Water infections & confusion

[Meg888]

Hi. My Mum is in hosp at mo, she has a water & chest infection, plus high potassium in her blood. She 74 and is very confused and delirious - she comes out with these wild stories of events which never happened but sincerely believes in them.

She has lung cancer which was diagnosed Dec 2010; she's received chemo & radiotherapy last year, however, the doc's stated a while ago they could offer no further treatment. She was very poorly at weekend, and barely awake it was very frightening as we thought it was coming to the end. But she's perked up, albeit confused. She's never displayed signs of dementia before and the onset IMO is too quick. She's receiving treatment for the infections and potassium overload, but what are the chances of her mind returning to normal? Thanks in advance.

[tinkerbell23]

Urine infections cause confusion....once that goes you should notice a big difference!!

Is she taking enough fluids or IV fluids (through her arm/had with the dripstand?)

It could be a side effect of any medication...

Wishing you well. Xx

[Sqad]

Phew!........no idea whether her mind will return to normal.

Why is she getting confused?

Reading your post, her chest infection and urinary infection are certainly the most likely causes of her confusion as is the electrolyte imbalance (high potassium) which would lead me to suspect that she has developed a degree of renal (kidney) failure.

IF she responds to treatment for the above conditions then she might....just might....recover some degree of "mental normality"....might.

[Sqad]

Sorry...tinker....i agree with all you have said.......we cross posted.

[tinkerbell23]

Not at all sqad- amazing just how a urine infection can cause havoc xx

[Meg888]

She is receiving Sodium Chloride IV and antibiotics for infections. She is not eating and only drinking very little - this has been the case for around 5/6 days now. She was also losing her sight on and off last week - this seems to be ok for now, she is very thin (which she has been for a while) and could at one point move with a frame but has now lost all mobility and has deteriorated very quickly in the last few days.

[Sqad]

\\\\ but has now lost all mobility and has deteriorated very quickly in the last few days.\\\\

That says it all...

[tinkerbell23]

Aww Meg. This must be so difficult for you. The IV fluids will help hyrate her and hopefully combined with the antibiotics will help that urine infection. they really do cause havoc....

Thinking of you & your mum ... Xx

[Meg888]

Thanks Tink for your sensitivity. She has always been very strong and positive of mind, and it's our belief this is how she has lasted so long.... She was told in January she prob only had a few weeks left, but to everyone's amazement she did an about turn - fingers crossed she does again x

[tinkerbell23]

Well, do keep me posted Meg- and im sure the docs and nursing staff will keep you informed- just ask ;0>

speak soon xxx

[pugthedog]

hope your mum will soon be feeling better

[Meg888]

Thank you :-)

[Smowball]

yes, hope she is feeling better x

[tinkerbell23]

Any news x

[Graham-W]

My mother in law (78) was hospitalised last Christmas with severe confusion. She was diagnosed with water infection and treated with anti-biotics.
From seeing people climbing in through the (third floor) hospital window and sex parties upstairs every night, etc etc. she made a complete recovery. She still believes all the things she saw were real though and can't be convinced otherwise.
Very strange.

[Meg888]

I know Graham, the more I talk to people the more they say UTI's in the elderly cause havoc with the brain, I'd never heard of it before. She's gone from being quite a timid, quiet woman to a right old worky ticket! Nobody on the ward is getting any sleep through her!

Anyway, things pretty much the same. Doc's cannot tell us anything before Fri, by which time she'll have been on anitbiotics for a week - and if there is no change in her condition they are going to do a head scan. I think this may be also to check to see if the cancer has spread there, as she was losing her sight intermittently as well. Thanks for the good wishes, I'll keep you posted x