Disruptive Mum at family games night (and it was me...)

[ButteryFrog]

At home with Covid for the 2nd time and had the most bizarre symptom earlier, where for several hours I felt completely, and I mean COMPLETELY, stoned.

Often this could be chalked up as a free fun evening. It's a tad more complicated when it kicks in just as you start a game of Bananagrams with your 11-yr-old...

I managed to keep things reined in for a while, even though my brain was busy shape-shifting to cotton wool. But when DS asked me which two letters I had left, and I replied "Y, I", it suddenly struck me that I was doing an amazing impression of a Geordie, on the first occasion it had ever crossed my mind to attempt it, so I just kept shouting "WAYE AYE, MAN!!" at him for ~20 minutes and crying with laughter at his completely baffled face.

After that cultural high point, things kind of went downhill...😳😁😋.

Firstly I played a few words that I normally wouldn't, prompting DS to get into the spirit too and use faves like "Butt" all over the place. Then I got more and more incomprehensible as the giggles got worse, until I was just spouting random phrases like "Roasted squirrel!", turning all the "C" tiles the wrong way up, and insisting "Fuzzerwhozz" was a genuine word, of French origin...

DH sent me to bed at the same time as the kids - which is fair enough - and I'm now back to the more conventional symptoms of feeling very hot and a bit dizzy.

I am, however, wondering how to reclaim some semblance of parental authority and dignity tomorrow, esp as I heard great hoots of laughter as DS filled his younger brother in...Say nothing and try to style it out? Sit them down for a chat about the weird and wonderful world of the brain? Go for a distraction technique and discover some issues in their homework that urgently need looking at?? Casually mention another adult who's done something even more bizarre recently??

Either way, I do know I need to sneak down early and make sure the Bananagrams tiles are cleared up - esp those spelling the word "Doobie" - before DS thinks to look up any definitions.

(To clarify, I have a neurologist already due to long-term neuro issues, plus had visual hallucinations for months after Mar '20 Covid, so I'm not freaking out, and not after any medical advice here, which would be completely the wrong place for it. What Mumsnet IS the right place for, is inventive solutions to obscure parenting dilemmas, so .. )

Poker face at breakfast time. See which of you caves first. Deny all knowledge and accuse your poor kids of having bizarre dreams if/when they mention it.

Sounds like you had fun though which is all that matters!

Time for bed.

Just minimise it. They will soon get bored of mentioning it.

How does having a Virus cause these symptoms though ? It doesn't make sense. Maybe if you had a high temp and were hallucinating but that's not what you describe. It sounds like a mental health issue surely?

I just kept shouting "WAYE AYE, MAN!!" at him for ~20 minutes and crying with laughter at his completely baffled face.

This doesn't sound funny at all. Your poor son.

I also can't see how it's linked to Covid.

I hope you'll have a better understanding of things in the morning

I have no advice but just wanted to say a big thank you for sharing - ‘WAYE AYE’ has just made me giggle throughout yet another night feed with a sleep-regressing 15 month old and yes, I’m saying it in a Geordie accent…

I think style it out. Maybe he’ll just think you REALLY enjoy Bananagrams and it brings out Fun Mum?

I loved this story!! Sounds like you had a fun evening.
I can imagine that this will become the stuff of legends as it is passed down in family history. DS as an adult talking to his children "I'll never forget the night your gran invented weird words in banangrams and reading them with a Geordie accent" Grandchildren will be eager for gran to "do it again, pleeeaaasse gran" You'll be the fun gran!!
Playing by the rules is over-rated!

EarringsandLipstick, I can see I didn't explain that well; it would indeed be odd if I was just shouting at a confused and silent child!...But we were both in hysterics being really silly while DH was rolling his eyes at us and snortling every so often. DS was just baffled by my terrible impressions (in between his own impressions of random things), as he had no idea what I was talking about.

MalFunkshun and PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle - you hit the nail on the head; DS asked to play Bananagrams again tomorrow. Not sure I have it in me 😁

On a serious note, I originally said I was avoiding anything medical, not being qualified myself. But as there have been a couple of questions, I'm posting a link to one of the many studies showing that inflammation seems to be at the root of Covid neuro issues. It looks at the similarity with Alzheimer's or post chemo inflammation; other studies have had a similar findings comparing with other neuro conditions. I've been following Long Covid neuro forums and medical advances with interest since Mar '20, when I did have a very scary experience after mild Covid - for 2 days I felt like my brain wasn't getting enough oxygen, kept frantically checking our carbon monoxide monitors as felt like I was being poisoned. No one had a clue why at the time, as only lung function was being studied, but that sudden huge inflammation is presumed to account for me still having no sense of smell, weird issues with one eye, rampant insomnia etc.

