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Sleep walking or hallucinations

christinaS
christinaS Member Posts: 5
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in Caring for a Parent

My father (74) was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s this year. We started him on 2 medications which actually made him more confused and have since taken him off. I’m devastated because he is declining and fast and I can’t understand if this is normal.


My main question is he has been sleep talking a lot and will wake up and appear to be sleep walking and going along with a scenario. He is doing this more and more and often when he just wakes up. My mom will tell him that he’s just dreaming and that it’s not real and when he comes to he gets so upset and can’t understand why he’s doing this. Are these hallucinations? I’m just so emotionally drained and don’t know what to do in this situation

Comments

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 1,686
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    Welcome. So sorry about your Dad. Yes, they are hallucinations. If they are upsetting him, speak to his doctor about medication for hallucinations. Risperidone helped my husband. At first when I told my husband he was dreaming and to go back to sleep that worked but later he needed medication. The best doctor to manage medications for dementia patients is a Geriatric Psychiatrist if you can get a referral to one. Read the book “The 36 Hour Day” which helped me after my DH’s diagnosis. Have your Mom read it too. Come here often for info and support. 💜

  • christinaS
    christinaS Member Posts: 5
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/244967#Comment_244967

    Thank you for your response. This is what I feared 🙁 Ive started taking my dad to a holistic doctor and we will go the supplemental route. I know that the chances of it helping are slim, but I won’t be able to live with myself if we don’t at least try. I will ask for a referral to a geriatric psychologist.

    He was diagnosed through a blood test (which I was told was a new method of testing) but because things are moving so rapidly (difficulty walking, not seeing well, incontinence issues, etc) I’m not sure if I should ask for an MRI to rule out any other possible causes.

  • terei
    terei Member Posts: 698
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    To the best of my knowledge, psychologists cannot prescribe meds…I believe you may need a geriatric psychiatrist.

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 1,686
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/244982#Comment_244982

    if they checked for UTI and did blood work, I’m not sure I would put him through an MRI. You could discuss with his doctor. Is his doctor that did the Alzheimer’s blood test a Neurologist?

  • christinaS
    christinaS Member Posts: 5
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    Member
    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/245047#Comment_245047

    yes , he’s a neurologist. Actually I may have him tested for a UTI now that you said this. I’m willing to rule out whatever I can

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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