Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
On Ventilator. Took Ativan For Back Pain. Suggest Safe Medication To Control Anxiety And Heart Rate
Question: Hi..my mother is on a ventilator and has a trach, she is 85 years old and is having trouble weaning off the vent. She has panic attacks when trying to wean. She is currently given haldol prn and that controls her heart rate . She has been given ativan in the past in a small dose, and was unresponsive and aspirated and is now on the vent. What medicstion do you recommend that would be safe but control her anxiety and heart rate. She is being transferred from a hospital to a rehab facility and needs something to control this anxiety so she can continue to try to get off the vent.
Thank you
Thank you
Hello
Welcome to Health Care Magic
She is 85 years old and she is in hospital since December 2012. She was given ativan for treatment of back pain and due to sedation she aspirated and complicated to Pneumonia. She developed ventricular fibrillation and paralytic ileum in ICU. On being wean off from ventilator she developed panic attack. She is also on Haloperidol.
During prolonged hospital stay in ICU and due to chronic debilitation any individual has risk of mood disturbances. She is already receiving Haldol for prevention of ICU induced psychosis or delirium. If her all other investigations like electrolytes and blood parameters are normal she can be easily treated for panic.
- Medicines like Ativan or lorazepam can be used with ease. They provides symptomatic relief but as they are sedating these medicines may further deteriorate the course.
- Medicines of SSRI group especially Sertaline can be given to her in order to control anxiety and panic. Sertaline is a safe drug and can be used in elderly. Take detailed opinion of her attending doctor before starting the medicine.
- Try to talk with her. Keep a paper and pen near her so that she can write her problems if she is not able to speak properly. Good communication is vital for her speedy recovery.
Hope I cleared your doubt, if you have more questions you can ask again.
Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
(Consultant Psychiatrist)
Welcome to Health Care Magic
She is 85 years old and she is in hospital since December 2012. She was given ativan for treatment of back pain and due to sedation she aspirated and complicated to Pneumonia. She developed ventricular fibrillation and paralytic ileum in ICU. On being wean off from ventilator she developed panic attack. She is also on Haloperidol.
During prolonged hospital stay in ICU and due to chronic debilitation any individual has risk of mood disturbances. She is already receiving Haldol for prevention of ICU induced psychosis or delirium. If her all other investigations like electrolytes and blood parameters are normal she can be easily treated for panic.
- Medicines like Ativan or lorazepam can be used with ease. They provides symptomatic relief but as they are sedating these medicines may further deteriorate the course.
- Medicines of SSRI group especially Sertaline can be given to her in order to control anxiety and panic. Sertaline is a safe drug and can be used in elderly. Take detailed opinion of her attending doctor before starting the medicine.
- Try to talk with her. Keep a paper and pen near her so that she can write her problems if she is not able to speak properly. Good communication is vital for her speedy recovery.
Hope I cleared your doubt, if you have more questions you can ask again.
Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
(Consultant Psychiatrist)
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
