Judy26
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MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
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Post by Judy26 on Aug 30, 2018 1:04:03 GMT
This may be long but I could really use some Pea advice and/or reassurance. My 86 year old dad had triple bypass 4 months ago. He was recovering slowly. Last month his incision site got infected and he was admitted for surgery to clean the wound. He was put on antibiotics through a picc line and had a wound vac.
Last week he he developed a reaction to the antibiotic and ran a temp of 103. He was admitted to the ICU while they changed to a new antibiotic. He was fine cognitively up to this point. Since then he has become extremely confused and delusional. He hallucinates, is angry, combative and swears like a sailor. The diagnosis is ICU delusional disorder. It is breaking my heart to see him so upset.
Has as anyone dealt with this before. I am so scared and worried for him.
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Post by christine58 on Aug 30, 2018 1:07:51 GMT
Have them check for a UTI....sometimes in the elderly it can cause many issues
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Aug 30, 2018 1:11:51 GMT
No advice, but I'm sorry you're going through this.
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scrappinspidey2
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Mar 18, 2015 19:19:37 GMT
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Post by scrappinspidey2 on Aug 30, 2018 1:19:08 GMT
My FIL went through this and it is a real thing. There are some medications for it, but unfortunately I don't remember what was recommended with my FIL. Once they started the meds, he was better. It broke my MIL's heart as he didn't even recognize who she was at that time.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 30, 2018 1:19:42 GMT
Have them check for a UTI....sometimes in the elderly it can cause many issues Yes, this! |
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Post by compeateropeator on Aug 30, 2018 1:33:39 GMT
I am sorry that you are going through this and I really do not have any advice.
This happened to my 88 year old grandfather when they had to replace a broken hip after a cow rammed him. He was not in the ICU but he was so bad that the the hospital had to call my mom in the middle of the night to come and sit with him because they didn't have the staff to have someone dedicated to him that night. He was awful and it was very scary.
We thought that some of the issues came just from him just being away from his home. The only time he had really been away from his farm and/or in the hospital was for a pacemaker about 15 years before this accident. So not being at home was a huge change and ordeal for him.
I wish your father the best.
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scrapngranny
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Only slightly senile
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Post by scrapngranny on Aug 30, 2018 1:39:07 GMT
My 84 year old dad had the same issues after his quadruple bypass. He a few surgical complications that required him a more lengthy ICU stay. They finally had put put him in restraints one night. He didn’t remember any of it at all. It didn’t take long once he came home to be back to normal.
I would suggest the UTI issue too, except if he is on antibiotics chances are that isn’t the problem. I hope he feels better soon.
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Post by salem on Aug 30, 2018 1:39:18 GMT
Have them check for a UTI....sometimes in the elderly it can cause many issues Yes, this! This was my first thought too. We saw it happen to my FIL. |
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Post by scrappintoee on Aug 30, 2018 1:42:19 GMT
I'm so sorry for your Dad and you; it is very heartbreaking!  Have the staff taking care of him been helpful and been able to give you any advice? I've sent up prayers and sending you (( hugs )). |
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Post by evelynr on Aug 30, 2018 1:47:16 GMT
No advice, just to say my dad went thru this as well. But I didn't know it had a name. He did eventually come back to his senses, it was just a slow process. Sorry, I know how hard it is to sit and watch.
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Post by christine58 on Aug 30, 2018 1:48:05 GMT
I would suggest the UTI issue too, except if he is on antibiotics chances are that isn’t the problem. I hope he feels better soon. Unless it's the wrong antibiotics for a UTI...can't hurt to check. |
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Post by kels99 on Aug 30, 2018 1:48:34 GMT
My dad had it too after his quadruple bypass about 6 years ago. He was in ICU for 17 days afterward because of complications and hallucinated (some scary, some funny---one time something about a soda shop on a UFO), was scared, often said that he wasn't going to make it, didn't always recognize us, etc. I'm happy to say that 1) He healed completely, and 2) He doesn't remember much.
It was TOUGH to see him like that though. Absolutely horrible!!
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gramma
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Posts: 2,903
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Post by gramma on Aug 30, 2018 2:09:32 GMT
Sometimes the elderly can't handle all the medications. Too many pain meds. Too many antibiotics. Too much noise. Too much poking and prodding. It all just becomes too much. I also say have them check for a UTI.
