General Chat

I'm posting this so that others can learn something like I did yesterday !! please see below ....

As you may know, mum was taken ill yesterday and is now in hospital (doing ok). She suddenly became very confused, couldn't speak properly, didn't know her name, dob etc. This got worse after arriving at hospital until she was speaking complete gibberish. I suspected a stroke, but the doctor checked her over and there were none of the motor (physical) symptoms of a stroke. He guessed fairly early on what the problem was and I had never heard of it before (although I have since heard of another case very close to home). She simply has a chest infection! Apparently in the elderly (mum is 83) infections can show themselves not in the usual way (ie severe cough etc) but by this sudden confusion. She had absolutely NO outward symptoms of illness. Very very scary, but completely treatable. She has been having intravenous anti-biotics overnight and hopefully will be more like herself when I see her later. I wish I had known of this before - I was so sure it was a stroke as I couldn't think of anything else it could be! Hopefully this may help someone else in the same situation. Maz. XX

thats something I didnt know , thankyou for posting. maz hope you mums feeling better today Sharon x

So sorry to hear this Maz. The same thing happened to an elderly aunt of mine a few years ago. Started off as a cold, then one day she was really confused, didn't know what anyone was saying to her, talked gibberish herself, couldn't move. The doctor was called and, like you, diagnosed a chest infection - becausse of her age he got her into hospital as he was worried it may have been pneumonia. She recovered with no problems.

My mother - unbeknown to us , ceased injecting her insulin- manifested as dementia too Jess

Hi Maz Sorry to hear that your mum is ill, it must have been very worrying for you. A stroke would have been my first thought too so I'm pleased it wasn't that. Hope mum will feel better soon. Heather xx

Maz, that sounds very similar to the events, back in 1991, when My wife collapsed, Was taken to hospital, and woke up, with NO memory..........thankfully she has regained a memory of sorts, but a rolling 5 year period.......I sincerely hope your Mum recovers fully, Best regards, Bob

Good lord.... I have never heard of that before!! Hope she is doing ok and back to her normal self soon xx

Thanks everyone, just wanted to raise awareness. Yes, apparently ANY type of infection - and there are no physical symptoms. Maz. XX

Hi Maz Sorry to hear about your mum, hope she has a speedy recovery. Also a thing to think about is if the person has changed medication. As many know, dad collapsed and for a few days was very confused (then confusion got less and less over the last few weeks) he frightened me to death I will admit. He went to Ozzie and was checked for heart attack and stroke, both came back clear. Turned out to be his change in meds, it took around four days for them to get in his system. So his reaction was delayed MIL a few weeks ago started going loopy (BILs words), wetting herself, confused etc. Turned out to be a serious water infection, and dehydration where she wasnt drinking properly. a few weeks on (and a few arguments with the nurses who she thought was going to kill her) shes almost back to normal and back home. Any sudden sympoms though should always be treated as if its the worst scenario and attention quickly sought. The medics will soon treat whatever problem is causing the distress. Elaine x

Hi Maz Hope your mum gets well very soon. Thanks for posting this thread. You learn something new everyday Caz

Maz, what a good idea to post this, as I have known of two such instances myself. One of a lady who had a infection which caused her to become very confused, even to the point where she didn't recognise her own family.........very distressing for all concerned. She spent some time in hospital on very strong antibiotics. Happily she recovered. On a sadder note, a gentleman I knew got a urine infection which he was loathe to mention, until it was too late. Unfortunately it travelled around his body and eventually to his brain, and although doctors had done all they could to help him, it was no use. So these things should not be taken lightly, especially in the elderly, nor anyone for that matter. These type of infections won't go away on their own..........so should not be neglected. Hope your mum is well on the mend Maz. Jen

Maz, thanks for the warning and lots of get well wishes to your Mum. Daisy

I hope your mum makes a speedy recovery Maz (((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))) :0) Joan xxxxxx

Hi Maz, I do hope your Mother recovers soon. C x

Be aware, Its not only the '' Elderly''my wife was 52, in 1991. Bob

Jen, that lady you mentioned is exactly the same as my mum. Couldn't remember her name, dob, where she was and don't think she knew really who I was either. And the deterioration was just SO fast. Going up there in a minute, hopefully the anti-b's are doing the trick. Maz. XX

I had something similar a couple of years ago with my ex mother in law. She was widowed but that night had her sister staying and also my boy for the night as I was away. At 4am I had a call from her telling me my boy was on his way to hospital (major fit) with her sister and she would collect me to meet them there. I got ready and then 15 mins later she called again repeating what she had previously said.....I told her I already knew 'cause of what she had said and she got really stroppy I confirmed I was waiting for her. 5 minutes later another call repeating the first info.....I then made my own way to the hospital. During the 30 minute journey she rang me FIVE times, repeating the same info, with no knowledge of previous conversations. To cut a long story short we had her checked out the same day and it turned out her blood pressure had dropped dangerously low, probably due to stress and an underlying cause was discovered. She didn't believe she had made the calls until she received her phone bills....Itemising every call she made that night. Moral....Any strange behaviour....Get it checked out. Chris

Do hope you find your Mum lots better. Best Wishes for her speedy recovery, CP

Hi Maz,I do hope your mum is up and about soon,I can understand this being such a worry for you. Roxanne xxx