Waiting for the ER

CampCarol

DH had a complete mental breakdown at his rehab center today, where he was recovering from a fractured tibia. He has been declining for a week now, and I’ve been begging and pleading for help from them which was not forthcoming. They finally decided tonight to send him to the hospital with a diagnosis of “altered mental state” and a Geri psych referral. Part of me is a little bit relieved because they clearly were not giving him the proper care, but now he’s in the hospital talking to people who aren’t there, hallucinating, yelling, trying to escape from his bed and calling for his mother (who passed years ago). He doesn’t want me anywhere near him and is cursing and swearing at me. We’re not even in the actual ER unit yet, he’s been in a gurney in the ambulance bay for almost 2 hours now because they are full. Because of this, they won’t give him any meds for agitation or pain yet. I am beside myself and trying not to sob. I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever be able to bring him home again. I have no idea what to expect and I am frightened. Sorry for the rant, but I didn’t know where else to turn 😢

SDianeL

oh I’m so sorry. It must be frightening to see him that way. I would ask for a case manager. Can they move him to another hospital? Can his primary prescribe something? Unfortunately medical issues may cause a decline. Perhaps it’s temporary. Sending hugs. 💜

Carl46

There are meds that can help with this. Don't give up hope yet. He hasn't even seen the psychiatrist, so no telling what they can do for him (yes, I know that's the problem.) Hang in there. It will get better.

Quilting brings calm

it’s quite possible that he has a UTI. Hopefully they’ve tested for that by now.

Jgirl57

So very sorry for both of you. Hospital/ER visits are a nightmare . I hope as QBC mentioned that they test for UTI if rehab had not done so. (((HUGS)))

CampCarol

He had a UTI and MRSA at the rehab, he just finished those antibiotics Saturday night. The hospital has ruled out any brain bleeds, etc that might be causing this, we’re now waiting for the Geri-psych evaluation. They had to give him 3 different meds to knock him out; he’s been up well over 24 hours with all of this. Now if I could just get some sleep too, hopefully soon!

Russinator

((HUGS))

RetaMeta55

Hugs!!!

Kat63

((HUGS))

Goodlife2025

CC hope you are getting that much needed sleep and there is a brighter outlook for the day ahead. Feeling for you today the ER is never a good place to spend time.

Jazzma

CC sending you huge hugs and warm thoughts. There's a phenomenon that (I think) is called 'hospital dementia' that kicks in when people already compromised wind up in the ER. It's terrifying but, in our case, it can be reversed. DH spent 4 days in the ER with a diagnosis of pneumonia. He became violent, furious, completely delusional, had to be restrained using chains (he broke the softer restraints) and heavily medicated. The hospital staff did not want to transfer him to a hospital room because of the violence. It took a heated conversation with admin (accompanied by his doctor, who supported me) to get him moved. He immediately calmed down. After another 5 or 6 days he was released to my care.

He went into MC a week later as some behaviors (such as extreme sundowning) were too much to manage at home. Over time with medication management he became much calmer and is now living at home again. It can happen.

I remember the horror and exhaustion of those 4 days. Please do everything you can to take care of yourself and don't hesitate to cry in front of anyone and everyone. Drink lots of water. Eat if you can. It will get better.

harshedbuzz

How are you doing?

CampCarol

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/239828#Comment_239828

We are still in the ER. The hospital’s psych/geri psych building is not on the same campus. I was told a little while ago that a bed has opened up and he has been accepted, but transport may not be until later tonight. They have been giving him a combination of Benadryl and Midazolam to help him sleep a bit. But when he wakes up, he’s just a mess. He punched his Nurse, spit out all his meds, disconnected all his heart monitor stuff, ripped out his IV and threw everything on the floor along with his sheets, pillow, and gown. And although he’s pretty incoherent, I was able to understand when he threatened to harm me. I’m running on 36 hours now with no sleep, and I’m very apprehensive as to what will happen next. I am just praying they will be able to help him. Thank you so much for asking HB, I don’t know what I would do without you and everybody else on this forum!

Phoenix1966

Like @Jazzma mentioned, there is an occurrence that I was told was called “hospital delirium”. My grandmother, already suffering from dementia, got much worse while hospitalized(for a few weeks) for a fall. By the end of the first week, she was severely compromised. Singing at the top of her lungs at all hours, disrobing completely and stumbling down the hallways. And she also spit out meds at the staff. These were all new behaviors she had never displayed before in her life. She did regain some of that lost ground after she was able to return home, with my mother and me as her 24/7 caregivers.

Please take care of yourself.

CindyBum

Dang, Carol. I’m so sorry.

Sending strength

wose

Hoping things are getting a bit better for you. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this horrible situation. Thinking of you💕💜

Dio

I am so sorry you're going through this. My DH went through something similar. I was so overwhelmed with fear, but we got through it somehow. You will too. There will be a solution, even if it doesn't happen as fast as we'd like. Hugs…

harshedbuzz

Thanks for the update, though I'm sure it wasn't the one you or anyone hoped for.

The ED is extra hard on a PWD. It sounds like he's got hospital delirium on top of everything else. He should do better once he's moved to the geripsych unit where the staff will be more experienced with this sort of thing.

HB