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Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,834
Location: NW PA
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Post by Judy26 on Aug 30, 2018 2:13:05 GMT
Thank you. This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. He has been given 2 sedative shots and is fighting the nurses tooth and nail. He does not have a UTI. I’m staying in his room tonight trying to keep him calm but he just tells me he is disowning me for doing this to him. It’s breaking my heart.
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Post by PNWMom on Aug 30, 2018 2:23:25 GMT
It's really common for elderly patients to develop delirium during a hospital stay. Having familiar things like photos, etc around can be helpful. They also usually try to get these patients next to a window so they can see day/night cycles and keep oriented to time a bit that way. There are meds available, but a lot of times just reorientation things like clocks and calendars and familiar items can help a bunch. Also, avoiding overstimulation and having lots of quiet time without the TV on or a lot of visitors around can be good. It can be scary but is generally a time-limited issue, so it WILL get better.
Hang in there! (trauma RN here...)
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Post by Chips on Aug 30, 2018 2:24:03 GMT
Thank you. This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. He has been given 2 sedative shots and is fighting the nurses tooth and nail. He does not have a UTI. I’m staying in his room tonight trying to keep him calm but he just tells me he is disowning me for doing this to him. It’s breaking my heart. I am so sorry. My Mom had ICU psychosis, we were so worried and had no idea if she would ever come back. Yes the whole experience was horrible! I would limit any visitors, have someone stay with him at all times, keep the door closed, keep him quiet, let him sleep as much as possible. Try to get him to know when it is day time and then when it is night time so he'll sleep then. Once my Mom had a private room she got the rest needed and finally was able think and talk as she did before. But it really was a horrible time. |
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FurryP
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To pea or not to pea...
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Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Aug 30, 2018 2:36:17 GMT
It's really common for elderly patients to develop delirium during a hospital stay. Having familiar things like photos, etc around can be helpful. They also usually try to get these patients next to a window so they can see day/night cycles and keep oriented to time a bit that way. There are meds available, but a lot of times just reorientation things like clocks and calendars and familiar items can help a bunch. Also, avoiding overstimulation and having lots of quiet time without the TV on or a lot of visitors around can be good. It can be scary but is generally a time-limited issue, so it WILL get better. Oh good to know. I think my dad has this. He is home now, but was away for almost 2 months. I was starting to think he will never be the same. He has been home for just under two weeks now. |
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Post by Zee on Aug 30, 2018 2:53:39 GMT
Thank you. This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. He has been given 2 sedative shots and is fighting the nurses tooth and nail. He does not have a UTI. I’m staying in his room tonight trying to keep him calm but he just tells me he is disowning me for doing this to him. It’s breaking my heart. I know it is hard on you. I've seen it enough times to tell you that barring any actual complications, which I'm sure they have ruled out, he WILL get better but it can be a slow process. One older gentleman was a farmer, a big strapping man and a real gentle giant. But OMG after hours spent sedated in the Cath Lab he was completely wild and so strong it took six of us to hold him down enough to give him medication (which kept him safe but of course prolonged the process). He was awful, cursing and swinging fists. his poor wife had never seen that from him and she cried and cried though we all assured her it was the medication and not him. A couple days later he was his usual self and didn't believe what his wife told him about the things he had said and done. He asked us all to corroborate her story. He was shocked. |
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tuesdaysgone
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Aug 30, 2018 9:46:57 GMT
My husband was only 47 when he was in ICU for 29 days. He was in a medically induced coma for much of that time and when they began to bring him out, he was a bit combative and very confused. They had to put him in restraints and while I knew it was for his own safety, it was really tough to see.
The first time he spoke to me after 29 days, he asked me who I was and if I was married! In hindsight, it's a funny memory now, but I was freaked out at the time. It took a couple weeks for him to become himself again. To this day, he has almost no memories of that time.
I know it's really tough on the family. I hope your dad has a good recovery.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
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Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Aug 30, 2018 11:19:00 GMT
I've nothing to offer but hugs. It's horrible to watch, but he'll get through this.  |
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Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,834
Location: NW PA
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Post by Judy26 on Aug 30, 2018 11:39:41 GMT
Thank you for all of the supportive comments and suggestions. The hospital assigned a one on one aide. I stayed with him until 3 am then came out to the waiting area until now. He sleeps restlessly for a while then wakes up very confused and combative. It got worse when I was in there because he thought I could take him home. He is the gentle-est guy you would ever meet and would be so embarrassed to know his actions.
