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My 86 yr old mother is currently in rehab facility to strengthen her walking. The resident psychiatrist met with her and has prescribed Remeron. This is new to me so asking those who have taken or caring for someone who is taking it what their experience has been. Thanks.

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So, here's my take, based on my experience with my mom. Long before we realized it, mom's cognitive skills were slipping. In retrospect, we see it now. She would end sentences with "and thing". She would use a word that wasn't quite right. She would cook the same thing over and over. She would buy the same thing over and over ( how many pairs of grey slacks does one 89 year old need? 15, apparently.) And with that loss of cognitive and reasoning skills came panic, because mom couldn't figure how to solve fairly simple issues, like how to cope if she could not work the remote, or if there was a thunderstorm predicted. Everything became an emergency for us to solve. Her doctor gave her a low dose of Xanax but it didn't help that much, because he had her taking it in response to anxiety. Better was when she entered independent living and a geriatric psychiatrist switched her to a regular dose of klonopin. Better still when they added Lexapro and Remeron for depression.
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It has been a good sdrug for my mom. She is on temeron, lexapro for depression and klonopin for anxiety.
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My mom was on it & it made her day more even. Remeron is an old school drug, so generic in cost as a plus with lots, lots less issues than other meds. It should make them sleep better and longer and quell the anxiety a good bit.

Mom in rehab? Post hospitalization or post fall or other accident at home?
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I'm not familiar with that medication. It's good to ask around to see how others do on it. Doctor suggested Cymbalta for my cousin, who has dementia, and it made a huge, positive difference.

Is your mom in pain? Will this medication help with that? I might ask the doctor what others in the facility have experienced.
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Thanks for the feedback.She's post hospitalization. Got dehydrated so was weak and now needs some walking rehab. She's got some pain but not severe. I'm concerned about the Remeron because her pharmacist said it's a highly sedative drug and causes weight gain which my mother doesn't need. She's anxious to leave rehab of course so I'm thinking that might be the cause of some of her depression?? What to do? Sigh....
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Maybe I don't understand the situation. Why would they want to give a fall risk a sedative? To me, if the person has balance issues or falls easily, they don't need any medication to make them more relaxed and prone to falls. I would specifically discuss this issue with the doctor. Ask if something else could help her that will life her spirit, not drag her down.

When my cousin sustained multiple fractures, they knew she had poor balance, dementia and fell a lot, but it didn't seem to matter. I don't think they get senior care. That was my experience with orthopaedic doctors.
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Remeron is a tricyclic antidepressant. With any antidepressant, there is usually some increase in appetite. In my experience with older folks, different meds have different side effects that are not well predicted. I think it's a good idea to get an antidepressant started while mom is in a facility so that side effects can be noted and monitored.

I would also ask the psychiatrist why Remeron and not another antidepressant. Most psychiatrists have good reasons for picking one drug over another. Ask
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Yes I wondered the same thing sunnygirl1. It's all confusing to me. I'll ask why this particular drug. Her primary doctor thought a low dose of Xanax might help her relax and not feel so anxious about the whole rehab experience.
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Xanax would have a much more sedating effect, in my experience. And it's rather addictive. And your body gets used to it, and you need higher doses.
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Thanks for all your incite on this very confusing topic! I will follow up with the psychiatrist Bless you all!
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