ICU Psychosis?

Question

My mom got out of ICU 5 days ago since then the Dr's are describing what she is going thru as ICU Psychosis, not really aware of where she is, calling out names of her dead relatives, yelling help, help, help, but when you ask her what she wants she says she doesnt know and then within minutes I can see my Mom like she normally is, saying she loves me, saying my name and some normal things. I am so scared that Mom will not return to her normal self. Has anyone had a similar experience with anyone in their family, How long did it last? Thanks for your answers.

Answer 1

My Mother had ICU psychosis when she was hospitalized several years ago for relatively minor procedure and it came as quite a shock when it happened. She became very paranoid and refused to take medication and believed it was poison. She continued in this way until I contacted the doctor, found out what they wanted to give her and suggested they add Ativan to decrease her agitation as she kept insisting she was leaving and trying to get out of the bed. I called her and told her I'd reviewed the meds and everything was in order and since she trusts my judgement on this she took the meds and her symptoms remitted in a couple days and she was discharged. The symptoms never returned.
ICU psychosis in elderly people is common and usually temporary and it tends to be triggered after they awake from a procedure involving anesthesia and they suddenly find themselves in strange surroundings. They become disoriented and confused and often develop psychotic symptoms as they cannot interpret what happened. In my Mom's case it was exacerbated as she has dementia as well. My Dad was able to be there (they are out of state) and his presence often calmed her down and once the medication kicked in she was able to regain her composure pretty rapidly.
Don't worry-your Mom should return to normal soon and once she is home and in familiar surroundings she'll do even better, but a benzo can help reduce the agitation she feels. Try to reassur her and provide her with any familiar objects from home she can have as this will help ground and orient her and encourage her to work with the docs if she's being difficult. Let her know that you are checking on things and reassur her she'll be okay soon and that you are looking out for her.

Answer 2

ICU psychosis is just what it says it is. Once she leaves the ICU, they psychosis will abate in a few days. It is usually caused by the confusion of night and day, as lights are on 24/7 in the ICU, and there are few windows, if any, to help the patient to determine whether it is night or day.
Don't worry; your mom will be her old self soon!.

Answer 3

My dad had a similar problem recently when he was hospitalized after a heart attack. It affected his short term memory and confusion thinking my sisters and I were my mom. However, we were fortunate that as soon as he knew he was going home, the psychosis abated.

You may want to check with her doctor(s) to make sure that her potassium and magnesium levels are within normal ranges. Sometimes these electrolyte imbalances can wreck havoc with the mind.

Answer 4

first of all it would have been more helpful if i had known the diagnosis. but your doctor should explain clearly the condition of your mother. regarding the encounter your mother had with dead relatives, this experience is not uncommon for patients who get sick and are hospitalized , the most logical explanation would be the subconscious mind working , everyone has fears, some may have fear of dying, getting sick may make you more vulnerable to this thinking subconsciously, most things or person associated with death will come to mind subconsciously.

Answer 5

sure, must be this. additionally they should be watching her for blood clotting problems, i assume it fairly is already happening. So this might additionally be by way of a large style of issues that are real ailments. whether it could additionally be because of the fact of being so ill and constrained to the ICU.

Answer 6

?