Lynn, ask your doctor about meds for sundowning. We started David in Quetiapine 2 weeks ago and the difference is astounding! No more anxiety at night, sleeps peacefully, it’s pretty incredible stuff!

Hi Lynn - Definitely something to talk with the doctor about. It might be helpful to do an online search for "parasomnia Parkinson's" -- you will find more information on different types of sleep disorders. If your husband has had a recent med change/addition then it may be a side effect from that -- but nonetheless, something to talk to the doctor about. I've got a similar sleep disorder, a REM sleep disorder where my body does not go "paralyzed" during REM sleep so instead I would move around, get up and do stuff, holler and scream from scary dreams, etc. My sleep doctor suggested Melatonin in the evening so I take 5 mg. of that each evening that helps me go into a deeper sleep and that seems to have taken care of it. But definitely time to check in with the doctor and see what he/she suggests.

I sleep on the couch to avoid sleeping on my back. Dreaming is unbelievably real. If I think I’m fighting or running I know I must find the surface and wake up. I can be short of breath and heart racing.

Every night is a different experience. Like changing the channel on TV. A different movie every night. Some very scary. Some very pleasant. But always feel real. Highly detailed.

My sleep disorder was described as REM by my neurologist. I would move and talk/yell in my sleep. I take 10 mg time release Melatonin, over the counter . It helps me get a deep sleep but it doesn’t help the incontinence. So I get up and go back to bed. My dreams were not violent or scary but rather silly or mundane. It did scare my wife, so I would go to the spare bed. I also noted an increase in dreams/talk with consumption of alcohol. So if I have a drink in the evening I go to the spare bed.

Would recommend you discuss this with your neurologist. My wife has been attending my neurologist sessions with me for the past 2 years .
I believe this sleep disorder is common but do not know if it’s a drug side effect or part of PD. But either way it’s another change we’ve had to adapt to. Heck, it has to be common if they have a name for it.
I vaguely remember my previous neurologist asking me about sleep and dreams years ago, but they weren’t as frequent or I could not remember them. They have gotten more frequent in the last couple years.
Good Luck

Has he been checked for sleep apnea? That stopped a lot of it for him. When. Wearing PAC he did not act out and mood better too!