Falls asleep but doesn't stay asleep

Cat K · June 18

DH falls asleep easily at bedtime but doesn't stay asleep. I give him Mirtazapine and I added Benadryl but they don't help. Melatonin didn't help him. He wakes me up three to four times every night, turning on lights, walking around or just sitting on the edge of the bed. Is this common in people with dementia? Is there anything that will help him (and me) sleep through the night? I'm exhausted every morning.

ronda b · June 18

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/73314/falls-asleep-but-doesnt-stay-asleep

My DH was put on trazodone and it help some.

Cat K · June 18

Thank you ronda b. I'll ask his doctor if she can prescribe it for him.

midge333 · June 19

Benadryl should be avoided in elderly dementia patients. Seroquel and other atypical antipsychotics can help with disrupted sleep.

Chris20cm · June 19

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/73314/falls-asleep-but-doesnt-stay-asleep

DW was always a light sleeper, so much so that if I awoke in the night with my insomnia and wanted to read with a dim light until I was ready go back to sleep, she would toss and turn and flop around until I turned out the light and lay still. And she couldn't sleep unless I was next to her, so I couldn't go to a different room.

That all changed after her Alzheimer's diagnosis when she started taking Seroquel to assuage the paranoia and the hostility, most of which was toward me. Now she sleeps soundly ten to eleven hours a night, and takes a two to three hour nap in the afternoon.
That was an unexpected and welcome surprise.

tonyac2 · June 19

I have the same problem and it’s exhausting to say the least. I use Trazadone and THC/CBD Gummies. It helps, but I think I need to change meds as the Trazadone isn’t working as well as at first. Watch giving Benadryl. It crosses the blood brain barrier and can cause more confusion and issues with dementia. It’s considered a drug that can contribute to getting dementia.

Cat K · June 19

I had thought since he already had dementia that I wouldn't have to be concerned about Benadryl causing dementia, but I'd better discontinue giving that to him. He woke me up three times last night and I'm so tired this morning. I have a doctor's appointment for me this morning (we see the same PCP) but I mainly talk about the struggles of caregiving. I'll talk to her about something to help him sleep. He also sees a geriatrician, but I just don't see the point of seeing her. She's 30 miles away, into the next county. She talks to me, listens to his heart, takes his vitals, says to return in four months. What's the point? Sorry for rambling, but in my defense I'm exhausted 😴. I appreciate the comments and suggestions.

tboard · June 19

I think dementia and insomnia go together. My DH is up several times at night and he gets into stuff too. He often wakes me up. I think that is part of the deal.

SDianeL · 4:03AM

my DH could not tolerate Mirtazapine. It made him jittery and he would be up all night. I would ask the doctor about different meds like Seroquel or Zoloft or both. My DH was on Risperidone and later they added Depakote when he became aggressive. You can search for other posts about those meds. There is a search feature at the top of the page. We found the best doctor to prescribe meds for Alzheimers was a Geriatric Psychiatrist.

Falls asleep but doesn't stay asleep

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