My mom suffers from MCI to mild dementia. It is changing rather rapidly. Recently, she has been having dreams that seem so real to her it sometimes takes up to an hour before she really wakes up. Her eyes may be open but she still thinks we have company or she is covered in trash. Her behavior has changed to extremes from very depressed to manic and sometimes aggressive. Her neurologist is suggesting quetiapine fumarate. Has anyone had experience with this drug? An anti-psychotic seems pretty serious.
It is the only med that we found that helps with her terror and violent combativeness. This is a woman who would have never hurt a fly before dementia.
Wishing you good luck and hope you'll update how it goes with this.
It's often used for sedative purposes--and for sleep when a person has a hard time going back to sleep after they have gotten up or just awaken a lot during the night. I find it very effective and appreciate knowing I have something to help me sleep--I am NOT a 'good sleeper'-waking up from 2-5 times a night. BUT, the Seroquel in my system helps me go back to sleep.
And I have nightmares, pretty much every night of my life.
Gabapentin can also be used.
Go ahead and give this a try. It's calming and maybe that will be all mom will need.