My Husband, Daughter & I think he has dementia, he is 67.
At the moment he has REM sleep issues, they are virtually every night, he is breathing heavily, moving his hands, laughing, sometimes shouting.
He is totally unaware during these episodes.
They use to be now & then, but now most nights.
It has become a real issue as i cannot sleep, through frustration & worry it's now 2.15am.
After waiting almost 2 yrs for an appointment with a Neurologist, which was a complete waste of time.
She did not think he had Dementia?
He has been accessed by the GP who does not think he has dementia.
This was around a year ago.
While on the phone to the doctor
he has answered some simple questions, that a child could answer!
He is definitely not behaving normally. Anxious, manipulative, aggressive, argumentive, repetitive, forgetful.
I have recorded the sleep issues, as they do prove that his sleep issues are real.
My husband is reluctant to go to the doctor's, as he thinks he may loose the right to drive.He may loose his independence.He is in denial, I talk to him about it,
but he just carries on like it's ok & normal.
The main difficulty I have is that, he can behave normally most of the time,but every now & then,
I have noticed differences that are sometimes subtle but out of character.
Example Humming!
We are both independent minded, I think that's why we struggle to ask for professional help or advice!
To be honest, the treatment he has received so far from NHS has been poor!
Where do we go from here?
I am monitoring the situation, like going with him to the shops, & appointments.
His driving is fine, I watch him while he is driving.
If I thought he was not managing,
I would not let him drive.
But as I don't drive, I'm wondering if he should be driving?
Are you going through this? or have you experienced this? How would you handle this? What next?
Thanks in advance!