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I'm kinda tired of the psych med game and upping the doses for difficult dementia behaviors. Today my pop had sundowning during mid-day, which isn't his usual time for those sort of stress waves. I gave him a half dose of his olanzapine, and will give him the other half at tonight's medication time. He would not stop doing the same repetitive movements, and kept throwing things (not at me, just around the room for no reason). I just gave him 40mg of CBD oil, which I take for stress and anxiety. It just calmed him down into a nap, which I will have to end in about 30 minutes for dinner and medication, but I'm curious what successes or failures people have had with CBD in elderly dementia patients. He specifically has vascular dementia. Thoughts?

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My mom also has vascular dementia. While CBD oil,etc. may seem to work, mom's doctor said it can interact with medications she's already taking, and not in a good way. Please be upfront with her doctor to he sure this won't be the case with your mom.
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Some of my dementia clients are initially very happy with CBD products but their enthusiasm dwindles after about a month. If your state has a medical Marijuana program that seems to work a lot better. Don't get the smoking ki d or the ones that turn to vapor as those will harm their lungs. They have a variety of elixers that you just put a few drops under your tongue. ALWAYS start off as low as possible with dementia patients for ANY mood stabilizer though as their brains don't always react the same.
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Pharmacists in medical marijuana dispensaries are very educated.
I needed something for adhesive arachnoiditis and the pharmacist recommended a Hybridol cannabis oil. (Rice grain dose, squeezed into empty gel capsule they provide)
It ended my stinging nerve damage.
It was miraculous and still works to this day.
I’m also in a better mood.
Don’t pass this opportunity by due to a few uneducated in this area.
Curaleaf carry’s CBD products with every “route” available.
They would be able to assist you and it’s FREE information, if your state has it.
Good luck.
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Geaton777 Apr 2022
I'm glad you got relief, just remember that if you ever have to take an actual prescription drug, you need to inform your MD of what you're taking before adding in anything else. The doc may have to contact a pharmacist, but the doc needs to stay in the loop. Talking to the pharmacist and not the MD first, keeps the MD out of the loop.
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My H also has vascular dementia (=plus Parkinson's). Recently, his new neurologist suggested CBD, starting with the lowest dose (10 mg). I give it at 3pm (a gel-cap) along with his anti-anxiety med mertazipine (which I just started giving him in the afternoon in addition to bedtime). I'm not sure which med change is working but I have noticed a difference: calmer, not as hyper, over the past 2 weeks. I may try CBD too - maybe it will help me be calmer, not as stressed! As the pharmacy tech said when I asked about dosage, she said start low and increase - until you find your "Happy Place." I could use a "Happy Place" - caregiving isn't it.
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We have been giving my mom CBD oil for the last 2 years around 4pm to help her with sundowning. It has worked great on her. One of the best things we have given her. I highly recommend it.
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againx100 Apr 2022
Good to know! I'm just starting my mom on CBD gummies to help with her sleeping. Don't know any results yet but am hopeful.
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There are no medications specifically made for agitation in dementia. Olanzapine is an anti-psychotic used for treating schizophrenia and psychosis in general. It does not benefit dementia at all, but knocks out the patients and that is why is used. In reality, you can try anything, tranquilizers, hypnotics, sedatives, barbiturates, morphine or whatever is available. Some work, some don't work and some stop working over time. Try whatever your hands can get.
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What other strategies have you tried? For sundowning it is suggested that you start turning on bright lights where your LO is hanging out and leaving them on until it's closer to his bedtime; also have you tried to engage him in a "purposeful" activity slightly before he usually starts in, like sorting screws from nails, pair screws and nuts, sorting & pairing a large pile of colorful socks, chopping veggies for dinner (or a future meal), sorting a large quantity of plastic utensils, etc. This keeps them occupied for (hopefully) a while and burns mental energy so they may sleep better at night (as is the case for my 100-yr old aunt with mod/adv dementia). If your pop has memory impairment and he cooperates with these activities, you can repeat them daily since he won't remember. My aunt folds a large pile of kitchen towels several times a day. Sleeps like a baby every night. Not a perfect solution and maybe it'll work for your LO.
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My dad is in memory care . They were bombarding him with all sorts of med including antipsychotics and oxy. ( it is totally illegal to use chemical restraints ) patients have rights and you as their POA have the right to refuse to have your parent snowed! That said his behaviors were becoming more of a threat to the staff - my friend who is a PA-C suggested cbd oil.it’s worked amazingly well . One tip: we started slow and titrated up to avoid falls and we got it from a source that she recommended to insure purity
good luck !
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Geaton777 Apr 2022
In one's body CBD in processed just like any other chemical, so what's the diff? Also, what legitimate governing body oversees (and gives consequences) for the "purity" of the CBD? If it's not the FDA, then that organization has no real teeth. Plus, there's also other things to worry about with every pill: potency; consistency; efficacy; and integrity. The FDA monitors and keeps accountable all pharma companies when it comes to these criteria for all of their products.
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I know this is not the answer you are looking for but please do what makes life easier for yourself I’m tired of all the stress that is heaped upon me regarding my mum and feel like running a mile and guess you feel the same it’s a tedious depressing task having to care for them isn’t it? Good luck x
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You may want to check him for a UTI, which can cause mental status changes and frequently no other symptoms in elderly patients. I regularly (every 3 weeks or so) check my 94 year old mother for a UTI with the home UTI test strips available at Walgreens or CVS, etc., and I have discovered 2 infections in the last 2 years that I would not have known about. Both of them were associated with crazy mental symptoms at odd times of the day. She went back to baseline after treatment with antibiotics. Just a thought.
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PerfumeGarden Apr 2022
Oh yeah, we’ve had UTIs before, and this sundowning now is NOTHING compared to him with a UTI. He tried to build a bed barricade and swung at a family member. Took two firefighters to get him calm enough in the jump chair to the ER. it was WILD
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