Sleeping Issues

Talked to Tracey at Dr. Pugh's office and explained Mom's difficulties re: sleeping.

She looked at the list of meds she had on file for Mom and thought that she already had Ambien but I explained that that was discontinued a while ago (I'm not sure when or what the circumstances were). She will be talking to Pugh but felt that he would surely prescribe Ambien again. I suggested that they prescribe the lowest dose possible and that we increase it if the lower dose doesn't do the trick. We'll likely start with 5 mg and then go to 7.5 mg, or 10 if that doesn't work (not sure what she was on the last time or what the negative impacts were). Tracey says that Mom has the signs for Alzheimer's/dementia - mixing days and nights and calling out for help during the night. This sleep med should help her get into a better cycle. Also, I asked Maggie to start keeping track of Mom's sleep patterns - when to bed, when to rise, how the day went, how the night went, etc. - so that we can give Pugh good feedback in a week or so re: Ambien.


I'm waiting for Tracey to call me back to confirm that they've called the prescription into BiLo.

PS: Mom now has two air mattresses - one for her bed and one for her wheelchair. Maggie says she's been sitting in the wheelchair a good part of the day in the living room or in the kitchen watching TV - awake, and not complaining, most of the day. She has been very resistant to sitting in the living room for a while so this is a good development - a nice change of scenery.