding that yes they CAN be a problem in some folks but then again to get the benefit of the drug we try to overlook the warnings and pray for the best. its not an easy choice, but most of the drs we have used are administering it to our spouses even with the warnings. otherwise we and our spouses would be off the wall with raging, non sleeping, aggitated, paranoid spouses and we would not be able to keep them home or for that fact in a nursing home. its a tradeoff for sure either way. they do give ativan in many geriatric settings and yes its always a risk. what can we do.. if you have concerns talk to your new dr and see where they stand. i would use it sparingly as on a needed only basis when they are unmanageable.
mothert--we are using lorazepam along with DH's other meds to mintain a relatively level playing field. I don't know your DH's dosage, but mine is on 5mg per day. Those are spread 1 each-early am, late mid-morning, late afternoon, and then 2 between 7-9 pm. He heads for bed around 9-9:30 and is usually up around 3 am. As with others of his meds, we've had to experiment (with Dr.'s input) to find the right doses and timing. He does nap some during the day,but that's better than "going for walks" on his own.
My guy has no problems with sleeping right now; he goes to bed around midnight and sleeps 8 or 9 hours AND naps a lot during the day. I'm afraid that if I gave him lorzaepam now he might never be awake. The only times he flies into a rage is when/if I challenge him on his drinking which I have learned to sidestep pretty well. I wonder how I'd get him to take anything to calm him down during a time like that, anyway.
mothert-lorazepam is not a long acting medication - it has short to medium term effectiveness. So if you give it in the am by mid afternoon it is no longer working because it is out of the system, that's why most physician's prescribe it the way carosi's husband is taking it. Call the new dr and ask when he recommends giving it to your husband. Based on what you say about the am irritability, I would think it makes sense to give it to him in the am, perhaps before his other meds. Consult the dr.
Good idea. I did call the doc today and they suggested giving it to him when he get aggressive. I explained that meds are pelrsona non grata when aggression rears its ugly head and they said, "oh yeah, give it to him in the morning with his other pills." He is not normally aggressive at this point, so I will wait until I think it is the proper time to add this to his morning, noon and night time cocktail.
Thanks to everybody who has experience with this drug, it gives me more confidence using it.
lorazepam is one of those drugs that can have the reverse effect than what it is perscribed for and can make the person aggitated. Your husband maybe one of them.