Anyway fast-forward 2 years, and if Covid II is just making me feel oddly stoned (which some other long haulers have also reported), then it's a definite improvement in my books 😀

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/03/27/covid-brain-fog-chemo-brain-alzheimers-disease/

If you want a story of how another adult behaved, my mum came home from a visit to her psychiatrist.

We had been warned that she had been given a strong drug and might act in an odd way.

Well the first thing she did was go to sleep on the sofa. She woke up at about 10pm and demanded we put Coronation St on, which we couldn't because it was 10pm.

She spent at least 15 mins arguing and then stormed off to bed.

My brother and I headed for bed.

Then at about 2am we were woken to a crash and my mother on the stairs crying like a toddler. Dad was home by this point (he worked evenings).

We eventually got out of her that she was upset because she couldn't fly.

She had gone to the toilet and then decided she could fly, but just in case she couldn't she didn't launch herself from the top of the stairs but from the fifth step.

We eventually got her back to bed and she went back to sleep sobbing about not being able to fly.

We were never allowed to mention it afterwards.

So OP at least you didn't try to fly.

@ButteryFrog

Nothing in that article you linked describes symptoms like you've said you experienced.

I can't see how feeling temporarily stoned and behaving erratically could relate to Covid.

That article referred to numerous studies of post-Covid symptoms & long Covid which points to issues like brain fog, cognitive decline & molecular change. It's not a switch-on scenario to behaving uncharacteristically.

A person with Covid MAY have had usual symptoms for one evening, during which she had fun with her family, and yet people are blaming mental less. So good to know the expert psychiatrists hang out on MN. We should perhaps direct them more to the mental health boards where I daresay their superior knowledge would be very helpful for those who actually need it.

SMH.

Mental illness*

I am sitting here literally with tears running down my cheeks...this has made my morning...🤣...thanks for sharing....it was when you said that your husband sent you to bed the same time as the children! Classic.....sounds like my kind of night...hope you enjoyed x

I think this sounds a bit scary. I’ve never heard of Covid temporarily altering someone’s personality. 😬

I don't think this was covid, think you were just in a good/silly mood - which is fine!!! I think describing it as you not being in control of it because of covid is slightly cringe 🤣 but it sounds like you had a good night. Sure there wasn't any alcohol consumed???

I HEAR YOU!!! Currently recovering from Covid and for several days I felt totally smashed off my face. I mean like I'd taken some serious recreational drugs like we used to do in the 80s .

Never experienced anything like it.

@kournikovaxx

Your poor son. How mortifying.

Oh give over.. what on earth is mortifying about it?

Op - you were probably delirious! Very common when unwell and certainly not an indication of mental ill health! Some people get very happy and giggly -DD2 certainly does and I’ve seen it in hospital too!

( Just make your husband aware so he can keep an eye on you when you are unwell. Some people just seem to be more prone to delirium, and it also is more common in the elderly and young, but if it has now passed, I would not be too worried)

I'm crying with laughter here 😂 probably because I have some form for similar too 😂

I'd probably be honest with them that covid made you a bit delirious & laugh it off as a weird symptom

I know you said no medical advice, but all of your symptoms mentioned here, including your episode here screams vitamin B12 deficiency(PA) & I know with my own PA, covid hit my b12 badly & long covid has a ton of cross over symptoms. The Pernicious Society are working with the government on this & there's a good article pinned on thier website.

Tracy Wittys B12 group is a really good one for correct information & help all in one place. You can have normal blood test results & still be deficient

Low oxygen levels can cause euphoria in some people. It's a known phenomenon.

Lots of po faced responses on this thread in typical Mumsnet style. I'm sure the kids will be able to laugh about the time Mummy went a bit loopy in the future.

I'd sit them down and explain that sometimes illnesses can make us do strange things and get confused etc.

I'd also be checking my O2 levels with an oximeter.

Giggling & weird accents & phrases - sounds a bit like every playdate in my house.

I see no harm, but yeah there's a distinct possibility they'll want 'fun off her head mum' to come out every evening. They'll soon learn she was a one off if you brush it off as a funny thing that happened.

I hope you get well soon.

Your poor DS, scarred for life after a fun games night with his mum full of laughter.

I love how on mumsnet you are even held responsible for an episode of weirdness that wasn't even your fault! And if it had been a mental health episode, you still would have had to explain it to your children anyway, these things happen. My children's father had hallucinations due to illness- it wasn't his fault and whilst scary, these things do occur and can't always be hidden!

The best thing to do is provide an explanation but don't make a big deal out of it- 'wow, I was a bit silly last night, I think covid is still affecting my brain sometimes, I did have a fun time though' and then leave it.

Yes, us mums must be pillars of the highest decorum at all times

Sounds like a fun night. I remember having similarly fun ones with mine when they were small. The giggles hit and everything is just funny