Charm,

Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts. They are more appreciated than I can express.

Has anyone encountered a loved one with delerium early in the morning? My brother does not seem to know exactly where he is and has begun hallucinating. It lasts for about an hour and is usually shortly after he awakens. After that, back to normal.

Perhaps the side effects from pain meds?? The only time I experienced this was when Bill was hospitalized toward the end of treatment and they were giving him morphine IV. He was seeing bugs crawling on the sheets and said that "they" were washing down the room walls with a hose. Once home and off the morphine, no "visions"

Hugs, Deb

It's possible, but he is only on hydrocodone and does not take more that 2 doses of that per day (if we get him to take 2...often times only one). I am thinking the cancer in mets to the brain or liver. No real way of knowing since he wants no treatment. When the delerium starts it is that he does not know where he is (he may be at home but thinks we are in a grocery store) or having conversations with folks who are not there. Given that he is really not eating much of anything though, the meds may ultimately be the cause. Thanks Deb

Lori

Lori,

If his nutrition is compromised, this can also be a "sugar" related issue. Blood sugar issues can cause lots of dementia type behaviors.

I am so sorry...this has got to be so hard. I know you said he is opting for no treatment but how about supportive measures such as proper pain meds and fluids and food supplements?

Lori, I am so sorry to read your story about what is happening with yoru brother. I cant even begin to imagine how hard it must be for you and your family to watch this happen right before your eyes. Im sure you all must feel so helpless. Im very very sorry!!!! One thing that should be a huge help is hospice, its good that they are there helping him.

One medication that may be helpful for his pain is the fentanyl patch. It gets changed every 3 days, its much easier to keep him painfree with a steady dose of medicine. Ask the doc. Im not very familiar with hospice policies or if they can get a different medication, but maybe they could help with the patch.

Prayers to you and your brother.

Off to Glasgow soon so this will be a quick response. Low sodium (salt) is also a cause of "confusion" especially if someone has poor kidney function. Given your brother has issues with kidneys I would be taking him the doctor for blood tests. All the other suggestions are good ones too, and no matter what, it needs a trip to the doctor.

All,

Thank you so very much for your input. It has helped in ways that I can not begin to explain. My brother, gets a bit weaker each day. That said, this weekend he chooses to be with a lovely
woman from his complex. My mother has concerns (because she can not control this)I don't. My thought is that he is an adult and deserves time alone when possible. This is probably the last possible weekend. So, Mom comes to my house this weekend and my brother is with his Lady Love. The End

Christine,

Thank you so much for your kindness and suggestions. He is failing quickly so we will see what time allows us. Thank you for your compassion and caring.

Lori Lee

Lori Lee feel free to pm me if you need an ear or a shoulder x