My mom is deeply depressed. Recommendations ?

[anniesfirst]

Mom, who has PSP, has been strong enough to make it to 89. She is still able to eat a regular diet but can no longer speak, her vision is greatly impaired, and mobility is limited. Her depression is expected but lately it has become alarming.

[Dosco]

My wife is 67. She is wheel chair bound, has difficulty speaking and cannot move her eyes. She also suffers from increasing depression and anxiety. As her condition progresses we adjust her sedative medication and also ensure she continues to get sufficient physical activity and social engagement everyday. This may not apply well to your mother, but her knowing you are there may be of some comfort.

[AJK2001]

I would ask a Dr / Community Matron to assess her and see if a mild anti depressant might help. My Mum was put on a low dose and it did help her, though she was reluctant at first to try it. Getting your Mum out in her wheelchair for some fresh air, describing to her what's going on around her, helps her make sense of what little vision she has. I used to push Mum through her local park area and just prattle away about what was going on, dogs would stop and say hello & then the owners, we would pick bits of tree so Mum could feel the buds forming or smell flowers, one part of the walk the temperature would definitely drop and it felt damper, we would just pause and notice it, we would find a seat in the sun & listen to the children playing - it all helped Mum still feel she was part of the world and when she got home she was tired and slept well.

Through the charity Independent Age, Mum also got a "friend" who came & visited her once a week and spoke to her as a person, not a patient. She really looked forward to his visits - the lunchtime carer would help her with her make up and perfume. He made a real difference to Mum's last 18 months and it didn't matter that she couldn't talk hardly at all.

Are you in touch with your local Hospice, they may have a day centre your Mum could attend and may also be able to offer suggestions / help on the depression, they must deal with it all the time.

Hope you find something that helps lift your Mum.

A xxx

[Perrywrinkle in reply to AJK2001]

Such valuable suggestions .... common things that are often overlooked. I will remember them as my husband degenerates from CBS.

[oilman1]

My wife is 26 years younger but has the same symptoms. She still eats regularly, although last night was the first night she refused to eat. She also can no longer speak and is pretty much confined to a wheelchair to move her around. I think not being able to communicate is definitely taking its toll on her mental condition. Her sundowner is now quite pronounced, and it is getting very difficult to control even with medication. I guess we will need to increase the dose but that causes other problems. This disease gets very difficult for both the patient and the caregiver.

[LuisRodicioRodicio]

Hi anniesfirst!

I'm sorry PSP has entered your family.

These are our experiences about depression and insomnia:

Symptom control: Most people only take medication for symptom control.

Palliative medication against depression, as well insomnia and anxiety. In our case (after 8 years from the first symptom of PSP): one pill of Sertraline-50 at breakfast (depression) and one pill of “Lorazepan-1mg” one hour before dinner (insomnia and anxiety) (**). Of course all these drugs were prescribed by a physician. After around 6 years with this medication no appreciable side effects on our case.

(**) I have read that to improve the patient's sleep are using "Melatonin" successfully. Ask physician.

Pills can be taken in a spoon of applesauce or similar...this helps it slide down. Also a good pill crusher helps.

A light dinner helps to control insomnia. Also a moderate walk (with aids) or wheelchair before dinner helps to generate a natural fatigue that helps fall asleep.

Some include a dose of 3 to 6 mg of CBD Oil (20/1-CBD/THC) via subling, usually before dinner, to stimulate appetite, reduce anxiety and as a co-adjuvant analgesic in neuropathic pain.

In periods of patient more intense anxiety some increase the frequency of the dose by applying it before lunch and before dinner on the same day. If you are interested see:

healthunlocked.com/psp/post...

Kevin_1:

healthunlocked.com/psp/post...

Hug and luck.

Luis