Does anyone else have a problem getting their LO to staay in bed ,Paul always wants to go to bed early,but then he just keeps getting up and down.It drives me crazy,this can go on for hours some nights.He has some excuse each time,but after the 8-10 times it gets pretty upsetting.This goes on and on most very night.
Sounds like sundowning. Meds can help. My DH was doing the same and then was getting agitated because he just knew he was supposed to and wanted to got to bed. Just couldn't.
bak, several of us had spouses to do that....and meds helped. Also, I had a new doorknob that had to have a key to open installed in the bedroom, so if he got up, he could walk into our bathroom and around the bed, but it was okay, because he didn't get into anything. He would try the door, give up and sit on the bed...he tried his fingernail, turning on the bathroom light, etc., but nothing opened that door. <grin> He never got mad or lost his temper...
And my sleep deprivation finally went away. Once I knew he wouldn't get mad, and couldn't leave, I could go back to sleep. This lasted about 8 months.....
Their minds are thinking it is time to get up and you can't convince them otherwise...Ambien is my best friend.
My problem is Paul can not take sleep aides,especially not ambiem(altho I love it for my self when I find a safe time to take it) The sleep aides make him so much more confused and sometimes angry that the dr. is afraid to recommend any more. We have tried several already. Thanks for the thoughts. All ideas are welcome.
After trying several sleep aids--all added agitation and threw him into cat napping round the clock--no rest there. Dr. added Seroquel---200 mg. Had to find the dosage and timing, but now he takes the Seroquel about 4pm. and goes to bed between 9 and 10. If he still has an antsy night, I have him take the over-the-counter sleep aid I found---1-4 white Tic Tacs, his choice how many he needs. He swallows them like pills.
bak, how does he react to wine? A couple of glasses close to bedtime? If it helps him relax, then I'm for it...if it makes him mean, then don't have it in the house!
The brain is telling him he should be up and about, and you have to find something that will disconnect. We tried four other meds on my husband before we found that Ambien would work on him...it took a week or so before it started working....
Perhaps try melatonin - its a supplement which is supposed to help with sleep and sundowning. I think it did work on my husband but he would wake up with severe heartburn, so I stopped. His aide started using it and it helps him tremendously.
LFL, it worked for a lot of the spouses here - my husband was one that melatonin didn't phase....
That is another thing about Alzheimer's - they all have different things that they do and different medicines that they react to...no two are alike.....
So try everything we suggest, one at a time, naturally! <grin> Until you find what works for your spouse!
This up all night happens 5 out of 7 nights. It is so exhausting. I just bought the melatonin this AM. Will try it for tonight. Thanks for all the good advice and tips I get here. I have tried benadryl in the past. It worked the first few times, then nothing. I, on the other hand, could sleep standing up.
ask your pharmacist if the first dose doesnt work well with the melatonin. i think you can give a maximum dose of 9mg/day but check before giving too much. divvi
Melatonin helped my husband sleep for a year. Bak--when you say he has tried sleep aids, was one of them Trazodone? I think that's the drug of choice for relieving insomnia in people with dementia. It's really an anti-depressant, but helps with sleep problems safely. When the Melatonin no longer helped, we started using Trazodone, with good results. Anything like Benedryl or OTC sleep aids that have the same active ingredient (DIPHENHYDRAMINE) ARE NOT recommended for people with dementia and can exacerbate problems. I am wondering if some of the things your husband tried had that in them--it is cheap and very prevalent in many OTC sleep aids, cold and allergy meds, etc.
My dw also has the same problem staying in bed, and I have to escort her back anywhere from 4-10 times a night. I have tried the melatonin and also the trazodone, but both seem to keep her awake. I have learned to sleep on demand, and wake up each time she gets up, and some nights, I am fortunate that she will sleep all night (rarely). I am in the market for a straight jacket, a set of handcuffs, leg irons, a huge boat anchor, and barbed wire. However, it may be more time consuming trying to get the jacket and jewelry off....for now, I will stick to the duct tape (available in large rolls or in a 16 oz spraycan.... I also heard that ear plugs, and sleeping in a motel works even better......
Melatonin, valerian, etc. didn't work. Now I give him 1 30 mg temazepam at 9 p.m. At 10 he is usually sort of sleepy; so I talk him into going to bed. Between 2 & 3 he's usually ready to start his day. I tried 2 of the capsules (per doc suggestion), but that was a bit much. I walk him back to bed, tuck him in and tell him 6:00 is get up time. Since I've secured the kitchen/family area, he can only walk around the living/dining area and his bedroom & bath. I rest better. He can't tell time; so it's only an exercise for me. I sleep better w/things secure even tho' I hear him cat walking. Then, when I get up, I do a sweep of rooms to see what he's moved where. He is a first-class wanderer all day and would be at night w/o sleep aid.
