Does Melatonin affect night hallucinations in Parkinson's Disease?
My LO has Parkinson's and is in Assisted Living. He keeps falling at night when he is alone in his AL apartment. This results in a hospital stay followed by a stint in a rehab facility. All these changes result in confusion.
We have sorted out some meds that affect him adversely when he is hospitalized We made changes that have been helpful by refusing certain meds.
I've heard mixed reports that melatonin used as a sleep aid in Parkinson's patients can result in night hallucinations. I think the falls at night are the result of night hallucinatuons and his trying to participate in the hallucination.
Has anyone had experience that is similar with a Parkinson's patient using melatonin as a sleep aid and then having hallucinations? I'm thinking of requesting a step down or elimination of the melatonin.
7 Answers
Popular Questions
Related Questions
- In the past week my mother has been aggressive, delusional and has been having hallucinations. Is this another symptom of Parkinson's?
- My 92 year old mom was recently prescribed Namzaric for hallucinations. She seems to be nodding off while watching TV more than usual.
- Questions about drugs for hallucinations. Does anyone have experience?
- Back at the hospital. Any advice?
Later on she did say that a little girl was visiting her at her bedside. She wasn’t frightened by her and seemed to be comforted by this young girl.
Then she started trying to walk out of the front door in the middle of the night. Don’t know what that was all about. Perhaps it was due to hallucinations. Mom did develop dementia with her Parkinson’s disease.
Anyway, mom’s neurologist prescribed Ativan and Seroquel and these helped her sleep well.
We never tried Melatonin. I’m not sure how it affects Parkinson’s disease. Have you checked on the Parkinson’s website to see if there is anything documented specifically about Melatonin?
Check with the neurologist and maybe even the pharmacist to see what they say about melatonin and Parkinson’s disease. My mom took Sinemet for her Parkinson’s disease.
My mother fell too. Parkinson’s disease affects strength and balance issues. Rehab and home health was extremely helpful for my mother. She worked really hard in doing her exercises and it paid off for her.
Best wishes to you and your loved one.
However, he was diagnosed with REM sleep disorder about 5-6 years ago and takes 1 mg Clonazepam/Klonipin before bed because he was acting out his dreams. Ask his doctor about this. Might help.
Rehab, why is her going if no broken bones. Physical therapy can be done at the AL. Because Rehab is recommended doesn't mean u have to go.
If a person hits their head, thats when they should go.
https://www.wellandgood.com/melatonin-nightmares/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThose%20who%20take%20high%20levels,have%20to%20do%20with%20dosage.
I'd cut it out of your loved ones regime and see if things improve. I've refused to take melatonin bc I have a history of nightmares and sleep issues to begin with.
I used to take it nightly. But a few years ago, I woke up remembering the strangest dream. I had gotten up out of bed, walked all through the house and checked all of the windows and doors to make sure they were locked. The strangest part of the dream was my dog, who was walking beside me, glued to my side the entire time. I could remember the feel of his fur on my fingers when I woke. Since my dreams are never, ever that vivid, I really think I had walked in my sleep, and my dog accompanied me to keep me "safe", since I'm sure he could sense something wasn't normal. I had read that sleepwalking can be a side effect of Melatonin.
Maybe cut back either the dosage size or the frequency - from every night to every other or every third night - and see if that helps. Since I stopped taking it nightly, I haven't had any ill effects.
What most certainly DOES have an affect on balance and on hallucinations in a patient with Parkinson's are the drugs specific to treat hallucinations and balance in the patient. It is a known fact that those drugs that help alleviate hallucinations ALSO worsen balance, and those that treat balance may worsen hallucinations. Seems the perfect Catch-22.
Do have the medications and supplements talk with your loved one's doc. I wish you the best.