Wednesday 24 June 2015

Black Clouds - Delirium minus Tremens

Sorry for being away for so long without an explanation. Do you know the feeling of holding your breath in fear and trepidation? For days on end? Beloved not quite, but almost out of the blue, became very ill with Delirium. I’d never heard the word before, except possibly in the context of the adjective “deliriously” happy;  in his case neither love nor drink were to blame. The problem is that there is still no cause to get hold of. If you have a cause, an underlying illness, then you cure the illness and thereby cure the condition.

It all started quite inoffensively with a tendency to fall asleep during the day, at any time, and staying asleep for hours. A bit strange, but nothing really to worry about, I thought; that’s what old men do. He was still himself in all other respects, perhaps a bit more forgetful than normal, a bit more absent-minded, but sweet and funny and even-tempered. It’s not exactly stimulating to watch someone sleep but there you are, if you can do nothing about it, you put up with it. After all, he was doing no harm. I thought. And it also gave me plenty of spare time to read and garden and pet the dog.

The need to sleep got worse and then he started to wake at night. Several times I found him dressed and drinking tea in the kitchen at three am. Still no cause for alarm, although this was really out of the ordinary. A mild worry surfaced. I know, I AM stupid. But I knew enough to see a doctor. I’d also worked out that the beginning of this strange period coincided with some new medication, three lots of new medication. Not in place of other medication, no, on top of other medication. What in the name of sanity do these doctors hope to cure with their ready prescription pads? Old age?

“Oh fine”, she said, “let’s stop one of them and see if that makes any difference.” Surely she must have realised that I was describing the symptoms of Delirium?

Now Beloved became confused enough to swap day for night, seriously disorientated and distressed when he couldn’t work out the simplest things. He also developed an amazingly active night life. He got up and got dressed because he had a film session booked - they were highly lucrative and not to be missed back in the day -, he was involved in the Russian Revolution, fighting on the side of the goodies by building a tramway up to the dock gates in St Petersburg - unfortunately he had to flee because the baddies caught up with him; he stayed at the Bridge Hotel where he was attending a conference and someone had left a turd in the corridor; when he saw me in the upstairs hall (in real life) he asked “do you have a room booked here too?” Another night he was running away from home, goodness knows what age he thought himself to be. And once he was in Sydney, Australia, at the Opera House, having to study an enormously difficult piece of music and being offered assistance by Australian pilots. First he welcomed their help, then realised that they too were baddies and he had to eliminate them. (I never trusted these Australians, you know).

There were many more of these vivid dreams, all very complex and making perfect sense; except they were fantasies.

And through it all, when he wasn’t asleep or showing signs of distressing confusion, he remained even-tempered and friendly, sweet and gentle, and when he managed to articulate complete sentences he spoke in his own, old-fashioned voice. Once I asked him if he knew where he was. “Not with any degree of certainty,” was the answer. My poor old thing. I was frantic with worry and fear.

Beloved had lost the plot but now I was on the case. We saw a new doctor who instantly struck several medications off the list, arranged for blood tests and X-rays, evaluated and assessed and became determined to solve the puzzle. He rang first thing in the morning and last thing at night, for several days running, showing quite extraordinary devotion to his patient. Still, no clear explanation emerged. Except possibly the medication.

Tomorrow we are visiting a special diagnostic clinic which will run further tests; perhaps they’ll come up with the solution.

In the meantime, for the last two days, Beloved has shown marked improvement. He is weary and weak, but seems to be back inside himself again; there’s someone 'at home' again. He still sleeps, but now to recover his strength rather than simply as a symptom of Delirium. He’s not completely aware of what happened and how frightening it was for me. Another good thing is that he has regained his appetite, which was pretty much non-existent for a while. Eating and drinking have become a pleasure rather than a chore to be got through with great reluctance.

Naturally, everything else has been on hold; all social engagements have been cancelled and I’ve hardly even felt the pain in my hip.

Wish us luck for tomorrow.



