Understanding new sleep patterns

CStrope, of course every situation is unique. Could it be meds? For my DW, she had a very similar situation for several months. Turned out to be an undiagnosed UTI. Once she was treated, her sleep returned to normal and she was much more alert. Hope you find the answer.

CStrope, firstly….what a devoted-fantastic wife you are to do all that personal care and grooming for your DH. You have my admiration. I’m sorry your DH isn’t getting the kind of care you expect. I’ve experienced that with close family, and it was painful. Here’s my thought: If you have a primary physician who would be willing to call the MC facility, I think he/she could get medical records, and, I think, all meds he’s being given. That might be informative about your DH. I have zero medical training, but think the more ideas we share with each other, the better for all. Wishing you luck, strength, and self-care.

Got an upcoming visit with DW's gerripsych to talk about her recent bouts of zombie sleeps as well. No apparent health issues, in fact her physical health has improved very well since coming home out of MC, she's in late 6, I think tipping into 7?… but I'm fearful on what is going on and struggling for answers. She's fine for weeks then suddenly, a zombie for 24 hours and snaps right back.

In the earlier stages, 3-5, my DH would exhibit signs of the next stage. I would be surprised and think "oh, that's gone." Then he'd bounce back. I also found that most of the time he was straddling two stages. I doubted myself about where he was actually at in the disease progression. What is being said here reminds me of this back and forth; sleeps a lot and then is back to being awake. The differences between stage 6 and 7 are more crystal clear as far as sleep goes.

My DW has vascular dementia. She typically sleeps 10-11 hours overnight and then naps 1-2 hours in the afternoon. She has had multiple occasions over the past 6 months where she sleeps 18-20 hours in a 24 hour period. These episodes seem to precede declines in cognitive function. I dread it when it happens because I seem to lose a little more of her each time.