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After suffering from a flu for a week, my mother became strange today. She is seeing and doing strange things. She saw people in the room that were not there and kept asking who they were. It is late night now as I write this and she acts like she is sewing something invisible on her bed. While she was normal the flu had her very very tired. Now she seems to be more active doing her "things". She will not sleep. Dementia? Temporary delirium? The meds she took were Nyquil Nighttime (1 tablet a day), aspirin (1 a day), loratadine (10mg a day) and losartin (50mg a day for high blood pressure). The loratadine and Nyquil were not taken the same days. I will take care of her, but want to know if this is a permanent or temporary condition.

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I am so sorry for your loss, having lost both mother and father, I know how hard this is for you. You were a very good son and did everything you could. HUGS
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I'm so sorry for your loss.
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Sorry BP for your loss. May God bless you during this difficult time.
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HiBPguy: I send you deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. Big hugs ((( ))).
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Hibpguy, I have been following along with concern. I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. You were there for her and she was so lucky to have you by her side during her struggles. Hugs for you.
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I'm so very sorry for your loss, HI.
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HiBPguy, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom is now at peace. {{{Hugs}}}
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Thank you, thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers. My mother passed away tonight. There was a complication that happened when they drained her lung. My family had gathered around her just before her death. It was a tearful moment.
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HiBPguy: I will pray for your mother. When your profile said that you were caring for your mother with a stroke,  I  became concerned. 
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Im so sorry that she's in such poor shape. My thoughts are with you.
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Llamalover47, yes my mother did have high blood pressure similar to mines. When she had her broken leg last year, the hospital treated her for it. She was in the heart ward for half the time. Not sure now what meds they used, but her blood pressure has been fairly normal since. I still have high blood pressure, and I am on losartan to keep it under control. I still have spikes in the 180s but it settles down to around 150 .
My mother is still in the hospital for the pneumonia. They did a drain of her lungs today. I am still worried if her mental state will be normal after this. She is unconscious most of the time. Doctors and friends are saying to let her expire in the hospital rather than at home, it is that bad.
The hospital is doing a lot of test on her blood. They are correcting her sodium and now potassium levels. They found she had rectal bleeding today and are checking that at this moment.
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THE OP WRITES IN HIS PROFILE THAT HE CARES FOR HIS MOTHER FROM HEART/STROKE!!
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HiBPGuy,

I write my response before I read all the post, which the majority are spot on in dirrerent areas: Hydration extremely important. Has she lost weight? Have you tried the “Shakes” trick? Many variations: One I used was Premeir Vanilla Protein shakes 3oz, small scoop ice cream, honey, fresh fruit. One caregiver also has used the shakes to run through food processor with Spinach for my Dad. With spinach she added 1/3 pack Carnation Instant Breakfast to give more flavor. But we had to stop after 8 weeks as Dad put on 8 pounds!

Also has the doctor tested her potassium levels. I put Mom on 99mg Potassium Pills (Sams/Costco) morning and dinner time. The doctor tested and approved after reading the blood test showing still in low normal range for potassium.

In writing this I realized that if my memory serves me correct your mother’s BP Med is a version of an Angiotensice Ace II inhibitor. I am no doctor, but memory tells me it can also play with the renal function, which dehydration can exasperate drug side effects and reduced urine output may also cause memory issues!

Again!!!! Talk with the doctor, or even better if the doctor has a Doctor of Nursing PHD, or a PA, I find they mull over information more carefully and then brainstorm, or rather make the doctor brainstorm with them to come up with a short term strategy, and if they find significant improvement then they come up with long term changes due to the sudden altered mind state.

