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Joined: 1/14/2015
Posts: 40463
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Originally posted by: Janice C
Hi.. My husband has alxheimers and I would guess he is in the mild to moderate stage. I am concerned to his sleeping habits. He can sleep 8 hours at night then get up put on the coffee and go back to bed for 2 or 3 hours. Then he will go back to bed in the afternoon for 2 or 3 hours. Does that seem right ? He is on a lot of meds but except for the aracept no more then he has bbeen on for years. I have beeen looking for a support group and think I have found one I just have to give them a call which I have been putting off. Thanks Jan
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Originally posted by: JAB
Hi, Jan, welcome to the forum.
Alzheimer's can be very tiring, and it's not unusual for loved ones in the moderate to severe stages to sleep quite a bit. They especially need plenty of rest after doing anything "stressful" -- which might be as simple as tagging along while you grocery shop.
Your husband doesn't sound quite that far along, though, so I'd suspect something else. Aricept can cause "fatigue" as a side effect in a fairly high percentage of loved ones, and "somnolence" in a smaller but still significant number. If he hasn't been on the drug very long, I'd give him a chance to adjust to it. If he's been on it two or three months, and you don't think it's helping all that much, you might talk to the doctor about switching to a different cholinesterase inhibitor -- Razadyne (galantamine) or Exelon. The more I read about these three drugs, the more inclined I am to think Exelon might be the best choice for many patients, especially in the later stages.
You might also look for interactions among the meds he's on, and see if something like that could be exacerbating the problem. My favorite site for doing that is:
http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php
You can read up on sleep disturbances in dementia patients at:
http://alzheimers.boomja.com/A...turbances-61711.html
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Originally posted by: mary alice 46
hi, janice, my husband has ad in moderate stage. he sleeps alot also, gets up eats breakfast and some days goes back to bed and sleeps another 2-3 hrs. some of he afternoon naps help me get through the rest of the day. hang in there . get lot of info from friends on this form..
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Originally posted by: RevSasha
My husband has a tendency to want to go back to bed and sleep. I believe it's because he is bored. He can't participate in his old activities and won't or can't get interested in anything new. There's really not much for him to stay awake for. He will be starting Day Care next week, hoping that gives him a boast.
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Originally posted by: jfkoc
My husband would only be awake about 8-10 hours each day. I kept telling his Drs I was concerned. One put him on Ritilan...nothing.
Finally he was taken off Namenda and a month later off Aricept, another improvement. Then finally Zoloft. There has been an enormous change for the better.
However, no one ever said he had AD. If he has VD then probably the meds were not the best.
Bottom line things are MUCH better and he had his first EECP treatment today.
I just think each of us has to monitor our LO very carefully and trust our instincts enough to question what is done.
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Originally posted by: SherylS
My DH loves his Day Care days, but then comes home and takes a nap (I often take one with him!).
Other days, he'd take as many naps as others have said. Boredom, I think. When he has a new 300 pc puzzle to work on, he'll stay up until it's done! That means he's often up late at night if he started in the afternoon as it takes 6-8 hrs for him to complete. We've found the ones marked 'EZ Grasp' are best for him.
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Originally posted by: JAB
quote: Bottom line things are MUCH better
Wow! That's really great to hear!!!
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Originally posted by: RevSasha
BJean...I don't think this experience ever stops being confusing and confounding. Things can stay pretty level for long periods of time or they change in the blink of an eye. You will have to ultimately find your own way through it all. However, you do have many friends here who can give you their experience to help you map your way. My DH was diagnosed with dementia probable AD 5 years ago. He has remained pretty stable thanks to the meds and lots of love. Take care.
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Originally posted by: lurk
Hi BJean, tell us about you both and start asking questions. You'll figure it all out, but one day, one question at a time. You can't absorb everything at once. What are your immediate concerns?
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Originally posted by: Mimi S.
Hi B. Jean,
Welcome to our world. We're so glad you found us.
First, you and hubby, take a deep breath.
I'm an 82 year old who was diagnosed with AD over 4 years ago. As you can see, I'm still pretty much with it.
And he can be too, but only if he's willing to fight!!!Please have him watch this video of me;
http://article.wn.com/view/201..._Seminar_to_Help_Pa/
And this is what I do;
And in addition to learning about the disease, the greatest thing you can do to help your mom at this stage is what I call my Best Practices:
1. Take meds as directed.
2. Strenuous physical activity.
3. Strenuous mental activity.
4. Maintain or increase socialization.
5. Mediterranean Diet. I also take antioxidants and Omega 3.
Yes, AD is a condemnation of death: but not today, nor tomorrow.
There are several of us following this regime with the same results.
Please have your husband join us on our own Forum.
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Originally posted by: jfkoc
Warm Welcome BJean. Rest assured thatwhat you are feeling is 100% normal. There is much help here.
Read, ask questions...share. We are in this together!
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Originally posted by: BJean
Hi.. My husband was recently diagnosised with early dementia... this is all very confusing. i have read about it and there seems to be so many unanswered questions about even the way they diagnosis... he is depressed but will not talk about it.I feel so helpless and confused. I watch him just fading away
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Originally posted by: Mimi S.
Interesting. In order to get the video, go to that blank box at the top. Put in Mimi Steffen and hit return. It came up for me. I didn't realize that the address line at the top did not change.
Oh well, such is life.
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Originally posted by: biccoastal
Mimi,
You are an inspiration. I clicked on the link to see your video but got a list of Mass Mutual Retirement news. Is your video among the items listed? If so, can you provide a date or title? Thank you.
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Originally posted by: Jinnie H
Hi I'm new here too. My husband was diagnosed last year with Alzheimers. The doctor put him on Arocept and now has added Namenda. He's always slept a lot even before his diagnoses. He has other medical and mental problems, that he takes medication for,some make him sleep. I was noticing a steady change in his behavior and asked the doctor to what stage he was in. After testing,I was told it is severe. Now he is either asleep or talking and making no sense.
I was told to see about placing him in a nursing home. I've checked on this and found that sense he is a 100% disabled vetern he can live in the veterns home free of charge. But this is a 6 months to a year waiting list. I down loaded the forms and started filling them out. My problem with this is in doing all this is making it real and I'm having a hard time dealing with it. Plus everything else that is going on with our children and grandchildren. I know this is long, but I've had all of this inside of me for so long I can't seem to stop typing. The Chat room on here helps me so much. I also use some distractions to help with the stress. I paint pictures and always have some kind of project going that I can do or learn to do. But not having anyone to talk to is very hard for me. I don't want pitty I just want to talk.
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Originally posted by: Ellen Lee
Great video! Thank you
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Originally posted by: Sally E.
He has had allergic reactions to three meds and a fourth did not improve the situation
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Originally posted by: Sally E.
Hi- I have been reading the messages and already have learned some things- thanks! My husband has been diagnosed with moderate alz since last July- He has many periods of noncompliance and anger which is not like him at all- I am at a lose as to how to handle this- He accuses me of lying and taking him places against his will - He take a antidepressent but cannot take any of the alz meds- I would like some advise-thanks so much!
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Originally posted by: JAB
First, a link to Mimi's video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2w9LG3hMlU
She is indeed an inspiration to all of us, and I would strongly urge our newbies (my gosh, so many of you!) to follow her "Best Practices".
BJean, since the diagnosis is pretty recent, you may find the Newly Diagnosed article helpful:
http://www.alzcompend.info/?p=121
Jinnie, the sleep disturbances even before the diagnosis make me wonder how much that is contributing to your husband's cognitive function. You might want to have him evaluated by a specialist in sleep disturbances. There are many different kinds of sleep disturbances, most of which may benefit substantially from the appropriate treatment.
Sally, why can't your husband take any of the AD meds? Those are the first line of defense against behavioral issues.
All three of you may find Jennifer Ghent-Fuller's article, "Understanding the Dementia Experience", very helpful:
http://alzheimers.boomja.com/A...xperience-59731.html
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Originally posted by: Mimi S.
Hi Ginnie,
Welcome to our World. We're so glad you found us and so sorry for what's happening.
Do fill in the paper work. You will have plenty of time to decide if this is what you want to do.
I would suggest visiting the Nursing Home a few times to see if you would be content with his being there.
Do also call your nearest Aliz. Assoc.office. Click Chapters, below. Talk with them. There may be services they can provide now. Also ask about local support groups. You might even meet someone there who will be your friend.
When you need to speak with someone NOW, call the help line: 1-800-272.3900. There is someone on the other end 24/7
I'm glad to hear that you've been visiting the Chat Room.
This is a great community of compassionate and knowledgeable friends.
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Originally posted by: Starling
Download the forms and fill them out. Then, if your doctor thinks he needs to be placed earlier, he might need to be sent to the hospital first for a medical assessment. At that point it might be possible to place him immediately if he qualifies.
I've seen it done that way although I personally have no VA experience. Talk to the doctor.
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Originally posted by: Mimi S.
Sally,
Those allergies are a bummer.
Guess one has to make a choice. Were any of the three lesser reactions than the others? Would he /you be willing to deal with those reactions in return for the good of the AD medications?