55 comments:

  1. Scary stuff Friko.
    I wonder if your Beloved had a new prescription for statins or an increase in dose of already prescribed, or a different brand of statin? I ask as my Handsome One had his dose of statins quadrupled a good few years ago with the same devastating affect. Were it not for a doc friend I would not have suspected the cause and I immediately reduced his dose back to 10mg. Within two days he returned to his former self.
    He no longer takes statins.
    Good luck for tomorrow.
    Anna :o]

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  2. Oh how terrifying.
    Lots and lots of good wishes are following you both to today's appointment. Oceans of caring (from a relatively trustworthy Australian).

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  3. Wishing the best for both of you.

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  4. OMG Friko, these medications!! I had a similar experience recently, could hardly move, fog brain, depression, lack of creativity, all down to one nasty BP drug which I am thankfully OFF now but not without a fight and a blog friend who told me he had the same reaction and gave me the name of one with no side effects. I sometimes think these MDs are the pimps for Big Pharma. I could go on but won't.
    Just hug your B and I send you a virtual hug and this turn around for him can't come fast enough.
    XO
    WWW

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  5. How disconcerting for you both. Hope all goes well tomorrow and the mystery is solved.

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  6. My gosh. You've been to the land of The Surreal and back. You must be exhausted. I'm so sorry you had to endure all this. Maybe it would be a small comfort to know that you likely helped any number of people or at least made them aware of potential medication hazards.

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  7. How distressing for you. Praying that the doctors will get to the bottom of this and that your beloved will soon recover. I hope both get the rest you need. I'm sorry, Friko.

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  8. Wow, that really is scary, hope beloved gets better soon. Take care my friend and keep an eye on your hubby. Don't forget to take care of yourself as well.

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  9. Good grief! You must have been worried out of your wits!

    Clearly something to do with the pills, so best of luck with the clinic.

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  10. Friko, your strength amazes me. All my best hopes and wishes to you both.

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  11. Oh my.. how horribly distressing. Keeping you and your beloved in my very best thoughts.

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  12. Wanting to eat is a good sign.

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  13. I went through psychosis with X. I understand. I pray for you.

    Love,
    Janie

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  14. Friko, sounds as if way too much was prescribed for your husband. Less is more...I hope. Think that Wisewebwoman is on to something. Doctors take that pledge to do no harm, but it seems as if contemporary medical science and economics are driving a different carriage.
    Oh, as others have said, do take good care of yourself. Hoping that in a week or so, you'll have your husband retuned to you, recognizable.
    I know that you will soon be sleuthing out what prescription it was that started this diversion, and why it was chosen in the first place.

    xo to you and yours.

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  15. I do, I wish you both more than luck! Frankly, these pharmaceutical darts they throw do more harm than good in too many cases. Am hoping and hoping for you, my dear Friko <3




    ALOHA
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^=

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  16. Hoping for a quick return to normal.

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  17. What a frightening and exhausting experience for you as you care for Beloved and doctors are searching for the cause and cure; perhaps it is his new medications. Hugs.

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  18. This must have been stressful to say the least. I hope things get back to normal very soon.

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  19. I never heard of anything like this. Now I'll have to research it and see what I can do to keep it from happening to us! I blame all those medications. I'm hoping that the worst is behind you, and I'm so glad to know you have a doctor who cares!

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  20. Oh, I SO wish you luck! And I hope the cause can be found in the medication and not in something more sinister. You described that incident very well, and in reading it I got sad and quite scared, because I know it can happen to everyone. It is important, especially in advanced age, to be aware and take immediate action (like you did) if something like this occurs. Taking precautions about our health and trying to prevent whatever we are able to prevent should have priority. With the rest, well we have to deal with, each one of us in our own circumstances and as best as we can. Being positive about ourselves and about life in general helps very much.
    Many good wishes to your Beloved. (What a wonderful naming that is for this gentle man!) And to you too Friko, wishing you much strength. :-)

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  21. It certainly sounds like the problem lies in the medications. I sincerely hope it is as simple as that and the diagnostic clinic can make things right again. I will pray for you both that all is well again soon.

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  22. The answer to everything today is "take a pill". Unfortunately the doctors continue adding pills. I was once up to 11 a day, but now down to 4 and I hate taking them.

    I am so sorry that you and your beloved have had to go through this. Hopefully, the doctors will sort this out and life will go back to normal. We live in a chemical society today and while some medicines do save lives, there are always aide effects that are not pleasant.

