Hello Raggedy Anne my hubby has been on Sertraline for 3months, it has worked well for my hubby, he is more confused, it has calmed him down alot, he was very aggitated and depressed, l had to asked for it, he also takes sleeping pills and Donepezil, give it a try.
I don't want to live any more..
- Thread starter Rageddy Anne
- Start date
Something hopeful!
The consultant is back, the CPN talked to him, and my husband can have Citalopram after seeing his GP tomorrow. That's very good news because there's some hope of warding off my husband's feelings of despair that make bedtimes so difficult.
For the last four days, without anything else to offer, I 'm afraid I've resorted to giving him two Paracetamol at bedtimes. It worked, in that he went to sleep and slept for up to five hours, much better than the broken nights we've been having. But I wouldn't want to be giving him Paracetamol routinely, because doesn't it cause stomach problems?
I must have read everything the Internet could supply regarding research into medication for agitation in Dementia, so I know there are reasons to be wary of too much medication.
Let's hope that better funding for research will come up with a better understanding of why people get Dementia, ways to prevent it, and a CURE! But until then, all I want for my husband is for his journey through Alzheimers and Vascular Dementia to be as bearable as possible, so lifting his mood is very important.
Last night I didn't give him any Paracetamol, and he's woken several times, frantic with the worry of not knowing where he was or who I am.
BUT THE SUN'S OUT, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DAY.
The consultant is back, the CPN talked to him, and my husband can have Citalopram after seeing his GP tomorrow. That's very good news because there's some hope of warding off my husband's feelings of despair that make bedtimes so difficult.
For the last four days, without anything else to offer, I 'm afraid I've resorted to giving him two Paracetamol at bedtimes. It worked, in that he went to sleep and slept for up to five hours, much better than the broken nights we've been having. But I wouldn't want to be giving him Paracetamol routinely, because doesn't it cause stomach problems?
I must have read everything the Internet could supply regarding research into medication for agitation in Dementia, so I know there are reasons to be wary of too much medication.
Let's hope that better funding for research will come up with a better understanding of why people get Dementia, ways to prevent it, and a CURE! But until then, all I want for my husband is for his journey through Alzheimers and Vascular Dementia to be as bearable as possible, so lifting his mood is very important.
Last night I didn't give him any Paracetamol, and he's woken several times, frantic with the worry of not knowing where he was or who I am.
BUT THE SUN'S OUT, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DAY.
Anne-good morning
A step in the right direction-I hope it works for you both.
Re the paracetamol; yes I think that repeated dosage can possibly cause some problems. Saying that Pete was on it for some time. The medics couldn't work out WHERE he had pain -but he did somewhere. Do you think your OH could actually have some pain which is waking him up? I'm not sure if paracetamol actually helps sleeping but if pain was involved, and then eliminated, sleep would be easier. I don't know! So much trial and error.
Love
Lyn T XX
A step in the right direction-I hope it works for you both.Re the paracetamol; yes I think that repeated dosage can possibly cause some problems. Saying that Pete was on it for some time. The medics couldn't work out WHERE he had pain -but he did somewhere. Do you think your OH could actually have some pain which is waking him up? I'm not sure if paracetamol actually helps sleeping but if pain was involved, and then eliminated, sleep would be easier. I don't know! So much trial and error.
Love
Lyn T XX
Good morning Anne
I doubt 2 paracetamol would cause stomach problems, I think it happens to those who take more than 6 daily over a long period. [ not that I`m a medic of course ] .
If two paracetamol at night helps your husband sleep I would even prefer it to Citalopram because it might be solving a problem you don`t know your husband has. I would certainly discuss it with your doctor.
I doubt 2 paracetamol would cause stomach problems, I think it happens to those who take more than 6 daily over a long period. [ not that I`m a medic of course ] .
If two paracetamol at night helps your husband sleep I would even prefer it to Citalopram because it might be solving a problem you don`t know your husband has. I would certainly discuss it with your doctor.
I think up to 8 a day is OK. I take them and am allowed that doseage. That's 2 every four hours. Problems come when you overdose, more than 8/ day or, especially, taking a lot at once. Then the liver can be damaged permantly.
That's why I'm sleeping so well despite all that's going on!
That's why I'm sleeping so well despite all that's going on!
