Well things are still hard as always looking after dad with dementia given my own health conditions.
Having purchased profiling bed for dad YOU would think he would rest easy.
If only DADs been having seizures when sleeping or resting AM sure he knows AS he dose not like sleeping EVEN seems to fight it till his body can’t stand no more.
These seizures are something new WHEN he sleeps he shakes and seems to jump out of skin usaly 2 every hour sleep HE’s oxygen pulse is ok but is quite worrying to see.
Any ideas on what’s happening WELL am clueless BUT things are getting harder especially as dad seems to take frustrations atterude out on my mum.
Also yet again dad’s legs are going green DISTRICT nurse thinks it’s dye of shoes BUT we have been up this road befoure and heard that one WHEN infact was skin infection.
I don't know if he could take them given his other meds, but maybe a mild sleeping pill one hour before he goes to bed could help. Something like Nytol which might relax him a bit. Ask his doctor if it would be OK to try this.
Morning JAS. Gosh you have your hands full...no let up for you or Dad. His legs sound like before so why a nurse isnt acting now and treating them, seems ridiculous. The night time seizures sound awful and you are right to be concerned. You didn't say if district nurse is coming out today to see Dad?
Keep your chin up JAS.
Hi JeffAjaxSmith,
The challenges keep on coming for you, don't they? I do admire how you take them all in your stride and just get on with whatever it is that happens next.
If this new development during sleep is worrying you, or disturbing your dad's rest, I'd definitely ask a GP about the possibility of something that might help him get a better night's rest. And do also mention his added aggression towards your mum. It's not good to think of someone being sedated permanently, but sometimes it's the only way forward, to manage to keep things going along OK.
As far as the ulcers are concerned, I can't imagine why any nurse would attribute the greenness to dye. This is a well-known phenomenon with ulcers when infection is present. I don't think it's at all helpful to be given a cockamamie story about why it's happening. Ulcers can frequently become infected despite the best of care. It's not pleasant to see but in itself it's not an added threat so long as the ulcers are receiving the proper care from the district nurse. It's a case of managing them, rather than getting them to heal, which is sometimes impossible when the circulation is insufficient.
Anyway, thinking very much of all of you. You have your hands very full. Very best wishes and take care.
During sleep our brainwaves change, usually to a slower steady rhythm. But in Alzheimer's the electrical activity in the brain is altered dramatically and it's not uncommon for sufferers to throw off multiple mini seizures during the night, sometimes worse during the period of going off to sleep and again during waking, as well as during the periods when they might be entering dream sleep. One carer of mine refers to these as his wife's "erks and jerks".
Medication can help with this, as it can be alarming to see and is not very healthy for the patient.
As for his frustration and irritability, again there are several medications that will help with this. Is he still under the care of the Mental Health team? If not, ask his GP to refer him for a review.
Also, you could well be in an area where you and your mum could have the support of an Admiral Nurse to help you understand and cope with what's going on with your dad. It's a stressful and challenging situation for all concerned and you would certainly benefit from some professional input.
It may well be worth you having a chat to the specialist for dementia regarding the seizures. Have you considered seizure alert alarms that can be put on a bed like a pressure pad? Here's a link to the Epilepsy UK charity website for possible solutions more information:
I can understand your concern regarding the possibility of infection in his legs keep an eye on it and go back to the GP if you're not happy don't wait, especially as we are coming up to the holiday period of Christmas and New Year when a lot of services slowdown or shutdown. Don't forget you can always call NHS 111 the out of hours service over the holidays, or if you are seriously concerned about his health and its an emergency NHS 999.
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