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Post by irisheyes on Mar 29, 2016 6:48:37 GMT
This reminds me of the book Brain on Fire. She was diagnosed with psychosis but actually had a brain infection. It came on suddenly as well. It is a true story.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Mar 29, 2016 8:19:40 GMT
This is such an awful thing, and so very sad too.
I second what others have said; there is hope. This may be one episode that will end and never happen again. Hopefully the right meds will pull her out of the psychosis.
I also read the book "Brain on Fire;" it was very scary to realize that such severe psychosis could be caused by an autoimmune disease. I hope that ALL possible physical causes for this episode are considered and ruled out.
I hope you'll be able to give us a positive update in the coming days or weeks.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 28, 2024 19:39:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2016 10:35:31 GMT
How scary! I hope they figure out what is going so she can get the help she needs soon!
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Mar 29, 2016 13:09:34 GMT
Just throwing this out there....my grandma hallucinates like crazy when she gets a urinary tract infection. No real other symptoms either. I'm sure they've checked your friend for infections, but in case they haven't, please suggest that it get done. I was thinking about this, too. It would be incredible if something so minor was the problem.
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Post by cakediva on Mar 29, 2016 13:14:12 GMT
Oh how scary. I hope they get some answers soon!
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Post by lily on Mar 29, 2016 13:31:45 GMT
That is how my mother suddenly got....turned out to be Lewy Body Dementia
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,646
Location: The Grand Canyon
Jun 25, 2014 20:18:39 GMT
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Mar 29, 2016 13:46:07 GMT
I'm sorry about your friend. I can imagine it would be scary for something to change so drastically and suddenly. I hope they find some answers soon and get her on the path to healing. Thanks to the other posters who posted about Brain on Fire and other physical causes of psychosis - things I did not know (and another reason why I love this place - always picking up tidbits).
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Mar 29, 2016 15:43:43 GMT
This sounds just awful!!
Is she aware that something is "not right"?
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mama2bailey
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Jun 26, 2014 14:37:35 GMT
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Post by mama2bailey on Mar 30, 2016 13:04:29 GMT
Btt for small update
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Post by petenthusiast on Mar 30, 2016 13:47:23 GMT
there are a wide variety of things that can trigger psychosis - she is in the right place for them to work it out. Could be a drug interaction, a virus, autoimmune, or a host of other reasons. Do not assume that she has this for life. Did you ever read "Brain on fire"? A New York Post reporter had a sudden onset psychosis and it turned out to be an extremely rare autoimmunreaction to NMDA receptors in the brain (receptor for an excitatory neurotransmitter). I think there have only been a couple of hundred cases seen world wide see www.susannahcahalan.com/my point is there is no easy answer - but there is always hope. I ordered this a couple of days ago & should be arriving today. Looks great. Saw they are making it into a film as well. Chloe-Grace Moretz will play Susannah. Makes a good case for having actively-involved patient advocacy. All in not always as it seems.
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Post by Monica* on Mar 30, 2016 14:40:14 GMT
Thanks for updating us. So sorry to hear this. I hope her dh knows this is not her speaking but the illness and an affected brain. I hope they get answers soon so she can be treated.
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Post by hosschick on Mar 30, 2016 14:55:17 GMT
What a frightening ordeal. I hope the doctors are able to find answers and help your friend soon.
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insomniac
New Member
Posts: 9
Jan 9, 2015 4:54:53 GMT
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Post by insomniac on Mar 30, 2016 15:42:44 GMT
I see others have mentioned the book, Brain on Fire. That is the first thing that I thought of as well. Here is a link to the specific disease the author was found to have: www.antinmdafoundation.org/the-illness/what-is-anti-nmda-receptor-encephalitis/I read the book a while ago, but as I remember, the psychosis came on very suddenly in a previously completely normal adult. I think she was also institutionalized for some time. It might be worth looking into and suggesting to your friend's husband. Others have also mentioned being an advocate of the patient. I have, unfortunately, had lots of experience at that in the past year since my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Please tell your friend's husband that it is not impolite to insist that they look into this possibility if they haven't already. It is also not impolite to ask for a consult with another doctor or specialist. I got that advice from a close friend who also happened to be a former neuro-surgical nurse on the very first day that my husband was found to have a possible tumor and I am sure that my insistence that he have a consult with a specialist within the first 24 hours of diagnosis is the reason we caught his tumor early and had surgery early. And that advice kept me moving to get him into a program where he was enrolled in a clinical trial that has brought him back from the brink of death and given us 8 months of good time and counting. Your friend's husband needs to be polite but firm and advocate for the best of care for her. Easier said than done in a crisis, but getting things diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible is important. Sorry I got a little soap-boxy there! I hope they find out what is going on quickly for your friend.