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  23. Indeed good luck. How very alarming but what wise advice to not trust Australians. Did I make the right side of your mouth slightly rise in almost a grimace? Mission accomplished.

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  24. I have realized for some time now (watching behavior of older people), that Doctors seem to be over-medicating. Doctors do not know much about prescription drugs. Some do, many do not. Seek out your pharmacist whenever any new meds come into play and ask the question - "How will this react with that"? This was so frightening for you to go through and you did all the right things. I do hope the tests go well today and this all gets straightened out. Take care buddy and keep us informed. lol

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  25. After my dad died, my mother lived by herself for some years in their home. After a few years, the neighbors called my aunt and said, "She can't live by herself any longer. She seems to be developing Alzheimers." We sold the house, moved Mom to her sister's home, two states away, and she got a new doctor.

    The new one discovered my mother had been taking up to 25 medications, all stacked on top of one another by a so-called doctor who kept stacking new ones on top of old. After about three months, she was down to five medications, and doing fine, thank you very much.

    In that case, the physician who'd prescribed the twenty-five landed in prison. At least that's one that never will do the same to someone else. I hope you get your poor dear's situation sorted as quickly and easily -- albeit without anyone having to move two states away.

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  26. Serious, big, huge YIKES! Indeed, you must be terrified. I think you may be onto something with the medications but it's good to check out everything, just to be on the case and certain. I hope the new tests will concur something as simple to manage as modifying meds and nothing more serious. I think multiple opinions are always a good thing when a puzzlement occurs. And I know he is in good hands with you.

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  27. Polypharmia, and doctors don't think a thing of it. Hope things continue to improve.

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  28. Older patients are almost routinely over-medicated. I think we've lost the idea that not everything can be or needs to be fixed. Hope it keeps getting better.

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  29. Sleeping at night is something we take for granted ... till it goes all to pot .
    Hope there is a simple solution . I can assure you , being married to someone who makes toast at three in the morning is to be avoided .

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  30. Oh how scary! So glad you have a different doctor who is taking this very seriously and being attentive and thorough. Medications can cause all kinds of reactions. I hope you get Beloved back to his old sweet self soon!!

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  31. Oh, Friko, we send all the very best wishes and good thoughts to you and yours for a good and durable solution. Too many conflicting medications is certainly an all-too-common problem, and it is good at least one doctor had the sense to pay good attention to that aspect. As you state so well: "What in the name of sanity do these doctors hope to cure with their ready prescription pads? Old age?" My grandfather (mother's father), who ended up living into his nineties, at one point was in seriously bad shape for an extended period, and finally a physician thought to pull him off the witch's brew of medications that had been piled on over time. Slowly but surely, he regained his energy, became very much "himself" again, and remained so throughout the rest of his life.

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  32. Been busy with a young'n and finally have him eating an ice cream cone on the steps while I read blogs. I am so sorry for this trial. If it is chemistry, then the medications will take time to wear away. If it is old age and chemistry, it will take more time and will only leave partially. The dreams your husband had were really complicated and showed what an intelligent man he is. The fact that he is slowly returning to normal is very good news. Be patient with yourself...as patient as you are with him! Old age is so challenging because it sneaks up on us rather than arrives with drums like a parade. My thoughts and hopes for peace I send to you!

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  33. Friko, I'm so sorry. I wish you every good thing in the world. Hope it all goes well for you both tomorrow.

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  34. This is so distressing to read about. You must have been frantic as it wore on and on. Thankfully, you got him to a doctor who cares and is also digging in deeper. I'm hoping you have answers by today. I hope the answers are that they found the cause and now have the fix. My thoughts are with you both.

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  35. How frightening, Friko! You both must be exhausted - him from the vivid dreaming and night waking - you from worry and needing to make sure he is OK. Thank goodness your DR seems engaged in finding a reason for the symptoms. I'll be thinking of you.

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  36. I deal with delirium nearly every day. No fun that.

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  37. Good luck to you both! You're very strong woman Friko, this illness seems very hard.

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  38. Really, really scary, and I hope your Beloved is now fully back to his former self.
    Your experience just goes to show that we should never underestimate the side effects a cocktail of medication has. My Dad has been taking strong stuff ever since he suffered a minor stroke about 10 years ago. It has left his marks on him, too, although never quite as bad as what you have described.

