My husband has Lupus since he was a teenager and has been taking the steroid Prednisone for over 40 years. He's in his mid-50's now. He has incredible mood swings and strikes out at family members, but is able to keep a normal, calm exterior toward people at work.
Recently he had congestive heart failure that resulted in a triple bypass and a Mitral valve repair. The doctors told him he'd had this valve issue for years and just didn't know it ... and that it was a saving grace that he used to run about 40-50 miles a week for the year prior to him having the attack because it allowed the heart muscle the strength to pull him through the attack. The cardiologist said he was "... absolutely amazed that he hasn't dropped dead of a massive heart attack before now."
That said, is it possible that for the years his valve wasn't functioning properly, that he wasn't getting enough oxygen to his brain and that THIS is the reason for his hostile mood swings? During these episodes he's dark, quiet, wants to be alone, is surly, demeaning and rude - but only to either me or certain family members. His moods last a few weeks and then leave almost as quickly as they appear.
In the hospital I overheard a fleeting conversation about his oxygen saturation ... it was incredibly low. I think the nurses were saying it should be in the 90's and it was down in the 30's somewhere. I have no idea ... but wouldn't a decrease of oxygen saturation go hand-in-hand with a faulty valve not doing its job?
We (the family) are at odds about my husband's moodiness. Since his operation at the end of last year he was doing very well until just before Easter. Then he sank into one of these funks again and although aware of it, hasn't been able to come out of it. He's had some post-operation problems and had to wear a heart monitor for a couple of days, but the tests aren't back on that yet.
Have you any suggestions?