Phranque, I have some handcuffs and leg irons but they don't work for too long. Brings dh memories from long ago when they did and he could,,,,,,,,lol....... Anyway I have the same problem with my dh most nights. The few times I have given him the melantonin it worked but he would sleep up to 12 hours. That sounds good but I can't give them to him on days that we have things scheduled. Like now, we are moving and I need to be up early and last night was HORRIBLE. He would not stay in the bed and I got very little sleep. He finally went to sleep about 5 this morning and we over slept, until 10:30. We had to be somewhere at noon, so was rushing around like we were crazy. I am giving the 5 mg of melantonin and think I will get the 3 mg instead and see if it works but not for so long.......
Guess I got lucky. After trying several meds for the jack-in-the-box, which all sent him into 1-2 hr. catnaps 'round the clock (nobody sleeps);we finally, found that adding 200 mg Sroquel around 4pm, follow that about 7 with his last set of meds, including 2 mg Ativan. Then, if he still needs a bit more to fall asleep, he can take the trusty OTC I found---1-4 white TicTacs.
Don't know about clinical trial. Just got sick of buying Rx's that didn't work. Had read of someone who had used Tic Tacxs for something else and out ofdesperation figured the TicTascs couldn't hurt. I would say they work about 80% of the time. Good enough for me.
Gave DH melatonin last night. We both finally slept. I even had 2 hrs this morning to enjoy coffee and some time alone. Had to wake him at 9:30, finally. It's such a different day when you've had sleep. Thanks again
I hope this isn't a dumb question (although I’ve been told that there are no dumb questions!) anyway, where do I find melatonin (say, in Walmart) & does anyone know if it interferes with Seroquel. I suppose it’s a question I should ask our PCP, but he is off on the weekend & I can always count on good info right here!
My hb had already been on Seroquel for about 3 yrs when I asked his neuro if I could add Melatonin--he said fine, up to 9mg/day as Divvi said above. Apparently, that amount was studied for use with dementia patients and was safe. I did find it at Walmart, Elaine.
After reading posts, I found bottle of melatonin I had put away. Gave DH 1 last night and he slept like a baby. Much sounder than when I give ativan. I could not believe it! Thanks ya'll. Nellie
Melatonin. I thought that was banned years ago. I am putting it onto my Walmart list! The Ativan only works for a few hours and it takes a long time to begin to take. I am constantly moving my dh back up to the top of the bed. Funny, he was sleeping most of the day/ night until the Palliative Care nurse put him on Methadone to try. Then he became alert and so active he would not sleep at all except for very limited cat naps. After two days of not sleeping I said no more. That was a few weeks ago and dh sleeps some but not a lot and is very aggitated. So hard to know if he is in pain or anxious so I give liquid adult Tylenol and Ativan. I thought he would be gone by now but since the Methadone, he seems to be stronger than ever. Is this a passing phase? I am exhausted and so frustrated.
brindle i think some of these more potent meds tend to have that opposite reaction with AD. i cant give even benedryl to DH late stage 7 as it makes him so ansy and keeps him up instead of casuing drowsiness as expected. we found a half of a 1mg ativan knocks him out for hrs so it the only backup i have if things get ansy for him. i reserve it for real emergencies due to this side effect. and it takes a day or so for it to work it out of his system. this is especially critical for anyone who has impaired kidney functions. no- melatonin has been around forever and its OTC, it would be my first choice for a natural sleepaide before trying an Rx sleep aide. i think maybe your DH is slipping down in the bed due to the backing on your bed pads. they tend to slip and move on sheets if they have any nylon base on the back. try putting a towel under the nylon part to keep it from sliding.
Thanks, Divvi. I don't have the nylon. My dh just moves so much and the nurse said that is typical of the disease. I got the Melatonin at the drug store while the bath aid was here so I can try it tonight. I sure could use some sleep myself. I will let you all know.
divvi--Benedryl or anything with the same active ingredient should not be given to people with AD. They are anticholinergic, which means they reduce a substance in the brain that people with AD are already lacking. I have been to several conferences where a pharmacist spoke and said to watch out--this ingredient (I believe it is call diphenhydramine--or something like that)--is found in many OTC cold medications and sleep aids, as well as Benedryl. So I'm not surprised that the Benedryl didn't work as expected for your dh.
yes i had heard that too marilyn. but hospice dr was the one who said give it for sleep AND nasal congestion due to severe allergy.. go figure. dr was the one who suggested it rather than the more potent ativan as we were hoping it would be of benefit for allergy too.. oh well. you live and learn. melatonin still works for dh as well if he gets bad. the ativan really knocks him for a loop but is quite effective in tiny dose. thanks for reaffirming its a no-go.
