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2021 LBD Summit Recorded Content & More! Dec 6, 2021 | By Jodi Melius (@jodimelius)Comment receiving replies
You describe your husband's difficulties very well. In the presentation on LBD last week, sleep problems were addressed. It was reported by the doctors in the presentation that addressing the sleep problem can decrease some of the other dementia symptoms.
What sort of sleep aids is your husband using? Many people use a CPAP machine if they have sleep apnea. I was surprised to learn that Melatonin is also often used.
I would like to invite @kristin816 to this discussion. She is a caregiver for her father with LBD. Perhaps she can add something to this discussion.
Replies to "@hbjuniperflat You describe your husband's difficulties very well. In the presentation on LBD last week, sleep..."
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He has been through the sleep assessments at Mayo. No sleep apnea, so no CPAP machine is necessary. He does take a Melatonin to help with his disorder. The difficult part is that when he dreams it is usually violent episodes and he tries to defend himself. At first, I would try to wake him, but he would then think I was the attacker. Without being able to wake him, I would receive the brunt of his "protecting himself." His neurologist at Mayo told me to not try to wake him, but to remove myself so that I would not be hurt. Sometimes, he hurts himself by hitting the headboard, or thrusting himself out of the bed. Though it isn't what we wanted, I can no longer sleep with him. I must protect myself so that I can continue to care for him. (Doctor's suggestion).