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Oh Anne sleep deprivation is so hard. My John wakes up 4 to 5 times a night , has been like that for month! GP won't prescribe sleeping meds as they clash with the epilepsy medication .It's exhausting sometimes . Thinking of you (( hugs))) xx
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Anne-good morning
Re the paracetamol; yes I think that repeated dosage can possibly cause some problems. Saying that Pete was on it for some time. The medics couldn't work out WHERE he had pain -but he did somewhere. Do you think your OH could actually have some pain which is waking him up? I'm not sure if paracetamol actually helps sleeping but if pain was involved, and then eliminated, sleep would be easier. I don't know! So much trial and error.
Love
Lyn T XX
I'm sure there was some research about the previous over-use of anti-psychotics in residential care that found that many PWD better on common and relatively safe pain-killers and the supposition was just as Lyn explains - that agitation and worse are often caused by undiagnosed pain.
Hello RA - it is quite common to prescribe routine paracetamol for patients with cognitive impairment / dementia. I know Mum had it and it helped reduce some of her unexplained bouts of agitation. I would mention it to the doc and ask if you can continue it - taken using sensible practice and levels it should not be harmful. Any risk of irritation to the stomach can be reduced by making sure it is not taken on an empty stomach but do check with the GP and also be aware that other medicines (such as for coughs and colds) can contain paracetamol so you can unwittingly increase the dose if you take both.
This is one of the latest write ups I can find that is fairly readable and by a specialist in the field - hope its helpful. I know it is written for hospital care but obviously applies to other care situations - https://dementianews.wordpress.com/...n-control-and-dementia-in-the-acute-hospital/
Hope it continues to be effective - it helps to make a friend of your local pharmacist as they will always be a good and quicker route to find out about such things rather than waiting for a GP or hospital appointment. x
This is one of the latest write ups I can find that is fairly readable and by a specialist in the field - hope its helpful. I know it is written for hospital care but obviously applies to other care situations - https://dementianews.wordpress.com/...n-control-and-dementia-in-the-acute-hospital/
Hope it continues to be effective - it helps to make a friend of your local pharmacist as they will always be a good and quicker route to find out about such things rather than waiting for a GP or hospital appointment. x
Thanks for this link Celia - following tooth extractions recently, the dentist suggested a couple of paracetamol at bedtime for my husband, and we are now both getting a good night's sleep. I hadn't connected this with the tablets, such a simple solution.
That's a very interesting link Celia - thanks. If this were tried first, as suggested, it could well be that in many cases drugs which carry a greater risk of serious side-effects would not be required.
It's one of those ideas that should be promoted far and wide.
Citralopram?
Five days into my husband taking Citalopram and I'm telling myself there's a glimmer of hope that his mood is lifting...though this might be wishful thinking:he's still confused but maybe just a teeny bit less despairing. Our GP is certainly going to supervise closely; wants a progress update a fortnight after starting the medicine, presumably in case there are unwelcome side effects. It would be better to start reducing Citalopram early, as it can't be stopped suddenly. Then, after four weeks there'll be another check to see if it has helped.
If it hasn't, at least we've tried.
Someone mentioned MELATONIN, so then I'd ask the GP about that. Nobody has ever suggested it, and I wonder why.
All I want is for my husband to be less troubled....
Five days into my husband taking Citalopram and I'm telling myself there's a glimmer of hope that his mood is lifting...though this might be wishful thinking:he's still confused but maybe just a teeny bit less despairing. Our GP is certainly going to supervise closely; wants a progress update a fortnight after starting the medicine, presumably in case there are unwelcome side effects. It would be better to start reducing Citalopram early, as it can't be stopped suddenly. Then, after four weeks there'll be another check to see if it has helped.
If it hasn't, at least we've tried.
Someone mentioned MELATONIN, so then I'd ask the GP about that. Nobody has ever suggested it, and I wonder why.
All I want is for my husband to be less troubled....
It's not too soon, RA ... it only took five days for me to feel an improvement when I started taking Citalopram, so it may not just be wishful thinking on your part. Fingers crossed you see more improvement over the next few days xx
Fingers crossed that you are seeing a real reduction in his anxiety that will really kick in once he has been taking C for a little longer - is he sleeping any better? Is he on 10mg or 20mg dose?
