Help with sleep: My husband has PSP... - PSP Association

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Help with sleep

Crochetedcat profile image
14 Replies

My husband has PSP, diagnosed about 18 months ago. He has a terrible time sleeping. He currently takes 100 mg trazodone and wakes up multiple times each night. We tried seroquel and that affected him all day, and he did not sleep well with it. I need my sleep, but I cannot take meds because I am my husband’s caregiver. What do you use to help with sleeping?

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Crochetedcat profile image
Crochetedcat
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14 Replies
Marie_14 profile image
Marie_14

Crocherercat, have you tried Provacan? It's a CBD Oil which some people use and it would help both you and your husband. Worth trying?

Marie x

Yvonneandgeorge profile image
Yvonneandgeorge in reply to Marie_14

Sleep deprivation is horrible, we use zopiclone, lorazepam, and clonazapan, quite, a lot but it works. Yvonne xxx.

Crochetedcat profile image
Crochetedcat in reply to Yvonneandgeorge

My husband has a small dose Clonazepam. I will ask the doctor about zopiclone. I know what lorazepam is..... thank you

Fer39wer47da profile image
Fer39wer47da

Hello there. Poor sleepers, I ‘m a PSP-patient myself, diagnosed in Feb. 2011,and rght from the beginning i’ve Been prescribed RIVOTRIL (clonazepam, 2,5 mg/ml). I take about 4 or 5 drops before I go to bed, diluted in a bit of water, andi sleep like a rose. I ‘ll always have to make sure that I am in the right position, because I don’t move an inklling and wake up in exactly the same position, rigid as a plank of course.

I hope this helps, maybe I sleep so Well, because My bofy is genuinely tired, I don’t take nap’s during the day, I don’t know.

Good luck with the sleeping problems, it must be so exhausting for you both.

A big Hug from Anne Baer

Crochetedcat profile image
Crochetedcat in reply to Fer39wer47da

Thanks you so much for your reply. My heart goes out to you ❤️❤️❤️❤️

raincitygirl profile image
raincitygirl in reply to Fer39wer47da

Nice to hear from you Anne...:-)

Fer39wer47da profile image
Fer39wer47da in reply to raincitygirl

Same to you, raincitygirl! Hope you are doing well!

XxAnne

Kevin_1 profile image
Kevin_1

Our neurologist put Liz on 5micrograms of Clonazepam each evening. We found it left her a bit drowsy the next day so we cut each tablet in half and it works well. The reason for clonazepam is that it has a longer half life, compared to other benzodiazepines - So it works right the way through the night.

For yourself? You might try CBD oil - its relaxing without being a somnambulent.

There are other herbal things which help too. I would avoid Valerian, it has narcotic properties which I don't think are very helpful.

Sleep is so important. I do hope this helps a little.

Best

Kevin

Crochetedcat profile image
Crochetedcat in reply to Kevin_1

I am looking into CBD oil for myself. It seems like just about everyone mentions Clonazepam. Will call the doctor today. Thank you for your thoughts.

Kevin_1 profile image
Kevin_1 in reply to Crochetedcat

No worries Crochetetecat

If you do decide to try CBD oil I recommend this one.

lovecbd.org/product/800mg-c...

There's a lot of highly marketed poor stuff out there - This one is effective and good value.

I hope things ease off for you both soon.

Best to you both

Kevin

Artteach10 profile image
Artteach10

The neurologist suggested we try over the counter melatonin 10 mg in the vitamin section. He takes it right before bedtime. It has made a huge difference. He still gets up early but a more manageable time . It doesn’t work every night but we get more good night sleep. I sure hope you get some solution from all these suggestions and we all hope for your sake. Sending love and care. Nancy

Crochetedcat profile image
Crochetedcat in reply to Artteach10

Thank you for your reply. We tried melatonin and it didn’t work for my husband. Wishing you well.

Hi Crohetedcat!

In my case (PSP / 6 years) I also found episodes of anxiety and agitation in the afternoon.

We give her 1 tablet of Lorazepan 1mg one hour before going to bed. Additionally, we are trying CBD Oil when the episode is presented. It seems that the situation is improving but I still have no definitive conclusions.

In a few days we will change fom Lorazepan to Clorazepan that offers longer effects over time.

In the morning we developed a very intense table of exercises and in the afternoon we tried to have some activity outside the house. All this helps to generate fatigue that helps in the nap and at bedtime.

Hug and luck.

Luis

Richard33 profile image
Richard33

Hi,

Sleep is Ruth's biggest problem as well. We have been through the meds -

Trazodone - made her fuzzy headed in the day and did not really help. Nasty nightmares when she stopped.

Clonazapam / Diazepam (any pams!) - made her relaxed but did not send her to sleep and then made her fuzzy headed in the day which she does not need.

Zoplicone - usual sleep med in UK - it worked for a week or two and then did not and just made her fuzzy headed in the day.

Melatonin - maybe helped for a few days and then did not work

CBD oil - jury is out - still trying it.

Currently on Mirtazapine 30mg taken at night - that seems to be helping. She has been taking it for 2 months now.

Pattern now is: she goes to bed at 11.00pm and then lies there uncomfortable till 4.00am or 5.00am and then usually sleeps till 9.00am. So getting some sleep but very frustrating.

Ironically she has a better night and gets to sleep sooner when she has a few glasses of wine before bed 3 or 4 times a week. But you know if you did that every night it would stop working (and the doctor would tell me off!).

Richard

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