The last two days my mother just started screaming, kicking, making faces, and hitting in bed. The first time lasted a couple of hours and last night it started again for many hours. She hit my father in the face and I could not get her out of it. She kept saying over and over again saying the phrase "Did I ever tell you I would pay you". I first told her Yes and we have it. It seemed to make her worst. So then we said No. But she still acted the same. From about 11pm to noon the next morning she would not change. She is not able to walk by herself and due to her heart condition I was worried. Her liver doctor gave her water pills for the Cirrhosis due to her heart condition. She has regained the fluid in her mid section but mother has not said she is in pain. Her mid section has been drained once of the fluid. Last few days she is finally wanting to eat. As previously she would spit out her food and complain she is not hungry. I am going through a lot keeping her feed, making her drink, giving her meds, cleaning bed sheets almost every day. When she voids she sticks her finger into it and wipes on sheets. Just having her screaming I am not sure what to do. I just keep telling her I am with her, I love her, and will not leave her. She started up again just a couple of hours ago for the third time. This time it was shorter, as I was crying. She finally said for me to stop.Then said she wanted to be with me. The neurologist for her Alzheimer has her on Namenda. She was on Donepezil but the primary doctor said to stop it. As she was not wanting to eat and lost too much weight. I am just wanting to know is their something else to do that I am not doing. What does one do when she is going mad for the period of time. I tried playing Elvis music as I knew he was one of her favorite singers. Or does one just watch them so they do not hurt themselves. I was a little late giving her pills because she kept screaming. Only when I got her back to her normal I gave her pills. I gave her a few drops of water by a straw and she just spit it out during her screaming. I thought I need to do it and her lips were dry.
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confusion
Forget things
Feel nervous or excited
a sudden change in your personality or behavior
Speak or act inappropriately to others
Not feel interested in things
Get cranky
Her doctor needs to order a blood ammonia level. The confusion could stem from a high level of ammonia in the blood. She really needs to be physically checked out. The sooner the better.
"Buildup of toxins in the brain is called hepatic encephalopathy. A liver damaged by cirrhosis isn't able to clear toxins from the blood as well as a healthy liver can. These toxins can then build up in the brain and cause mental confusion and difficulty concentrating. Hepatic encephalopathy symptoms may range from fatigue and mild impairment in cognition to unresponsiveness or coma."
Very possibly this confusion is caused from the toxin buildup. I'm assuming you've alerted all her doctors (?) It may be time for dialysis or medication. This won't be handled by just taking to her during her episodes.
I recognize all this behavior. I must say, I believe her time is short. Try to have patience with her.
My Dad even had it, he was seeing ants crawling on the walls and in his food. Within a few days it cleared right up after seeing the doctor.
My dad had (and died of) cirrhosis. In the months leading up to his death I had to get him to the hospital twice a week so they could drain the fluid from his peritoneal cavity. These weren't emergencies, he had a standing appointment.
My dad also began suffering dementia related to liver disease. As a result, he was unable to have his regular paracentesis each week and the dementia took over. We called in hospice.
In her current state it would be impossible to get your mom to the Dr. which is why you call 911.
She needs an assessment for a UTI and medication management because of the abrupt change in mental status. imo.
Is she on hospice?
I am so sorry you and your parents are going through this terribly rough patch. Of course you must protect your dad from harm. Is your mother on hospice? It could be with her cancer and Alzheimer's she would qualify? Perhaps you could call a hospice group out to assess her situation? Also we always like to suggest that you have her checked for a UTI this can cause a worsening of symptoms. It sounds as if she is having sundowners but due to the sudden onset I would suspect the UTI. Do you have home health? Ask your doctor to order it for you. They can come out weekly to help you with your mothers meds. They can collect a specimen for the UTI test and arrange an aid to assist her with a bath. Be sure to let your dr know how she is reacting since the change in medication.
You would not have home health and hospice but you may need to check with both to sort this out. I hope you get some rest soon.