How are YOU feeling - are you managing to get any time to yourself to recharge your batteries? Really really hope that things are getting slightly better for you. Take care.
How are YOU feeling - are you managing to get any time to yourself to recharge your batteries? Really really hope that things are getting slightly better for you. Take care.
Celia, thank you very much for the paracetamol link. I've also sent it to my friend who's husband is in a care home.
Agree 100% especially after experience with my own mum in hospital during her last few weeks. Thankfully I was there all the time, so whenever I saw any sign of discomfort we upped the pain relief. But you would have had to be watching mum all the time to notice the little signs, so I think she would have had to be in great pain before any of the staff did anything. They were good though and responded immediately whenever I told them.
A year, now since mum died and still feel so sad. Still, I must remember she made a good life for us and herself, full of adventures and sunshine and we all have to come to an end sometime.
The mysterious condition called Dementia....
Husband has just said, clearly, that he doesn't really want to walk off the end of the pier, but how can he expect people to put up with him talking gobbledygook all the time.
His language skills are as good as ever, and he's telling me now how embarrassed he is when he rudely forgets who people are. And when it's family, he hates the fact that it's really hurtful.
" How can I expect people to be that patient with me when I'm doing such stupid things?" What on earth do you say to that? His last comment just now was " I feel worthless".And now, "I'm so fond of you, but I can't remember your name and I know I've known you for years. How could I DO that?"
A couple of hours ago he was bizarrely worrying that although this is our house we didn't own the big tree in our garden, and what would we do if they came to reclaim it? Now he can understand that he was talking nonsense.
It's so cruel, and so puzzling.
Husband has just said, clearly, that he doesn't really want to walk off the end of the pier, but how can he expect people to put up with him talking gobbledygook all the time.
His language skills are as good as ever, and he's telling me now how embarrassed he is when he rudely forgets who people are. And when it's family, he hates the fact that it's really hurtful.
" How can I expect people to be that patient with me when I'm doing such stupid things?" What on earth do you say to that? His last comment just now was " I feel worthless".And now, "I'm so fond of you, but I can't remember your name and I know I've known you for years. How could I DO that?"
A couple of hours ago he was bizarrely worrying that although this is our house we didn't own the big tree in our garden, and what would we do if they came to reclaim it? Now he can understand that he was talking nonsense.
It's so cruel, and so puzzling.
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Life
I know it's hard to take in ! My mother has dementia and I am caring for her in all her needs ! I feel as if my life has been took over ! She is 89 yrs old and I am 63yrs old ! I work 20hrs a week , run a 3bedroom house with a large garden ! So I am busy all day long everyday I go to help her twice sometimes twice a day ! I do her washing shopping cleaning also ! Plus showering her and help to dress her ! I feel totally took over by her ! There is no conversation as such as she can't remember anything what was said or happened 10mins ago ! My advice to you would be try to get a bit of your own life back and except the illness ! Don't try to beat it just go along with it ! As nothing will alter it ! Stay as happy as you can and look to your future ! As it will get worse so just think about yourself from now on think me me me ! And you will get through the illness a lot better if you stay positive ! Take care x
I know it's hard to take in ! My mother has dementia and I am caring for her in all her needs ! I feel as if my life has been took over ! She is 89 yrs old and I am 63yrs old ! I work 20hrs a week , run a 3bedroom house with a large garden ! So I am busy all day long everyday I go to help her twice sometimes twice a day ! I do her washing shopping cleaning also ! Plus showering her and help to dress her ! I feel totally took over by her ! There is no conversation as such as she can't remember anything what was said or happened 10mins ago ! My advice to you would be try to get a bit of your own life back and except the illness ! Don't try to beat it just go along with it ! As nothing will alter it ! Stay as happy as you can and look to your future ! As it will get worse so just think about yourself from now on think me me me ! And you will get through the illness a lot better if you stay positive ! Take care x
Oh raggedy, seems like your hubs is so aware too , it's heartbreaking . It's the same with my hubs he goes from being perfectly good to confused in min but knows when things aren't working specially certain words. He has left instructions with GP and I don't know what they are . . He is quite positive on his outlook though but can be grumpy when sundowning huge hugs to you xxxxx
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