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Pharmajoe Asked March 23, 2025

My 88 yr old mother has Alzheimer’s. She has not slept for months. She has been prescribed Trazadone and Seroquel, neither helped. Ideas?

Female88 yr oldCHF - frequent bathroom runs at night due to diureticTried Trazadone and Seroquel, together and separately Hired a night carer 7 days a week to follow her around the houseGets agitated while sundowning

Fawnby Mar 24, 2025
There are specific meds available just for the bladder. "Overactive bladder" can be a bladder condition, interstitial cystitis (IC). This is when the walls of the bladder become chronically inflamed and sometimes develop sores (Hunner's lesions) that bleed. The blood does show up in a urinalysis, but people can have IC without the sores and blood.

IC is different from a bladder infection, cystitis, in that an infection (UTI) can be treated with antibiotics and cured. IC is chronic and never goes away, but can be managed with meds such as Uro-Mp and Myrbetriq.

Some doctors know little about IC. But I always believe that those with the symptoms your mom displays should be evaluated for it. Ask her doctor.

AlvaDeer Mar 23, 2025
I would discuss with the doctor.
The timing of the diuretics may need changing.
I know you are dealing, likely, with CHF, so it's critical to discuss with the doc.
As someone with an overactive bladder who is up frequently at night, I cannot imagine anyone else having to deal with my nighttime habits; you have my sympathy.

I would say that you may be coming close to the time where home care isn't sustainable? Only you can know how long you can sustain the cost of a nighttime attendant. I wouldn't think anything like Purewick would work for you. One must maintain a certain position, be able mentally to "let go of urine" and often these end up on AC with "anyone want this thing?" Cost of it is very high.

Sometimes with the medications they only make things worse. Some people have opposite reaction to what's wanted with medications.

I am really sorry. I hope others have more and better hints for you of things to try than I do. I wish you the best of luck.

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