I was thinking stroke as well, that's why I suggested taking his BP. Think you could get him to take an aspirin before he goes to bed?
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I was thinking stroke as well, that's why I suggested taking his BP. Think you could get him to take an aspirin before he goes to bed?
the one thing about sundowners - our sunset was about 4:45 -- many many hours back! But I will mention it.
Dad is in bed, and doesn't want to discuss it with me anymore. (I keep trying)
Guess that is it. Thans much for all your thoughts. Just having someone to 'talk to' helped.
Men! Parents! Aging! Geesh!
Oh Kim, I was typing and missed your post.
Dad takes an aspirin nightly on his way to bed (along iwth 3 other pills.) He took all his pills tonight but I'll see if I can get him to take one more.
It is pretty apparent that my mother has Alzheimer's although my Dad is in complete denial. Anyway, one of her latest things is to call me in the middle of the night! She has always been one to be in bed by 8:00 or 8:30 p.m. She will call and not even realize that it is midnight or even 2:00 a.m.! :eek: She called last week to ask me if I put that pretty thing on the back of her toilet. She couldn't even tell me what it was, but I hadn't even been there in days and have no idea what was on the back of her toilet. Anyway, I did some more Alzheimer's research and getting the sleep schedule out of sync and getting night and day confused is typical. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom
My guess would be a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) - the mini-stroke that others mentioned.
You checked his blood sugar and it was okay - were you able to check his BP?
If he has another one over the weekend, take him to the ER.
Yikes! My aunt had a stroke last month and now is experiencing some of the side affects mentioned. She's refusing blood work, blood pressure checks, etc, because she doesn't realize she's not OK. She feels fine, although the stroke affected her cognizant and speech skills. However, my dad, who had Parkinsons. suddenly became delusional and disorientated due to the side effects of so many medications.
Try to make notes of your dad's behavior to give to the doctor. I hope it's nothing serious and just a passing episode.
Quote:
Originally Posted by K9karen
Karen makes a good point about another thing to consider - side effects to his medications.
I do hope he is back to normal this morning, but in any event I would certainly make an appointment for him to see his doctor as soon as possible. Your notes here of exactly what went down are precise. Take them with you when you go.
When my dad was in his 80's, he had episodes similar to the one you just described, only scarier. My mom started to sit on the sofa and he said "Don't sit there! You'll sit on that little girl!" Mom called me terrified that it might be Alzheimers. As it turns out, his medication was causing him to behave in that manner. He didn't have high BP or diabetes but he did have heart problems towards the end, although he never did have a heart attack. Perhaps your dr. could check his meds and see if that could be the culprit. Once they adjusted my dad's meds, he never had another episode like that.
My first thought was that it may have been a TIA, too, because I saw similar types of episodes with my mother. Although I see some people have suggested that it may be a reaction to his medication (I don't know if it has recently been changed or not), and that could be a possibility. How is your father this morning? Is he reacting normally? Does he seem slightly slower to respond? I am assuming he has no memory of what happened last night.
Just checking in to see how your dad is this morning.
I'm sorry your dad is going senile, I know how worrying it is for you and the family. :( My mom told me one time, that when she came back from her shopping, my dad was on his way down the stairs in his slippers - when she asked "where are you going" he replied "off to work". This was a few years after he stopped working. Luckily she got him back up.
Apart from the advice you have been given, I can only add this: make sure he has a pice of paper in his pockets with a tel. no and address on, in case he does wander off. Oh and keep an extra eye on him if it's cold outside!
I hope he'll be better and you don't have to worry. :)
Only now had time to get back on the PC.
Did not check his BP, he wouldn't let me. He was fine this AM, and he remembers it all and refuses to talk about. He went to my brother's as planned.
I did tell him last evening that it could be the signs of a stroke and maybe we should go to the ER. No, he put on his pajamas and went to bed. Stubborn! He never goes to a doctor willingly; he has had diabetes for almost 10 years now and is still in denial about that. So all this part of it is normal for him.
I've got call his doctor on my Monday morning "to do list." That will be the FIRST thing I do!
I was thinking sundowners or TIA also. Please keep us posted. I will be keeping you and your dad in my thoughts and prayers. ((hugs))
I sure hope that whatever is going on with your father isn't too serious and can be easily fixed. Too bad he's so stubborn. My dad is a bit like this too but he does go to his doctors appointments and have bloodwork taken without any problems. I'll be keeping your father in my thoughts and prayers and I hope to hear some good news from you soon. Please take care.
Sandie, it sounds like what we went through with my Grandmother. I hope your Dad is okay and has no more of those scary spells. It must have scared the bejunior out of you :( {{{{{HUGS}}}}}