Aricept(11)

LC-FL

Has anyone’s loved one experienced aricept lately? My DH is on 10mg, he has been on it for about two months now, takes it in the morning but has been having nightmares, seems more emotional and depressed like...

(=Meow=)

My mom has been taking Aricept(donepezil) for years, she's had minimal problems with it, but it does cause nightmares in some people, lessens there severity in others - it interferes with the sleep cycle, which *may* result in all sorts of problems.

Odd that they would have your husband take it in the morrning, it's usually given before bedtime, again because of it's effects on sleep.

GothicGremlin

My sister has been on aricept for about a year and a half.  She doesn't have nightmares, but she does have very vivid dreams.

WhatNow?

My mom has been on Aricept for about a year now and Nameneda XR a little less.  She's  had minimal side-effects from either - just stomach issues in the beginning while they got her up to 10mg of the Aircept.  When she started them she was probably a early stage 5.  Before Aircept, she would wonder around aimlessly in the afternoon, couldn't sit still, and had less real interaction with us, less emotion (almost robot like), and was more combative. All that seemed to go away or get better with the Aircept.  She maybe even went back a stage and started doing hobbies, like coloring, word searches, and making pot holders, etc.  We do give it to her at night, right before bed, since it can also cause fainting.  Unfortunately, the drugs do have a lifespan in which they help less and less, but so far they seem to be hanging in there, even though mom is progressing (late 5/early 6).  She still has her personality, is usually in a happy mood, jokes around, and hasn't really started sundowning again.

Teachertee

LC-FL and friends,

I'm sorry your DH is dealing with that while starting the medicine. Maybe the time of day when it is taken can help with that?  Not sure but maybe the doctor can give some guidance.

My mom started Aricept in early January, so I am not sure if it is helping or things seem the same.  Might be too soon to tell?  She has been definitely more emotional and is recalling old stories from her childhood that she didn't really talk much about until now.  

She asks the same questions of me each time we talk on the phone or masked, in person and tells me the same good news each time we talk.  I've learned to go with it or just say a silly answer to the questions as some are lengthy answers.  Just going with the flow and trying to keep her as happy as possible, along with my father who is her main caregiver.  My sister and I are trying to give him a break with appointments and taking her to our homes for a little while.  COVID makes it a bit more risky but we mask up.

Wishing the best results with the medication and hope the nightmares subside.  

JJ401

DH has been on the generic version for about 9 months. He started with 5 mg for 30 days and then went to 10 mg. Directions on the bottle say take 1 each morning after eating. He's due back at the neurologist next month. 

Has it made a difference? Hard to say. The best I can say is that he does not seem markedly worse. He has not reported vivid dreams or nightmares. He goes to bed about 9pm each night and sleeps until 6am (except for a bathroom trip).

DBC

My Rose was on that AT NIGHT.  She was also on Namenda.  No longer takes either one.  She is now on oral morphine and halaparadol.  Due to pain and halicunations.

LC-FL

Thank you all for your comments and for sharing your experience, I really appreciate it.  The doctor is going to change it to the patch? He said it has less side effects? DH is worried that he’s going to act out his nightmares, he dreams about beating people up and getting into fights.  He has had vivid dreams but it seems they are more violent than warm and fuzzy ones...