Seeking Answers for My Mother's Confounding Symptoms
I previously shared my situation and am reaching out again in hopes of gathering more insights. My 73-year-old mother has faced a troubling predicament for the past month. There are times when she experiences significant confusion, episodes of hallucinations, and an inability to recognize me. During these periods, she tends to be excessively talkative—once speaking continuously for nearly a full day. Occasionally, she exhibits aggressive behavior, although this is not consistent. Following these episodes, she remains unaware of what transpired. She has been hospitalized three times for this condition, and each set of tests conducted has returned normal results. The medical professionals have excluded several possible causes, including urinary tract infections, kidney issues, thyroid abnormalities, mental health issues, reactions to medications, deficiencies in vitamins, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and brain lesions. Currently, there is no clarity on what may be triggering these symptoms, and I am eager to learn if anyone might have knowledge of rare or atypical conditions that could explain her experiences. It seems her episodes tend to occur following nights of poor sleep, but one night of inadequate rest shouldn't typically lead to such extreme delirium in most individuals.
Answers (1)
7/21/2025, 12:50:35 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about your mother's distressing symptoms. It's understandable that you're seeking clarity, especially given the impact this is having on her and your family. The symptoms you've described, including confusion, hallucinations, and sudden behavioral changes, can be concerning and are often complex, particularly in elderly patients.
Key Points:
- Her symptoms may be linked to intermittent states of confusion, often exacerbated by sleep disturbances.
- Despite normal test results, there may still be underlying factors contributing to her episodes.
Explanation: Your mother's episodes could be influenced by various factors, including:
- Delirium: This is a sudden change in attention and awareness often caused by medical issues, medications, or significant stress on the body, like prolonged poor sleep.
- Dementia: Even though other causes have been ruled out, some forms of dementia can present with confusion and behavioral changes.
- Medications: Even if not obvious side effects, certain medications can lead to confusion or altered mental states, especially in older adults.
- Environmental Triggers: Changes in routine, lack of sleep, or sensory overload can sometimes precipitate episodes.
Next Steps:
- Sleep Hygiene: Focus on improving her sleep quality, as poor sleep can be a trigger. Encourage a calm evening routine, limit caffeine intake, and create a restful environment.
- Daily Routine: Try to establish a consistent daily schedule for meals, activities, and bedtime to provide structure, which can help reduce confusion.
- Monitoring Episodes: Keep a detailed diary of her symptoms, noting the timing, duration, and contexts of her episodes. This can provide useful insights for future discussions with healthcare professionals.
- Pacing Activities: Limit overstimulation during the day and ensure she has quiet time to rest, especially after particularly busy or stimulating days.
- Engagement with Specialists: While you've seen many professionals already, consider requesting a neurologist specializing in geriatric care or a geriatric psychiatrist for a fresh perspective on her symptoms.
It's also important to stay connected to her healthcare team and advocate for further investigation if her symptoms persist or worsen. Remember, you're doing your best to support your mother, and seeking help is a crucial part of care. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have further questions or need more information.
Related Questions
Liver Mass Assessment
Patient Profile: - Age: 61 years - Height: 5'9" - Weight: 240 lbs - Gender: Female - Lifestyle: Non-drinker, non-smoker, no illicit drugs Current Medications: - Atenolol 10mg (morning and evening) - Rosuvastatin 40mg (evening) - Duloxetine 60mg (evening) - Spironolactone 25mg (recently added) - Jardiance 10mg (recently added) Medical History: The patient has a notable history of multiple pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, having undergone surgery on eight occasions. According to scans performed three years ago, two subcentimeter retroperitoneal masses were identified, suggestive of potential paraganglioma. Additionally, she suffers from secondary polycythemia and possesses the PHD1 gene mutation. Previously, she received treatment at a prominent research institution in the United States. However, her endocrinologist has since retired and returned to their home country. Current Condition: At present, she is mostly asymptomatic. However, in January 2026, she experienced a concerning event requiring an ambulance transport to a local emergency room, where her oxygen levels registered at 88-89%. This incident was unsettling, given her extensive medical history. The emergency physician initially diagnosed her with congestive heart failure (CHF), but upon discharge, her family medicine doctor suggested pneumonia. During her hospital stay, a cardiologist—who has never managed a pheochromocytoma patient—recommended a chemical stress test. A CT scan performed on her chest revealed a 3.2 x 2.5 cm mass located in the left lobe of her liver. Her blood tests typically show elevated levels related to pheochromocytomas; however, the laboratory does not conduct resting catecholamine testing, which leads to unreliable results, despite them being consistent over time. Furthermore, she has received care at major hospitals in Minnesota and both leading hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. Unfortunately, when she required her last surgery, the tumor board declined her case, citing an unfavorable risk-benefit ratio. This leaves her without a specialist in pheochromocytomas. Request for Guidance: The patient is seeking advice or recommendations for her current health situation and management of her conditions.
