Thursday morning I took DH to the barber shop and then we went for breakfast. He was fine until late afternoon and then he seemed to "lose it". He was in his bathroom quite a while so I went to check on him and he was just standing there looking around. I checked a couple of more times and he was still standing there still looking around. The last time I checked he was wiping the floor and I asked what he was he was doing. It took a while to figure out what he was saying but apparently he had put a DENTURE tablet in his mouth and after it dissolved he swallowed it. Needless to say it didn't stay down and that's why he was wiping the floor.
I told him denture tablets are for cleaning your dentures and nothing else. He said he never knew that. He's only been using them for years. Last night he was in there quite a while when he was supposed to be going to bed. Again, I went to check on him. He was looking at a bottle of Gold Bond cream, his teeth were in the cup but no tablet. I told him to put the cream away, put a tablet in with his teeth and added warm water. He wanted to know how long he should leave them so I told him just let them go until morning.
I am wondering if this is a form of sundowning so I will see how he does as time goes by today.
Jean21, this does sound like sundowning to me....we have been going thru similar incidents for awhile now. Usually early eve (actually 4:30-5:00pm some days)...there is increased confusion, agitation at times...every day is different. Sometimes DH is in a good mood, other days not so good.
Us, too. And it all happens late afternoon. I try to keep lights on as brightly as possible and that seems to help a little. He gets very confused then, asks a zillion questions - or the same one - doesn't really "hear" me if/when I answer him. Usually is in bed by 6:00 and was going right to sleep, but the last few nights has been different. The other night he asked me (I was in the next room on the computer) if Millie (our dog who was on the bed with him) had fixed the windows (??); then asked if Millie had fixed the overhead fan. I told him no, I had fixed them. Then asked if I had a blueprint (?) on my computer and what did I do with it (??). Just told him no. It's so strange - the subtle changes that occur seemingly out of the blue.
Here is the latest with my dh. He has been biting his finger nails. They are so short now they are bleeding in some places. He never has been a nail biter. I am going to get some of that stuff you put on the nails that doesn't taste too good and maybe that will help him not to keep doing it.
sundowning comes in all forms for sure. and it sux the wind out of the person and caregiver going thru it. jean he sounds pretty confused again - i know you keep up with his med adjustments and corrections in doses as they tend to lose effectiveness over time and new doses are required. hope hes better today.
judith the gel on the nails may help. let us know.
My Dh seems to be sundowning earlier and earlier..now starts around 2-3 pm. the other day he yelled out to me that he was going to the toilet, as he always does, he seemed to be taking too long, so I went to check on him,,there he was in the bathroom having a shower, he had just had a shower an hour earlier. Some days i just can not understand a word he's saying, just does not make any sense.
My DH is sundowning earlier and earlier also. Seems to start around 1-2 PM.Also getting more confused when sundowning. Keeps wanting to call his long dead parents.It's really getting harder to keep my patience.The dog picks up on his moods and gets real clingy.
I HATE THIS SUNDOWNING!! Those of you that are just starting this -becareful there are lots of things in the bathroom to MESS with.I know my Paul has done about every wierd thing known !!! I truely HATE anything dealing with that ROOM. He too does far until afternoon-then all H--- breaks loose and most of the time it involves the bathroom.
I feel for you dear people. My DW is past that and has been since she went to the NH, but, when this was going on, she got real mean. She would throw things and scream at me for the least little thing. I finally had to put almost everything in the house in a lock box to keep her from hurting herself. I hope yours isn't that bad, but, just be careful because they don't understand what and why this is happening to them. You might have to get protective.
Oh bak, yes, the bathroom! Can't leave anything out on the counter or he messes with it and I have to check the bathroom every time he uses it to make sure he has flushed and there's no poop on the commode seat. Also, he has started putting the toilet paper he wipes with in the waste basket instead of the commode. We have to learn how to deal with the nasty stuff in addition to the sundowning.
Ah yes, the bathroom. I bought a purple and plastic tackle box and put my stuff in it; kept the counter clear of everything. But, he could, and did, open doors and drawers that were close enough as he sat. Pardon me, but I still find humor in this: once I went in to check on him and he'd stuck panty liners all over the vanity doors and drawers. I had to laugh and still do at the memory of it.
Was fascinated w/water and would turn the faucets on in kitchen or bathroom and leave them on. Has done that at the care center, too.
DH was okay yesterday except he kept checking the sports paper to see when Ohio State played basket ball (9.00pm). At 8.00pm he looked again and got annoyed that it was 9.00pm!!!!!!
