Delirium after a stroke

[millertime78]

My Dad has been diagnosed with having delirium after a stroke. He is continuously restless and agitated, he is always pulling at the bedclothes or taking off his own clothes. Is there any treatment for delirium and is it reversible?

[Lilycat]

To all, actually.
Wow! What a relief to read that so many other stroke victims have exactly the same symptoms as my 93-year-old mother since her stroke almost 4 weeks ago. Glad to hear that these phenomena seem to diminish with time. She takes Dilantin to prevent seizures, Resperadol (sp?), and at night, if needed, another sedative for these issues. A bladder infection and then a rash from the antibiotic also added to her considerable discomfort and agitation.

[PamRam228]

Wow!!!  That's great improvement, physically!  Congrats!  It's still VERY early in the healing process.  Just watch and see how much of the negatives go away.  The brain is very resilient.  I read a post on here about a book called "The Brain That Changes Itself".  It's about true stories of people that have had brain injuires and how the brain healed itself so the people can lead better lives.  I ordered my copy off Ebay and can't wait to begin to read it.  That may help you understand the mental part better.

Your dad most likely will overcome most of the negative issues.  Thanks for the update.

[millertime78]

Latest Update

Positives
Eating and swallowing is fine, he's starting to feed himself, can lift a cup and drink tea/water etc
Mobility is good, no problem walking, climbing stairs, strength in arms and legs good.
Good hand eye coorindination - is able to catch a ball and throw it back.
Can dress himself sometimes, trousers, shoes, dressing gown - no problems there.
Alert for most of the day, is rarely in bed except at night time.

Negatives

Still no speach or recognition
Agitation - pulling at bedclothes, his own clothes etc.
No awareness of space/ danger - will wander around
Cannot use the bathroom, needs 24 hr nursing care
Very defensive/agressive when restrained from walking where he wants to go
Very hard hard to communicate with.

In summary, physically he's quite good but mentally he's very limited. The OT and Speech/Language says he needs a private room free from all distraction if they're to make a breakthrough with the therapy. Thats the priority at the moment. The doctors are treating him with seroquel for the agitation and behaviour problems.

[PamRam228]

Yep, millertime78...the depression does come.  Doctors can prescribe medicines for that.  Every now and then my husband gets depressed but it's not as much as before.  Once your dad comes to terms with what has happened to him the depression will ease up.  It may get worse before it gets better.  Just keep reassuring him.  Try not to feed into his depression.  Get the most intense therapy you can get for him.  How long is he going to be in therapy?  What other therapy does he have?  Occupational, speech?  God bless you and I hope your father improves greatly.

[millertime78]

Thanks , he's starting to interact with us some more but I think he's depressed about his situation, he rarely smiles which is not like him. We need to up the therapy and stimulation levels and get him more active.

[PamRam228]

Actually, my husband wasn't given anything for the delirium.  It would subside after about a half hour and then he would be ok.  Seems like it gradually went away.

You mentioned that your dad was speaking too fast.  My husband did that, also.  It was almost like his brain was on fast forward.  He did that a couple of times. Now, he talks a little faster than pre-stroke but it's not that noticeable.  I think it just has to do with the recovery process.  Some things you've mentioned I'm sure will go away.  

Thanks again for the update.