Elderly parents - concerned about by Mum

[Hopeandfaith7]

My mum was diagnosed with temporal arteritis about 18months ago. This is a condition in which the temporal arteries, which supply blood to the head and brain, become inflamed or damaged. Thankfully her condition is being successfully treated to minimize tissue damage that can occur (due to inadequate blood flow caused by the condition). It is a condition that can't be cured and she takes steroids for it as well as a number of other tablets...
I have noticed a real decline in my mum's mental health, she has been offered tablets for depression but they don't suit her and she prefers not to take them (with GPs blessing). She is anxious, very 'single minded' (it almost appears that she doesn't hear the other person in a 'conversation') and is very self, and in particular her 'illness' centred. My Dad has been great but is a very private person and they live a rather quiet life with few interests. I live just a few minutes away and try to chat every day if not in person on the phone/text. We walk together most days but she is finding even these walks troublesome, making her tired. Does this ring any bells for anyone... struggling.

[Hopeandfaith7]

Hi Penfold007, thank you so much for messaging. Sad to read that your Mum too is ill and that she is so tricky. How 'fortunate' that the consultant overheard and was concerned about mental health issues ... sometimes I feel that I'm the 'baddy' seeing things that aren't there. Did your consultant suggest that the mental health issues were related to the temporal arteritis or a by-product of the medication?
My Mum is 75 and was generally very fit 18months ago, although she had taken pain killers for a back condition for many years, thankfully it had settled over the last 5-6 years. As she has come down from her higher dose of steroids sadly her back has begun to trouble her again.
Recently by Mum's steroids were reduced again and she completely 'flipped' over the weekend, she said herself (when she returned to her higher dosage) that she felt like she 'could have been sectioned' that weekend... As far as I know she's not physically aggressive but more terribly anxious, negative, thoughts that she is going to die, hypoactive, can't sleep ...
I would love to share thoughts and ideas/solutions!
Wishing you all the very best with the care of your mother.

[Penfold007]

Your post rings a very loud bell for me. My mum was diagnosed with the same condition some time ago and is on a cocktail of medication including steroids and antidepressants. Mum's behaviour can be very tricky and sadly she also can get very aggressive and abusive. Dad is coping as well as he can and I try and support them both as much as I can and they allow.

I think Mum has developed dementia but Dad refuses to discuss the possibility. Mum fell recently and was taken to A&E to my great surprise she passed a dementia test whilst there and the staff said how lovely she had been. As soon as the nurses left the cubicle she turned on me, the consultant overheard this and spoke to me re her mental health but offered no solutions.