I take his morning pills in at 8.00 and for the third time he had locked his bedroom door. The first time was a few months ago and I had a heck of a time waking him to open the door. I got one of those key like things but either I am using it wrong or it isn't working but he has heard me banging on the door. This is the second time in about a week. I think today I am going to put a piece of masking tape over the lock in the handle and hope that stops him from locking the door.
Jean, I had the same problem. I used duct tape on every room in the house and he never tried to lock the doors again. I also used it on the two doors leaving the house. Duct tape makes a cheap security system and it is easy to remove when needed.
Bama, I have put masking tape over the lock in the handle. I told DH about it, now he just has to remember why it is there and doesn't take it off!!! His memory is about 5 seconds. Last night Ohio State game was going to be on TV at 9.00. I don't know how many times DH checked the paper for the time and at 8.00 he checked again and got annoyed because it was 9.00. He usually goes to bed around 8.00 so he wouldn't have seen it anyway.
Dh has a thing about keys too...he thinks they are all his and hides them...no sooner my back is turned and he's up to something, rearranging my pantry or drawers. The other day he found a half full 2 litre bottle of white vinegar, he topped it up with water and put it in fridge to cool for drinking...I smelt it, but he has no sense of smell anymore..arghh!
After dinner tonight DH decided he was going to rinse his mouth. I asked him if he was going to use mouthwash and he wanted me to go with him. Good thing! He had a denture tablet again. I got the mouthwash out for him and had to show him how to use it. After a while he came to me with an exercise book and wanted me to write down how to use the mouthwash and denture tablets. I've written them in the book now he has to remember where he put the book and remember to read the instructions. I hate to think what will be next.
My DW has been sundowning for several months now. Comes at 8pm almost every nite. She looks around corners, thinks there are people moving through the house at times. and wanders and wanders about the house. Honestly the best way I've been able to help her is this: She's sitting near by and I reach out and just hold her hand and wiggling fingers. This is easy as we might be watching TV (boring) but the physical contact seems to center her. Just trying to share something that might help.
I'd suggest "Googling" Alzheimersweekly melatonin". A very readable article from a legit source. There have been a number of recommendations suggesting Melatonin use to mitigate the symptoms of Sundowning has been helpful. I had to expirment with dose, 1/2 of a 3mg tab, and time to administer, 4pm currently works best for DW. Timing changes with length of daylight Prior to starting on this med an in spite of being on Lorazapan DW was like a road runner on amphetamines from late afternoon until 10pm when I'd give her an Ambien. ( no longer necessary). Her cognitive, communications ability and hyperactivity issues are now much more manageable. Going out to dinner had been impossible, now is a regular event I first heard about this from a Mayo Clinic paper I have an MS in Pharmacy, Their article is not geared to be read by the general public it's an R&D doc. that's why I referred you to the above
I have an equivalent for that, Bluedaze. Thanks. It works OK but I had to finally put her on anxiety pills from the vet. I thought if melatonen would work, and it is otc, that would be easier.
My dog has the same problem...On the 4th of July she goes crazy. I have pills from the Vet and I give her one about an hour before dark on the 4th. But, I would like to know abut the melatonen too.
i googled melatonin for dogs and they do sell at petsmart a GNC supplement esp for dogs that has melatonin camomille and tryptofan to induce calm. GNC ULTRA MEGA RELAX is what they sell at petsmart. i am not so sure its safe to give them regular melatonin for human consumption but this is specific for pets . i think i'd give it a try if your pet has phobias-- i use the thundershirt as well and works well in fireworks and storms. but i may try this from petsmart as well! if in doubt maybe ask your vet, i am sure they know about non narcotic calming agents.
Nelsons, thanks for those links. I can't remember where I heard about melatonin (I'm sure it was here). I asked our PCP about it & if I could put DH on it & he said he didn't see any harm. So I give him a 5mg pill every night with his night pills. That combined with the Seroquel usually puts him out within a half hour – 45 minutes.
Several years ago, our vet suggested we get "Rescue Remedy" for one of our dogs who was deathly afraid of thunderstorms. And living in Texas, we get a lot of them:-) All it takes is four drops on a treat, piece of cheese, bread etc and he calms right down.
I purchased it at Whole Foods, It is a homeopathic remedy and was originally and is used for anxiety in people. I put four drops in a small glass of water and use it myself when I'm feeling anxious and upset. It works well.
