When my mom was diagnosed with dementia with hallucinations they added 2mg of abilify to get 15 mg of lexapro. The hallucinations went awav.

At the time of diagnosis her neurologist said she suffered a psychotic break ( death of X husband whom she thought she'd always get back together with). Denied thst was him in Coffin. Then the hallucinations and done falls. At first I thought well mom has always lived in fantasy land meaning never really dealing with what was clearly in front of her. Bad marriages etc. Then started bouncing checks and mixing up her meds. Then came the hallucinations. Not 24/7 but mostly at nightime. She was afraid to be alone. Talking to people who weren't there even at a resturant. I thought she was putting on a show cause didn't want to grow old and had left her children (the first four) to be raised by her parents and now her X husband dead left her alone. I even think she but not sure hurt herself for attention. So I took her in. Long story short I took a class in crochet to reteach her so she would finish all the stuff she started and never finished. And after about two years she quit I don't know. She is connected when she is wTchibg her videos from her era. But doesn't know I'm her daughther and she has six kids. Can't tell you who the president is etc etc. I read the link to meet body and it doesn't really fit her. The timing of it all tells me it indeed was a psychotic break that triggered her vascular dementia Don't get me wrong she does well on abilify and temazapan it's just recently we sustain her pressure with compression socks and feet up most of the time. She used to take three pills for HBP as she has had triple bypass diabetes and actor amputation due to lack of blood flow. She excercise a daily and walks with walker and assistance. But if she sits with her head down her blood pressure drops to100/40 or 30 and we have to recline her. Just wish I could have the ability to taper it gently Instead of going from 2mg to 1.5. Go to 1,9 for a month or two. Then reevaluTe. Thanks for the website connection. Read it all.

Bonnie, was the type of dementia specified at diagnosis? Hallucinations very early in the disease is a hallmark of Lewy Body Dementia. That is certainly not the only kind of dementia that includes hallucinations, but if they were one of the first symptoms you noticed, you may want to discuss that possibility with her doctors.

Dr. Brad Boeve, a researcher and behavioral neurologist at Mayo Clinics, has prepared a long technical paper on treating LBD. It is meant for clinicians, but as a pioneer you might find it useful in your discussions with doctors. The doctors may find it useful, at least if they concur there is a possibility this is LBD. Near the end is a nifty chart about medications that have shown to be useful in treating various symptoms of LBD. The paper, usually referred to as the Continuum, is provided by the LBD Association here:
https://www.lbda.org/sites/default/files/dlb-boevecontinuum04.pdf
(AgingCare ususaly allows org website addresses, but it if gets deleted, search for Brad Boeve Continuum)

Boeve says it is not necessary to treat hallucinations at all unless they are disturbing to the person who has them. He lists 9 medications that could be tried if they are bothersome. Abilify is not on the list so I can't help with doses.

Was your mom on Lexapro before the dementia diagnosis? Does she have major depressive disorder?

Five drugs for insomnia are listed in the Boeve paper.

Keep us updated on your pioneering efforts!

I have and they both say I am a pioneer on this. They have no idea. Remember big black box warning. Not to be used in people with dementia do I found out after the fact. Did research may cause stroke. The good side is she doesn't hallucinate and if off of HBP medicine. But I think now that she is older 2mg is too much. Im on my own on this one. That's why I'm putting it out there. They suggested to cut back to 1.5. I wanted to cut back to 1.9 for two months. Then. 1.8. Anyone have any experience with dementia and low dose abilify.

Make sure you speak with her Dr's before changing any of her medicines...