I'd put myself at the beginning of Stage 4. My most pressing symptom is insomnia, which I never had a problem with before this stuff. It began about 5 months ago, and has grown increasingly more troublesome. Regardless of how tired I am, I don't go to sleep at bedtime. My mind does not race, I do not feel anxious, nothing unusual, except I don't go to sleep.

Once I'm exhausted, I can sleep off & on a few hours. During the day I try not to nap, but sometimes I pretty much have to, and sleep about an hour. About once a week I'll sleep, poorly, 12 hours straight. No recent med changes, no new illnesses, no change in routine, no change in no thing.

I've been told this is a common complication. I've found no long-term solution exists. Please tell me I'm wrong, and that something will help?

Dear Alan,

Since sleep disturbance, such as, too much sleep, or too little sleep is common with people diagnosed with the disease, it is important to be assessed by a doctor for medical or psychiatric causes before using nondrug or drug interventions.

Following are some nondrug interventions you may use:
Maintain regular times for going to bed and arising.
Establish a comfortable, secure sleeping environment—reduce noise or other stimuli, make sure bedding and room temperature is comfortable, provide nightlights and/or security objects.
Discourage staying in bed while awake; use the bedroom only for sleep.
Avoid excessive evening fluid intake and empty bladder before going to bed.
Avoid daytime naps as much as possible by engaging in activities, attending day care center, etc.
Treat any pain symptoms.
Engage in regular daily exercise, but no later that 4 hours before bedtime.

If you are taking cholinesterase inhibitors (tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, or galantamine) avoid nighttime dosing.
Administer drugs such as selegiline that may have a stimulating effect no later than 6 to 8 hours before bedtime.

If the nondrug approaches have failed and medical and environmental causes have been ruled out, you may consult with your physician for sleep-inducing medication.

I hope this information is helpful for you. It must be very difficult for you to cope with this as you may have to deal with other symptoms of the disease. Please feel free to call our 24-hour hotline if you ever feel overwhelmed. Thank you once again for using the Alzheimer’s Association Online Community.

Sincerely,

Mini V.