hallucinations

[sarahmac]

my dad is 67 and had surgery to remove a hernia about 5 months ago. Ever since surgery he has been hallucinating. It started by seeing people outside in the driveway, the woods, back yard. This went on for a few months. The doctor gave him zyprexa (spelling?) and three days into that drug the hallucinations got worst. He started seeing people inside the house. He started seeing objects in the house move. Such as figurines and things. He has been extremely paranoid since the surgery. He thinks that the people he sees are trying to steel his boat and trailer that are in the driveway. I had to bring him to the hospital last week and they committed him to the mental health unit for a week. They concluded that he had luey bodies dementia..but he later went to see another doctor who disagrees with the diagnosis. My dad can not take psyciatric drugs, they all make him worst. He is home now and seems to just be seeing things outside again, not inside. His short term memory is so much worst since the surgery. He was always a little forgetful but now he could read the same book over and over again like its the first time. Does anyone have any suggestions?? Thank yoU!!

[caregiver222]

I hesitate to state the obvious, but did they perform an insulin clamp procedure? Of course not. Go directly to the meds from the company that gave you the vacation and the fun toys for the nurses! I don't know what is wrong, but halucinations are common in the elderly with insulin utilization problems. They are called "sugar people", and appear quite real.

[Beth E.]

Hey Sarah, I was thinking about your Dad again last night and I thought about the fact that if he'd just had surgery then he was most likely on pain relievers right now. If he is on some sort of barbituate then that is also a trigger for Porphoria (as well as the surgury and possibly any meds that would be new to him)... I just feel so bad about the fact that he is hallucinating during broad daylight... it seems so traumatic. You really might want to check out that Porphyria theory. Take care!

[Beth E.]

I'm so sorry for your dad. I too began hallucinating from Jan-May of this year and it was quite overwhelming to say the least. I have found I have all the symptoms of Porphyria (there are many different kinds... some skin related some abdominal pain...) but surgery and other triggers cause attacks and it is a possibility for your dad. The problem is... I cannot get diagnosed till I have another attack. You can do sort of a home test. First of all, ask if his urine is strangly colored. Not yellow, but tea colored, wine colored, dark etc. Second, tell him to pee in a clear jar and leave it in full sunlight for 24 hours (mine changed after only 6 or so) and it will turn a copper color. There are VERY few experts in this area. Most doctors do not even think of this possibility and will have you in a psychiatrists office before it occurs to them. There is The Porphyria Foundation in TX. and they can give you a few answers once you do the urine test. If he is hallucinating, or if his urine is a different color then now is a good time to be tested. Can take up to 12 days to get the results. God bless! I am praying for him.
Beth

[Carol in PA]

Some people who are infected with Borrelia burgdorferi have similar problems.
This bacteria, a spirochete, can infect the brain and the cranial nerves.  It can cause all sorts of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, paranoia, memory problems, and sometimes hallucinations.
This is a tick borne infection.  It is difficult to diagnose, because the lab tests are not reliable.  Doctors must make a clinical diagnosis, which means that they base the diagnosis on the patient's symptoms.

For information on symptoms, testing, and diagnosis, see the information at the Canadian Lyme Foundation, CanLyme dot com.
If you'd like the opinion of others with similar symptoms, post a query on the medical questions forum at the flash discussion group at LymeNet dot org.
This group can also help you find a doctor who is very experienced with diagnosing and treating Lyme.
http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi?

When I did a search for Lewy Body Dementia, I found this:
The cause of this form of neurodegenerative disease is uncertain.
There are overlaps between Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

In reading about tick borne infections for the last four years, I've seen information that  researchers believe that Lyme Disease may be the cause or the trigger for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
I think you should investigate getting your father properly tested for tick borne infections.  

Wishing you the best,
Carol