Aa
Is this normal after surgery?
My mother who is 49 just had surgery to remove a craniopharyngioma (up the nose) on July 20th. I am taking care of her at home, but I'm wondering if I need to take her back. She is on multiple medications (hydromorphone, thyroid, hydrocort, muscle relaxer).
I don't know if this is all a side effect of medications or the surgery, but she is very confused. She's sleeping a lot (20 hours a day or so, which I think is medications and recovery). She's also mixing up her words. Yesterday she admitted that she felt "out of it". The other thing that I am really concerned with is that I'm having a hard time getting her to eat or take medicine.
Can someone give me some advice on things I should look out for? Or when it might be time to call the Dr and see if she needs to be put back in the hospital?
I don't know if this is all a side effect of medications or the surgery, but she is very confused. She's sleeping a lot (20 hours a day or so, which I think is medications and recovery). She's also mixing up her words. Yesterday she admitted that she felt "out of it". The other thing that I am really concerned with is that I'm having a hard time getting her to eat or take medicine.
Can someone give me some advice on things I should look out for? Or when it might be time to call the Dr and see if she needs to be put back in the hospital?
Since I take so many meds, I have a list - so write everything down - that helps for doctor appointments.
As well, get a few of those 7 day a week, 4 time a day pills sorters from the store - they come in different sizes. Talk to the pharmacist and/or doctor about how to arrange the medications (like if she needs calcium it should not be with thyroid etc.) as some have to be without food, with food etc. and slot them with in the boxes. I ignore the morning, afternoon etc, as I need with food, without etc LOL but the point is with the medications all laid out, you can see what she has taken, what she has not and it is easier.
That is another idea.
As well, get a few of those 7 day a week, 4 time a day pills sorters from the store - they come in different sizes. Talk to the pharmacist and/or doctor about how to arrange the medications (like if she needs calcium it should not be with thyroid etc.) as some have to be without food, with food etc. and slot them with in the boxes. I ignore the morning, afternoon etc, as I need with food, without etc LOL but the point is with the medications all laid out, you can see what she has taken, what she has not and it is easier.
That is another idea.
I'm definitely looking into the visiting nurse service. The hospital actually recommended it. I've been taking care of my mom since 2006 and a full time student since 2008.
That's a really good idea about the medic-alert bracelet. I will definitely make sure her meds are regulated and make sure that she knows what to do. She has had a hard time remembering her meds and after surgery I made sure she was taking the necessary meds, but I'm going to make sure she takes better care of her health from now on.
I'm very glad that I have this forum for advice and support. You guys have been absolutely wonderful :)
That's a really good idea about the medic-alert bracelet. I will definitely make sure her meds are regulated and make sure that she knows what to do. She has had a hard time remembering her meds and after surgery I made sure she was taking the necessary meds, but I'm going to make sure she takes better care of her health from now on.
I'm very glad that I have this forum for advice and support. You guys have been absolutely wonderful :)
I would ask and see if you can get visiting nurse service. It may be a lot on you to take full-time classes and take care of a sick mother at the same time.
Once your mom gets stable, things will get easier, but as I know (I am panhypopituitary and take everything but for DI currently), stable is only as good as not getting a cold, etc. so stable can change rapidly. Get a medic-alert bracelet for her, and make sure her meds are regulated and she and people around her know what to do.
Once your mom gets stable, things will get easier, but as I know (I am panhypopituitary and take everything but for DI currently), stable is only as good as not getting a cold, etc. so stable can change rapidly. Get a medic-alert bracelet for her, and make sure her meds are regulated and she and people around her know what to do.
I went to see her today (I had to stay away for awhile because I managed to catch strep throat). She's a little confused, but she's doing much better. She's not out of the woods, but she's heading in the right direction.
I'm glad to hear that things got easier after awhile with DI. I have myself scheduled for all online classes this semester (I'm a full time college student) so I can take care of my mom when she gets out of the hospital.
I'm glad to hear that things got easier after awhile with DI. I have myself scheduled for all online classes this semester (I'm a full time college student) so I can take care of my mom when she gets out of the hospital.
It sounds like your mom might come out of this then? I sure hope so.
Yes I have Diabetes Insipidus too. I pee and pee and pee. Must drink a few gallons a day to keep up with what I pee out. At night I take a medication called DDAVP that helps me to retain fluid so that I can sleep through the night. But I also have to weigh myself every morning. If I gain over 3# I have to ease up on the drinking. If I lose 3#, I have to take the medication or up my fluid intake. It is a very tricky condition. My thirst mechanism in intact so I do get thirsty when I need fluids. The highest my sodium ever went was 151 and I was quite dehydrated. At first is was very hard. But now four years later, I've got the drill down. And yes, DI can kill you because of the huge fluid shifts from being over or under hydrated.
Horslip
Yes I have Diabetes Insipidus too. I pee and pee and pee. Must drink a few gallons a day to keep up with what I pee out. At night I take a medication called DDAVP that helps me to retain fluid so that I can sleep through the night. But I also have to weigh myself every morning. If I gain over 3# I have to ease up on the drinking. If I lose 3#, I have to take the medication or up my fluid intake. It is a very tricky condition. My thirst mechanism in intact so I do get thirsty when I need fluids. The highest my sodium ever went was 151 and I was quite dehydrated. At first is was very hard. But now four years later, I've got the drill down. And yes, DI can kill you because of the huge fluid shifts from being over or under hydrated.
