OpenHealth Q&A

Understanding My Mother's Evolving Behavior

At 72 years old, my mother, standing 5'4" and weighing 160 pounds, has left us perplexed. For the past year, it has felt like we’ve been sharing our home with someone experiencing severe mental distress. My father likened it to those emotional commercials where a granddaughter comforts her mother one moment, only to be met with an unexpected slap in the next. **Chronology of Events** Initially, my mother was prescribed **Albuterol Sulfate 90MCG**, which she took **every four hours** to manage a persistent cough. Her primary care doctor simply refilled the prescription monthly, never requiring her to come in for check-ups, despite her heavy usage. We began to wonder if she was misusing it. **12 Months Ago** She eventually secured an appointment with a lung specialist, who diagnosed her with asthma and prescribed the **Dulera 200-5 MCG inhaler**, also to be administered **every four hours**. Ironically, while using this medication, we noticed a drastic shift in her demeanor. My father referenced those advertisements again: one moment she was affectionate, and the next, there would be harsh outbursts. Arguments and loud disagreements became common, while her memory began to show concerning lapses. It wasn't until my father pointed out that she often mixed up days and times (thinking it was only three weeks since) that we understood the severity of the changes. Believing the inhaler was the culprit, my father decided to remove her Dulera inhaler. This marked the beginning of a tumultuous phase. She reverted to relying on **Albuterol Sulfate**, yet the persistent cough continued. Shortly after discontinuing the Dulera, her condition spiraled back into confusion and unsettling behavior reminiscent of early-stage dementia. This prompted multiple trips to the emergency room and two hospital stays. During these ER visits, healthcare professionals repeatedly reassured us that she was physically fine. However, one stay involved discussions around asthma concerns, and the next suggested a potential dementia or infection. **Second Hospital Visit** In one alarming incident, my mother had a severe emotional breakdown, isolating herself in the bathroom for hours with the lights off and crying sporadically. Her erratic behavior led us to call emergency services. The initial assessment indicated signs of dementia, but a seizure shifted the focus toward an infection instead. To our relief, it was revealed that she did not have dementia nor any infections, so she was discharged. However, post-release, her behavior took a noticeable turn. Her attitude transformed from insistently needing her inhaler, claiming she was asthmatic, to outright declaring she was too drained to do basic tasks. Tasks that were once manageable, like making a bed or biking, became overwhelming, as she often lamented her lack of energy. Even weeks after being discharged, she’d reference her hospital stay as if it had just occurred. After some recommendations, I managed to find her a new primary care physician, and she was referred to a neurologist. Unfortunately, the earliest appointment available was two months out. During this waiting period, her mindset shifted more emphatically toward being perpetually unwell and drained. The neurologist scheduled tests, yet we faced another delay. Again, we returned home to a mother who constantly insisted she was sick and lacked energy. Her consumption of the Albuterol inhaler intensified, and she became fixated on cold medicine, consuming a shocking amount within days. Concerned, we advised her to reduce her cold medication intake and revert to using the inhaler only for wheezing. In less than 24 hours, she was demanding her inhaler regularly, treating it as if it were essential to her existence. Attempts to discuss her sudden dependence would lead her to withdraw or argue. We gradually reduced her inhaler usage just before a sleep study. Strangely enough, she transitioned from saying, "I'm unwell, I need medication" to expressing anxiety about her well-being, describing symptoms that were often inconsistent and occurred primarily during moments of tension. My father monitored her blood pressure regularly, often to her dismay when she claimed not to trust the results, even though they always fell within normal limits. Throughout this period, she was noticeably inactive, avoiding any household chores. Instances would arise where simple tasks could be handled by anyone else in the home, yet she would insist on laying down due to her perceived exhaustion after minimal effort. **Neurologist Sleep Study Findings (1 Month Ago)** The results came through: her brain scans, CT, MRI, body scans, and blood tests all yielded normal results. After returning home, her claims shifted again, asserting, "I’m grateful there's nothing wrong with me," contradicting her inability to perform even the most mundane tasks. Each time we questioned her quality of life in relation to her energy levels, she responded, "Because I'm sick!" But what exactly does that mean? **Recent Developments** Days after discontinuing Albuterol Sulfate, her memory began to deteriorate even further. A noteworthy instance unfolded recently when she argued for countless minutes about throwing out expired food, despite repeated clarifications. Her inability to comprehend the situation was evident as she launched into a heated debate over immaterial issues she had apparently forgotten. **Just a Few Hours Ago** After napping for two hours around noon, she bizarrely mistook the time, preparing for her day as if it were the morning. In disbelief, we confronted her about the actual day, urging her to check her knowledge instead of her phone. This led to an emotional outburst where she refused to respond, leaving us lost in confusion. At this point, I’m astounded by her behavior. Friends without medical backgrounds have pointed out similar patterns in their mothers, yet here we are, oscillating between believing in a legitimate medical issue and questioning her honesty about her condition with claims of fatigue. Repeated arguments lead nowhere as she fails to provide clear answers, leaving me to wonder if she’s intentionally fabricating her responses. Currently, she is seated as she often is—peacefully quiet on the couch. Yet the cyclical nature of her emotions is striking; one moment calm and composed, the next, embroiled in conflict over her energy or anxiety that seems disconnected from reality. Despite being prescribed an antibiotic after her last primary care check, her current regimen doesn't involve much beyond that simple medication. It’s perplexing, to say the least. Her mixed states of tranquility and turmoil indicate a mental rollercoaster, one that surely demands deeper investigation and understanding.

