Sleep issues

Kellybelle

My DH is 66 and was diagnosed last year with AD. The dr. said staging wasn't important and different with everyone, so I don't know where he really is right now. We are seeing a new neurologist Aug 7. Lately, his moods are up and down and his sleep is really off. He may sleep 3 or 4 hours and then want to nap all afternoon. This past week he had a couple bad nights where he didn't sleep more than 4 hrs/per night and then he slept for 20 hours! He is functional, takes care of himself on his own, has memory and word recall issues, sometimes he gets "lost" when I'm driving (he can't drive anymore). Is this all part of AD? Do I try and keep him up when he's so tired. Other times, he falls asleep if he just sits still. I'm getting scared.

Sparklebutt

My DH was diagnosed last fall and had been experiencing sleep issues for years before. Neurologist placed him on Zoloft and he sleeps through the night most nights. So maybe an SSRI could help? Ask your neurologist for recommendations and take care.

harshedbuzz

@Kellybelle

I couldn't agree with that doctor less. Staging very much matters. It matters especially in terms of anticipating care and safety issues and budgeting assets around respite and care.

That said, as the 24/7 caregiver for your DH, you have a much better sense where your DH is in terms of progression than a doctor would have in a 15-minute appointment at a time when your DH might be showtiming.

DBAT (1).pdf

HB

Goodlife2025

Regarding staging I recently had a very enlightening conversation with DW's neurologist. I mentioned a few recent behaviors and where they fall on the DBAT. She had never heard of the document and when I explained its structure and purpose she was very receptive to my sharing it with her. My hope is it will improve our interactions and I believe I may have actually helped her to become a better doctor who can better understand what information a caregiver may need during the progression of this disease. It has always felt like the doctors are almost more clueless than us regarding the disease and how it manifests.

AlekoW

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/276778#Comment_276778

@harshedbuzz Does this DBAT sheet apply to YOA? I noticed on the Alz Assoc site re staging for YOA that looks a little different. I'm thinking of taking a completed sheet to DW's new neuro just in case… I just want to be sure it matches YOA.

Michele P

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/76489/sleep-issues

I agree with others that staging is extremely important. It helps you prepare for what is coming so that you can prepare and keep your loved one safe. Sleep is impacted with Alzheimer’s. Everyone I know with this disease has a CPAC machine. It’s possible that sleep apnea has been undiagnosed. If your loved one can handle a sleep study, it will help with sleep. I would speak to his neurologist about medication to help. We were told not to take Ambian any medication with a PM on the name, or Benadryl. All have a negative impact on cognitive functioning.

harshedbuzz

@AlekoW

Hard to say. I've not seen the chart specific to YO. I know the one for VD is a little different and that one for FTD presents differently in earlier stages. Caregivers I know who have dealt with various kinds of dementia including mixed-type dementia (often Alz and VD) all report that stages 6 and 7 are basically the same.

Another scale that can be useful for staging is FAST. It's very specific for later stages. One issue I had, specific to FAST which is used by hospices a lot, is that my dad maintained some skills unusually far into the disease. The day he died from complications of aspiration pneumonia (swallowing skill lost), he was still verbal to the point of conversation (mostly delusional) and he was ambulatory.

https://compassioncrossing.info/assessing-patients-on-the-fast-scale-a-guide-for-nurses/

With DBAT (and others) a PWD might straddle stages but is considered to be in the latest stage for which they have symptoms/behaviors.


HB

B Lynn

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/76489/sleep-issues

My husband was complaining of sleep problems. He is now on Belsomra. That seems to be working ok. I know it’s been suggested to establish a daily routine, getting up & going to bed at the same time should help with sleep. Mine sometimes says he’s tired & needs to rest yet if I get up to do something he usually wakes up to see what I’m doing. It’s a challenge for sure. I think there is some information here on the Alzheimer’s site about sleep.

BrianSolley

I’ve seen a lot of good info here. For my own sleep and brain health, I use quality supplements from https://nuvirox.com because they’re made with real research and third-party testing. It might be worth checking their Mood+ Restore for your husband. A consistent daily routine helped a friend’s spouse with similar issues, plus a sleep apnea test and a talk with his doctor about an SSRI made a big difference. You’re not alone in this.

persevere

With regards to staging I think it’s useful in being able to communicate where the patient is in a brief manner. Hospice uses it. On the sleep issue my DW has been on temazepam for about a year now. It comes in 15 and 30 mg. It has been a life saver.

Maru

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/76489/sleep-issues

Staging is important for caregivers but not so much for the neurologist. I had a discussion about that with our dr. and told him why, as a caretaker, knowing the staging was helpful.

The sleep issue…yes, sleep issues can be part of AD.