Can anyone give me advice on which sleeping medication is best for someone with LBD? I am currently giving my husband 3 mg of Melatonin every night and it is helping him to get to sleep, but I know he isn't sleeping all night. I prefer that he be on something that is non-addictive.

Dr. Brad Boeve's "Continuum" paper (do a search on lbda.org) is my go-to source for questions on the treatment of specific symptoms. I think Dr. Boeve likes melatonin. Trazadone might also be one of his preferred meds for sleep.

And have you reviewed a list of non-medication approaches to sleep? I'm sure there's a list posted here of good sleep hygiene -- exercise during the day, relaxing an hour or so before bed, no caffeine after a certain time, warm bath, etc.

Beth, there is now a slow release form of melatonin. My husband takes it and it does work better throughout the night. I found it at WalMart and health food stores.

Also, with his doctor monitoring it, you can increase melatonin dosage significantly without harm for many patients. John is on 10mg slow release melatonin and has been now for years. It took care of most of his REM symptoms and restored his sleep quality pretty well.

Take care,
Pat

Hi Everyone:

My husband's neurologist recently put him on Trazodone to help him sleep. From my research, I see that this antidepressant is non-addictive.

Has anyone else heard of this drug?

Yes, my husband was put on it for a while but it did not help him sleep.

We also used Trazadone, we had no problems with it! Everyone is different when it comes to the meds these type of decisons are best when left to the doctors !

I agree, Irene, as long as it a decision being made by the right doctor who really does understand LBD. I have friends whose doctors have really messed up their loved ones by bad medical decisions based on ignorance about LBD. The very best doctors are smart and secure enough to become team members with the caregiver in this disease, in my opinion.

Medicine is just like every other profession---some are much better than others.
Pat

It is really important to have a team of doctors that are willing to partner up with you, while advocating for our LO's. Not everyone is lucky enough to have that where the doctor really knows LBD!