Follow
Share

I'm kinda tired of the psych med game and upping the doses for difficult dementia behaviors. Today my pop had sundowning during mid-day, which isn't his usual time for those sort of stress waves. I gave him a half dose of his olanzapine, and will give him the other half at tonight's medication time. He would not stop doing the same repetitive movements, and kept throwing things (not at me, just around the room for no reason). I just gave him 40mg of CBD oil, which I take for stress and anxiety. It just calmed him down into a nap, which I will have to end in about 30 minutes for dinner and medication, but I'm curious what successes or failures people have had with CBD in elderly dementia patients. He specifically has vascular dementia. Thoughts?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Concerning UTI's, we are giving my mom a cranberry capsule daily, and since then she has not had any UTI's. Supposedly the cranberry concentrate changes the ph in the bladder and bacteria can't live in that ph. It works great, without having to expose her to long term antibiotics.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

PerfumeGarden: You should speak with your pop's physician for the okay on the CBD.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
PerfumeGarden Apr 2022
I already did, his NP came, who reports to and from his primary provider---posted above.
(2)
Report
See 1 more reply
My husband has vascular dementia. I haven't tried cbd but trazadone has worked wonders for agitation and sleep.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
PerfumeGarden Apr 2022
Do you feel like vascular dementia progresses quickly? Just curious, seems less common a dementia than some others
(0)
Report
Just a comment here. I wanted to see what all the hype about CBD and tried 2 different kinds, supposedly really good ones, reputable companies, about a year or so ago, and then ago just a couple of months ago. Each one, I tried a few weeks. Never felt anything whatsoever; oh and it tasted nasty. OTOH, I've heard lots of people and some patients in the past who swore by it, and said the oil was the only thing that helped her pain ( feet, I think it was). So, I have an open mind about it. But luckily I don't need it for anything which is good since I felt no effects :)
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I spoke to the NP who came by about using CBD and she had no issue with it interacting with any medications, which is great.

Its an interesting conversation regarding the FDA and studies and such. I am pro-Western medicine and not a woo woo person, however, pharmaceutical companies tend to flourish when 1. A medication treats symptoms, not the root cause of a health problem and 2. When they are able to deter individuals from preventative treatments or off-label uses/alternative products or medicine, it’s profitable. A new medication that hasn’t passed the patent expiration yet is their bread and butter. They look out for their own interests and there are lobbyists at the FDA. Also, from a friend in epidemiology working at a there are way more data error cover-ups at institutions we would prefer to have confidence in. Doctors are encouraged by reps. Look at the opioid crisis and the Sacklers, MD doctors recklessly prescribed OxyContin and now we have a generational opioid crisis in America. Idk, food for thought about putting blind faith in the medical industry. 🤷🏼‍♀️
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I have used the CBD sports cream on My chest for bronchitis this winter from Happy Buddha hemp and it really helped and My sister used it for sore Back Pain and it helped .
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

We have been giving my mom CBD oil for the last 2 years around 4pm to help her with sundowning. It has worked great on her. One of the best things we have given her. I highly recommend it.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
againx100 Apr 2022
Good to know! I'm just starting my mom on CBD gummies to help with her sleeping. Don't know any results yet but am hopeful.
(2)
Report
My H also has vascular dementia (=plus Parkinson's). Recently, his new neurologist suggested CBD, starting with the lowest dose (10 mg). I give it at 3pm (a gel-cap) along with his anti-anxiety med mertazipine (which I just started giving him in the afternoon in addition to bedtime). I'm not sure which med change is working but I have noticed a difference: calmer, not as hyper, over the past 2 weeks. I may try CBD too - maybe it will help me be calmer, not as stressed! As the pharmacy tech said when I asked about dosage, she said start low and increase - until you find your "Happy Place." I could use a "Happy Place" - caregiving isn't it.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Pharmacists in medical marijuana dispensaries are very educated.
I needed something for adhesive arachnoiditis and the pharmacist recommended a Hybridol cannabis oil. (Rice grain dose, squeezed into empty gel capsule they provide)
It ended my stinging nerve damage.
It was miraculous and still works to this day.
I’m also in a better mood.
Don’t pass this opportunity by due to a few uneducated in this area.
Curaleaf carry’s CBD products with every “route” available.
They would be able to assist you and it’s FREE information, if your state has it.
Good luck.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Hey! Why not? Stick with ingestables and adjust dosages as needed depending on effects.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Some of my dementia clients are initially very happy with CBD products but their enthusiasm dwindles after about a month. If your state has a medical Marijuana program that seems to work a lot better. Don't get the smoking ki d or the ones that turn to vapor as those will harm their lungs. They have a variety of elixers that you just put a few drops under your tongue. ALWAYS start off as low as possible with dementia patients for ANY mood stabilizer though as their brains don't always react the same.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

