Major Surgery Accelerates Decline in Dementia Patients
Hello. Today I am sharing some disturbing news about my dad. Information that I wish I knew before my father had knee replacement surgery 8 weeks ago. Before surgery my dad had recently been diagnosed with dementia. His psychiatrist was supportive of his desire to have his knee fixed, but then after the fact is when we hear about how difficult major surgeries can be for dementia patients. The thinking was that better mobility would help him get back to exercising, which would be good for his dementia and his circulation and overall health. This would have been important news to share with us before he went ahead with the knee surgery. If I had known that, I feel we would have had more quality time with my dad before he started hallucinating and suffering paranoia. If we had known that, maybe we would have chosen not to have the surgery. It has been 8 weeks since his diagnosis and already my dad has gone downhill fast. I can only hope that a few more weeks will help him move past this post surgical delirium.
I have to say, having lived through several surgeries with my dad, I was not anticipating the easiest of recoveries, but what occurred was beyond my worst imaginings. His history of bad reactions to painkillers and his poor tolerance for pain and hospitals in general was a recipe for what I now know was hospital delirium. While staying in the hospital (for 5 days) he became so confused and agitated that he had to be restrained for several hours and given anti-psychotic medications. He thought he was on a cruise ship, or part of some elaborate conspiracy. He saw bugs crawling on the walls and ceilings, and he could not tell the difference between the TV monitors and something else, I can't remember what...
Before the surgery he was forgetful, struggled for words, stopped driving because he feared he would become lost, and he was always a restless, light sleeper. But after the surgery his state of paranoia has not ceased, he has hallucinations, he sometimes fails to recognize his wife or other family members, he has stopped reading, he can't operate the television or dial a telephone. For a few weeks after the surgery he had to wear adult diapers. This is a man who ran a business since 1976, who read encyclopedias for fun, who did daily crossword puzzles and enjoyed traveling and biking and sports. I just feel so desperate for him to return to himself and us.
I have to say, having lived through several surgeries with my dad, I was not anticipating the easiest of recoveries, but what occurred was beyond my worst imaginings. His history of bad reactions to painkillers and his poor tolerance for pain and hospitals in general was a recipe for what I now know was hospital delirium. While staying in the hospital (for 5 days) he became so confused and agitated that he had to be restrained for several hours and given anti-psychotic medications. He thought he was on a cruise ship, or part of some elaborate conspiracy. He saw bugs crawling on the walls and ceilings, and he could not tell the difference between the TV monitors and something else, I can't remember what...
Before the surgery he was forgetful, struggled for words, stopped driving because he feared he would become lost, and he was always a restless, light sleeper. But after the surgery his state of paranoia has not ceased, he has hallucinations, he sometimes fails to recognize his wife or other family members, he has stopped reading, he can't operate the television or dial a telephone. For a few weeks after the surgery he had to wear adult diapers. This is a man who ran a business since 1976, who read encyclopedias for fun, who did daily crossword puzzles and enjoyed traveling and biking and sports. I just feel so desperate for him to return to himself and us.
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