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My husband was on Namenda for over 3 years with no problems. He had reaction to Aricept and Exelon Patch in form of severe hiccups. The severe hiccups started with Namenda for past month so I stopped it. He saw his mental health team today and because his behavior has gotten more aggressive, restless and fitful sleeping, they started him on low dose of Seroquel so wondering what experiences others have had with this medication.

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Seroquel was a life saver for us. Mom did not sleep at night. She wanted to get up and use potty about every 45 mins to hour. She was then diagnosed with over active bladder and after 4 different MEDS that was controlled but she just did not sleep. We would give a half a pill at 8pm and the other half at 10. She would sleep, on a good night until 8am. There were nights that she was up all night but maybe only once every ten days. It's all a big experiment but both the patient and caregiver need sleep, especially the caregiver or you are useless. I personally would try it. It is too late for me but others in this site also tried anti anxiety meds. Hopefully someone else will answer who tried that.
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Seroquel also worked very well for my mom. We started it about 3.5 years ago for sundowning behaviors that included paranoia which became agitation. The beginning dose was 12.5 mg a day about 4:00pm. She started aleeping much better and relieved the anxiety so that she could. The dosage has gradually increased to 75 mg daily about 4:00pm. Just in the past month mom entered a memory care facility and the dosage has been increased again though I don't know how much or how many tikes a day. A very secretive POA that hasn't done anything for four years to help with mom is now the expert. Oh well, I will get over it.

But, yes, Seroquel has worked very well for my mom. Just a note on Ativan, in case anybody ever wants to try that, it can have the completely opposite effect on the elderly, especially those with dementia. In fact, any new drugs may help or they may not. So, if it doesn't work the way it is intended, try something else. It is trial and error many times.
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I did a lot of research on it when they put my loved one on a low dose at bedtime. Reading about it is scary, but apparently, it's used commonly with dementia patients. I haven't noticed any side effects. She has an appointment with a psychiatrist in about two months and I will take it up with him then. From what I have heard it works great for sleeping issues. I think it's supposed to help with aggression too. Maybe someone else here has more experience with it than I do.
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That's good advice. I have found that Ativan is not that helpful for my cousin. The Cymbalta was a gift from God, but the Ativan just didn't seem to do much.
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