Hi, when Mom was first diagnosed she was prescribed Aricept and it did help her a lot, although it did not cause nightmares (at least of what we know) it did cause her to be very anxious. But was it the meds or not, we don't know for sure.
And when the meds no longer seemed to help, the Dr. did stop it, she went through a significant decline. Almost like the disease caught up with her. Hugs

I was wondering if the decline would happen. It's hard. She's at a stage where she can't do much and knows it. If she were less aware it might be easier to bring in the support her family needs. A catch 22.

Like the dr. explained it, the decline happened fast because the meds had sort of retarded the daily decline that we would have seen had she not been on it. For example, she was mobile until august of 2010 when she stopped taking the aricept. Then by sept. about 3 weeks after, she was in a wheelchair, her brain could no longer whill (sp) her legs to support her or move forward.

but taking the pills gave her that extra time and with hind site I'm glad she had it. She was walking up a storm in that NH and pushing another patient around (LOL), so they were kind of weary to stop the meds but they also judge that it was useless to drug her any more than was necessary.

Today she is in the last stages of dementia and her body has started the dying process. Again according to her doctor, this stage could last another year (OMG), it all depends on her and how strong her body is. Her mind is totally shut down.

My husband's dementia improved considerably with Aricept and also after Namenda was added. He had had nightmares before he ever took either one, although more recently he dreamed someone was chasing him and he has fallen out of bed twice in attempt to escape! So now he is sleeping in recliner in living room. The worst side effect seems to be loss of appetite--he is very thin and is never hungry. Also, his nose started running when he started Aricept. I don't know why anyone would be taken off Aricept if it causes a rapid decline. Wouldn't a slow one be better? Or, maybe not.

After the doctor increased the dosage of Aricept, my husband began having vivid dreams - talking, having whole conversations, telling jokes, singing, and sometimes fighting. The doctor said this was not a side effect of the medication, and, since it seemed to be helping his ability to focus, it was worth keeping him on. Didn't do a lot for my own rest at night, but he seemed to benefit from the medication. I did get a bed rail to help keep him from falling out of bed when he might dream he was going someplace and acted on it.

I was given aricept after an MS episode that affected my memory. I had extremely vivid dreams. Mine were good dreams except, no I didn't win the lotto, get the whole house painted, or vacationed in Paris. Each morning I had to figure out what was real or a dream. I have since discontinued. My husband has recently started taking it and has vivid nightmares. The medicine helps him a lot during the day so he wants to continue with it. His neurologist warned us of this side effect. Maybe the dementia creates the nightmares?

My neighbor is on Aricept and nameda. About 3-4 months ago she
started having delusions, Her husband was stealing her clothes, he
as having an affair or had cancer and was not telling her, She would
get hysterical daily. Her hubby took her to a nuerologist , she put
her on some pyscotic [sp]. It really calmed her down She is sleeping
better and eating better.
This is a terrible disease. I walk with her daily and we go to yoga
twice a week. I can see her declining. Her husband takes her up
north often to visit kids and grandkids while she still knows them.