Concerns About My Daughter's Morning Health Issues
My 17-year-old daughter experiences troubling symptoms each morning, particularly on days when she needs to rise early for school or work. She often wakes up feeling dizzy and nauseated, accompanied by a rapid heartbeat exceeding 100 beats per minute. This situation prevents her from being able to eat and may persist for several hours, or in some cases, throughout the entire day. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall (172 cm) and weighing 121 pounds (55 kg), her physical health otherwise seems fine. I have a personal history of inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST), which is why I take beta-blockers for management. A few years ago, she consulted a cardiologist regarding her frequent episodes of near-fainting, who recommended increasing her water intake and adding more salt to her meals. Given the persistent nature of her symptoms, I am contemplating whether a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist is warranted, especially since all previous tests, including ECG and ultrasound, came back normal. This situation significantly affects her daily life, restricting her ability to engage fully in school and work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Concerns Regarding Neurological Health
Hello! I received an epilepsy diagnosis back in 2008, and throughout this time, various MRI and CT imaging studies have indicated issues related to cerebral function and encephalopathy. Despite consulting multiple neurologists over the years, I’ve found that none of them appear worried about the encephalopathy aspect. Shouldn’t this be something to take more seriously? My cognitive abilities, including memory and vision, have noticeably deteriorated as time has passed. I’m feeling lost since my previous neurologists have not acknowledged my concerns adequately. If anyone could offer guidance or suggest resources, I would greatly appreciate it. In addition to epilepsy, my other medical conditions include Narcolepsy, Lynch Syndrome, Migraines, a mutation associated with HLA-B27, and Hashimoto's disease, along with others that escape me for the moment. Currently, I’m on a medication regimen that includes Lamictal, Xcopri, Hydroxyzine, Solifenacin, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Sunosi, Aimovig, and Famotidine.
Navigating the Complexity of Symptoms: Is It PCOS or Something Else?
While I’m not an expert in self-diagnosis, I find myself puzzled by an array of symptoms that overlap, making it challenging to pinpoint what might be affecting my health. Let's break down my situation: - Age: 25 years, Gender: Female, Height: 5’1”, Weight: 125 lbs. - The last menstruation occurred in June 2024. Prior to this, my menstrual cycle was remarkably consistent since I was around 12 years old, typically without severe premenstrual symptoms, heavy flow, or irregularities. - Various blood tests over time reveal that most hormone levels fall within normal ranges, with the exception of estradiol (persistently between 10-20) and progesterone (remaining below 0.2). - A couple of results raised some concerns for me personally, even if my doctors weren’t alarmed: my morning cortisol was measured at 13.4 and in the afternoon at 9.49. One test indicated a TSH level of 2.35, which increased to 3.93 months later. My fasting glucose consistently hovers around 80, whereas random glucose levels were recorded at 68, and postprandial glucose was 65. - An MRI indicated a "deviation of the pituitary stalk, potentially linked to a small pituitary adenoma." - An ultrasound revealed "multiple oval, well-defined, anechoic images with posterior acoustic enhancement, measuring a few millimeters, located around the edges of the stroma." - The symptoms I am experiencing include disrupted sleep (frequent awakenings, particularly around 3 AM, making it hard to resume sleep), lack of energy, difficulty in weight management, persistent hunger, heightened anxiety, and hair thinning. - Birth control (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) exacerbated nearly all of my symptoms, leading me to discontinue use after two weeks despite experiencing a withdrawal bleed. - My lifestyle is generally healthy; I consume a lot of whole foods, engage in weightlifting, and run regularly. Given that I’ve received a diagnosis of PCOS, I’m wondering if this assessment seems accurate. What options do I have moving forward, especially since the contraceptive method didn’t provide relief and I appear to exhibit signs of additional complications such as thyroid issues or cortisol dysregulation?
