It seemed to work for a couple of weeks, but it just isn't doing it now. He is so delusional and it gets worse by the day. He wandered around the house, car, yard yesterday looking for 'it'; after awhile he said it was where was at lunch. I took him back to DC and everyone helped him look for 'it'. Finally got him calmed down, brought him home. Nothing further about 'it'. Tonight he was in bed, got up said he had to go downstairs and take care of the 'things'. He's just up/down and all around now. This is all something new. I did check for UTI - negative. Has Dr. appt. in a couple of weeks, but I want to be able (hopefully) to ask the Dr. to give him something else - or maybe increase the dose? If anyone has any suggestions, it will be appreciated.
His PCP is out of town; but DH is so difficult to prescribe meds for. He never fits the 'mold' of what the med is supposed to do. So, I always try to research a lot before seeing or talking to his doctor. Just was trying to find something similar to Ativan or something to keep him calm - if possible.
vickie have you tried the seroquel everyone here is using? most have had good results with a few exceptions. he may tell you to use ativan more fruequently during the day to maintain the calm. but yes speak with the pcp and see what he says. sometimes they get to where the doseages dont affect them we see this frequently and the meds and doses need to be adjusted sporadically. i know with some of my DH drugs he started out on 50mg then got up to 400mg on one. just because the body adjusts to it. hope you find a mix that works. divvi
I think I recall that you did try the Seroquel Vickie, and it made him violent. Maybe, one of those Melantonin things every few hours, until you find something better. I don't think it has side effects, and when I take it at night, it makes me sleep for at least a few hours at a time.
The usual range is 2 to 6 mg/day given in divided doses, the largest dose being taken before bedtime, but the daily dosage may vary from 1 to 10 mg/day.
For anxiety, most patients require an initial dose of 2 to 3 mg/day given b.i.d. or t.i.d.
For insomnia due to anxiety or transient situational stress, a single daily dose of 2 to 4 mg may be given, usually at bedtime.
For elderly or debilitated patients, an initial dosage of 1 to 2 mg/day in divided doses is recommended, to be adjusted as needed and tolerated.
The dosage of Ativan (lorazepam) should be increased gradually when needed to help avoid adverse effects. When higher dosage is indicated, the evening dose should be increased before the daytime doses.
Based on H's experience I have been a proponent of lorazepam. The only thing I can add is that H's neurologist advised to supplement with tylenol pm and the dose I was given was 500mg /25mg. diphenhydramine up to 2 caps at bedtime. That is the package dose, and N advised that up to tid.
Good luck Vickie, and prayers, I know what this can be like.
Vickie, DH is on seroquel and neuontin for his anxiety and was also on klonopin (15 mgs at bedtime) for 3.5 years ubtil it was no longer effective for him. He was then put on Xanax for a month which only made him more aggitated. He's now on lotazepam as needed which is working well. Perhaps the klonopin or xanax might be an effective alternative?
For dh the seroquel handles the underlying aggression/agitation.
Thanks for all the feedback. He has tried some of the meds mentioned above- always had severe reactions (as he does with a lot of different meds). Most make him more agitated. So...for the time being I'm going to up the dosage of Lorazapam and see what happens.
Boy, I guess I am a lucky one. My dh gets 1/2 of .5 mg Lorazapam tab with his morning meds and he's a very nice boy. If I see that he's getting anxious about anything, he gets another 1/2. So far, so good.
Since my hospital stay and scare with Sepsis, he's been very possessive and more anxious than he used to be about me being gone. But, the Lorazapam is a lifesaver for us. We are seeing his Neurologist on Monday to do a drug review because dh behaved so violently to my caregivers being here and basically had a Catastrophic reaction and was so aggressive towards my best friend that she cannot come back. I think he's much much better since the return of his "comfort zone", but now I know what will happen the next time I have a medical procedure, which will be rotator cuff surgery. I'll have to plan very carefully for that. Really hate this disease!!!
My dh was sleeping really well at night most of the time and I had to wake him in the morning. Then he was put on Hospice and the nurse suggested I give Ativan at night to make sure he sleeps well and it also will help with any pain. Well I have given dh Ativan for two nights and for two nights he has had insomnia and lots of aggitation (.5mg). I think he was better without it.
it did work for us, he only takes .025 at bedtime. He usually will get up after about an hour and roam around a bit, but then goes back to bed and sleeps pretty well. But...everyone reacts differently, as we all know.
Well, as I said above, klonopin stopped working for us so after trials with Xanax which didn't work we went or Lorazapan at .5 mgs/night or when needed to control aggitation in July/September 2012. Worked until a few weeks ago and now only adds to the agitation and sleeplessness. So desparate last night, I gave him a .5 mg of klonopin and guess what, it worked. Don't know for how long but these manic phases are difficult for him and me. On Christmas night he literally tore apart the Christmas tree. I am hoping the klonopin works again for some time. DH is and has always been difficult to control.
My dh takes a 3mg tab of Melatonin at night along with 50 mg of Trazadone; sleeps like a baby. But, he hasn't had any sleep troubles, at least not yet (yikes!)
Well, it WAS working until last two nights - full moon effect?? He was so agitated and talking out of his head last night that around midnight I gave him another .25. Finally settled down and slept the rest of the night. But today he is lethargic, very wobbly when trying to walk, but very calm and mellow. Don't know if I need to give him another at bedtime tonight or not. Trial and error...
Vickie--Yes could be Full Moon Effect. My Dh would start abot 3 days before and be "off" for about 5-6 days after. e used aaaaaaativan along with his other meds. For him to be able to go to bed around 7:30-8:30 he needed his dose at about 4 pm. The dose you're using is extremely small. I figured out DH's pattern and adjusted his dosagess up for those 10 days. By having a headstart, I could usually minimize the symptoms.
I agree with Carosi*, it could very well be the full moon effect. And the .25mgs is a very low dose. DH's dr prescribed .5mgs for him at night. She also mentioned that Lorazapam can have a "rebound effect" meaning it can cause increased agitation, so I need to be careful with the dosing. Since it stopped working in Dec I have been using the klonopin which was previously prescribed and so far that's working again. Good luck-those restless nights are difficult.
My DH isnt agitated, lately he is on a high. He wont stop talking. I am so wonderful.I cant stand to hear it anymore! I gave him 25mg of seroquel and he slept all day. I tried Lorazepam and it did nothing. So I gave Seroquel before bed, same effect, slept all nite and wants to sleep all day. And this is a small dose.
Ooh, I think I want some of that Seroquel for my DH (only partly said in jest). He just won't settle down all day and until approx. 2am. And, good grief, HOW DO WE KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED IN STAGE 6?
I have been using 25mg of Seroquel in the evening since I was supposed to take him off it and start the Celexa again with Abilify this time. Its been less than a week that he has been on the Abilify so probably not doing much yet. I think it helps keep him asleep longer in the night.
Today I opened the drawer of the side table beside his chair and found all 5 of the pills that he takes in the morning. The problem is that I didn't know if they were todays pills or any of the past 4 days so didn't dare give them to him. Didn't want to overdose. So he sat there for an hour telling me over and over that he didn't put them there.
maryinpa there are several threads about some of us finding pills stuffed under cushions, or under sofas etc. they can be very very clever even in late stages. i found a hoard of meds i supposedly gave DH with water and then turned my back. he cleverly would stick them under the cushion. found so many of them like you. needless to say at this point we must crush them or give in puddings or applesauce and not ASSUME they swallowed them. stand there til you see him swallow or give in food. its never ending try to keep one step ahead. ps i found so many unswallowed ones on the carpets as well and was darn lucky my chihuahua or grandkids didnt eat it! divvi