My husband is up every night at 3am trying to leave our home. Has anyone used Benadryl to help their Alzheimer's pts sleep at night?

I was talking with another Alz caregiver a few weeks ago, just remembered. He uses zzzquil for his wife. Says it works like a charm. I use it myself and love it. Zzzquil is by the makers of Nyquil without all the stuff for colds in it.

Benadryl can be effective in many situations, and it is over-the-counter so it is tempting to try it. But I think when someone has cognitive impairment it is best to run each treatment idea by a doctor who knows the health history. I know that Benadryl is NOT to be given to persons with Parkinson's or Lewy Body Dementia, so if the doctor has any doubts about the correct dementia diagnosis he or she might not be in favor of it.

But I definitely encourage you to pursue some relief for the disrupted sleep. Sleep problem are a prime factor in care facility placement for those with dementia. Discuss this with the doctor. If the doc's first attempt isn't successful, ask for another attempt. This is a serious problem and deserves serious attention.

I occasionally will use an antihistamine to make me sleepy but if I use it too many days in a row I will start to get the opposite affect, it will keep me awake most of the night :P

hi Sharirose, I am not a doctor so I ask that you follow Pamstegman's advice before mine. My experience with Benadryl has been good. It allows me to sleep throughout the night and it is not a narcotic. I also have a therapy dog and Benadryl is used with dogs to quiet them when they have a sore spot (itching or other) and it is very effective. I don't use it very often but it is handy.

Benadryl can make it worse, a whole LOT worse. Ask the MD for the right meds.

Shari, have you tried melatonin? Works for aome and not others. It is touch and go to find something that will work the way it is supposed to. My Mom started taking Seroquel for sundowning two years ago. She was very anxious and woukd bexome agitated. The doc started her on a very small dose of 12.5 mg she is now up to 75 mg. This is a very small dose still, doc said many AD patients take up to 400 mg a day. I give her the Seroquel about 4:30, then she is ready for bed about 6:30 and sleeps until at least 8:00 most days, sometimes later. Much of the sleep is progression of AD, she is late middle stage. She also participates in a day program from 10:30 until 4:00 Monday through Friday. It is a wonderful program and most days has had a wonderful time. So, no naps, and she is tired the end of the day because she has been kept busy with a variety of different activities.