1. < Caregivers: Dementia

Thrashing In His Sleep

Posted by Julie Chitwood @billchitwood, Feb 15, 2022

Bill's nightmares and thrashing have gotten progressively worse lately (could be connected to his CKD, which also can give dementia problems). He has been hitting me in the head as he thrashes. Normally not enough to worry about except I received a cochlear implant in November of last year. Being his on it can displace it, requiring surgery. Not a good idea.

He also keeps grabbing me and pulling me down to his sitting level.

I plan on sleeping in the guest room from now on, which he isn't happy about and neither am I. For one thing it is on the other side of the house and I would never hear me if he needed me.

I also have to figure out a way to consistently ignore his long, strong arms. Being pulled off balance at age 81 isn't a good thing either. He just wants to give me a kiss and doesn't understand what he is doing wrong.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

jip499 | @jip499 | Nov 3, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "Bill ended up in the hospital again, this time with C.Diff (major bleeding and diarrhea). They..." + (show)
@billchitwood

Bill ended up in the hospital again, this time with C.Diff (major bleeding and diarrhea). They put him on Vancomycin before releasing him after a couple of days. In tests it showed anemia; malnutrition, blood problems (which could have been exasperated by the C.Diff infection); nodules on lungs (test for previous Valley Fever showed negative); some mild calcification of the aorta valve; mild aneurism in that area as well; and lesion on tail of pancreas. Kids do not think he is in any danger as all findings seem to be in the 'mild' range. One heck of a lot of 'mid' problems to my way of thinking. He has lost over 5% of body weight in a month. Now coughing and having problems swallowing. No apatite. Family doctor advised to follow up with CT or MRI in 3 to 6 months on lungs and pancreas. Has an appointment with family doctor on the 11th.
At least the diarrhea has stopped (he had problems getting to the bathroom in time). Is receiving some more home health - which he resists. He finally consented to a shower yesterday after refusing for over 4 months (he would use shower wipes only). Even hospital or NH couldn't get him into the shower!
Has been angry/grumpy more lately (thank heavens for Seroquel - which has helped a lot).
A few days before ER/Hospital he fell backwards into the tub - required another 911 call as I couldn't get him out.
I'm thinking cumulative effect of so many 'mild' problems is not good - and kids are holding out 'mild' as a lodestone that there really isn't anything wrong. Thinks 162 looks good on his 6 foot frame (he is almost down to skin and bones). Yesterday slight swelling of his ankles. Kids really don't want to talk about symptoms.

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Julie, How is Seroquel helping?

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Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Nov 4, 2022
In reply to @jip499 "Julie, How is Seroquel helping?" + (show)
@jip499

Julie, How is Seroquel helping?

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The Seroquel made a major difference although it took about a month before it 'kicked' in.
He still gets angry, sullen and grumpy for no apparent reason. Or rather his propensity for getting upset over things that most people wouldn't, so can be hard to figure out (i.e. I didn't cut the crusts off of his bread - although he didn't ask nor has he ever indicated he wanted them off).
With the Seroquel his anger issues and rage have reduced to a livable (for me) amount. Before there was a fear of him becoming physical as he would get so enraged. Fortunately it was just 'things' that got his attention.

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