Hi! Have not posted in a while and just thought I would get some advise from people who just might know what I'm in the middle of. Have some issues with the side effects of AmbienCR for sleep. Mom (stage 6 alz) gets delusional, halicinates and staggering like she's drunk and yet hyped up where she can't sleep? This goes on really bad for 2-3 hrs. Only when I have given her AmbienCR. Doc prescrided it for her so I could get some sleep - the PM's I had been giving her did not work. The doc and pharmacist had no knowledge of this being a effect on people w/alz. Is there anything else she could take that is safe but time released? Sleep pattern in 24hrs is sleeping for 1 hr and being awake for 2. I think I could deal with her better if I wasn't so tired all the time. Have been getting irritable with her and actually arguing back which I know is ridiculous.... Let me know. Thanks, TC

I've read that sleeping pills are sometimes worse for someone with AD. I'm not sure why this is so, but it tends to have ill-effects. I have also read it is better to treat with Risperadol (sp) or something like it earlier in the evening for anti-anxiety. Luckily I don't have this problem, but I recommend you research anti-anxiety meds for ADLO's.

Its funny that you wrote this post,,because when I have given my Mom Ambien,,not the CR,,,she gets ditzy acting,,and it doesnt' make her sleep for a long time! I dont' think Ambien is the answer for someone with AD,,for sleeping purposes. I'm going to ask the Dr about this at her next appointment. Glad to read that I wasn't imagining this about Ambien. Happy New Year,,and Peace&Blessings.

Raven & Betsy, Thanks for the reply. Mom is on 2 anti-anxiety meds - citalopram and seroquel along with Namenda and Acricept. Can't imagine how she would be without all the meds. TC

TLS,
There was an earlier thread on this subject. I shared info in that thread of what I learned from specialists at Georgetown. They said that dementia patients commonly have serious side effects from Ambian. Here is the link to the earlier thread.
Earlier Thread on sleep problems
Blessings and Peace,
Bill