Gave dh 3 mg of melatonin last night and he slept pretty well. Woke up a couple of times but went back to sleep. Got up for changing this morning and breakfast and fell back to sleep. Awake and alert around 10:30 am. Will have to adjust the med - either give it earlier or cut it in half. I kept waking to check on him so hopefully I can get a good night's sleep soon. When the nurse came yesterday, I spoke with her about what looks like another pressue sore to the heal that just healed a month ago. With all of dh's movements, he puts a lot of pressure on his heels. She said put benedine on and keep it wrapped. I found that many items these groups use, cause other problems: the blow up booties caused fungus on dh's legs. The Attends diapers caused a fungus on dh's naval. The soap they use (rinseless) was irritating his skin. We have to realize that just because they use it, doesn't mean it will work or is better than what we are doing. Need to find something to cushion his heels. He kicks the pillows out of the bed and takes off the soft cushions. Any ideas? Thanks.
brindle, i had the same reaction to the cushioned boots. they are also very hot and tend to hold moisture in and athe feet would sweat. i dont use them anymore either. what i am doing is i bought some thick foam rubber and use it at end of bed and lift his legs under it from the knees to the ankles. and have his feet off the end touching nothing except the sheet over them. this way his heels get some relief from rubbing sheets bedding etc. i can also alternate a soft pillow for the same. and you are correct many items can cause problems. the no rinse cleaners can irritate private areas badly i never leave without rinsing with washcloth. and the hospice diapers here are atrocious. i still buy the depends. have severe groin rash using them for a couple of nights in an emergency when i ran out. hope the melatonin works -
well Phranque I tried the duct tape and he just laughted at me. After all he was a cop and was real good at getting out of things.....lol...... anyway, I still have trouble with him setting up thru out the night. I always ask??? are you hurting? do you need to potty? if nothing is wrong LAY BACK DOWN..... Guess what? He is not remembering how to lay down, sit down, turn his head, and things of this sort.... Makes for a long day and night......Just when I get some of this mess understood or at least get used to it, something else crops up...... I have mixed feelings as to what to do. Some times I want to put him in a home and other times I don't know how I can think these thoughts. I know all of you understand but it is still hard..... I just give him more melatonin..... Sometimes it works...... when it doesn't we stay up tossing and turning and me asking questions all night long....... Just another day in the life of AD.
mammie-how is it that my DH can walk-talk-stand and sit fine UNTIL bedtime then he does no know how to get into bed or lay down once in there.And when I tell him to move over away from the edge of the bed-He just looks and me with that blank stare!!!He takes melatonin but it still takes hours for him to settle in enough to go to sleep. Does no good to beg him to please just lay down and lay still-I get so upset every night I have a hard time keeping my temper under control. How much of this can we take before it gets us down too????
bak. I am having the same problem. His knees hang off the bed and I have tried pushing him and he gets very upset. Not only that but it is hurting my back. Then in the morning lately, he does not know how to sit up and get out of bed. He tells me umpteen times a day that he is quiting and he is leaving this place. I am just about to the place that I am going to pack him a bag and show him the door.
Bak and Bama: been there - bak when dh started that I couldn't find bed rails to fit our bed. I ended up placing a twin bed by his side that I slept on to keep him from falling out of bed. He soon got hospital bed. Bama: dh ch forgot HOW to get in and out of bed as well as how to get in car. They just lose that process. Maybe this is new stage or new symptoms of stage they a3e in?
nellie, that's funny. ch is dh's initials. Is it easier to get into a hospital bed? They look so uncomfortable. I wondered about putting his box springs and mattress on the floor. If it were lower could he get into bed easier? I have been tucking his blanket between the mattress and box springs...so he wont roll out of the bed. You know, like we did when we had small babies. Every night he tells me he doesn't want any water under the bed because he got in that water one time and almost couldn't get out and nobody would help him. It must have been a dream and he hasn't forgotten it. Funny what they remember.
Bama did u get hospice? That is when Home Health got us first hospital bed. The side rails really made a difference. Dh didn't get up and down for potty as he had depends at that time. Now diapers with guards in front.
We had the same old battle again tonight,when I put him to bed- I said lay down and slid over alittle more-BLANK STARE-Ias him to tell me what I just said and he repeated "slid over in the bed" so i said well then do it AGAIN THE BLANK STARE!!!I finally pushed and pulled until he was simi in place. Bama I know what you mean about your back-mine is starting to give me trouble too.I too thought about a hospital bed but he always complains about them when he is in the hospital,so I hate to make him uncomfortable at home.I just do not know what to do or how to handle some of these darn problems....
Seems like these darn problems are handling me. Not only is he having problems getting into bed but he is forgetting how to get out of bed. I really don't know how much longer I can do this. For the first time I am having to think about placing him in the NH. I do have Hospice but the only help I am getting is a bath 3 times a week and the nurse comes twice a week and takes his blood pressure. I am afraid that when they do a reevaluation that they will disqualify him. It has been nice knowing I have back up if anything happens at night because I don't have a plan in place if something did go wrong. It's heck getting old with aches and pains but I guess it beats the alternative. Hang in there bak...maybe tomorrow will be a better day.
Bama: be sure and tell hospice trouble getting in and out of bed. I keep daily notebook which I record bm, times I give pain or ativan and symptoms for giving. I also note any thing out of ordinary and nurse and I review my notes when she comes. I keep note of anything that will help with re-certification, choking, stranguling on liquids etc.