Mood swings

[Puddy]

Hi - my husband, Nigel, was diagnosed with ALS last July. He is taking 15mg of escitalopram for his mood. He has been sobbing now, for about an hour and he has just taken another tablet (he takes one in the morning), I feel so helpless as there is no hope is there? How do other carers cope? TIA

[Ellie]

Oh Puddy, I am so sorry you are both having such a hard and emotional time, especially as you're both in Spain and away from many family members and friends.

It's tough enough to get through the week at the best of times, but with the added stress of being in lockdown and seeing the death toll relentlessly increasing, life can feel overwhelming right now and people's mental health is being sorely tested, even without the emotional lability that often comes with ALS.

Nigel's meds can be changed if necessary, either by increasing the dose or by switching to a different, but similar, medicine. (Escitalopram can take 3 months to show maximum effectiveness) Can you ring or video call his doctor?

And do you have support yourself Puddy? I know we're all severely restricted re leaving home but have you good friends or family to call? Remember, you can contact MND Connect too. If you need antidepressants, even for a short while, don't hesitate to ask your doctor.

Oh, I just saw on another thread that you are getting professional help, which is good to hear.

Sending you both a big hug.

Love Ellie.

[Guest]

Has the citalopram worked yet ,I've been taking it for 14 years ,someone told me it's a very mild antidepressant ,if you want something stronger talk to the doctor you could also ask if you could get it intravenously as his liver might not filter it efficiently, if he's taking morphine for anything it will have the same effect, my mother had the opposite end she had laughter apparently that was distressing ,as she didn't want to laugh ,it's not crying as we think of it it's lack of control,I was just glad it wasn't something else happening to her she had pseudobulbar palsy it was the worst form the motor neurone disease nurses had ever seen, but she still had faith and spirit.