My DH has been punching and kicking me in his sleep for a while. I've been sleeping on the couch, but it's been so cold at night I've been in bed with my electric blanket. Last night he punched me so hard between the shoulders that I'm sore this morning. I know the easy thing would be to not sleep together, but has anyone else experienced this hitting and kicking? He seems to be asleep when he does it. Denies it in the morning, of course. Is this something that a med would help? At my wits end, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Diane, look up the threads on jerking. My hb has had times of doing that. I have been hit in the face and kicked in the shins. I gave him magnesium and for him it seems to make the difference. But there is also a phase in this disease where they do it. They are unaware of it and can't control it.
I would also think of calling his doctor to see if he wants to prescribe anything.
Diane, my husband kicked in his sleep, and he denied it. When he kicked me and woke me up, I'd kick him back and he would be hurt that I had kicked him. I showed him the bruise the next morning, and he would apologize, but he didn't know he was doing it. When he went to the doctor, the doctor tested him for sleep apnea and after the results and video came back, he said that my husband not only had sleep apnea, but also Restless Leg Syndrome. He put him on Mirapex, and NO MORE KICKING!!! We could sleep and cuddle for another two years!!!
This happened to me once. Sid was yelling in his sleep, and punching me. I woke him up, and he told me that he was dreaming that men were attacking me, and he was fighting them. Unfortunately, it was me who got hit. He was horrified. It never happened again. I do know that other caregivers have reported that their spouse was violent in their sleep. A medication adjustment helped. If Aricept is given at night, it can cause aggressive nightmares. Changing it to morning usually fixes the problem. A change in anti-psychotics and/or anti-depressants can also cause those type of nightmares. I would tell the doctor about it, and see if he thinks a med. adjustment is in order.
Yeah yeah...Joan I tried that excuse too, but my wife did not believe it...and I almost got arrested...I found out that you cannot pretend to be asleep and hit your eoad spouse and get away with it.....No one believes you////
phranque, it is so good to see you are still sharing your sense of humor with us. I have not been checking in much lately because of moving and trying to help my dh adjust to the move. I had to come back to this site to help regain my composure, if you will, and get centered again. So good to hear you again phranque,,,,
Look up REM Sleep Behavior Disorder. It is particularly associated with Lewy Body Dementia. My husband takes Clonazepam and Melatonin, which is the standard treatment, but I also insisted on separate bedrooms when we moved. Once in his sleep he grabbed my hand and bit it.