The folks at my health food store got me started on it when I was going crazy trying to care for a husband with full blown FTD. Only thing that saved my sanity-though some would doubt it :0)
DH goes to bed around 6 p.m. and always has slept through the night until 6 a.m., goes to the bathroom once. The last couple of weeks, he will sleep for a couple of hours, wake up and for 5 straight nights, kept asking me to get that cat off the bed, or get that animal off the bed, or get that thing off the bed - and be careful, it will bite you! Of course, it's our doggie that has always slept with us. I would show him Millie, let him pet her, and he would then go back to sleep.
Now that has stopped but after a couple of hours now, he wants to know where "all this money is coming from". Asked what money and he said - to buy all this stuff here (pointing to the bed, dresser, etc). I told him we have had this many years and haven't bought anything recently, but that doesn't satisfy him. I told him we didn't have to worry about money (another fiblet), that we okay. This has been going on for almost a week now - same thing every night. I've run out of fiblets.
Vickie, Have you tried "SHUT UP"? Just kidding. I can't stand it when DH goes on and on with his hallicinations and paranoia. It will be 2 years in August and I can't take it!!!!
The other day dh went on his monthly tirade of his dwindled investments (not so). He said he had that money long before I came here. I decided to quiz him as I wondered if he had forgotten what our relationship was. I asked, "Am I the housekeeper? No way. I am not the secretary either." I pointed to our wedding picture. Not to be outdone, he said, "You are just as lovely today as you were then."
LOVELY is a word I never heard dh say with reference to anything in all the 58 yrs. I have known him.
Today everything in the den looks new to him, vcr, cable box and my computer equipment. Has he really forgotten or will it be something else tomorrow?
my uneducated guess would be late sundowning vickie. just as jean and shirley point out the paranoia or hallucinating can come at any time. night or day. sometimes they can become fixated on something and its a hard time bringing them out of it. ask jean. haha remember the parking lot! vickie unfortunately for us as much as DH loved our little chihuahua he became quite intolerant of him around him. it didnt last maybe a year or less but he would kick at or talk harshly to the little guy and it crushed his little heart *and mine) to hear him being mean to him after so many good years. i had to watch the dog carefully around him after that. the goodnews is it dissapated and he now likes the dog again for several years now. we dont know much about this disease except it causes lots of stress and anxiety for them and us! and our pets. :( i usually preach medication adjustment time when things get dicey after a quiet period. divvi
I commented several days ago how great my dh did on the cruise which made me very happy. He was almost better on the cruise then he is at home. Well...guess I better book another cruise. He has started using words I never heard , stuttering again and wondering where his $100 bill he had in his wallet went. (he never had a $100 bill in his wallet). Isn't it strange that money has been such an obsession since he was dx. Also, he is back to sleeping 18 to 20 hours a day. Guess he is really bored. And, in case I didn't know, the dog needs a bath for the 23rd time he has told me.
JudithKB--you may have hit on something--maybe your husband needs more stimulation in his routine. Have you tried adult daycare for him? Sleeping 18 to 20 hours a day seems excessive for someone who is not in the advanced stages.
I know the excessive sleeping is strange. But, he has been doing this for months now. When we were on the cruise I had to get him up by 9 a.m. after going to bed at 10:00 p.m. or he would miss breakfast. If we went back to our room he would take another nap (late morning ) for an hour and then about 1:00 we had lunch....another nap about 3:00 to 4:30.
What is strange to me...so many say and I have read, that a change in their enviorment may causes changes in them. Well...the changes in him were mostly for the best. Actually, it is just about what he was like before we were on vacation. I may start looking into an adult daycare near where we live.
Judith - I know the difference in environment can make a difference. When we are in RV parks where he can walk around talking to people and make friends, he perks up. This winter parked here at my sister's with no one but me to talk to - I can see the difference. Sometime in the next two weeks we will be back at the RV park we were in last summer and he is looking forward to seeing the friends he made there. One guy keeps calling wanting to know when he will be back.
So yes, look into day care. Outside stimulation is good for all of us.
I will be checking the day care situtation...but, could someone tell me if their spouses also have problems with speech and how would that be at a day care center? Before, he got as bad as he is now, I took him to at least 4 different senior centers in the area so he could play pool which he loves and is a very good player. He didn't want to go because all the men that played were much older. Now, I think he would have a problem playing with strangers because he can't remember the color of the balls he is suppose to be using and his speech has gotten so bad. I am thinking of going back to the one senior center and talk to someone about maybe some man would be willing to assist him and get him interested in playing pool as an intro into other things.