A female family member in their 60's fell ill about 2 years ago with a constipation issue, let's call her 'Sue' for the purpose of this thread.
In the beginning Sue suffered with very strange side effects including confusion, delirium and memory loss.
Sue would have days when she was completely blank (that's the only way I can describe it) then days of clarity and be completely back to their usual self.
Doctors were baffled and following various stays in the hospital couldn't diagnose anything particular but did see a bowel blockage plus Sue suffered with repeat UTI's.
Treatment would include laxatives and enemas and the symptoms did at first improve with these treatments. Days when she had an enema would be a good day mentally. On the good days Sue can't remember much about the bad days and says they're like a 'fog' or a 'dream'.
Lots of other tests have been carried out with normal results.
Other than the blockage and symptoms she's in perfect health.
Over time the blockage cleared and the UTI's stopped occurring but the bad days increased and the good days lessened regarding her mood.
Sue used to have at least one good day a week where she was completely herself but now they're non existent.
Sue has now been diagnosed with depression and takes an antidepressant which doesn't help much with her symptoms. Her adult son has to get her to take it every day with some persuasion. The only difference with the antidepressant noted by her son is that she is more mobile with it (moves around the house more).
For context, as I really know nothing about depression myself and this seems to be brought on rather mysteriously i'll describe Sue before the illness and what she is like now.
Before- gym bunny, health conscious, very family orientated, immaculately dressed, holidays, days out, big family parties, loved cooking and gardening, watching certain tv shows especially reality tv, music and dancing and adored babies and grandchildren, in a long committed relationship for 20 years, lots of friends and very social.
Now- doesn't engage in any conversation with anyone, only says 'no' or 'go away'. Doesn't get dressed or washed without encouragement or help, doesn't cook, clean, garden, listen to music, watch tv or read at all. Doesn't want to see anyone or engage and only does as relative have keys to the house, definitely wouldn't open the door if you knocked.
Never leaves the house or answer the phone. Friends and partner are told to go away or aggressively told to leave.
No interest in children, her new baby grandchild was born recently- she didn't even acknowledge or look at the baby when they were brought round to visit.
She sits doing nothing all day or sleeps.
This is no exaggeration, cannot be coaxed or convinced to do anything at all.
Everyone is obviously desperate for answers and help but doctors are yet to diagnose anything apart from what I've mentioned. She's seen specialists and had CT scans, every type of test.
It isn't dementia, they've very sure of that.
I'll add there were no life events that anyone knows about or could link to this. sue was ok one day and then not the next and has deteriorated from there.
It's a long shot but as the doctor are so stumped I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced anything like this before.
It's so sad, she's so well loved and we just want her back.