Horslip
Thank you everyone for your support. She is starting to wake up and follow commands. Her kidney function is coming back. They had thought that she may have had a heart attack but her heart has no damage.
What they think happened as far as the diabetes insipidus, she urinated all the water which raised her sodium levels and also made her blood very thick cutting off blood supply to the kidneys, which created a domino effect with the other organs.
And she does have some of of the best doctors in the midwest, if not nationally (I may be just a tad bit biased). University of Iowa Heathcare is a wonderful place to go if you can't go to Mayo. They have specialties there that I've never even heard of, and they are ranked in a few specialties (such as neurosurgery).
What they think happened as far as the diabetes insipidus, she urinated all the water which raised her sodium levels and also made her blood very thick cutting off blood supply to the kidneys, which created a domino effect with the other organs.
And she does have some of of the best doctors in the midwest, if not nationally (I may be just a tad bit biased). University of Iowa Heathcare is a wonderful place to go if you can't go to Mayo. They have specialties there that I've never even heard of, and they are ranked in a few specialties (such as neurosurgery).
I too am so sorry, and shocked that this happened to your mom. The doctors told you this happened because of diabetes insipidus? How awful! I do hope your mom can recover from this. I will be keeping both of you in my thoughts.
My heart goes out to you and your mom. Your mom is a very lucky lady to have such a wonderful daughter who takes care of her. I wish her well.
I just thought I would update. 3 1/2 hours after I posted this I checked her blood sugar and it was 276. I took her temp and it was 101.5. I called 911 to get her to the hospital. Her sodium was very high (176 if I remember right). They stabilized her and the next day she was life flighted to University of Iowa where she still is in ICU. She has kidney, lung, liver, and brain failure right now. She will have some amputation. This was all caused by diabetes insipidus. The doctors said I had done everything right after I took her home from the hospital. I was making her take the hydrocort and levothyroxin. The only medications she was allowed to skip were those for pain.
I wanted to make sure I shared this in the off chance something like this happens to someone else.
At this point I still don't know if my mom is going to make it, things don't look very good even with some of the best doctors in the nation working on her.
I wanted to make sure I shared this in the off chance something like this happens to someone else.
At this point I still don't know if my mom is going to make it, things don't look very good even with some of the best doctors in the nation working on her.
Hi-
I would call her doctor now or take her to the ER.
If she seems out of it like that, she might have a sinus infection or even meningitis. Take her temperature. You can also see if there is pressure on her face (sinuses). By now she should be up and about more. Could be that the pain meds are too strong also.
Horselip
I would call her doctor now or take her to the ER.
If she seems out of it like that, she might have a sinus infection or even meningitis. Take her temperature. You can also see if there is pressure on her face (sinuses). By now she should be up and about more. Could be that the pain meds are too strong also.
Horselip
Oh, and I forgot to say, be SURE your mom is getting her thyroid and hydrocortisone med. If you can't get her to take these, she will end up in emergency. She needs to get these in an IV if you can't get her to take them, so she should be back in the hospital in this case for sure. She MUST take these medications!
Kimmi, When my son had his craniopharyngioma removed (also "up the nose") he was given a large dose of an antibiotic, Cephtrioxone, immediately before, and I think even during the operation (in his IV). This led to an overgrowth of Clostridia Difficile bacteria and by the third day after surgery he was very sick, lethargic and had severe diarrhea. Luckily he was still in the hospital.
I think you should call your mother's doctor and ask about getting blood tests done for C. Diff toxins and other infection. Watch for the diarrhea.
My son slept a lot when he came home eight days after surgery, but I assumed he was making up for lost sleep, since he was woken or disturbed in hospital every 4 hours for blood draws and vital signs. He said he just needed to sleep. (I think his longest stretch was 11 hours.
However, 20 hours is excessive and will cause dehydration. I think this alone could cause your mom to feel confused and "out of it", and she should not be allowed to sleep this long.
Ask the doctor about taking her off the morphine. My son used no pain killer after surgery. He said he didn't need it and refused to take anything for pain.
I hope your mom feels better very soon. Call the doctor asap.
Enzy
I think you should call your mother's doctor and ask about getting blood tests done for C. Diff toxins and other infection. Watch for the diarrhea.
My son slept a lot when he came home eight days after surgery, but I assumed he was making up for lost sleep, since he was woken or disturbed in hospital every 4 hours for blood draws and vital signs. He said he just needed to sleep. (I think his longest stretch was 11 hours.
However, 20 hours is excessive and will cause dehydration. I think this alone could cause your mom to feel confused and "out of it", and she should not be allowed to sleep this long.
Ask the doctor about taking her off the morphine. My son used no pain killer after surgery. He said he didn't need it and refused to take anything for pain.
I hope your mom feels better very soon. Call the doctor asap.
Enzy
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