Mom has really been tired nearly every time I see her. It's not that she's dragging, it's more that she tends to nod off when not truly engaged.
This can occur at Mass, in the car, at the cinema, or whenever. If a place to put up her feet is proffered, she'll gladly take it, only to zone out in a matter of a few minutes.
Why is this?
Alzheimer's patients tend to have more experience with insomnia, and not being able to fall asleep very quickly; however, Lewy Body patients have the ability to fall asleep within a few minutes, and then be fine - then repeat, perhaps, several times a day. The trouble may be they can't always stay asleep.
Sleep problems including excessive daytime drowsiness and difficulty staying asleep are common. Many patients exhibit REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) that manifests by the patient acting out his or her dreams (UCSF Memory and Aging Center, 2015.)
Now, there hasn't been any indication that Mom suffers from RBD (REM Sleep Behavior Disorder), but she does confuse her dreams with reality; the two blur into one vivid world, where her parents, grandparents, my father, and other people are still very much alive.
This is quite typical with the disease. And, as much as you may want to correct her, you'll never win such a battle - they do exist, still, for all intents and purposes, in her world.
The following is from the Caregiver Forum at the Lewy Body Dementia Association website:
Sleep disorders like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and REM sleep behavior disorder are common in LBDs. Sleep disorders often prevent the person with LBD and their caregiver from getting sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness, despite adequate rest at night, is also common in LBD. Ask your physician to order a sleep study to identify and treat ALL underlying sleep disorders. It is also important to review sleep hygiene such as use of alcohol, caffeine, chocolate or other substances late in the day. Many foods and over the counter medications can have effects on sleep. If excessive daytime sleepiness is a severe problem, a sleep specialist may recommend the use of medication such as a stimulant to promote daytime arousal. - See more at: http://www.lbda.org/node/196
As you can see, Mom is in good company. Ordering a sleep study for her would be out of the question, though. And, she is sleeping through the night, waking, typically, around 9-10am (which is quite unusual for someone who used to be up and about between 6-7 am).
As the disease progresses, will we be seeing more of her abed and asleep? Most likely. She's already begun to lose her train of thought (unable to complete a thought), and the disease seems to be progressing more rapidly than expected (on my part).
We will just need to wait and see what the future holds...
For More Information on RBD, LBD Sleep Disorders, Please visit the following websites (All sites are cued to present either the main page or that page which leads to the ailment):
The Lewy Body Dementia Association
The Alzheimer Dementia Association
National Institute on Aging - Lewy Body Dementia Handbook
The Mayo Clinic
Today's Geriatric Medicine
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy
This can occur at Mass, in the car, at the cinema, or whenever. If a place to put up her feet is proffered, she'll gladly take it, only to zone out in a matter of a few minutes.
Why is this?
Alzheimer's patients tend to have more experience with insomnia, and not being able to fall asleep very quickly; however, Lewy Body patients have the ability to fall asleep within a few minutes, and then be fine - then repeat, perhaps, several times a day. The trouble may be they can't always stay asleep.
Sleep problems including excessive daytime drowsiness and difficulty staying asleep are common. Many patients exhibit REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) that manifests by the patient acting out his or her dreams (UCSF Memory and Aging Center, 2015.)
Now, there hasn't been any indication that Mom suffers from RBD (REM Sleep Behavior Disorder), but she does confuse her dreams with reality; the two blur into one vivid world, where her parents, grandparents, my father, and other people are still very much alive.
 |
| Not Mom, and with LBD, the hand wouldn't be holding the head.... |
This is quite typical with the disease. And, as much as you may want to correct her, you'll never win such a battle - they do exist, still, for all intents and purposes, in her world.
The following is from the Caregiver Forum at the Lewy Body Dementia Association website:
Sleep disorders like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and REM sleep behavior disorder are common in LBDs. Sleep disorders often prevent the person with LBD and their caregiver from getting sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness, despite adequate rest at night, is also common in LBD. Ask your physician to order a sleep study to identify and treat ALL underlying sleep disorders. It is also important to review sleep hygiene such as use of alcohol, caffeine, chocolate or other substances late in the day. Many foods and over the counter medications can have effects on sleep. If excessive daytime sleepiness is a severe problem, a sleep specialist may recommend the use of medication such as a stimulant to promote daytime arousal. - See more at: http://www.lbda.org/node/196
As you can see, Mom is in good company. Ordering a sleep study for her would be out of the question, though. And, she is sleeping through the night, waking, typically, around 9-10am (which is quite unusual for someone who used to be up and about between 6-7 am).
As the disease progresses, will we be seeing more of her abed and asleep? Most likely. She's already begun to lose her train of thought (unable to complete a thought), and the disease seems to be progressing more rapidly than expected (on my part).
We will just need to wait and see what the future holds...
 |
| Not Mom...but you get the idea. |
For More Information on RBD, LBD Sleep Disorders, Please visit the following websites (All sites are cued to present either the main page or that page which leads to the ailment):
The Lewy Body Dementia Association
The Alzheimer Dementia Association
National Institute on Aging - Lewy Body Dementia Handbook
The Mayo Clinic
Today's Geriatric Medicine
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy
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