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mum going down hill fast

32 replies

smartiejake · 11/01/2008 00:44

Have just got back from the hospital where my mum was rushed late this afternoon. She has a serious and rare condition called wegeners granuloma matosis which I won't go into now but she has been very ill with it for the last year and the docs are finding it very difficult to treat.
My dad went out to do some shopping and when he came back found mum rambling and making no sense. He called one of her doctors who asked for her to come into hospital. I arrived a few hours later (he had not called me and had forgotten to take his mobile) and she is incoherent. She kept repeating the same phrase over and over- sounded like " eflate" . I was convinced she had had a stroke but the doc we spoke to said her bloods showed an infection and it can cause this kind of delerium. She has no weakness in her limbs. They haven't ruled out stroke but surely if there is any doubt she should be scanned.I thought that the first 24 hours were crucial in stroke patients? She is only 62 and up till a year ago was fit as a fiddle and swimming 5 miles a week. His evening she seemed so "old" and confused . Awful to see your mum in such a state. SHe would hate it if she was aware of what was happening.

Feel totally numb at the mo. Feel like I should be wailing or crying or something. Feel like a complete freak not to be feeling more- is this usual? Sorry rambling now as it's late but need to share it with someone.

OP posts:
brimfull · 11/01/2008 00:57

Sorry about your poor mum smartie.

It is so distressing to see someone you love like that.

I was in hospital last friday with a suspected mini stroke(tia) and they did do a brain scan on me but not until the next morning.

I should imagine they will do a scan tomorrow.

Apparently an MRI scan and echocardiogram will also be needed to rule out stroke.

NOt much help I'm afraid but just to reassure you that I wasn't scanned straight away either.

It may be that the drugs used in a stroke emergency aren't compatible with your mum's granulomatosis.

fortyplus · 11/01/2008 01:00

smartiejake - 'Feel like a complete freak not to be feeling more- is this usual?' It certainly is. Your brain wants things to be 'normal'. When my dad died I told my husband by sending him a text message! It wasn't until afterwards that I could understand quite what a bizarre thing that was to do.

Granny22 · 11/01/2008 01:00

I have also had relatives who seemed to go insane overnight and it was due to an infection. Then they were put on strong antibiotics which apparantly can also make you talk nonsense and hallucinate. Very scary but both were back to normal within a week.

You will have gone into 'crisis mode' which helps you to cope and to help others. The crying will hit you when the crisis is over. Meanwhile you have to stay calm for your mum and for your dad. You will have things to be doing e.g. making up a bag to take into hospital. Keep posting and let us know how your mum is and how you are.

Niecie · 11/01/2008 01:00

Hi Smartiejake, I am so sorry you are having such a horrible time at the moment.

I didn't want you to think that nobody had read your post but I can't offer much but loads of sympathy. I hope that the doctors find some way of treating this infection.

For what it is worth I think you are perfectly normal to shut down a bit - it is a protection mechanism to help you cope. You will feel something when you need to but this must have been an awful shock. Do you and your father have any other family for support?

I hope tomorrow is a better day.

smartiejake · 11/01/2008 01:00

Yes think you might be right about the drugs she is on (all sorts of strange things such as immunoglobulin and chemotherapy although it's not cancer.)
Are you ok now gg?

OP posts:
smartiejake · 11/01/2008 01:05

Thanks for your support- wasn't sure if there would be many of you around so late. Reassuring to hear about other's who have experienced similar. However the main thing that worried me was the fact that she only said one thing over and over. She wasn't really insane but seemed to have got stuck in a loop.

OP posts:
hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:08

I had no idea that infection could make you confused but saw my grandmother in the state you described..

hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:08

I had no idea that infection could make you confused but saw my grandmother in the state you described..

smartiejake · 11/01/2008 01:08

We do have others who support- my sister is nearby but she could't come this eve as has 2 little ones. I also have very supportive in laws (MIL, SIL, BIL) who will help if necessary.

OP posts:
brimfull · 11/01/2008 01:09

yes thanks,tingling down my right side.
being investigated for possible mini stroke or Multiple sclerosis.I too am strangely calm,it's a defence mechanism I think.

HOpe your mum improves overnight

hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:09

can't you sleep? sx

smartiejake · 11/01/2008 01:13

No don't feel ready for sleep yet. Want to be very tired so I can drop off. Prob not a good idea though as have to get dds up at 7.30
Hope you are ok ggirl.

I had a strange episode of tingling about 10 years ago. Lots of tests but turned out to be some sort of post viral thing. Hope the outcome is good for you.

OP posts:
brimfull · 11/01/2008 01:14

thank you

I should get some sleep as well.
night

hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:15

but why you up?

smartiejake · 11/01/2008 01:17

Seeing your mum in a poentially terminal state is not condusive with sleep.

OP posts:
hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:17

god it terrifies me to have to deal with something so profound,,

smartiejake · 11/01/2008 01:19

Hope you never have to

OP posts:
hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:19

but in a way I don't want to be lucid if I'm facing death, I'm sure your Mum is ok though

hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:20

it will make you stronger..this whole experience

hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:21

how old are you?

hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:22

sorry I am here for you

smartiejake · 11/01/2008 01:23

Thanks for your support. Now must go to bed if I want to have any chance of waking up in time.

OP posts:
hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:24

you ok

hedonia · 11/01/2008 01:25

thinking of you.

Niecie · 11/01/2008 01:25

I didn't realise that ordinary antibiotics could cause confusion either, until my father admitted to hospital last Christmas with a kidney infection. He thought he was in a hotel and kept saying it wasn't much good and when would they be going on some trips? He really wasn't with it at all and kept losing track of time completely.

It is frightening to see that happen if you don't know about side effects before hand. I wondered if he had had a stroke too but apparently not.

Glad to hear that you have some family around you for support and that there is somebody to help with your DC so you don't have to worry about them as well.

I can imagine it is very hard to sleep but try to physically rest as much as possible until you are ready to sleep.