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Post by mommythree on Mar 30, 2016 19:41:20 GMT
Is it possible she could have a medical condition causing the sudden onset? Brain infection or brain tumor? my friends mother suddenly started acting very odd, talking to herself, hitting herself, shouting obscenities at people, turns out she had advanced stage brain cancer. I would hope the facility will take a c/t to see if anything looks suspicious. Hope things turn around for her, that is certainly a scary situation.
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mama2bailey
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Jun 26, 2014 14:37:35 GMT
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Post by mama2bailey on Apr 4, 2016 21:44:51 GMT
BTT FOR UPDATE
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Post by threecs on Apr 4, 2016 22:48:40 GMT
That happened to a friend of mine as well. She ended up being diagnosed bipolar with psychotic episodes. It took a while to get the medicines right. To me it seemed like it came on very suddenly, but when talking to her husband about things that happened over the past 6 months it all started making sense. She is doing very well now.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 4, 2016 23:02:23 GMT
I know it's easier said than done but try to remember it isn't her. She's in there and hopefully with good treatment she will come back to you. But for right now she isn't herself.
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Post by Chips on Apr 4, 2016 23:18:52 GMT
Thanks so much for updating. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend.
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on Apr 4, 2016 23:33:31 GMT
Just throwing this out there....my grandma hallucinates like crazy when she gets a urinary tract infection. No real other symptoms either. I'm sure they've checked your friend for infections, but in case they haven't, please suggest that it get done. I was thinking about this, too. It would be incredible if something so minor was the problem. Ditto this. So did my uncle. He was already in the hospital for a serious foot infection. Then a UTI etc.. he was in bad shape. But then he started experiencing similar episodes. Talking to people he knew that had passed on etc... talking to animals, thinking he was petting them when they weren't there. he did get violent but that was only on a few occasions. They did find out part of it was from an infection and then the 2nd part was due to lack of oxygen from not sleeping right. And he has cpap. Either it wasn't getting on right or he wasn't getting the right amount. It was causing the hallucinations and hysteria. They called it sleep phycosis or something like that I can't remember. Im not saying that may be what's wrong with your friend but hopefully they can find something that will help lead to answers. Maybe some medical solutions? Like others have mentioned. You never know how your body reacts to being sick or infections etc. I hope they can get her medically checked out too like the other peas have said. Such scary stuff. Hugs to you too so stress for family and friends.
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Post by christine58 on Apr 5, 2016 0:58:54 GMT
Her DH called me today and said that she was doing better and he was going up this evening to see her. Everyone is trying to keep going forward and not focus on what got her there in the first place. oh, and no diagnosis yet beyond psychosis and "mental breakdown" and I say that lightly since they themselves said they can't wrap their mind around what happened to her and are still evaluating the situation. Honestly, I think you need to take a step back and not call or go see her. Let the trained professionals help. Please don't be offended but your update is all about you and how sad/depressed you are. Stop.Just Stop. This is about her getting mentally healthy and she might need a long time for that to happen. But please---just leave her be for now.
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Apr 5, 2016 1:25:36 GMT
Thanks for sharing your story, and please free to continue sharing it. Psychotic breaks can be very stressful for family and friends, too.
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maurchclt
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,630
Jul 4, 2014 16:53:27 GMT
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Post by maurchclt on Apr 5, 2016 1:39:57 GMT
Wow, how heartbreaking for you, for her family, I can't even imagine. I certainly hope she gets the help she needs and that you eventually get your friend back.
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daisydonna
Full Member
Posts: 265
Sept 5, 2015 11:45:16 GMT
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Post by daisydonna on Apr 5, 2016 3:16:48 GMT
Her DH called me today and said that she was doing better and he was going up this evening to see her. Everyone is trying to keep going forward and not focus on what got her there in the first place. oh, and no diagnosis yet beyond psychosis and "mental breakdown" and I say that lightly since they themselves said they can't wrap their mind around what happened to her and are still evaluating the situation. Honestly, I think you need to take a step back and not call or go see her. Let the trained professionals help. Please don't be offended but your update is all about you and how sad/depressed you are. Stop.Just Stop. This is about her getting mentally healthy and she might need a long time for that to happen. But please---just leave her be for now. A little harsh christine58 don't you think? Of course OP cares! Why else would she post? She is stating how she feels. And absolutely nothing wrong with that. Mental illness, brain infection, whatever it turns out to be is upsetting to everyone around them. It's hard to watch. Let the OP express her feelings.
