hallucinations

    
      Re: hallucinations
    


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Neurology Forum ] [ FAQ ]



Posted by ccf neuro M.D. on August 18, 1997 at 21:12:18:

In Reply to: hallucinations posted by Neurology Forum on August 18, 1997 at 14:32:05:
  My Mother, who is 79, has been having terrible dreams and/or hallucinations.  These hallucinations seem to be worse at night.  She is also having problems with her lower limbs from the hip down.  Her current doctor is treating her with a synthetic thyroid drug.  That is the only medication she is taking and this only since July 28th.  We are taking her to see a neurologist on Friday.  Her current doctor is going to see her on Wednesday because I called today because she was up most of the night because she kept seeing people with her condition being murdered.  She has sprayed her feet, in the middle of the night, with bug spray because she is sure that flies are bothering her.  While all of this seems to be real to her she still knows it is not and can relate what was happening to her.  We are terribly concerned for both her and my father since he is not getting any sleep either.  I would truly appreciate any help that you can give me.  Thank you in advance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hallucinations are a very nonspecific symptom with many causes, most often medications of some sort. Metabolic disorders like hyperthyroidism can also cause them (perhaps she has gotten too much thyroid medication too fast for her body); insomnia, diarrhea, tremor, heat intolerance, palpitations (racing heart), anxiety, and changes in the skin and nails are other symptoms of this general medical disorder. Hallucinations are invariably a SYMPTOM of some other underlying problem. A very rare but very interesting disorder is called REM behavioral disorder, in which people literally act out their dreams at night. This is caused by defectice functioning of the nerve fibers that normally paralyze all your muscles (except breathing muscles) while you dream. It is often the first symtom of a more serious neurologic disorder, but may very rarely occur in isolation. It is far more likely that the new medication has something to do with things, however, in this particular case. I think the evaluation by a neurologist is the medically appropriate thing to do. Checking your mother's thyroid hormone levels is a simple and important thing to be sure is included as part of this evaluation. Good luck! Information provided in the Neurology Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. The actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition should be strictly in conjunction with your (mother's in this case)  treating physician(s).