Hypnagogic hallucinations

allit

My wife told me she's been having trouble when trying to fall asleep because she's seeing things like vivid scenes of people and something like static on an old TV. We did a Google search and it sounds like hypnagogic hallucinations. We haven't been able to find any connection with MCI or dementia. But this is something that only started within the past few weeks and nothing she's experienced before. She's doing the Leqembi infusions and just started those about a month ago. I'm thinking there might be a connection. And maybe it's because of the rivastigmine combo with the Leqembi. When she started the rivastigmine she started having side effects including light sensitivity and now these visual hypnagogic hallucinations since she started Leqembi.

Anyone else out there have a similar experience?

Although I wonder if it's the drugs contributing to this, I also think maybe it's just that she hasn't been sleeping well overall. Kind of anxious about everything going on.

SusanB-dil

Maybe check with her doc, and maybe even your pharmacist about any possible interactions between the two meds. Also possible side effects of one or the other or the combo?

harshedbuzz

I would run this by the doctor prescribing the medications. It could be an interaction, or it could be a side effect of the Leqembi which is a newer medication. If it is, it needs to be reported as such. If her anxiety level is up, I would ask about treating that.

That said, my mom has described having these. She has narcolepsy and had of period of time when she was prone to seizures if her blood sugar was low or she was mildly dehydrated. These hallucinations surfaced around that time. I don't recall her doctors being concerned about them at all.

My dad was my parent with dementia. As he transitioned into the early middle stages, it seemed he developed a kind of sensory defensiveness/sensory processing disorder. He was bothered by certain light levels, sounds, air circulating, clothing textures, etc. He did have hallucinations, but they were more garden-variety hearing or seeking people who weren't there. His hallucinations didn't seem to distress him; he enjoyed some of them.

HB