My 78 year old mother fell a week ago and had surgery for a brain bleed 6 days ago. She woke up from the surgery and seemed fine. Carried on conversations and wasn’t in much pain. Later in the day she became very agitated (dementia and/or alcohol withdrawal). Ativan was administered. She really hasn’t been awake since. She has had a couple follow-up CTs and the docs say her brain looks fine. She only kind of opens her eyes when the physical therapist makes her stand for a few seconds and then back to sleep she goes. She hasn’t had anything for pain the past few days and the hospitalist says this isn’t normal but we aren’t getting any answers. The last year or so she started drinking a lot more than she used to which contributed to her falling. Looking for any advice to point us in the right direction.
i agree to keep pushing for additional ct scans - they usually do bloodwork everyday - ask to see them and have them reviewed with you. Check all her electrolytes with bloodwork. My mom was also on a feeding tube and all meds through it. Check potassium levels (this has been one that mom has had drop and it creates some scary or weird behaviors). Ask about ammonia levels and if they haven’t been run ask for it to be run - some seizure meds can increase ammonia levels. Keep us posted - I will try to remember other things we ran into. Try your best to get her to keep responding even with thumbs up and down like we did. 🙏🏼
There can be many other things causing this. I am sorry that you are not getting answers you need and should be getting. Also, I am sorry that you and your family are going through this.
Lots of Hugs!!
Mare her vitals all good? Did they add in any new medications (blood pressure meds? Anything new? My mom was on zero meds before her stroke and needed many the first few months until her body readjusted to its new normal and the BP meds knocked her out. She is a lightweight on meds though so she was also affected by all the new medications. As I was able to wean her off some - she without a doubt became more alert. Sending prayers
Suddenly stopping can be very dangerous.