My husband has began talking and acting out in his sleep. Not just a few words here and there, its all night and he seems to be having conversations with people. Last night -he thought he heard the cat under the bed, got up and looked for her. He thought he saw our grand daughter and started waving to her, Was talking about "Amber Stone". Awake now, he has no idea who Amber Stone is. He seems to be reaching for things all the time. Alot of time its things on my head. Thank god it does not seem… read more
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!