Restless sleep

[Licquoricelover]

My husband was diagnosed with PSP in 2020. His sleep has become more restless lately kicking his legs, throwing his arms up and removing sheets and duvet then asking me to cover him up. He wears a CPAP mask but cannot always tolerate wearing it so pulls it off, something he would never do. All of this is affecting his energy levels as well as mine as he is very tired throughout the day. We are seeing his Neurologist next month and I have started giving him magnesium capsules to see if this will help his fatigue but does anyone have any suggestions as to what he can take to help him get a more peaceful and restful night’s sleep

[Millidog]

Amitriptyline may help. My husband was prescribed this to help combat night sweats and it has the benefit of aiding sleep. He had gone from waking 5-6 times each night to now up once or even sleeping through.

[timbowPSP in reply to Millidog]

I am male, 80 with PSP for 5 yrs., and use rotating mixture of sleepers to aid sleep. Zopiclone prob best so far. Asked doc about Amitriptaline last yr and he agreed to a trial. 3 days was enough! ......No better sleeping, but very disturbed, with something approximating hallucinations. Not suitable for an already compromised brain .... so I gave the rest back!

Maybe OK for some - but not me. TimbowPSP

[Bergenser]

I don't know what to take, it could be a matter of reducing medication, e.g. I find my husband has been sleeping a bit better after having less co-careldopa in the evening. I'd be interested in hearing what you discover. I'm also still waiting for the sleep assessment I've asked for a few times. Did your husband have a sleep assessment before the CPAP? 🌻🥱

[Licquoricelover in reply to Bergenser]

My husband takes Venlafaxine but that is more for mood. He doesn’t take anything else specifically for PSP but lots of heart meds. My husband has been using the CPAP for years before his diagnosis. He had a full sleep assessment prior to being diagnosed with sleep apnoea.

[Bergenser]

Interesting. There are many sleep issues correlated with PSP but not much systematic research on that particular topic. I'm curious about cause and effect...

I remembered after my previous reply that there seems to be some consensus that melatonin can be useful for sleep in PSP. I think that is more for insomnia than for e.g. restless legs. The magnesium is something I give my husband too and it seems to help a bit e.g. less frequent cramps.

My husband gets the random "jerks" which I believe are called myoclonic, I still don't understand if they are caused by poor sleep quality and/or they are the cause of the sleep issues. There are also the REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) symptoms with kicking and punching during sleep. Both are said to be common with PSP. Some doctors prescribe Clonazepam against RBD. Good luck with your husbands next appointment. X

[LFG3]

Yes, as above. REM sleep disorder is common with PSP patients. Our neurologist asked me if my husband with PSP showed symptoms. It is caused by the diseased brain. They vividly act out their dreams without even knowing it. It can be dangerous to sleep with them. He was prescribed Trazadone as a sleep aid. It helped him sleep through the night, but I put a safety railing on his bed and slept in another room. I put a Call To U call button on his safety rail, so he could ring for me in the night if he needed me. Bought system on Amazon. Move nightstands away from his side of the bed. My husband reached over one night and threw the lamp on the floor.

[audreydrs]

I gave my spouse melatonin 3mgm , that seemed to help and no after affects noted.