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Does your dad’s doctor acknowledge that you and everyone else living in the house also matter and also need to sleep?

Maybe you need a doctor who can see the whole picture here.
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11 years ago, I had a horrible fall in which my left hand and arm were shattered. I had to have surgery in which a plate with screws was put in the hand and arm to keep everything together, and my doctor put me on a mild dosage of melatonin to help me sleep well. It works great for me; I'm on a 3 MG dosage; I sleep well but at times I do have to get up during the night to use the bathroom. I'll go back to sleep in no time. Melatonin is not habit forming, it is a natural hormone that your body makes. I even took it when I had a hysterectomy in 2006
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I've been using Melatonin since 2011 when I fell and had a debilitating injury. It does wonders on helping me sleep
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Absolutely helps my 98 year old mother. Some nights she is wide awake, wants her purse, keys and shoes late at night. I give her Melatonin 5mg via her neurologist, brand is Natrol 100% drug free, strawberry natural flavor. I buy it at Costco's. She falls asleep within 30-45 minutes for the rest of the night. Used to be on Ativan when needed, but this works better and is safer in my opinion.
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I use it myself, and my LO has been prescribed it in her AL.

It can be purchased in time release form, and that’s actually the type I take, because I can fall asleep at a reasonable time but be up, wide awake, 3-4 hours later. Might work better for him too.

Be sure to ask his doctor which type would serve him better.

Tough on Dad and tough n you and your family too.
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Geaton777 Feb 2021
To clarify, one does not need a prescription for Melatonin since it is considered a nutritional supplement and not proven medication vetted by the FDA. But I understand that the NH may need to have a formal "prescription" from a physician for them to get it and dispense it since there is no real dosage recommendation.
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There are many sleep aids on the market. Melatonin never worked for me. I never tried any of the natural products. Don't try any of the OTC sleep aides, their active ingrediant is dyphenhydramine which studies have shown has a negative effect on people with dementia. Trazadone is a prescription drug that many PCPs prescribe for insomnia.
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Mom(84) takes 10mg melatonin and magnesium for sleep help. It seems to work well for her.
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My VA psychiatrist put me on Melatonin a couple months ago (2 tablets, 3 mg each) due to months/years of insomnia/disturbed sleep. So far I haven't noticed any difference. The other day, he okayed upping it to 9 mg total. I am also on 4 different BP meds, but BP is still high. I know that and the insomnia are both due to the fact that I've had a PTSD relapse/flare-up for 3-4 years now since the whole caregiving toxic parents thing and had to go off my 3 PTSD meds 2 years ago due to NAFLD. I can't even take a Tylenol. I'm lucky if I get 3-4 hours of sleep per night. I know that is a factor of why my BP won't come down and the rest is all the stress, anger and resentment that I can't seem to overcome.
At least my liver enzyme numbers are much better than they were a year ago. Since my cardiologist is making me go back on a statin drug, I might as well ask my Psychiatrist if I can go back on Zoloft. I really miss it sometimes.
It seems I have to make a choice: I can either die of a stroke/heart attack or of liver failure because the meds for one are not good for the other and vice versa.
In the meantime, I am trying the Melatonin since that is the safer option. Oh well. It is what it is.
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NeedHelpWithMom Feb 2021
I wish you well. Hoping you will find a successful resolution to your sleepless nights.

My blood pressure meds were increased too.

The last combination of meds that my doctor prescribed seem to have it under control.

Take care.
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It has never worked for me. My mother's Memory Care kept the residents up and busy during the day so they would sleep at night. Does your dad do a lot of napping? Elderly folk often get their biorhythms messed up.
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It is worth a try. Also try to get your loved one into the sunshine during the day for at least 30 minutes. Try to keep him from napping during the daytime as well.
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