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I am the 62 yo sole caregiver for my 94 yo mother who has moderate/severe dementia who has been living with me for 4+ years. As her dementia/health worsen, it seems that as soon as we solve one problem, another one presents itself. An ongoing, up and down problem has been getting her to sleep at night so that I can sleep. Getting up once or twice a night to help her go to the bathroom is bearable, but it's gotten worse. Last night she called me to help at least 8 times until I finally gave up on getting any sleep at all. So here is what we have tried so far: Melatonin slow release 3 mg which works maybe 2 nights and then doesn't. Trazodone (doc prescribed 50 mg) which I have broken in half to 25 mg. Why? Because she's tiny and I'm afraid to over drug her. I've tried this on two separate nights when I'm desperate and it only makes her more awake and delusional.


I've read that Tylenol PM, Benadryl and ZZZQuil are no-no's for dementia so I've avoided those.


Anyone have any experience with magnesium? Or have any other suggestions? (She's almost blind from macular degeneration and has hypothyroidism.)


I've now been awake for almost 24 hours and I literally cannot go on with insufficient sleep. I am getting her into palliative care and a social worker is coming over on Wednesday to see what the best options are, but I would like to keep her at home if at all possible.


Thanks.

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Meds like trazadone come in different strengths, the doctor will have chosen the dosage they fell will be most appropriate and the pharmacist is a second pair of eyes who would have alerted you if they felt it was too high. Be aware that the side effects of many medications are much more pronounced during the first weeks and fade over time as the body becomes accustomed to them.

A different antidepressant option if the trazadone remains unhelpful is mirtazapine, that was very helpful for my mom.
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Why don't you try the Trazadone at the prescribed strength?

Start there. If that doesn't work, call the doctor.
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