Re behavior. There is a short simple book I like. Creating Moments of Joy by Jolene Brackey.
More difficult to master, but for more difficult cases is the Validation work of Naomi Feil. Do read everything you can about her on the web. Also, ask your library to get one of her books. Read carefully. It's akin to reading a text book.
On her web site somewhere is a listing of her presentations. If you're lucky, she might be presenting at a place you can get to.
Also, is your husband capable of participating in the Best Practices. The more of them one does, and the more intense you do them, the better the results. Three researches I've spoken with say what's happening to me is because I am religious in doing them.
1. Take meds as directed. [Well 4 out of 5]
2. Strenuous physical activity.
3. Strenuous mental activity.
4. Maintain or increase socialization.
5. Mediterranean Diet. I also take antioxidants and Omega 3.
The behaviors he's exhibiting are unfortunately par for mid-stage.
Do come back. And if hubby is at all able, please have him join us on the I've got AD Forum.
Do keep coming back
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Originally posted by: Mimi S.
Thanks JAB,
I'll see if I can keep that link.
There are a lot of various stuff about me out on the net.
This is a segment that was not shown in the original 'Retirement Revolution.' It's the segment that has my message.
It's incredible to realize I'm still holding things at bay over 4 1/2 years after diagnosis!
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Originally posted by: Claudia R
Welcome! This is the place where you can let it all out. My husband sleeps a lot too. He gets about 10 hours at night, then I wake him up as he needs help showering and dressing. I coach him through "what comes next." He can handle the physical part himself. Then I have to keep him awake to take an anti-depressant and a Namenda pill, then he sleeps for another 2-3 hours until I wake him up for lunch. It's sad, although it sure beats agitation and anger. I've had some of that too.
My husband also does not handles the Aricept family of drugs well. He is 66.
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Originally posted by: JAB
quote: Originally posted by Sally E.:
He has had allergic reactions to three meds and a fourth did not improve the situation
Ouch. I assume the three were Aricept/donepezil, Razadyne/galantamine, and Exelon?
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Originally posted by: Mimi S.
And PS Sally,
Welcome to our Forum. We're so glad you found us, but so sorry for the problems your dad is having.
The chat room may be an avenue of help.
Also the help line is always available for oe on one: 1-800-272-3900
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Originally posted by: SherylS
On the recommendation of these boards, I got my DH registered in an Adult Day Care so on those days , Tues and Thurs, he's excited and gets ready to go.
On other days, if I don't get him involved with going out for a latte and a trip through the grocery, he wants to take another nap. I think he's bored.
The neurologist told him that his brain was shrinking so I've told him he needs to exercise his brain's neurons and synapses so I've also gotten him some 100 pc puzzles from the Dollar Tree. (I used whatever 'brain sounding words' I could think of to trick him into doing them! Those take him about 1 hr to complete.
More recently, he's settled on the 300 pc "EZ Grasp" puzzles (larger pieces) and those take him 6-8 hrs to complete and he'll stick with it until he's done, with no naps! I've had good luck finding them at thrift stores otherwise they cost about $6.98 at Target and KMart.
It's important to get a 'busy' design (not lots of trees, water, sky) so he can have success at completing them, otherwise, he says they are 'too hard'. He did some 500 pc, but hasn't wanted any more of those.
We have weeded out those that had pieces too small or were 'too hard' and have donated those to a local rehab center. He's now doing some of his 300 pc puzzles a second time.
I've set him up with some bright lights when he's working as I read those are good for him. I found some of those bright 'task' light like they sell at the fabric stores, both in a floor lamp and a table lamp. I've had luck finding those at garage sales too. He works on a card table in front of the TV. As long as he's working them, he's exercising his brain. The TV is extraneous.
Also, as long as he's working on the puzzle, it's something he can do while I'm doing other things in another part of the house It gives me a kind of respite too. Sometimes, I come through and help him find a few pieces so he knows I'm around. But I can work on the computer, laundry, housework while he's busy there too.
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Originally posted by: Sally E.
quote: Originally posted by JAB: quote: Originally posted by Sally E.:
He has had allergic reactions to three meds and a fourth did not improve the situation
Ouch. I assume the three were Aricept/donepezil, Razadyne/galantamine, and Exelon?
Yes you are correct
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Originally posted by: Amy Ann
My husband is very apathetic too. I have to wake him for eating and bathing. I recently got the deluxe cable tv package and that has helped. It sure does beat anger though - you are right. That was seriously scary.
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Originally posted by: GGSA
All three of you may find Jennifer Ghent-Fuller's article, "Understanding the Dementia Experience", very helpful:
Thanks for this lead.Excellent article.
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