Please check with your pharmacist to make sure CBD doesn't negatively interact with his other medications. His pharmacist should also be able to give you a good idea of dosage and schedule.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I feel you . I try to be happy and there are instances that my mom is smiling and happy and laughs and then She turns into a monster later on in the day accusing me of taking her stuff and she doesn’t want to be left alone . I can’t be home , I work and while it’s not everyday , I try leaving stuff for her to do so she is kept busy until I get home . I leave her lunch as well . It’s exhausting as I run around before I leave to get her to take her pills and eat her breakfast and fill her water bottle so I know she has all she needs until I get back . Drained to the max !
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I
think it’s a great idea but I would only do CBD it can be a heavy medication . Happy Buddha Hemp has a 2400 strength give a dropper full after lunch they are based in Colorado and will send you a sample . The gummies from FIVE CBD are very good and they have sales all the time and special - there are 50 mg CBD with 2 THC or 25 mg CBD and 5 THC - if the OCD behavior continues past 2 pm give him a couple 50 mg CBD that is very calming and takes awhile to get into the system . If it’s for sleep give 1 or 2 - 25 mg after dinner - they are strong . I always try things on my self . I wouldn’t mix them with pharmaceuticals . FIVE is located in Laguna and are having a 42% off sale for 420 - buy yourself some . They are good quality .
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
swanalaka Apr 2022
I would avoid any CBD products with THC. That is the compound that causes getting "high". Probably don't want to add that to the current situation!
Straight CBD oil or gummies work great for anxiety, insomnia and pain control. Start with 20 mg taken orally and increase if needed. If pills are hard to take you can get a liquid tincture to drop under the tongue. Sunsoil offers it in several flavors but I think tinctures taste bad! Gummies may be hard for an older person to chew.
For some reason CBD products are labelled with the total mg of CBD in the container. So if there are 50 caps of 20 mg each the container will be labelled 1,000 mg, (the total amount of CBD in the jar. ) Refer to the nutrition label for the amount of CBD in one serving which is probably 1 or 2 caps. It's a bit tricky. I suspect the product Knance references as "1400 strength" is not 1400 mg per dose! That's a lit of CBD!!!

CBD oil can be applied topically to bruises, sore muscles, achey spots. Or taken orally in place of (or in addition to) tylenol or other pain meds.
I like Sunsoil brand from Vermont because they control their sources of hemp and manufacture the product so levels of CBD in the product are very consistent. They sell online and run sales often.
Good luck.
(1)
Report
You may want to check him for a UTI, which can cause mental status changes and frequently no other symptoms in elderly patients. I regularly (every 3 weeks or so) check my 94 year old mother for a UTI with the home UTI test strips available at Walgreens or CVS, etc., and I have discovered 2 infections in the last 2 years that I would not have known about. Both of them were associated with crazy mental symptoms at odd times of the day. She went back to baseline after treatment with antibiotics. Just a thought.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
PerfumeGarden Apr 2022
Oh yeah, we’ve had UTIs before, and this sundowning now is NOTHING compared to him with a UTI. He tried to build a bed barricade and swung at a family member. Took two firefighters to get him calm enough in the jump chair to the ER. it was WILD
(1)
Report
My mom also has vascular dementia. While CBD oil,etc. may seem to work, mom's doctor said it can interact with medications she's already taking, and not in a good way. Please be upfront with her doctor to he sure this won't be the case with your mom.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

I know this is not the answer you are looking for but please do what makes life easier for yourself I’m tired of all the stress that is heaped upon me regarding my mum and feel like running a mile and guess you feel the same it’s a tedious depressing task having to care for them isn’t it? Good luck x
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

My dad is in memory care . They were bombarding him with all sorts of med including antipsychotics and oxy. ( it is totally illegal to use chemical restraints ) patients have rights and you as their POA have the right to refuse to have your parent snowed! That said his behaviors were becoming more of a threat to the staff - my friend who is a PA-C suggested cbd oil.it’s worked amazingly well . One tip: we started slow and titrated up to avoid falls and we got it from a source that she recommended to insure purity
good luck !
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
Isthisrealyreal Apr 2022
Geaton, unfortunately, the FDA fails with oversight far to often. So, they aren't the gold standard they are supposed to be.
(0)
Report
Yah, he is prescribed Olanzapine...when he's sundowning he probably requires a blow dart to the neck at this point. I'm even considering giving him some indica weed gummies, I have medical card access. I know it knocks me out when I'm struggling to sleep (not that I get the privilege of deep sleep with still working out his night time routine post-respite care.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

There are no medications specifically made for agitation in dementia. Olanzapine is an anti-psychotic used for treating schizophrenia and psychosis in general. It does not benefit dementia at all, but knocks out the patients and that is why is used. In reality, you can try anything, tranquilizers, hypnotics, sedatives, barbiturates, morphine or whatever is available. Some work, some don't work and some stop working over time. Try whatever your hands can get.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Geaton777---

Bright light helps so much, it's wild. He is not activity oriented (yet), really hard to get him to be interested in anything besides talking, he talked nonstop when he didn't have dementia haha, ex barfly, very social by nature. Liked to garden, may try that when the cold weather finally knocks it off.

I think CBD is probably worth a trial but also curious about stigma telling his doctor tomorrow.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
PeggySue2020 Apr 2022
I wouldn’t worry about stigma at all. They prob get asked this question multiple times a day.
(4)
Report
See 1 more reply
my Friends mom look it and it seemed to help. Seemed, because as 60 Minutes pointed out, most of the cbd products aren’t near the potency of the cbd anti epileptic epilex, the only drug that the fda does consider effective.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter