The doctor put my Mom on seroquel because she was getting so anxious - continually repeasting that she wanted to go home, tried to leave the ALF, etc. and she couldn't be redirected. She was on xanax but it wasn't working as he hoped.

She has been on seroquel now for about a week and a half. She's becoming very argumentative (which is not normally her), more confused and has "dopey" eyes. Have any of you seen this side effect with seroquel. If your loved one was taken off of the medicine, what did they use in it's place?

Thanks for your help,
Nancy

Perhaps she needs Zoloft for anxiety rather than Seroquel which is more for aggressive behavior.
Hugs,
Mariellen

1) Absolutely get her off of that stuff. My mother is on Citalopram (generic for Celexa) and never had a minutes problem with it. Although, that was actually used off-label to replace Namenda so maybe I'm talking apples & oranges there.

2) My mother was starting to get a bit angry (usually when I stopped her from doing the dishes until she'd let me get some hot water and soap in the sink) and I started her on a fish oil supplement (Omega 3 fatty acids). That did the trick.

3) More recently she developed "Sundowners Syndrome," that is, getting goofier at sunset. I started giving her an afternoon dose of fish oil in addition to her morning dose. That helped. Still some trouble, but much better.

I can not recommend fish oil enough - for everyone. I give them to my mother in pill form from Carlson's. I take them myself in liquid form.

4) Most recently Mom has started shaking as if she is having panic attacks. The doctor prescribed a Xanax category drug that just puts her to sleep. Interestingly what works best is if I sit down to the piano and start playing. The shakes stop immediately.

[This Message was Edited on 11/03/2009]

Thanks Susanna......I didn't realize that fish oil worked so well with alz patients! My Mother also gets sundowners badly - we'll have to start the fish oil. Thenks so much for responding.
Nancy

When I told Mom's doctor we had started her on fish oil instead of the prescribed psychiatric drug, she was pleased that it was working, but mentioned that it didn't work for everyone.

I hope your mother is one of those it helps. But no matter what, the stuff is good for everyone.

PS: Also, consider music therapy. The right CD might help.

[This Message was Edited on 11/04/2009]

Antidepressant Zoloft also helps with anxiety

Then there is anxiety med Buspar, the only anxiety med that is appropriate for dementia patients.

For severe anxiety, some doctors use Neurontin.