Bob (WV)
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I believe your mom will bounce back once they get her hydrated, eating, and you stop the Nyquil. Do keep her in the hospital until they get her stabilized. Thanks for keeping us posted and please continue to do so. We care!
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A UTI or dehydration can quickly change mental status. They can turn around quickly with IV hydration..
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HiBPguy: I see that you took your mother to the emergency room. What did the doctor say about her stroke? Much love and hugs for being such a wonderful son. Will pray for mom.
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The side effects of Nyquil and your mother’s Blood Pressure Medicine both list Confusion. Also the Nyquil list Hallucinations as a side effect. You can research her drugs on WebMD or DrugRx. I might suggest you have a consult with a Geriatric Internal Medicine Doctor as the Medications May need to be reduced in strength and or removed altogether. Also your Pharmacist can help you in talking with the doctor! With the elderly it should be a Team Approach, as the clinicians do not see her on a day to day basis, you do! Do not be afraid to ask questions.
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HiBPguy: I see by your profile that your mother suffered a STROKE. I would get her to her physician immediately. And remember, influenza kills!
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Many ((((HUGS)))) to you. Thank you for keeping us in the loop, because we do care.
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Your mom is very Blessed to have you and your love. Please call in hospice while she is in hospital, they will come to you and make sure mom has everything she needs at home to be comfortable. They will also be a great help to you during this time.

May God grant you many grieving mercies and walk with you and family so this passing is as gentle as possible. Hugs 2 u and mom.
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Also, there might be a possible TIA, which isn't easily detected but can cause changes in vision, hallucinations--which she may or may not get over. Another thought is that when my grandmother was in the hospital years ago they gave her Vistaril--turns out this is not a good choice for the elderly. who metabolize many drugs differently than younger folks.
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Sounds like a medicine reaction to me. Contact her physician - as in Yesterday!

If this is a medicine reaction, it will take time to get out of her system but maybe there is an antidote that will help.

You should see me if they slip me any sulfa medications; delusional doesn't even come close.
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My mom (84) had cataract surgery. One of her meds didn't mix with the anesthesia and she started seeing people in her room and under the carpet. She said a woman was sleeping with her and her foot was cut off and it was bleeding and the blood was running onto the floor. I took her to the doctor, and he said it was age related dementia. He gave her a low dose of Seroquel to help her sleep. I didn't give it to her for awhile. She didn't have an UTI. All her blood work was fine! It was the anesthesia that caused it. She is fine now. I did finally give her the medicine, and it was like a miracle. She sleeps better and feels better all day long because of a small dose at night.
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Blessings to you for taking care of your mama.
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Maybe she qualifies for Hospice.
The extra staff and support they offer is amazing...it's changed a lot since "death bed" days.
Take good care of yourself, too....and Love to Mom!!
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Good on ya for posting this, and same to all the posts here. Hang in there, HiBPguy. Sometimes these events happen so quickly, its really hard to determine what is what.
Sending good vibes/wishes your way, and for your Mom. Your level of strength and continuity is admirable, HiBPguy.
Its a very difficult time to go through. Super-hard.
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You're bringing her home once she is stable, right?

Let them give her all the IV antibiotics and fluids that they can. It works quicker that way.

I'm sure you're a great "nurse" and we can tell that you love her very much. But let them do everything they can for her while she's there.

Bless you both.
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Hello again. Much thanks to all of you who gave your concerns. I took my mother to the emergency ward of a hospital today. They discovered she had pneumonia in one lung and she was low in sodium and yes, dehydrated. They put her on IV fluids. There were CAT scans made on her head and xrays on her chest. Body life signs on the electronic monitor were below normal and she is very weak in movements. Her mental state is still in question. She will be alert for a few seconds and then become incoherent. Being the agent in mother's advance health directive and holding my promise to her on not letting her die in a hospital, I will be bringing her home in a couple of days. I will take care of her till her end, which seems to be near. I have been caring for her for many years, good health and bad, that it is not that difficult to do. She still calls out my name in her weakened state.  I love her very much.
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I'm so glad you got her to the doctor! Please let us know how you are both doing in coming days. We care!
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Did the dr test for dehydration? UTI? Make sure she is drinking a lot.
Have the visual disturbances stopped? My mom had an optic nerve stroke after a bout of shingles which severely affected her vision and gave her what I also called visual disturbances. A checkup at the eye dr could rule out if something physically is going on with her eyes.
What kind of specialist will you be seeing?
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