Anything negative about Lexapro & older people taking it?

Hi, my Mom was stuck in a horrid well of depression, grief and anxiety for 8 months. Lexipro 10 mg was a life saver! She was sitting in her filthy apartment, no baths, no food, couldn't function at all.

Now it's been three weeks and two days since starting the meds and the change is amazing!

Give it time, but do advise doc of her out burst. Hopefully she'll come along and get better. Good luck to you both.

I don't know what you consider "older people" to be. I'm 73 and have been on Lexapro 7 or 8 years. It has been very effective. I am now taking Bupropion along with it. They work in complementary ways.

Side effects vary from individual to individual. I don't think what you describe is a common side effect, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be in this particular case.

I would tell the doctor about this reaction, but I would continue with the med unless/until the doctor tells you to discontinue it. If it works for your mom (it doesn't work for everyone) the benefits will be well worth some unpleasantness during the initial adjustment period.

Depression and anxiety can be very debilitating. Treating that can make a huge difference in quality of life. If Lexapro needs to be discontinued, I hope the doctor will provide a prescription for an alternate antidepressant.

Hi Hangingon,

I can't see the NH allowing your mom to be discharged at this point, and it doesn't sound like she's capable of arranging things on her own. (Though I guess when people are stubborn and difficult enough, they have a way of bending people...)

I wouldn't worry about the house being "decluttered." If your mom were to go home, it would probably be a lot easier for caregivers (and for her) to get around with minimal possessions. Second, she will have bigger issues to contend with than how her place is decorated. If it gives her something to be mad at, maybe it will be a distraction for her. You could always tell her you had things "moved around" to make space for her when she came home.

You do not sound heartless. My heart aches for your mom and you have done a lot to accept her efforts to do things her way. But she and those doctors who'd seen her previously (via ER visits) excluded you from having a say in her care. It sounds like on the rare occasion you succeeded in pushing her (e.g. to allow the visiting nurses to come) it was a good thing for both of you. So try not to beat yourself up; your concerns are reasonable.

About the phone calls, maybe you can post a note on the message board in her room saying you work late hours, could they please not call between certain hours unless it is a true emergency?

At this point, the best you can do is probably to figure out what you do have control over and focus on that. Regarding your mom, keeping in contact with her care team, advocating for her comfort, and visiting her are probably the most important things. For yourself, making sure you are getting enough restful/quality sleep each day is important, as is making sure you are keeping your stress level in check. I hope you can find time to get fresh air, go for a walk, try a new recipe, or just do something good for your blood pressure. Even trying to do one caring or healthy thing for yourself each day is probably a good start.

I hope your weekend is good.

Thank you Lindylu.xo
My biggest “therapy” has to be coming on here & reading all the great posts & advice everyone’ giving me.
You all have no idea how it’s helped me.
Happy Memorial Day to everyone .

Dear Hangingon61,

Good of you to look out for your mom. It is possible your mom is suffering from the side effects of Lexapro. I would review the dosage and side effects with her doctor. They might suggest she try taking it for longer and see how it goes. But keep an eye on her. I strongly believe that medications can affect seniors aversely.

Did the doctor start her on the smallest dose possible?

I would contact the psychiatrist and advise them of this reaction. It was her first dose and it takes a while to adjust to antidepressant/anxiety meds but I would call.

Sendhelp yes I believe it is the smallest dose he prescribed because my mom has a history of reactions from various Meds.

Hanging, is your mom still in the NH?

Any change in mental status ( and speaking in gibberish, if she hasn't done it before, is a change) should be brought to the attention of the nursing staff (not to an aide, to a nurse). It should also be reported by you to the doctor.

Brain metastases was what I was thinking, Hanging. I'm sorry.