My dad, 77, does not sleep well at night. Over the past year, wakes up hitting my mom, or sees people in the closet. We think that was caused from different meds for relief of pain. There are times he may get up a dozen times to get a drink or use the bathroom, but then mom will find him in the other bedroom looking for something. He tends to go to sleep, with the help of xanax, but will does not stay asleep. He can go into the living room sit in his spot and nap great. My mom believes he could walk out of the house during his confused moments. During game the day, he does not ever seem confused. He would easily nap off and on all day if we were to let him. I'm wondering if this could be sundowner syndrome, and if so, would that mean he has dementia or Alzheimers.
If you and/or your mom can keep records while you wait for an appointment, that may help the doctor. Chart when meds are taken, when the activity starts, and anything else that enters your mind. It's possible that a pattern could emerge.
I saw this with my dad while he was hospitalized. Twenty minutes after a dose of the supposedly helpful medications he became so paranoid he thought people were trying to kill him. It was like clockwork. So, yes, tracking can help.
However, if this is a type of dementia that presents with aggression and/or hallucinations, then the doctor will have to do more than change the medications. He or she will have to work with all of you on a care plan.
Please update us when you can. We want to know how you are doing.
Carol
As for the brain surging, which is why he awakens inside his dream( akin to childhood night terrors), and the reason for his nighttime scavenger hunts, my mom was prescribed Nortryptoline, which helps the neves to rest, allowing for her much needed REM sleep and less surging.Hope I have been of some help,and many blessings in your ongoing search for answers!
Sometimes elders tend to minimize their symptoms, and his neurologist needs to know about both the hallucinations and the acting out in dreams, both of which often occur in Lewy Body dementia. We're not physicians; as I said last week, this is not a situation for guessing.
Symptons perfectly describe.LB but many docs do not recognize. Needs a thorough exam from neuro with dementia specialties.
I have been here.
Very sorry.
I do wonder if it could be REM sleep behavior disorder. That can cause kicking and punching during the night. It is associated with Parkinson's, which is related to Lewy-Body dementia.
Here are some free scholarly articles on sleep problems in older adults. It's always a good idea to do a little homework before seeing a doctor about problems, as it will help you ask better questions:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2842167/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2748127/
good luck!
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