Several nights ago, mother had a stomach ache and was feeling lightheaded, so I went to her house. While I was there, I heard a noise in her living room, where her daybed is. She seemed to have rolled over onto the floor from her day bed. She was not injured. Later that night, after she was asleep, and feeling better, I went home. The next day, she told me that she woke up in her spare bedroom on top of the laundry pile on the bed in there. She has no idea how she got there.
She told me today, that she woke up on the floor next to her daybed where she sleeps, but this time her head was at the opposite end of where she sleeps. So this leads me to believe that it was not a rolling out of bed but an actual sleepwalking situation.
Her evening meds are 400 mg of Seroquel, gabapentin, 300 mg, hydrocodone 10 mg, probably some Robaxin. This problem seem to show up after gabapentin was added and increased to her routine.
I am out of ideas as to what to do about this. I offered her a toddler bed rail, but she sleeps in a daybed and actually use that as a couch and everything. I’m also concerned she could hurt herself more if she sleep walking or trying to climb over the rail. My other idea was to get a bed alarm that would wake her up if she’s doing anything like that.
I also spoke to a local assisted-living at length a few days ago. They actually have a few Medicaid beds. I had no idea we could use Texas Medicaid to pay for that. I discussed this with her today, and she was somewhat receptive, but I think we are a long ways from getting her to go in there. I told her I was concerned about her safety.
I have offered a possible solution, and have documented that she is so far has not agreed to it. Do any of you have any better ideas for her bed situation?
When my mother was placed on Ativan and Seroquel she slept much better.
My mother had Parkinson’s disease and dementia. She asked for a bed rail so she could have something to hold onto when getting out of bed in the morning. She found the bed rail helpful.
I am sorry that the meds aren’t helping your mom. Speak with her doctor again and see what options are available.
Has there been a medication review? I know nothing avout meds so would want advice on the mix asap.
Lasted one night and she was on the phone to me "Get this thing out of my house!" She couldn't get over or around it to get out of bed.
For someone who is mobile, a rail is an impediment.
BTW--she's taking a LOT of 'drowsy inducing' meds. 400 mgs of Seroquel? And a pretty big dose of Hydrocodone. She might be a bit too buzzed--check with her Dr and the pharmacist.
My MIL had a bad fall last night. Wouldn't push the alert button, so she laid on the floor until her CNA came in the morning. She was OK, just bruised.
DH and OB went to check on her and found her absolutely gorked to the gills. She's been taking 5xs the dosage of her Ativan and Xanax. Washing it down with a shot of wine.
I've no doubt her 'wandering' at night has been made much worse by the overdosing of the meds she's on. Maybe your mom has the same thing going on.
Sleepwalking is one.
Talk to her doctor about it.
If you can get her into an AL facility that would probably be better for both of you.
You can use side rails at home they would not be permitted in a facility as they are classified as a restraint.
A Hospital bed can be lowered so that there is less of a risk of getting hurt if you fall out of bed.
If she is willing to go to AL that would be the safest route to take.
Yesterday, she had me out shopping ALL day. She was happy, good appetite. Only when we got home (still happy and perky, but I was tired. It’s hot here in south Texas) did she announce, “I’m going to take some pills!” To me she did not act like a person in severe pain.
we have a PCP appt Sept 7. Of course he’s the one who over medicated her.
She was sort of receptive to assisted living but not agreeing to go or anything.
The solution is wedges on the sides, put the bed low, and a mattress on the side at night, so it is difficult to roll off, but if she does she rolls to another cushion. As a solution this is low cost and easy to implement. It does mean however they will probably not be able to get out of bed on their own if they cannot get up from the floor on their own.
Of course your Mom "likes her pills". This is the addiction talking. Someone other than your Mom now has to dispense her pills to her. Period. Do not leave them in her house for her to access. We used to count my MIL's pills, which is how we discovered she was over-medicating and running out of the oxy too soon. Then we just dispensed them to her without leaving them in her house.
Also, work with her doctor regarding any possible drug interactions.
Why is she taking opioids? For what medical issue specifically?
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