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Our mother needs around the clock care. She lives at home with our father, who is not in the best of health. There our 11 siblings and so we take our turns and have not had to bring in any outside help. Mom has been getting very depressed, anxious, and not sleeping. Her family doctor put her on meds, which didn't help so we asked for a referral. He sent her to a psychiatrist who has put her on more meds and now she seems worse. What should we do now?

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My husband has a similar problem. He tried taking Tylenol PM but it wasn't long before they were no longer effective. I would avoid either over the counter or Rx sleep aid meds for that reason. You might try giving her a glass of warm milk or a slice of bread with peanut butter to see if this helps. Keep her awake as much as possible during the day. They tend to get their days and nights mixed up. Sometimes it is easier to let them rest in bed just to avoid the frustrating interaction. But just light dozing during the day can affect their night sleep habits. Good luck.
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Sometimes a dose of melatonin can work. You can find it over the counter. You need to tell the doctor these are making the situation worse. Sometimes it takes a few different prescriptions before they get it right. Don't laugh, but the thing that worked with my 92 yr. old Aunt was a jigger full of whisky. My mom did fine once they found the right medicine and no naps during the day. If your religion permits alcohol, maybe a glass of wine to relax her, my aunt just happened to like whisky or whisky with coke. I went through that with both my aunt, mom, and now my dad.
They prescribed a sleeping for him, only when he feels like he needs it. best of luck.
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Dear you can press in the middle of top of thumb in both hand that is brain and pichurity gland as this problem is due to brain and tell her to keep thumb and second finge press r to activate try this may help
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My MIL has the same problem, and it used to be way worse until her nurse put her on Xanax for anxiety. Now, she sleeps pretty good. The wiring of their brain gets out of whack with Alzheimer's, so they need something to help them mellow out and get some rest. My MIL used to fidget like crazy. She literally looked like she was messed up on illegal drugs because of how much she fidgeted. She started out on Ativan, which helped too at first, but ultimately the Xanax helps more (and it is also a low dose, .5). Be careful though and use only when really needed because they will build up a tolerance to it otherwise. I don't know if you want to ask her doctor about putting her on these types of meds to help with her sleeplessness or agitation, but they worked for my MIL, and now we don't fear for her safety at night when we are all sleeping.
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We have my wife on medication but since there are so many different types out there it is very difficult to find the correct one. Our experience has been my wife's mind will not shut off at night. She tends to think too much and gets frustrated and agitated thus we use a combination of different methods to help her sleep. A lot of times they are afraid they will not wake up. Thus, they force themselves to stay awake. Have you tried having her see a doctor that specializes in geriatrics? You may try to leave a light on in the bedroom and play classical music in the evening. Her diet could also be causing her sleeplessness.
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My mom wanders all night as well and is more anxious at night. Got to keep her active during day, no naps, take a walk outdoors in evening even short one or sit outside with her weather permitting. She likes wine so we let her have a glass in evening and this all relaxes her to sleep soundly. She asks dr for sleeping pill but he no longer will give to her because of falling risk if she has to get up at night.

Some drugs shouldn't be given at night as they can prevent restful sleep.
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My folks don't have this problem but I have heard of sundowner syndrome in Alzheimer's patients. They get agitated at night and are afraid of the dark. They don't know what it is anymore. Call the shrink, and let him/her know what is going on. That's why they get the big bucks.
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My experience has worked so well for me please ask your doctors for this. It's remeron and my dad only takes 7.5 mg a night. He never used to sleep and walked the floors all night and had anxiety, but now he sleeps like a baby about an hour after he takes it.
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This drug has been around for years and is harmless. Thank goodness for the psychiatrists at the hospital. They literally saved my life with this little yellow pill....
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Try GABA 500 mg. You can get it at most health food stores or even on line. Natural to the body and calms the brain. From the first night we gave it to my 80 yo mother who has AD, it stopped the nervousness and bad dreams. I give her a 150mg chewable to start with and then follow up with the 500mg
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