Sleep

persevere

Briefly, my DW was diagnosed in 2019 and is well on her way into the journey. Non verbal (except jabbering all day long, assistance with everything, etc.). So we entered a new phase a few months ago of my DW not sleeping through the night. She has been on lexapro almost from the beginning and risperidone shortly thereafter. Aricept for the first couple years but really bad side effects and then nemenda which I just recently stopped because I really don't think it does anything and I think just slowing it down isn't making sense anymore. But her sleep patterns have changed (prior to stopping nemenda). The risperidone really used to do the trick but not anymore. She is up and down all through the night now. A lot of times she'll prop herself up on her elbow, look around, and jabber. Goes on constantly. Trips to the bathroom although half of them are unnecessary. Etc., Etc. Been experimenting some with the meds since they can have insomnia effects at some point. Trying melatonin too. Nothing is really working well. Any suggestions out there?

RetiredTeacher

DH has sleeping issues for several yrs, up down all night. He's currently on 150 mg trazadone which has helped but he still gets up a handful of times to use the bathroom.

SDianeL

It’s very common. There are many reasons like anxiety, their sleep cycle is affected by the dementia, etc. Talk to the doctor about something for sleep. The problem is getting the dose right so they are not a fall risk or become incontinent. A Geriatric Psychiatrist is the best type of doctor for medications for dementia. Some here have said they hired someone to care for their LO at night so their caregiver can get some sleep.

howhale

My dear wife went through a lengthy period of similar behavior in regards to constantly getting up and down overnight. Because she needed assistance, I also had to get up with each trip. If not getting up hourly to the bathroom, she would start talking or having a conversation on the "phone" (her hand held to her face). After trying a number of things and because she refused to take tablet or capsule meds, despite all our attempts to hide them (that is another whole story), hospice began Haldol injections. Starting with a low dose and increasing dosage and frequency. The Haldol did help significantly reduce the overnight trips and awake periods. After adjusting the dose and frequency it became an every two week injection by the nurse which my wife tolerated easily. Also, there is an oral form of the Haldol which might be easier if having someone give the injection is a problem.