Looking for other experiences with Aricept.

Hi Dan,
Allow me to bring @debbraw @joancampy @onlychild @clayton48 and @kmkm into this discussion as they have experiences with Aricept and other medications for MCI.

You may also be interested in this older, but relevant discussion:
- Husband with early Alzheimers: Question about medications https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/husband-with-early-alzheimers-question/

The bad dreams and hallucinations must be upsetting. Do they happen every night?

Hi Dan. My wife has been on Aricept (Donepelzil) since early Dec 2020. Starting with 5 mg first 30 days, then 10 mg thereafter.
There were early signs of some improvement in her memory, but not overall improvement. Discussed that with her MD specialist. Additionally, her sleep was improved and more refreshing. No signs of bad dreams or other affects. I'm saddened to here that Aricept did not help and that she suffered bad dreams. I wish her and you well...and succes with the right medication.
Warmest regards, Victor

Victor, I appreciate your comments and I'm glad the Aricept helped your wife.

Colleen, not every night but most nights. I've had to catch her getting out of bed, because of the dreams, a few times. I've become a VERY light sleeper. 🙂

@tunared It must be so difficult to sleep ‘with one eye opened.’
When I was working in the hospital, we used bed alarms. They gave off a beep when the patient tried to get up. Check medical supply stores. Also, tucking the covers in tightly on the side of the bed helps. When all else fails, make sure the room is perfectly safe and note lights are available
Is your wife aware that she is getting up at night or is this new?
https://www.thiscaringhome.org/expert-review-bed-chair-sensor-pad-with-voice-alarm/

Becky, Thank you I will keep that information close.

Hi @tunared - My husband has been on Aricept since 2016. It helped initially, but then leveled out. Our neurologist explained that Aricept helps the brain cells "fire". After it quit working, our neurologist prescribed Namenda. He says this helps the brain cells "receive the fired message". At this point, the benefit of both has worn off, but they don't like to take the patients off medication because it could initiate a decline. If your wife is not tolerating it well and wants to come off of it, I would certainly consider letting her do that. Even if it works well, the impact is short lived (1 year - 18 months). Best of luck. Will you let me know if you have other questions about our experience?

I Took my husband off Aricept and remembered you neither worked well and he is better without the meds yes there is to cry but that happens even with the drugs there is at least some quality of life Wishon for drugs no more chair chair sleeping at night or dream so vivid that they cannot upstairs except that it’s not real

Hi @curlytop1 and welcome. Lovely picture of you. I hope you will upload it to your profile.

Curly, it sounds like things are working for you and your husband without Aricept. Is he able to sleep in bed now rather than the recliner and his dreams are less vivid?

After my wife stopped Aricept, her neurologist put her on galantamine. It’s been almost a month and she has blurry vision, confusion and drowsiness but really no noticeable change in her MCI. She wants to stop the galantamine because of the side effects. Anyone else have experience with galantamine? It’s her decision and I kind of agree with her.