Post surgical medications and "craziness"

[KrissiK]

My dad had major abdominal surgery last week (ulcer repaired, cleaned out the infection and numerous pus pockets, gall-bladder removed, hernia fixed and then on top of all that he went into septic shock in the middle of surgery). He was fine mentally when he went into surgery (he's 74 btw) but now he's just wacky! He just got out of ICU after being there for a week and my mom is very worried that he's not going to recover mentally. I think it's a result of the meds and that he'll be ok once the meds are out of his system, she's worried that he's going to be like this forever. Has anyone had any experiences of this sort? How did it turn out? I keep telling her to talk to the doctors, too, but... I don't know why she won't. Anyhow. Any reassurances out there for me?

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

Actually septic shock and the numerous problems it can cause can result in confusion. It could be meds or it could be his acute illness. She should speak to the doctor. There are many reasons for temporary confusion:grouphug:

[Dolphin]

Check what he is on. Ativan has a slight amnesic effect to it and they give that to a lot of patients before surgery. Also, he might be over medicated. I have had that happen to me, they cut the narcotics by about a third and I was much better

[celticmom]

My mother was on high dosages of pain medications for an extended period both before and during recovery from hip replacement surgery. She was definitely not her usual self when she was on these medications. She is back to normal now that they are out of her system. Is he on narcotic pain medications? Those would definitely impact his mind temporarily. On the other hand if there were any problems with his brain getting enough oxygen during surgery that could cause long term/permanent problems. I would find out what medications he is on first.

[Alyce]

I'd definitaley talk to the Dr. Medicines whether it's just pain meds or them in combination with them can cause disorientation and confusion. There is also another reason. You didn't say how old your dad is but I'm assuming he's probably in his 60's, am I right. Sometimes after a surgery such as that and the time in ICU, it can confuse them and make them act "crazy". It will take a little time for this to correct itself. My dad did this anytime he was taken to the hospital. Once he came off the drugs and over time (about a week to 10 days) he became more oriented and more like himself. It could be any or all of these but that is why you all need to talk to Dr. I'm sure he is already aware of situation from the nurses but talking to him personally may be able to get you more answers.

[Natalieclare]

My dad had surgery on his back earlier this year. When he came out of the surgery, he was ok; but a few days later, he was so loopy I was insanely worried. It turns out it was the medications. He was overmedicated in general, and one medication in specific affected him in a bizarre manner. It was lorazipan, though I'm not sure if that is the correct spelling. I was so sad to think I might not ever get my dad back, but now he's back in all his obstreperous glory!!!!

[AuntieM]

Morphine can cause this, especially if there is a panicky aspect to his confusion. You may want to ask for a switch in pain medication. My dad had to be put in restraints until the morphine wore off... very upsetting to us all.

[Alphabetika]

My mom was like this after she came off of life support, after being on it for three weeks due to a doctor error. (That is, a doctor error caused the conditions which caused her to be on life support.) My dad was a mess, believing Mom was forever changed because of her strange mental state for a couple of weeks afterwards. It was definitely the meds, because my mom came out of it and was mentally just fine.

[newlifemom]

My dad had surgery on his back earlier this year. When he came out of the surgery, he was ok; but a few days later, he was so loopy I was insanely worried. It turns out it was the medications. He was overmedicated in general, and one medication in specific affected him in a bizarre manner. It was lorazipan, though I'm not sure if that is the correct spelling. I was so sad to think I might not ever get my dad back, but now he's back in all his obstreperous glory!!!!

 

Awesome word!:D

[jen_pad]

Morphine can cause this, especially if there is a panicky aspect to his confusion. You may want to ask for a switch in pain medication. My dad had to be put in restraints until the morphine wore off... very upsetting to us all.

My grandfather could not have morphine! He even walked out of the hospital when he had staph because the morphine made him so crazy! When I got off the elevator to go see him I could hear him at the other end of the hall screaming "The b**** is going to shoot me!" Needless to say he was thinking about the female security guard who had put him on the ground in cuffs because she did not realize what was going on! Pain meds can make you do all kinds of crazy things! Hope he gets better, it is so hard to see a loved one like that!

 

Blessings~

Jennifer:grouphug:

[Amber in AUS]

Didn't read all the other responses but yes, people can seem crazy from some pain meds.

 

My Dad has had 2 hip replacements. Both times he has seriously hallucinated. My Mum actually said, 'Don't go see him, he is nuts!'

 

My Grandfather also had serious craziness on heavy pain medications in his final days from cancer related pain. He thought he had bugs under his skin and all sorts. He was climbing the walls, literally, at times.

[Shelly in IL]

My dad's results have not been positive. It has been a full year for us (or is it 2???), and we don't think he'll ever be back to "dad." He only had carpal tunnel surgery. The anesthesia made him go into dimensia - big time. But, he was 78 at the time of surgery, maybe that has something to do with it. He has been on serious anti-psychotic drugs since then. Very sad. :( May your dad have a complete recovery.

[thescrappyhomeschooler]

Oh yes! When my mom had her knee replacement surgery last year, she was definitely whacked out from the meds. At one point, she was lying on her back, staring at the ceiling, talking to herself and trying to grab things out of the air. My sisters and I talked to the doctor about it, and they changed the meds. My mom doesn't remember the first week after he surgery at all.

[KrissiK]

Oh yes! When my mom had her knee replacement surgery last year, she was definitely whacked out from the meds. At one point, she was lying on her back, staring at the ceiling, talking to herself and trying to grab things out of the air. My sisters and I talked to the doctor about it, and they changed the meds. My mom doesn't remember the first week after he surgery at all.

 

Oh my word, that's exactly what my dad was doing (grabbing things out of the air). And he also was convinced that the boot things they had on him for circulation were filled with slugs that were chewing on his skin. Well, thank you for the responses! It sounds like his behaviour is fairly typical of the meds and so we'll just wait and see and not worry yet! I made my mom promise me she wouldn't worry about his mental health until several weeks after he was off the meds, and then we'll see where he's at.

[EKS]

My MIL went completely nuts after surgery and it was the meds. Actually, it's not just post surgical patients, but elderly patients in general tend to go completely nuts in the hospital. Every elderly person I've known to go nuts in the hospital for whatever reason has returned to normal once home and/or off meds.

[Dobela]

I go a little crazy on pain meds - and it doesn't seem to matter which one it is. Once while on 'mild' ones I swore there were fleas on teddy bears (at a teacher inservice) and caused a major disruption. Not a good way to begin a new job LOL. After my last surgery I had hallucinations and more. Once the meds wore off, I was back to my usual self. Someone does need to let the doctor know though. If they are trying to ask your dad questions and don't realize he is having this reaction then the medical staff may draw incorrect conclusions.

[Dobela]

My MIL went completely nuts after surgery and it was the meds. Actually, it's not just post surgical patients, but elderly patients in general tend to go completely nuts in the hospital. Every elderly person I've known to go nuts in the hospital for whatever reason has returned to normal once home and/or off meds.

This phenomenon is called "SunDowners" here.