Can't sleep

nanasharon

I can't seem to sleep trying to wrap my head around the almost daily changes my DH is having with this disease. For the past 2 wks he had to be wheeled from the living room to the bathroom to the bedroom or he would fall. For the last two days he's been back to walking fine but is unable to understand or communicate. Went to bed tonight and he's talking again but struggling to stand again. It's just sad. I noticed this with him before. As soon as I think I don't have to worry, I'm reminded I do.

howhale

This disease throws curve balls only. As soon as we think we have a solution, another curve ball is pitched catching us off guard. My dear wife went from walking, to riding, to walker, to walking again. In fact, the couple of weeks before she passed she was walking to and from the living room, to bathroom, to dining table, with assistance. Then, on a Sunday morning she could not stand and never left her bed and passed seven days later. Right after we had made adjustments to the bedroom to accommodate her needs. Versatility, adaptability, flexibility, creativity, patience, are all attributes demanded of us as care givers for a loved one with this disease. I found sleep difficult, always on alert. I did finally learn to be grateful for the up, as long as it lasted, because a down was right around the corner. Come here and talk to us to relieve a bit of your frustration. We all have it or experienced it and just letting it out in this safe place can help. It did for me for sure.

annie51

Sleep seems like a luxury when caring for someone with dementia. Waking up means your mind begins to process random thoughts that quickly spiral into a heart pounding full on stress that’s difficult to get out of. No one can understand what this is like until you’ve lived it. I’m sorry I don’t have any sage advice except to recognize and feel joy, for even the smallest things, each day. Sometimes for me it was as simple as seeing a bunny eating the food I put out on my patio.🐰

SDianeL

so sorry. We know how you feel. Hugs. 💜

H1235

We talk a lot her about medication to help our lo with the horrible symptoms they experience with dementia. I think there should be more talk about caregiver health. Talk to your doctor about something to either help you sleep or help with anxiety/depression. You need sleep and living in constant anxiety is not healthy.

howhale

I am a true believer in trying to protect caregiver health, although a very poor practitioner. I felt all the symptoms described throughout but did little about them. Now that I am looking back on that part of my life, I can better see what I probably should have done. Hindsight is 20/20 they say. I am not sure why I did not do those things suggested. I wonder how many of us do truly try to "take care of ourselves"? I think that as I look back now and try to analyze that part of my life and why I did thing I did, I find learnings about myself. After the battle is lost and I am now alone, i do feel the effects of not taking care of myself so I strongly support the cautions offered to take care of yourself. I now think I did not do those things because of guilt. As i watched my dear wife slip away day by day, her life dissolving in front of me, the person I loved melting away to one who could only sit in silence, staring at nothing I could see, I think I chose not to do things for me because I felt guilty (and still do) that I could do nothing to help her. Yes, I realize that had I become handicapped or worse, I could not have provided care for her, but in the battle, rational thought seems to have been pushed to the rear. If you are like me, take time to look at your decisions, your lack of action to protect yourself, your failing to take care of the caregiver and get help if needed to make change. There are impacts afterwards for our failings in battle to care for ourselves. Caregivers, the lost heroes of Dementia.

Chance Rider

My husband was just diagnosed with ALZ last August, and using the DBAT scale he’s late 4 early 5. I’ve run the gamut of emotions with stress and anxiety being the major issues for me. I’m not one to take pills usually- of any sort- though last month I asked my doctor for help. I’ve now been on Prozac for about 5 weeks. I felt a small improvement and tolerate it well so we just increased the dosage.
Once I see how things go at this dose I may ask my doctor for a sleep aid that won’t knock me out.

Even in the short 6 months from his diagnosis the stress and anxiety were taking a toll on my health. I am alone in caregiving but I don’t need to tackle my own health alone.

Take care of yourself so you can take care of your loved one. 💜