The increase in agitation could be your father’s pulmonary fibrosis getting worse. When a person with PF is not getting enough air they will become anxious. Unfortunately this disease does not improve. Is dad on a sedative regularly, for instance Ativan or Xanax? If not please talk to his doctor about prescribing one. To me, nothing is more frightening than not being able to breath. Your father can be struggling from this which is why he is anxious. It’s a fine line providing care to PF patients. In my opinion keeping him sedated has 2 purposes - alleviating fear from not getting enough air and achieving a level of sedation where the person is not overly sleepy which decreases the urge to breathe. I know you said you don’t feel your father is ready for hospice but you may want to reconsider. He isn’t going to improve, unfortunately. His outbursts no doubt take all of his energy and he loses air quickly this way. Good luck to you!
Thank you Shane1124 I have reconsidered and asked his primary for Hospice. Unfortunately his lungs progressing for the worse and I don’t want him to suffer. I have oxygen on all the time and finally the Seroquel is doing it’s job especially at night. He’s also on an antidepressant sertraline so that helps too.
My dad has Pulmonary Fibrosis and his lungs are getting worse. He’s on oxygen. I take care of him 24/7 I will be talking to a Hospice doctor but I feel he’s not at that stage just yet. Maybe I’m in denial. Doctors just tell me to keep him “comfortable” Im doing my best sometimes I feel doctors just want me to give up 😔
It might take time to find the right drug to help. Just stick with the Doc and let him know this isn't working. So sorry. Sometimes you can't find an answer, but keep trying. You have posted this under lung disease. Does your Dad become more agitated with shortness of breath? What lung disease does he have? Is he on oxygen? When enough 02 isn't getting to the brain confusion and hallucinations are common. Is your Dad receiving the medical care he needs at home? Is there any chance he may need hospice in the future? You don't say how far progressed his disease is. So sorry.
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Unfortunately this disease does not improve.
Is dad on a sedative regularly, for instance Ativan or Xanax? If not please talk to his doctor about prescribing one.
To me, nothing is more frightening than not being able to breath. Your father can be struggling from this which is why he is anxious.
It’s a fine line providing care to PF patients. In my opinion keeping him sedated has 2 purposes - alleviating fear from not getting enough air and achieving a level of sedation where the person is not overly sleepy which decreases the urge to breathe.
I know you said you don’t feel your father is ready for hospice but you may want to reconsider. He isn’t going to improve, unfortunately. His outbursts no doubt take all of his energy and he loses air quickly this way.
Good luck to you!
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Best wishes to you.