Having already nursed our LO through one broken hip we found Ambien much too
dangerous to use as a sleep med. Whenever she would get up to go to the
bathroom she would have bad falls and be very disorientated. We stopped the
ambien and switched to 100mg of trazadone with much better results. I do
understand your need for rest. Taking care of someone with dementia is
totally exhausting.   AW

Janet:

My Aunt did suffer from alzheimers.   I think from the time she
started to (really) exhibit the symptoms until the time she died in a
nursing home, it was JUST under 2 years.  I'm going to say probably 1
and 3/4 years.

We were very lucky in that unlike my late Mother, who suffered from
dementia brought on by mini-strokes, my Aunt didn't seem to suffer
from any of the paranoia and agitation that can go along with the
disease.

Unfortunately, my Aunt's death was also pretty much a direct result of
the alzheimers.  You can probably imagine how that went.  Whereas she
was gone relatively quick as far as we were concerned, it was probably
very excruciating for her.

Hopefully, between your observations and the help from your Mother's
doctor, you'll be able to get her on the right doses of the right
medications and be able to more enjoy the time you have left with her.

Remember, my Aunt's decline was fast like your Mother's seems to be,
but it doesn't necessarily mean your Mother will go through the same
thing my Aunt did.  Hopefully, things will be better for the two of
you.

Charles R. Whealton
Charles Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com

Janet,
   My mom takes 2-25mg.tablets of hydroxyzine hcl for sleep.It works
very well.We still have occasional sleepless nights but they are few
and far between.I also would not use ambien. hopes this helps,Barb