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  39. It's Friday here now, so I'm hoping your specialist appointment went well and the reason for the Delirium has been discovered and your beloved is making good progress in regaining his former self.

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  40. What a terrible time you went through ! Hope with the new doctor he will be his own self again soon. I had such a time too with my husband , due to far too many medication. I also changed the doctor who was able to help ! Some doctors are just irresponsible and real charlatans. I could have killed him !

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  41. I had been checking in regularly, wondering why you were being so quiet, but thinking the most likely cause would be the summery weather attracting you outdoors and away from your computer. What you have described was certainly cause for alarm and would have been extremely worrying! It's good to hear there has been some change and improvement in the last couple of days! What a relief...now, hopefully, the cause will be discovered. The cocktail of medications clearly had a lot to do with it! Hope your husband goes from strength to strength.

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  42. We're at an early phase of somehing like that around here. So far its mostly hoarding stuff he'll never use. Got him clearing papers (including empty toilet paper rolls) in his room this morning. Tons of papers. Last time he was in the hospital I found enough cards to stock a stationary store. He buys them and then doesn't mail them. Lately he's been weaned off a drug the doctor would no longer prescribe (an opiate) that was confusing him badly. Hope all improves with your Beloved. It's tough I know.

    You write coherently and clearly...I think!

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  43. Goodness! So glad things will be solved. I've never heard of delirium either, not as a diagnoses. So glad you were there to help Beloved back to himself. Though it wasn't a happy tale, you told it so well, as you do all your experiences.

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  44. Oh Friko, I do hope it is something that will be corrected shortly.

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  45. I wish you luck in all these endeavors. Goodness, what a time you've had!

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  46. Hi Friko - poor you - as the 'watcher' and DBH's wife it's so disconcerting ... thank goodness one of the doctor's took charge and is helping you sort the problem out. Medication is all very well - but then it can take over and not actually help .... I'm so pleased he's easing back into being himself once again. I feel for you .. though as you said practicality takes over initially .. more time for the garden, for reading, for Millie - yet the anxiety remains ... and now you've been through the hiatus - I hope things get straightened out ...

    With thoughts ... and I hope you can have some lovely times in the summer weather "they" say we might be getting next week ... it's lovely here today - all the best to you both ... Hilary

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  47. Oh my that is a dreadful scare! And that the first doctor didn't get him off as many meds as possible is just sad. Thank goodness the second one was quick to try it. The callI imagine were to ensure that the transition off pills is a smooth one. Glad there's a bit of improvement. Far to many elderly are knocked out with chemicals that do more harm than good. We know now statins are useless in heart and stroke management. It's been known of 10 years but they are still putting people on them based on blood work.
    we opted out of most meds now and hubby shakes have much improved as has his memory.
    For me it is clear hat I must do more asking to keep the BP at a reasonable level. That is likely a healthier option for the whole body.
    Sending positive vibes and hoping you get some resolution to the mysterious disease.

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  48. I'm really, really sorry and would like to wish you and your other half better.

    Greetings from London.

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  49. Our prayers to you and your beloved!

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  50. How very frightening and distressing for you, Friko. I do think there is a very unfortunate tendency to overprescribe for the elderly, often with disturbingly little understanding of how all these drugs interact. I'm off now to read about the clinic appointment.

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  51. "Not with any degree of certainty"--oh, gracious, he couldn't be more dear.

    And your closing line, about your hip, made me both snort and not knowingly.

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  52. One of my children was put on a medication that completely changed his entire personality. I'm not surprised (having reach your more recent post) to learn that it was the meds. Glad you took him to a different doc!

    =)

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  53. Oh my goodness. This must have been terrifying. I had to read the definition of Delerium because I wasn't clear on what it is. Thank god it isn't permanent, that is if you can identify the trigger.

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  54. Friko, I'm writing this in September, having been away from Blogland, mostly, for ages. I saw your comment on the Berlin post and rushed to your blog to see what has been going on. I am really sorry to hear that you have had such an awful time. I will now read all the posts and get up to date.

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Comments are good, I like to know what you think of my posts. I know you'll keep it civil.