I’m praying that he will turn a corner today and we can figure out the next step.He is healthy physically now so he doesn’t need to be in the hospital. He just wants to go home but my mom can’t care for him in this state and I can’t be there 24/7. My DD works in a very nice care facility but that would be another unfamiliar place so may hinder his progression. Any ideas would be appreciated. I’m so tired right now I can’t think.
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 30, 2018 12:23:53 GMT
Yes, we went through the same thing with my late FIL. It's very important the hospital understand this is not normal behavior.
You are doing the right thing by keeping someone with him at all times. My FIL could not understand he was in the hospital. He thought he was in Arizona. He also had hallucinations, like telling me I had a bloody nose.
It took about a week for him to come out of it. It happened slowly, not all at once.
The crazy thing is - he remembered a lot of it!
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schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,030
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Post by schizo319 on Aug 30, 2018 12:32:20 GMT
My dad had ICU delusion when he was in ICU, he was only 43 at the time. They restrained him (because he kept yanking out his NG tube) and put him on anti-anxiety medication. I believe it was a week or two before he was cognitively normal again.
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Post by auntkelly on Aug 30, 2018 13:33:52 GMT
I am so sorry your dad is having such a rough time.
My only advice is be kind to yourself. You are doing the best you can for your dad and mom.
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Post by jennrs on Aug 30, 2018 13:46:27 GMT
I’m sorry you are dealing with this, it is so hard to see your loved one in this condition.
The first time I saw it in my elderly mother due to an UTI. The other time was my adult son after a serious motorcycle accident. They both recovered from it after a few weeks.
Hang in there and give yourself breaks from him when needed. My son was so combative and rude, it was hard on me. I got to the point where I would just leave and let the nurses deal with him. He doesn’t remember any of it and is embarrassed he acted that way.
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SweetieBsMom
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Posts: 4,612
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Aug 30, 2018 14:03:55 GMT
Have them check for a UTI....sometimes in the elderly it can cause many issues I was going to suggest this. My Dad is NUTS when he has a UTI, a completely different person. Something else we've run into is low oxygen levels and it's happened in the hospital. |
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 30, 2018 14:04:43 GMT
Just went through this.
Ask about an UTI.
Also ask if the liver and kidneys are functioning properly-toxins from that also could cause the things you are mentioning.
Ask if oxygen would help to clear his mind.
Keep the room bright in the morning/day and dark in the evening/night hours.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 30, 2018 14:07:40 GMT
Thank you. This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. He has been given 2 sedative shots and is fighting the nurses tooth and nail. He does not have a UTI. I’m staying in his room tonight trying to keep him calm but he just tells me he is disowning me for doing this to him. It’s breaking my heart. Oh my gosh...this is almost EXACTLY the same that I went through last month. I could have written this post word for word. (The only difference was that I was going to hell (not disowned) for doing this to my mom) |
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Post by wagleg on Aug 30, 2018 14:08:14 GMT
It's really common for elderly patients to develop delirium during a hospital stay. Having familiar things like photos, etc around can be helpful. They also usually try to get these patients next to a window so they can see day/night cycles and keep oriented to time a bit that way. There are meds available, but a lot of times just reorientation things like clocks and calendars and familiar items can help a bunch. Also, avoiding overstimulation and having lots of quiet time without the TV on or a lot of visitors around can be good. It can be scary but is generally a time-limited issue, so it WILL get better. Hang in there! (trauma RN here...) RN also, came here to say the same thing. If he isn’t in a room with a window he needs to be moved. |
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,612
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Aug 30, 2018 14:23:09 GMT
It's really common for elderly patients to develop delirium during a hospital stay. Having familiar things like photos, etc around can be helpful. They also usually try to get these patients next to a window so they can see day/night cycles and keep oriented to time a bit that way. There are meds available, but a lot of times just reorientation things like clocks and calendars and familiar items can help a bunch. Also, avoiding overstimulation and having lots of quiet time without the TV on or a lot of visitors around can be good. It can be scary but is generally a time-limited issue, so it WILL get better. Hang in there! (trauma RN here...) RN also, came here to say the same thing. If he isn’t in a room with a window he needs to be moved. Yes....this also happens to my Dad every time he's in the hospital....he twilights (my sister's term) and gets his days/nights completely mixed up. Having him in a room with a window helps with this....not always but sometimes. |
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