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Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention; if you think your problem could be acute, do so immediately. Even qualified doctors can't diagnose over the internet, so do bear that in mind when seeking or giving advice.
Dementia & Alzheimer's
Sudden in old person?
catfunk · 18/01/2023 16:59
Family member is 78. Lives alone and is independent, previous heart issues and type 2 diabetes (takes metaformin tablets) but health is ok otherwise and walks 3 miles per day religiously. Probably not neurotypical and likes routine, sticks to his walking routine and medication and meal times religiously. No history of anxiety or depression.
Around a week ago he woke feeling confused and upset and couldn't remember which medication he needed to take. Went straight to docs who took bloods - no results yet. My thought was urine infection or blood sugars but they don't seem to have done the quick checks there and then.
His state has not changed and he's requiring assistance from family now to prepare his medication and he's not sleeping and very distressed.
Can dementia come on so quickly ? I would have thought it it was a TIA he may have improved since?
Have booked another docs appointment for Friday as we're increasingly worried about him and haven't seen any improvement. He's really quite scared and upset and aware of his confusion.
catfunk · 18/01/2023 17:00
Gods sake title was SUDDEN CONFUSION IN OLD PERSON
determinedtomakethiswork · 18/01/2023 17:02
That sounds really worrying for everyone. It must be horrible for him to actually know he is confused. I haven't heard of dementia coming on that quickly. Hopefully his test results will be on soon and the doctors will know what's going on. Best of luck to him.
MyCreation · 18/01/2023 17:06
my first thought would also be uti or other infection . He needs someone to check for a uti and maybe even if clear to give him a course of antibiotics just in case test doesn’t show an infection as the dipstick and lab tests miss many infections.
He also needs checking for a blocked artery in his neck as that can cause sudden severe confusion and also for a TIA. It sounds very distressing for him and for you too. His blood test results should be back by now but he needs a proper check
catfunk · 18/01/2023 17:26
Thanks everyone we will be pushing for a urine test on Friday morning at gp and ask about TIA.
The fact that he knows he is confused is what is odd/ scary. I'd have thought if it was dementia he'd be less aware of confusion and it would creep up suddenly.
catfunk · 18/01/2023 17:27
@LilacLemur any idea what is the cause of delirium?
catfunk · 18/01/2023 17:29
@LilacLemur posted too soon, sorry that happened to your mum, do you recall if it came on suddenly and can it be treated ?
determinedtomakethiswork · 18/01/2023 17:50
My mum had delirium after a fall and a hip operation. It was a little different though because she would tell us things that she said had been happening in the ward e.g. men who were trying to poison her, the virtually unconscious old lady in the next third, who was trying to harm her etc. we are about six months post-accident now and she no longer mentions those things though she is still convinced that they happened. It was very very real to her.
LilacLemur · 18/01/2023 18:00
@catfunk
I think it was infection based. Yes came on quickly - like another poster mentioned she saw things and thought things were happening when they weren't. She also forgot how to do basic things like turn the telly on.
Unfortunately due to a completely unrelated illness (and it really wasn't connected in any way so don't worry) she passed away so I can't give you an update.
Delirium is quite common in the elderly.
Shellingbynight · 18/01/2023 18:08
That doesn't sound like the usual progress of dementia, in that it was so sudden.
However while it appears sudden, it isn't clear how often or in what circumstances you/other family see the person. So it could have been creeping up for a while, and only manifested when the person suddenly couldn't do something in his normal routine.
My mother has had dementia (Alzheimers) for many years, and in the earlier years she could seemingly cope fine, then one day she'd need to do something basic - and suddenly, she couldn't (something basic like make a cup of tea). Her friend once took her to the GP because she seemed suddenly 'worse', and the friend's first thought was a UTI. And it was a good thought, but she didn't have one, she had just suddenly reached a brick wall of inability, and that was the point when she needed daily help with the basics. She was 79.
And my mother was aware of her confusion in those early days, which obviously made it all the more upsetting. It is unusual for someone with dementia to have that insight, but it does happen.
Definitely do check out if there is a physical reason like infection, it may be as simple as that. But it may not.
saraclara · 18/01/2023 18:09
In my FIL's case it was a stroke. He and my MIL had gone shopping. They were ready to go home, he got in the car, and discovered he'd forgotten how to drive. She walked him home, and when she turned up the path of their house, he asked her why they were going into (neighbour down the road)'s house.
He was completely confused. They went inside and he simply didn't recognise his own house. He had been absolutely normal and fit up to then.
starlightmagic · 18/01/2023 18:10
Having worked as a carer I would also say infection. Sounds very much like a uti
RoseThornside · 18/01/2023 18:13
Similar happened to a friend a year or so ago. They thought it was fluid on the brain - encaphelitis I think was the word. But a week ago she had a major stroke so now they think the original weird episode was probably a small stroke.
ThisWormHasTurned · 18/01/2023 18:17
Yes far more likely to be delirium. Dementia - slow onset, person becomes almost accustomed to the confusion…delirium is rapid, scary, person will often be aware and say “I think I’m going mad!”. There’s various causes including infections and medications. It usually settles when the underlying cause is treated but it can take some times (often weeks). It is important you push for a diagnosis though, he could easily be left in limbo.
catfunk · 18/01/2023 20:04
Thank you all so much much for posting I appreciate it.
The man lives alone but 2 x family members see him a few times a week for a good amount of time (I.e they go out for dinner together one night, a social event another afternoon etc.) and they've never noticed anything untoward. In fact he can be obtuse and a little socially unaware as the norm so it's a worry to see him confused and frightened and aware of himself.
I'm a bit shocked the GP only took bloods and said they'd be back in a few weeks, But he went to the gp alone - somebody will be accompanying him on Friday and advocate for him.
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