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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mmealltalk on November 13, 2008, at 14:50:27
I have been treated with bipolar disorder forever and have taken tons of meds, and posted here years ago, but now i am curios about the drug my grandmother is being given, behind the family's back, at a nursing home. My grandmother has Parkinsons and recently got out of a month stay in the hospital as she was septic. She lost all abilities to do anything and has been working hard to regain a fraction of her prior strength. Anyway, she is very anxios and has a bit of dementia and the psydoc who did the consult for her prescribed Trazodone. I know about almost every psy med from my own experience but know very little about this one. I know they giove it to her before sleep, although she has no problem falling asleep early, she just wakes up early as a result. I wonder if this drug is one of the older antidepressants, or what the deal is because its not one of thosei recognize anyone i know taking, and i've been through every step of the psychiatric world. I guess i just wish someone could tell me whether it seems normal that a woman so old, is taking a medication so old, when there are clearly so many more medications out there. Any insight would be helpful.
melissa
Posted by desolationrower on November 13, 2008, at 15:12:49
In reply to trazodone and 83 yr old, posted by mmealltalk on November 13, 2008, at 14:50:27
its an antidepressant that also can help with anxiety. It is old, but many of the oldest medicines are the best, and they are well-understood how to use them after all this time. Trazodone is commonly prescribed in lower doses for helping sleep; i take it for that. I think it is a pretty good medicine and i'd recommend it for anyone looking for a long-term hypnotic.
-d/r
Posted by seldomseen on November 13, 2008, at 17:44:46
In reply to trazodone and 83 yr old, posted by mmealltalk on November 13, 2008, at 14:50:27
I take trazadone for sleep. It works very well for that purpose. I do get a stuffy nose from it though.
Sometimes it is bad for men because of priapism.
There is a particular metabolite of trazadone that may be psychosis-inducing, but IMO it's too soon to tell if it is from the studies.
What I do know is that benzos, atypical antipsychotics, ssris, etc... can be hard to manage in the elderly.
Trazadone is relatively benign, but now that you know she is on it, you need to watch closely for any changes in behaviour, movement or appetite.
You also might want to talk to the prescribing pdoc and ask their reasoning.
Seldom.
Posted by yxibow on November 14, 2008, at 2:09:23
In reply to Re: trazodone and 83 yr old » mmealltalk, posted by seldomseen on November 13, 2008, at 17:44:46
It depends on the individual case but often medications that increase the metabolism and hunger are given to geriatric individuals (those that are thinner), such as Remeron, some of the tricyclics that are safe to give, I suppose Trazodone, but I would be iffy about a male given the rare priapism thing.
Lower doses usually are given (for obvious reasons).
-- Jay
Posted by mmealltalk on November 14, 2008, at 17:33:47
In reply to Re: trazodone and 83 yr old » mmealltalk, posted by seldomseen on November 13, 2008, at 17:44:46
thank you for all the feedback. I have another question though, she does need something for sleep, but more than that, or equal is that she needs something for anxiety. But something mild. I have always been on benzos, which would not be good for her, but i was wondering what anxiety drugs would be a low dose but helpful to a senior. Any help would be appreciated.
melissa
Posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2008, at 19:17:41
In reply to another question about trazodone and 83 yr old, posted by mmealltalk on November 14, 2008, at 17:33:47
Tiny dose of ativan maybe. Phillipa
Posted by seldomseen on November 15, 2008, at 6:06:22
In reply to another question about trazodone and 83 yr old, posted by mmealltalk on November 14, 2008, at 17:33:47
Trazodone may be an anxiolytic in the elderly,
nonetheless, I found this article and it might be helpful to you. It's long, but readable and there is a section on anxiolytics and depression in the elderly.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=181181
Good luck
Seldom
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