My 85 year old aunt on more than one occasion has woke up like this from her chair after falling asleep while watching t.v. this last time it happened it scared us both and she is afraid to nap in her chair now. It scared me because when I walked into her room she was as white as a ghost including her lips, which I watched the color come back into as she woke up and tried to talk to me. I have told her many times its cause you are drowsy from waking up, but this last time she couldn't get up alone, could barly pick her feet up to walk and leaned way over her walker cause she couldn't stand up strait. Her speech was slurred and she coyldnt find the words to speak. But after about 10 min of her med routine she was some better, and after getting her ready for bed she seemed almost back to normal. I have worked in nursing home and not come across quite this but then again they always were put to bed soon after supper. Just wondering if other people who take care of someone at home experiences this and if it is normal and nothing to worry about thanks:0)
I will call 911 next time. I should have today.
I think a visit to the doctor is in order. What doctor prescribed the anti-depressant? Someone who knows your father well or someone new to his case? Has he or she followed up to see if/how the drug is working, or just automatically renewed the prescripion? Was it a specialist such as a geriatric psychiatrist or a geriatrician? Just as children are not just small adults and are best served by pediatricians who know what applies to them, elders are not just old adults. A geriatrician is trained to meet the special requirements of this stage of life.
For example, depression medications and anxiety medications can effect the elderly different than other populations. Dosages and reactions should be monitored closely.
All this is a prelude to saying I think your father needs a comprehensive exam to see why he sleeps so much, but not necessarily by the doctor who prescribed the antidepressant unless you are confident in his/her ability to treat your elderly father with the special attention he deserves.
Good luck ... and come back and let us know how this works out.
also eating enough,drinking enough water,-
be patient, because this is difficult to figure out-
usually a combination of things-
just be careful of what meds are recommended-
sometimes the side effects are worse than the disease-
everyone reacts differently-
It is difficult ,for everyone
god bless...and try and be calm-if u can- it helps-
so often body language is read, even if comprehension and
language is off.
http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/TypesofStroke/TIA/TIA-Transient-Ischemic-Attack_UCM_310942_Article.jsp
If it isn't a T.I.A. it could be a blood-pressure problem, or any other number of things. Only a doctor can make that assessment. God Bless.
Ruth