Monday, June 02, 2008 Deb Perry asks

Q: what is the best drug a doctor can prescribe to help an alzheimers patient sleep at night

my father-in-law has alzheimers and his drugs make him sleep during the day but not at night and my mother-in-law is at the end of the line with this. He didnt go to sleep until 5am this morning and we cant get a doctor out to see him for another three days. My mother-in-law is going to see her Gp to ask for something to help him sleep at night and just after suggestions of what would be the best drug for him to have.

Thank you.

Answers (3)

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Christine Kennard

6/ 3/08 11:37am

It is very difficult to make any suggestions for your father in law. There are many different types of medication that may help to promote sleep or help someone stay asleep. A doctor is the best person to make that decision as he/she will have access to his medical history, his present health, his age, current medications and history of any drug allergies or reactions, previous medication history and pattern of sleep- to name a few.

People with Alzheimer's disease are as variable and highly individual as any group of people. Doctors will have their favorite medications, ideas about promoting sleep too. I think you will find any expert reluctant to answer this question without more information. Sorry I cannot be of more help.

You will find this article interesting http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/news-251110-31.html

There is a great site on Healthcentral about sleep that gives lots of information about sleep and available medications http://www.healthcentral.com/sleep-disorders/?ic=1102

Christine

6/ 6/08 11:38am

It depends on the staging of your father-in-law also. If he is in very late stage, he would get up in the middle of the night. It is the nature of the disease. I know that the drug namenda can make one sleepy. But if he can sleep in the day, not at night, maybe it is about the change of daily routine for him. These patients can just sleep all day and get up in the middle of the night. Please check with you doctor or nurse about what to do with him. Usually the caregiver just has to deal with it - get up in the middle of the night and etc. Your mother-in-law may need to hire a caregiver at night to help her so she can sleep.

My father-in-law is in functional stage 6 and so he is not at this point yet.

Regards,
Nina

6/ 7/08 2:35pm

Please check this website below in Mayo clinic about the sleep problem.

Regards,

Nina

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Alzheimer's: Managing sleep problems

Alzheimer's sleep problems affect both you and your loved one. Try these tips for getting both of you a good night's rest.

When people with Alzheimer's can't sleep, they may wander through the house - waking caregivers and possibly endangering themselves. These sleep disturbances, and the caregiver exhaustion that so often accompanies them, are among the most common reasons people with Alzheimer's are placed in nursing homes.

Sleep problems are common

Many older adults have problems sleeping, but people with Alzheimer's have an even harder time. Alzheimer's may reverse their sleep-wake cycle, causing daytime drowsiness and nighttime restlessness. And these sleep disturbances often increase as Alzheimer's disease progresses.

Eventually, people with Alzheimer's may nap off and on both day and night. Every hour may include periods of wakefulness and periods of light sleep. These naps replace the deep, restorative sleep most people enjoy at night.

Coexisting conditions

Some people with Alzheimer's have other health problems that affect their sleep. In many situations, these problems respond well to treatment.

Sleep apnea. This disorder happens when throat muscles relax during sleep and obstruct airflow through the nose and throat. People with sleep apnea typically snore loudly, and their breathing periodically stops during sleep. It is very common in people over the age of 65.
Restless legs syndrome. Occurring most often in middle-aged and older adults, this disorder consists of leg discomfort relieved only by moving the legs.
Depression. Many people with Alzheimer's also suffer from depression. Sleep problems are common in both diseases. Treating the depression may improve quality of life for both you and your loved one.