Answers (1)

3/26/2025, 4:20:51 AM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like your mother is experiencing a very complex situation, with symptoms that may stem from multiple sources, both physical and psychological. The changes in her behavior, memory lapses, emotional fluctuations, and over-reliance on asthma medication raise significant concerns. Understanding and addressing these symptoms will be essential in supporting her well-being.

Key Points:

1. Complex Health Situation: Your mother's behavior and cognitive symptoms may be influenced by both her respiratory condition and possible psychological disorders.
2. Ongoing Monitoring: Consistent, detailed observation of her symptoms and behaviors will be crucial as she awaits her neurology appointment.
3. Support & Communication: Creating an environment for open dialogue and emotional support may help her cope with feelings of anxiety and perceived illness.

Explanation:

Your mother's erratic behavior and memory lapses, combined with a history of respiratory issues, suggest that her current situation could involve both her asthma management and another underlying condition, such as anxiety or depression. The medications she has taken, especially when used inappropriately or excessively, can exacerbate mental and physical health symptoms. Her feelings of being constantly unwell should be addressed with compassion but also with a critical eye on the potential for anxiety portraying physical symptoms.

Next Steps:

1. Document Observations: Keep a log of her behaviors, emotional changes, and any cognitive lapses. This will help the upcoming neurologist assess her condition more accurately.

2. Limit Medication Use: Encourage her to only use her inhaler and cold medications as prescribed and needed. Discuss scheduling a consultation with her primary care provider about proper asthma management to ensure medication isn’t misused.

3. Seek Mental Health Support: While waiting for the neurologist appointment, consider exploring some psychological support options, such as counseling or therapy, to help address possible anxiety or depression. A mental health professional can provide strategies to cope with her feelings of helplessness and fatigue.

4. Promote Routine and Engagement: Encourage her to engage in activities she once enjoyed, even if it's for short periods. Gently fostering a routine can help provide structure and counter feelings of exhaustion.

5. Communicate Kindly: Approach conversations about her health with compassion, ensuring she feels heard and understood. Validate her experiences while gently guiding discussions toward practical solutions.

It's important to remain patient and empathetic as you navigate this challenging situation. Frequent changes in behavior can be both confusing and frustrating for everyone involved. Remember, you’re not alone in this; many families experience similar challenges as their loved ones age. It may take time to reach a clear understanding of her condition, but your support will be valuable in this journey.