Follow
Share

She takes 2mg of Haldol in the morning and 2 mg of Haldol at night. I want to give her a sleep aid but I know that will interact with the Haldol. Does anyone else have this problem????????

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
She started taking the Haldol about 9 months ago. She was getting very aggressive and violent, punching, spitting, cursing and hitting me with her cane. It was horrible. Her doctor put her on 0.5 mg ( two times a day) of Haldol which really helped. It calmed her down a lot. As time passed, the amount had to be increased. I have a live-in aide to help me take care of her. Recently, she doesn't sleep at night and again is getting aggressive. She takes only cat naps during the day. So her doctor, just yesterday, increased her to 2mg three times a day of Haldol. So far today, she has been much calmer. We will see how she sleeps tonight.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

OMG, Haldol makes me shiver. My husband carried a wallet card saying he was never to be given it, since it can be very dangerous to elderly with Lewy Body Dementia. But I assume that is not what your mother has, and perhaps all is well. How long has she been on that? What does it do for her? Is she taking it for anxiety?

You are very wise not to start her on an OTC drugs without checking with the pharmacist and/or her doctor. Melatonin is often recommended. It didn't work for my husband but it helps many. Discuss it with her doctor before trying it.

I understand how serious this problem really is, for the caregiver if not for the patient! Would it be possible to have an overnight aide stay there? My brother stayed with my husband several nights, to give me a chance to catch up on my sleep. I told his doctors that I could not keep my husband at home if he could not sleep at least 6 hours at night. They came up with a medication. Marriage and sanity saved!

Does Mom sleep during the day? Could you nap while she does? Is an adult day health program a possibility for her? Then you could use the time she is away to sleep! I know that you can't be an effective caregiver (or anything else!) without getting adequate sleep.

(Sleep irregularities are very common in dementia.)
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter