agitation in PSP

hello my mum was diagnosed around 4 years ago and has slowly developed all of the common symptoms. We have recently moved her into a nursing home after being in residential care for 2 years as her needs weee becoming too great. Falls, poor mobility, arm spasticity, poor speech but managing to swallow most foods.

the main issue she is experiencing is severe agitation and restlessness especially at night. She also hardly sleeps. I’m asking her consultant if there are medications that can reduce the agitation - have any of you experienced the same with your loved ones?

[Helen119]

Hi there

Hard times, yes my husband was prescribed diazepam, for his spasm and stiffness and that help the agitation aswell.

Good luck on your journey

Xxhelenxx

[DeLids]

Hi SarahRush68 my Dad has always had a tougher time at night too. He's in the late stages now, so can no longer move and doesn't have a lot of cognitive decline so that does make it easier for carers at night. When he first started to get anxiety particularly at night time, cannabis oil was actually really helpful. It just took the edge off his feelings. I don't know whether you have legalised medicinal cannabis oil there but I wonder whether some of her agitation could be an expression of underlying anxiety? Sometimes people who have cognitive changes can express anxiety through agitation if they can't express what they're feeling. I wish you all the best with finding something to reduce the strain x

[Jewel23]

Hi Sarah! My father is taking a combination of Sertraline for depression and Seroquel for his mood as well as trazadone to help him sleep. Definitely these medications help.

Hang in there and just take one day at a time!

Take care of yourself as well.

[pmcdonough1]

My husband had PSP, he was prescribed Bupropion for mood, Trazadone for sleep and Donepezil for cognition. Once he was up to 20 mg of Donepezil we were able to stop the Trazadone.