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Post by elaine on Apr 5, 2016 3:23:29 GMT
(((Hugs)))
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DEX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,357
Aug 9, 2014 23:13:22 GMT
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Post by DEX on Apr 5, 2016 3:26:47 GMT
While I was reading your posts, OP, I thought it sounded like you were writing things down, as a journal, in a way, in order to make sense of it. I have a very special friend of 30 years who I would be devastated for if something like this happened. I would feel confused, scared and sad for her too.
This is a great place to "get it out". Just take care of yourself too during this time.
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mama2bailey
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Jun 26, 2014 14:37:35 GMT
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Post by mama2bailey on Apr 5, 2016 3:29:38 GMT
Honestly, I think you need to take a step back and not call or go see her. Let the trained professionals help. Please don't be offended but your update is all about you and how sad/depressed you are. Stop.Just Stop. This is about her getting mentally healthy and she might need a long time for that to happen. But please---just leave her be for now. A little harsh christine58 don't you think? Of course OP cares! Why else would she post? She is stating how she feels. And absolutely nothing wrong with that. Mental illness, brain infection, whatever it turns out to be is upsetting to everyone around them. It's hard to watch. Let the OP express her feelings. Thank you
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,674
Jun 27, 2014 2:21:22 GMT
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Post by valincal on Apr 5, 2016 3:31:22 GMT
I understand that you're hurting but I think it's a bit of a betrayal of trust to detail what your friend is going through. Just my opinion. I hope that she's on the mend very soon and I wish you the best. Take care.
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mama2bailey
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Jun 26, 2014 14:37:35 GMT
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Post by mama2bailey on Apr 5, 2016 3:40:06 GMT
Her DH called me today and said that she was doing better and he was going up this evening to see her. Everyone is trying to keep going forward and not focus on what got her there in the first place. oh, and no diagnosis yet beyond psychosis and "mental breakdown" and I say that lightly since they themselves said they can't wrap their mind around what happened to her and are still evaluating the situation. Honestly, I think you need to take a step back and not call or go see her. Let the trained professionals help. Please don't be offended but your update is all about you and how sad/depressed you are. Stop.Just Stop. This is about her getting mentally healthy and she might need a long time for that to happen. But please---just leave her be for now. And you are quoting this section why? I am writing what the doctors and nurses have said.As for moving forward it has been stated to not re-hash what had happened to place her there. They feel in time she will want to talk about it and may ask but just take each thing day by day and look to the future. As for being all about me? Yes it was and I said I was being selfish for my feelings 4 days ago I mean come on. It's all a grieving process to come to grips with and FYI I have not gone to see her. I call her because she ASKS for me I don't call every day as of today its been 2 days. How about you just stop. If you don't like how I write or what I'm saying how about you don't read and don't respond! one thing I will never do is listen to some internet anonymous about how work through my feelings and abandon my friend. She would never do it to me and I would never do it to her. period.
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daisydonna
Full Member
Posts: 265
Sept 5, 2015 11:45:16 GMT
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Post by daisydonna on Apr 5, 2016 3:42:06 GMT
I understand that you're hurting but I think it's a bit of a betrayal of trust to detail what your friend is going through. Just my opinion. I hope that she's on the mend very soon and I wish you the best. Take care. Guess I am on a roll tonight. Valincal...This is basically a "vent" thread started by the OP. Her thread...stating how SHE feels about a situation. This is an anonymous message board. No betrayal. Just thoughts and feelings. Absolutely no different then venting about your boss. Or mother in law. Or husband. Sharing feelings and I'm sure she would love support.
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mama2bailey
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Jun 26, 2014 14:37:35 GMT
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Post by mama2bailey on Apr 5, 2016 3:44:10 GMT
I understand that you're hurting but I think it's a bit of a betrayal of trust to detail what your friend is going through. Just my opinion. I hope that she's on the mend very soon and I wish you the best. Take care. and why is it everyone else here does the same thing? We have seen updates on many many things some good, some bad and some things totally out there. Maybe I should post her name and our high school and her phone number and maybe even her kids names since I'm not anonymous enough. sorry but geez
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