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indubuque Asked January 2023

Seizures with Alzheimer's. Last night, my husband, who has been doing fairly well had an episode while sleeping, that I am wondering if it might have been a seizure?

it might have been a seizure. (He has no hx of these.) He was thrashing and kicking, with a little babbling. Afraid he would fall out of bed, I tried to steady and calm him, and, still apparently asleep, he fought me, and told me to "go away." He is strong, and his aggression was very scary. He has never shown any aggression in any way before. Was this a nightmare, night terror, or what? Should I expect more of this--how often--what is the right way to handle an episode like this? I was able to finally calm him and he slept well the rest of the night. ( He's having a morning nap as I write this.) Many thanks in advance for any experience/wisdom you can share.

AlvaDeer Jan 2023
No, this doesn't sound at all like a seizure. The movements are much different with a seizure than kicking out. This is likely acting out a disturbing dream. Is he on any medications that are new?

funkygrandma59 Jan 2023
My husband suffered from Gran Mal seizures for many years after he had a massive stroke, and from what you're describing it doesn't at all sound like a seizure.
It sounds like he was having a bad dream or even a hallucination which can be very real to someone with dementia.
Keep an eye on things and if it continues please contact his doctor as there are medications to help with that.
Best wishes.

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JoAnn29 Jan 2023
Night terrors can be horrible. My Mom had them about 2x a week. She would scream bloody murder and mumble. I would go down and wake her up and tell her to open her eyes. Then I would tuck her in and leave. She slept the rest of the night. Her Neurologist said these are common and if they continued to worsen, he could give her a medication for them.

I told her to open her eyes because for me, whatever I was dreaming of just before I woke up, faded away once I opened my eyes.

cwillie Jan 2023
I'm not an expert but I don't think it sounds like a seizure because he was able to tell you to go away, my guess would be some kind of lucid dreaming or hallucination. Make a call to his doctor so they are aware of this, I think it's worth a check up. And please do what you have to to keep yourself safe, if he manages to hurt you it doesn't matter that he's not in his right mind or he's never been aggressive before.

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