What is Dementia
Dementia is the progressive decline in cognitive function due to damage or disease in the brain beyond what might be expected from normal aging. Particularly affected areas may be ...
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Kicking and jerking in the night
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My husband was diagnoised with FTD dementia 2 years ago and was put on Nemanda. He was doing Ok until late last year. He started declining by not being able to work his cell phone. He literally didn't know how to answer it. Lately for the last two months his legs jerk in teh night adn wake me up. It didn't wake him up though. Last night his whole body jerked of and on. I have had to start sleeping in teh guest bedroom just to get some sleep. Is this type of jerking normal with dementia? The doctor said since it doesn't wake him up there is nothing he can do for it. Does anyone know what this means as to what stage my husband is in. Also I am very tired and exhausted most of the time. Due to lack of sleep and no support other than a sitter comes in ten hours a week I don't get any help. The VA si trying to get me some respite care in which I am so ready. I am so sleepy. If anyone has any advice I would deeply appreciate it so much.
Posted on 03/27/09, 10:03 pm |
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My Father experiences "myoclonic" jerks during the day and while he sleeps. There is not much they can do for these and I'm not sure if this is what your husband is experiencing.
I also know that my Dad has sleep issues which are common in dementia and has leg and body jerking, sometimes nightmares and never really getting a good night sleep. Seroquel at a very low dose has helped a little with this. My Father can't take sleep medication, so our choices are limited. Have you informed his doctor of this? The VA in our state has state funded in home care services. Have you asked them if they have these available where you are at? I have a lot of VA information if you want to send me specifics I could point you to some resources. You need your sleep or you won't be any good for him...you know that I'm sure. Can you sleep in the guest room and use a monitor in case he needs help? I'll keep trying to think of things that might help. 
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My father fidgets all night. And, he has taken a high dose of Trazedone combined with Lunesta, and he STILL does not sleep.
Recently, his meds were changed. Now, he takes Lithium, and his daytime Seroquel dosages have been moved to the night. We also give him a small dose of Xanax which helps him with anxiety. If the body jerking is due to him not getting comfortable or worrying, than explore Xanax. Otherwise, the Seroquel will work well with his brain responses and help with the agitation.
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My mother does this jerking with her legs and I too don't understand it. She is sleeping in a hospital bed, my Dad has a small bed beside here that is the only way he can sleep at night. The doctor told us that there is nothing we can do about the jerking, something the brain is causing her to do.
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Thank you so much for your kind ideas. The neurologist said since the jerking doesn't wake him up he is not going to give him anything. So I opt for the guest room when he wakes me up. So far that is the best solution for me. I go to sleep with him so he will not worry but when he starts kicking I slip into the guest bedroom. We have a house alarm system so if he goes outside it will go off and wake me up. The VA occupational Therapist was out recently and she is going to send me some alarms that will go off if he leaves the bedroom. She had some other ideas also that we will try. He is now home based care through the VA and I am so thankful. Thank you all for taking the time to give me your suggestions. You are so valuable and so deeply appreciated
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mom has been drawing her legs up tight for awhile now, tissue deterioration, causing the tendons to act like tight rubber bands. she rocks forward when sitting, and when laying moves her body like in a pelvic thrust type of motion, and trying to pull her legs up more. she can't straighten them herself once they are pulled up and it is difficult to do so especially in the morning when they have been locked up tight most of the night. She sometimes spends hours awake at night, and can stay awake all day too, always different, always changing.
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