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My mom has been refusing to get out of bed in the morning and take her morning medications. She is not refusing her insulin. Refusing to bathe. I took her to her PCP no fever, no UTI. Nothing appears to be wrong (long list of ailments), but something is just not right. Very mean. Total geriatric brat.


ALF is running out of patience.

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I don't have an elderly parent, but I've been taking it for years. It works for me, and I've had no side effects over the years. I just turned 70.
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Thank you everyone for your responses!
I'll keep you updated.
Vel.
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I took Sertraline (the generic of Zoloft) for a quite a few years with no side effect.

DH was on it for a while, no side effects, but was switched to a different class of antidepressants.

Will she take it? It might improve her mood.
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velbowpat Mar 2023
Thank you BarbBrooklyn!
I hope she will take it and feel better.
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Your Mom has a Dementia. Most get where they won't take their meds. I so hope your not depending on a PCP to care for your Moms Dementia. PCPs know a little of everything and alot about nothing. Mom needs to see a Neurologist who can run test to see if she does have Dementia and what type. Type is important because different Dementias cannot take the same meds.
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velbowpat Mar 2023
I am working on getting her to a neurologist.
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My mom was on Sertraline (still is, in fact) for years, with no side effects to speak of. It mellows her out. If your mom's been taking it and suddenly stopped, it does have some nasty withdrawal symptoms that could be exacerbating her "meanness". You should be weaned off rather than just stopping it.
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As mentioned, Sertraline is actually Zoloft and can be a very useful med in the management of depression. I've been on and off it for 27 years. Tried to wean off of AD's and tried all others also, as my depression is pretty difficult to treat, but I always come back to the tried and true.

Age can compound the effects of it, so do watch for mom's behavior on it. Worsening behavior may mean it's not right for her.

Yes, there are side effects, but they are usually mild and go away. It is a slow acting AD, you may not see any change for 4-6 weeks, so it's not for the impatient. Talk to your PHARMACIST! They have much better knowledge of meds., what they do and what their side effects may be. Most Drs won't take the time to walk you through that.

I 'liked' the title "geriatric Brat". We have one of those in the family.
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How old is she?

I am not familiar with that drug. Others may know. Did you look online for potential side effects?
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velbowpat Mar 2023
That's ok nhwm,
I was just wondering if someone’s elderly parent had taken Sertraline and if everything went well.
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NHWM,
My Mom is a large 86 year old woman.
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NeedHelpWithMom Mar 2023
So sorry. I hope you get to the bottom of this situation soon.
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