Does anyone have a parent that occasionally just loses it?

I guess it is easy to get a little frustrated when you are in the house together 24/7 and don't get out much. It is not worth getting all mad or arguing about though.

Hi Minmenzel, I'm not sure that I can post the websites here but if you do an online search, you will find lots of helpful information regarding Elders and UTI's. And if they are a diabetic they may be even more prone to UTI's.
I did't understand it at first either but I'm learning plenty as this train rolls on. I urge you to check it and all unknown or unclear information out.
@ Hopeful2011, I strongly agree with you about being more pro-active in our elders health. My Mom put up such a good front, it wasn't until 2 yrs ago that I was made aware of her maculadegeneration. Had she followed up with Dr's orders, more of her eye sight could have been saved, now what's gone can't be brought back.

Thanks jeannegibbs and others. I would have never known this, if I had not been on this site. I'm so thankful I am here. :)

When there is a sudden rapid mental status change the first thing physicians look for is a UTI. My mom would say the silliest things and BAM, I knew what was going on. I got to a point I could tell in her eyes she had a UTI. Elders do not move around as much as Care Partners do therefore not moving the urine in the bladder and it can cause a UTI. This is what I was told by my mother’s physicians. Mental Status change does not happen in all elders, but if it is rapid, it is the first thing the ER doctor is going to look for.
Blessings,
Bridget

Minmenzel, I don't know why/how a UTI causes strange mental reactions, but it that it does is well documented. Sudden strange behaviors, especially hallucinations, are not always caused by UTIs, of course, but because it is so common and not so well-known to laypersons, it is always a good suggestion to check for that.

Ok, I just have to ask, why would a UTI effect an individual rational? My mom went in for an upper and lower GI, she ended up with a UTI. Since then, she complains about severe stomach pain. I contributed this to the ulcers. She has had every kind of test under the sun. The ulcers are mild and I just found out that the UTI she has been treated for is almost gone. However, she cries extensively and acts all crazy. I'm really interested as to why such an infection would cause such strange behavior?

Sorry--regarding my post above--"we did not find out about mom's mini strokes until 3 years later after her big stroke....when I took her to the Dr. for her follow-up appt." I think we need to be more pro-active with our aged loved ones. Looking back I wish I had been.

I would encourage you to ask the Dr. if he would be able to give your mother a mini mental along with the UTI test. The mini mental will determine if your mother has any cognitive impairment. If you can, try to schedule her appointment in the afternoon and go with her. My background: My mother had a stroke on August 10, 2010. When we took her for a follow-up Dr. appt. a month after the stroke and I presented my POA for health care, the Dr. made mention of a mini mental test he had given to my mother 3 years prior to her stroke. It was news to me, but the mini mental and a CAT scan had shown that my mother was having a series of small strokes and there was some brain damage. Mom had been encouraged to share the above info. with her family, and never did, so we did not find out until 3 years after her stroke. Many times elders try to hide all kinds of information from loved ones for fear of future consequences/decisions that may result. Please keep us updated. The way I deal with issues is to pray and ask for guidance along the way. So far, we have not regretted the health decisions we have needed to make for my mother--especially in the past few months.

You are welcome, that's what this site is for sharing and caring. A UTI may not be the end all answer but it is a great start. Has her meds changed or maybe they need to be looked at also.

I don't know the full extent of your problem with your mother, but I most respectfully say that maybe she shouldn't be living with you, maybe she needs somewhere more skilled. It is very stressful to have an elderly parent living with you, esp when she is screaming.

Thanks for the input. I never would have thought of such a thing, but I will definately make her an appointment.

I agree with checking for a UTI. I am new to this site, but geez am I desperate. My mom never presents with common UTi symptoms except for confusion. Two weeks ago, she thought the straws I had were a bad batch of straws because the water tasted different. Turns out, yes she has a UTI

Have her Dr check for a urinary track infection. Elders can suffer frequently from them and can cause just this type of behavior. Have her checked ASAP then take it from there.

Sorry, I didn't finish this. My mother, out of the blue, will blow a fuse and start yelling at my husband or I, or both of us, about the strangest things. Last week, she screamed for 30 minutes about our "stuff" touching her "stuff" out in the garage. She demanded we let her know whenever we are going to work out in our garage. It turns out she thought we were putting her clothes up in the rafters. This is just crazy and it makes for a very unpleasant home. Any suggestions how to handle this?