First off, Trazadone is an antidepressant but has been found to help insomnia in low doses of 25-100 mgs or even less for many people. Your mother is no longer PROPERLY using Trazodone by taking 300mgs which is way too high a dose for insomnia and probably WHY it's no longer working. Her doctor should know this. Is he aware of how much shes taking, assuming shes taking it as a sleep aid and not as an antidepressant? I took it in a low dose as a sleep aid years ago and it made me SO groggy the next day that I couldn't function, so I stopped.
Since you say both mom and her doctor both KNOW she's taking OTC sleep aids in addition to Trazodone, and that it's dangerous to do so, my question is, WHY does her doctor continue prescribing Trazodone???? He needs to cut her off immediately, knowing she's abusing sleep aids! 🤐
The whole situation with this doctor sounds wonky to me, to be honest. He knows the combination of pills she's taking can cause death, yet he's still prescribing? If so, he's an unethical doctor and should be reported to the State Medical Board and fired by your mother or her POA.
How is she getting the prescription medications? Quite honestly, if your Mom chooses to take a medications she likely will take it. There isn't a whole lot you can do about it while she does her own shopping and is in charge of her own intake.
Long term use of OTC sleep aides by the elderly has been linked to dementia. The active ingredients in these OTCs are antihistamines. Most contain diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or doxylamine (Tylenol PM, ZZZquil, Unisom, Advil PM, Aleve PM and many others) that prevents or reduces the formation of the chemical acetylcholine which is necessary for proper brain function. You say she already exhibits some cognitive decline. Taking OTC sleep aides will only exacerbate her cognitive decline.
Ask her doctor for a referral to a sleep specialist. She may have sleep apnea or an undiagnosed problem that keeps her from falling asleep or staying asleep. A sleep study - without any medications - can help diagnose her problem. A qualified sleep specialist - a doctor - can then help her with the right treatments without the risk of death.
If she is not willing to get evaluated and continues her self-treatment - and is mentally competent - then be prepared for some near death experiences.
Her doctor needs to know that she’s supplementing with otcs. Surely there is a better way.
Since you say both mom and her doctor both KNOW she's taking OTC sleep aids in addition to Trazodone, and that it's dangerous to do so, my question is, WHY does her doctor continue prescribing Trazodone???? He needs to cut her off immediately, knowing she's abusing sleep aids! 🤐
The whole situation with this doctor sounds wonky to me, to be honest. He knows the combination of pills she's taking can cause death, yet he's still prescribing? If so, he's an unethical doctor and should be reported to the State Medical Board and fired by your mother or her POA.
I think sometimes seniors decide the risk is worth a good nights sleep or to no have pain for a bit.
All you can do is tell her doctor she is having trouble and help her burn enough energy everyday to be tired.
https://www.consumerreports.org/drugs/over-the-counter-sleep-aids-can-you-get-hooked
Quite honestly, if your Mom chooses to take a medications she likely will take it. There isn't a whole lot you can do about it while she does her own shopping and is in charge of her own intake.
BUT it’s not, right?
Maybe she needs a sleep study. Maybe she needs a doc who listens?
If she is not willing to get evaluated and continues her self-treatment - and is mentally competent - then be prepared for some near death experiences.
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