Hello all, my 81 year old mum has been just diagnosed with gad and clinical depression. She started on 50mg 3months ago but it did not help. Dr has increased it slowly and she has now been on 150mg for four weeks. She is also taking 20mg propranolol twice daily when needed plus blood pressure tablets which she has taken for years now.. She has reduced appetite,not sleeping well. Anxious about her depression. Feels Ill all the time. She is breathless and feels very weak. She describes knots in her stomach after she wakes up. It is very sad as she was a very active person that enjoyed dancing, going out with friends and volunteering at a local hospice and this has really hit her hard. As a family we decided to pay for private counselling as NHS is 8-10 week wait in our area. As her daughter I hate seeing her like this? Is there anything else I can do? Will the Setraline work?
Chloe: If your Mom has not improved at all right up to 150mg, then Sertraline may not be for her. She has obviously given it enough time. Get a second opinion if you can. It certainly sad to see someone suffer like that - and at 81 yrs.
I have been on Various doses of Sertraline for 4 months, presently at 100 mg. It was not until we added Abilify that I saw improvement in my mood and interests. Abilify can be used in conjunction with te Sertraline and it helps to boost the Sertraline.
Your Mom needs your support and it is awesome that you can give her that.
Nancy
150mg is quite a high dosage it may be worth getting a review and trying a different medication, hope your mum feels better soon!
150 mg is a large dose...perhaps it is time for a medication change .
Is your mum sleeping soundly...is she getting enough sunshine and fresh air...is she nervous about something...is she home alone and therfore not interacting with others...
hugs to all of you