Dad is not sleeping..... - Parkinson's Disease Message Board

amyfromnj · 07-30-2006, 05:17 PM

Hi all. I am new to this board, and desperatly trying to reach out to other Parkinson caregivers. My father has had PD for 16 years. I've pretty much kept my head in the sand about the whole thing. Other than taking him to his Dr. appts., I didn't really want to know about the progression of PD, and how bad it would get for him. Now, my parents are living with us so that I can help my Mom take care of Dad. He is on 10 different meds (he has Chrones disease as well) and has terrible dementia. Most of it we manage, some days better than others. However, lately he is not sleeping. It used to be that my mom gave him the Clozapine and he was out like a light. He recently had a hospitalization (the drs. called it failure to thrive) and a new doctor adjusted his meds adding Parcopa, and Seriquel and increasing his Sinemet. He cut out the Clozapine. Some nights, he is awake all night and is often doing a rocking motion, holding his knees to his chest. We've tried cutting out the last dose of Parcopa, giving him back the Clozapine, doubling the Clozapine, doubling the Seriquel, and nothing has worked. Oh, and we've tried Ambien as well, and Tylenol PM, again, he's awake at least 1/2 the night. Any suggestions? Is this just the progression of PD? How do I know what stage of PD he is in? He can no longer walk, and is starting to have trouble swallowing his meds (the Chrone's meds are huge), and as I said, he is very disoriented and having hallucinations. Please feel free to post if you have any suggestions. Thanks.

WannaBeFreeToRoam · 07-31-2006, 12:25 PM

Hi nj,

I am sorry but I cannot help too much. My dad has parkinsons along with alzheimers, but his parkinsons is not too bad yet. Yet, he may have to quit taking his sinemet because of a part of his alzheimers.

Cant your dads doctors, help with all those meds??? Is he going to a neurologist or just a family dr.??? Maybe yall need to get him an appt. with a specialist (do not know their name, but I am sure there is one - just for parkinsons).

I guess that the only thing left I could say is, that maybe yall could contact the Michael J. Fox (assoc.) and they could help, some how?????

Good luck. And take care of yourself and your mom too!

Wananbe

solution · 07-31-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyfromnj

Hi all. I am new to this board, and desperatly trying to reach out to other Parkinson caregivers. My father has had PD for 16 years. I've pretty much kept my head in the sand about the whole thing. Other than taking him to his Dr. appts., I didn't really want to know about the progression of PD, and how bad it would get for him. Now, my parents are living with us so that I can help my Mom take care of Dad. He is on 10 different meds (he has Chrones disease as well) and has terrible dementia. Most of it we manage, some days better than others. However, lately he is not sleeping. It used to be that my mom gave him the Clozapine and he was out like a light. He recently had a hospitalization (the drs. called it failure to thrive) and a new doctor adjusted his meds adding Parcopa, and Seriquel and increasing his Sinemet. He cut out the Clozapine. Some nights, he is awake all night and is often doing a rocking motion, holding his knees to his chest. We've tried cutting out the last dose of Parcopa, giving him back the Clozapine, doubling the Clozapine, doubling the Seriquel, and nothing has worked. Oh, and we've tried Ambien as well, and Tylenol PM, again, he's awake at least 1/2 the night. Any suggestions? Is this just the progression of PD? How do I know what stage of PD he is in? He can no longer walk, and is starting to have trouble swallowing his meds (the Chrone's meds are huge), and as I said, he is very disoriented and having hallucinations. Please feel free to post if you have any suggestions. Thanks.

Try adding 3mg melatonin, half hour before bedtime. It's a supplement, no adverse sideffects reported, get cheap at your local drug store or internet.

HSG · 08-17-2006, 07:38 PM

Sleep disorders with Sinemet kick in after about 3 years of usage. Ask that your Dad's doc review his meds completely to see what can safely be used to help him relax, and sleep.

Unfortunately though sometimes this is just one of those side effects you have to live with. My Dad has been struggling with this issue for about 1 year now.

AnnieRocks · 08-26-2006, 05:29 PM

I've had insomnia since I first began Mirapex (about 4 1/2 years now). I tried trazadone. I refuse to take a benzo. So I now try to make my wakeful hours productive and/or enjoyable.

I have fond memories of adequate sleep though...........................sigh.