Eating less & sleeping more

AlzWife2023

I guess this is “normal” progression, but my DH has been eating half as much for a while and has been sleeping a few extra hours a day for a couple of months now. I put him somewhere in stage 6. Today, he put himself to bed at about 7 pm and ate very little. I guess I’m freaking out a little b/c I’m seeing (maybe a faster) decline. Not sure if it’s a blip, a dip, or a cascade to come. Scared.

AlzWife2023

update. He slept 14 hours. I slept with him b/c I was concerned he’d wake up in the middle of the night confused. He didn’t. I don’t usually sleep with him any more. He woke up refreshed. I had not counted the fact that he’s been battling a heavy cold for a couple of weeks. He just needed extra sleep. I was jumping ahead. It was still frightening.

midge333

I am sorry that you and your DH are in this situation. I am going to think out loud with you and please know in advance that what I am saying is intended to be kind not confrontational. Why do you fear progression and death for your DH? Once you hit stage 6, all that is left is suffering. I know that you don't want to be alone but what is in it for your DH? My wife is slipping into stage 6 and I hope everyday she will die in her sleep because I do not want her suffer anymore. I know everyone thinks about this differently.

Kat63

My DH is late stage 6/early 7. He is sleeping more as for the last 6 months he goes to bed between 7 and 8 pm every night and sleeps until 7 - 8 am. He doesn’t eat as much as he use to for sure but still eats most of what I give him although it’s not near as much as a healthy person would eat. He has lost about 15 pounds this year which I feel could be worse. So to me this is normal what your describing.

blacksparky

My DW is in stage 5 now with some stage 6 signs. She is just the opposite here. After being diagnosed in October 2023, she has probably gained about 40 lbs. She does go to bed every night about 7:00 but is usually up at 5:00 am every day. I feel bad that I have let her eat so much but heck she is going to die someday and eventually she will stop eating so much. I think she’s forgetting that she just ate and starts eating again. Any advice?

housefinch

I feel the same as @midge333 and can also understand not wanting a beloved person to go—-even though they’re no longer the same person. Our PWD has been on hospice and in a nursing facility/MC for 7 months and counting. It’s been a very hard emotional roller coaster. Personally, I’m hoping for an exit soon because it’s torture for everyone.

Quilting brings calm

Mom basically stopped eating. She was only eating a couple bites at each meal when the hospice nurse told me that it wasn’t enough to sustain life. She passed away about 2-3 weeks after that.

In mom’s case, she was 86. I wouldn’t say the eating was a symptom of progression as much as I would say it was either a symptom or cause of her death.

SDianeL

understandable to worry. If after his cold clears up if his eating doesn’t increase see if he’s losing weight. It should be monitored to rule out rapid decline. You could also have hospice evaluate. He can go on and off hospice if he improves. I would also talk to his doctor. While he’s not eating much, can you supplement with shakes?

AlzWife2023

Thanks for all your replies. He seems to have slept off the cold—no more coughing—-I think it was a blip so to speak—he ate his dinner with relish, even though it’s a smaller portion than he used to eat. He lost about 10 pounds this year and a total of 15 or so since he was diagnosed two years ago.

He’s always asking for beer and sweets. He drinks 2-3 coffees a day. He’s intolerable at night. He gets energetic. He doesn’t settle easily unless he’s exhausted, which he is not tonight so he’ll scroll on his phone for hours.

He’s been overly romantic lately which is very annoying and uncomfortable. He goes in and out of lucidity. In one day, he’ll say things that are spot on and then things that are totally off the mark. It’s disturbing.

AlzWife2023

Sounds like we’re in a similar place. Thank you for sharing. @blacksparky

Carl46

Blacksparky, I let my wife eat whatever she wants. She has lost her job, her car, control of her money, her hobbies, her books, and her friends, and never leaves the house without me. She is dying and she knows it. I make a salad and grilled chicken for dinner, and she likes it, but if she wants a piece of cake for dessert and a bowl of ice cream at bedtime, what does it hurt?