Sertraline (Zoloft) - urgently need help and advice

My 84 year old mother who has suffered from serious and unmedicated depression and anxiety all her life, finally agreed to take an antidepressant following a third fall 8 weeks ago (fractured pubic ramus, still very painful) and pretty much a complete meltdown mentally. For the pain, she had a weekly 10mg morphine patch, which finished on Monday 10 March. She was also taking 3 x 2mg valium each day.

She was prescriped Citalopram initially but it made her throw up all the time so the doctor put her on Sertraline (Zoloft). After 4 days on it (I was sure there was already an improvement in her mental state), she unilaterally decided not to take them any more, but only told me 4 days after that. At the same time, she lost the morphine, had decided to stop the valium and the Sertraline. She ended up shaking, not eating, nauseous, generally in a terrible state, both physically and mentally. Her GP and the family persuaded her to restart the Sertraline and today she has taken 5 tablets over 5 days (50mg).

Now she is unable to get up, has awful dry mouth, bad dreams, is not sleeping well and wakes up with fists clenched. I don't know what to do. Her GP just says keep taking them, don't stop again, but reading some of the threads I now wish we hadn't persuaded her to start again. She is not at all a strong woman and is not coping. She does take the occasional valium now that relieves some of the anxiety, but can anyone tell me how to assess whether it's better to stay on them now or come off again (we would do it gradually this time)...

Each tab is 50mg - thanks for your reply

Hi gbrux,

I am so sorry to hear about your mom's struggles currently.:(

What is her caregiver situation at present?

Does she have a geriatric health specialist? If not, I would advise in looking into this for her.

Someone who knows best how to treat both the physical and mental...the whole being of an aging patient, would best be able to advise on this question for you both.

Wishing you both the best!

Scaredy Cat

gbrux

Your Mother is 84 years old and the Zoloft dose may be to high for her - Zoloft comes in 25 mg dosage.  Also is there anyway you can get a Psychiatrist involved in ordering her mental health meds ?

I am sure this is a huge challenge and worry for you.  Your Mother needs to be safe in her surroundings. A morphine patch, Valium and Zoloft may not be the best choices for your Mom. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, and lower doses may be sufficient.

Please remember I am not a physician therefore any info I have shared here is my opinion only.

Kindly,

Kitt