Understanding My Experience with Overdose-Related Symptoms and Behavior
25 years old, 165 cm tall, and weighing 70 kg. Summary: After sharing a complaint about my interactions with paramedics, I've taken a moment to reflect on their feedback and review the situation through the footage. I recognize that my conduct during those moments was inappropriate, and I am filled with remorse. Subsequently, I have retracted my complaint and am now seeking mental health support. I desire to clarify certain aspects since my medical records do not completely align with what I went through. Below, I detail my symptoms. Yesterday, I made a post on the AskDoctors forum, hoping for insights regarding my condition. The advice I received prompted a self-realization that had evaded me until now. Initially, I was outlining a grievance against paramedics who doubted the legitimacy of my seizures and accused me of feigning the experience. My response was not only disproportionate but also hostile—I yelled, wept, and labeled them as heartless. Such reactions were completely unwarranted and unjustifiable. Ultimately, I was physically stable, with vital signs indicating no critical issues; there were only temporary fluctuations in my blood work, which shouldn’t have raised alarms. I feel profound regret over my conduct during that encounter. Watching the footage incites feelings of self-disgust. I’ve decided to withdraw my complaints and am committed to mental health resources. I opted to delete my previous post since it contained sensitive information about my professional and educational background; I was worried it might provoke disciplinary action from my university, which I cherish as my career gives my life meaning. I admit to feeling cowardly in this respect. The initial reason for my inquiry was a desperate need for clarity about the symptoms I experienced, as my discharge documentation omits much of what transpired in the hospital and the subsequent three days. I greatly value the input I’ve received and hope to gather more perspectives. I fully acknowledge my wrongdoings and find my previous behavior abhorrent. I understand how challenging it is for emergency personnel to fulfill their duties when faced with such a situation. I’ve discussed with family and friends the importance of exercising discretion when contacting emergency services and ensuring it’s truly necessary. I regret taking up valuable resources that could have been reserved for individuals in genuine need of urgent care. My actions were shameful, not just for me but also for my colleagues who work in emergency services; I genuinely believe the clinicians should have distanced themselves from my case entirely. I've canceled my appointment with the neurologist, but I would genuinely appreciate insights from others on this subject. Could excessive doses of sertraline, propranolol, promethazine, and alcohol induce psychological seizures? Is it possible for these seizures to recur? Were my hallucinations indicative of some kind of psychosis? During the episodes, I saw hair-like formations everywhere and everything seemed to emit a blue glow. In the hospital, I consistently perceived doctors passing by. At home, the LED lights appeared to move, and I often caught glimpses of faces in my peripheral vision. There were also auditory experiences, such as hearing things that weren’t present, as confirmed by my friend. Initially at home, I was unaware I was having seizures, although I did hear police officers numbering them and acknowledging them as such. I had three episodes where I was placed in the recovery position. In my medical notes, I mentioned experiencing ten seizures throughout the night, though I can’t verify this. I was seemingly in a continuous cycle of them. I recall at least once drooling uncontrollably and my hands looked peculiar; on one occasion, I screamed when I regained consciousness due to an awkward hand position. I also experienced significant neck pain and discomfort in my feet. I know I fell twice while hospitalized; fortunately, my mother was there to catch me each time, so I avoided serious injury. I was never alone in the facility. Everything seemed to settle down after approximately three days, right around my third visit. I recall a persistent ache at the nape of my neck that left me feeling drowsy, often drifting in and out of consciousness and repeatedly asking for the time. It was a never-ending ordeal, and although I had little appetite, I did not vomit at all. Reflecting on this whole episode leaves me feeling as if it were entirely fabricated. I struggle to articulate it. Conversations about care options unfolded around me, yet I grasped little of what was being discussed. I often replied with “yes” or sought validation from my mother. I remember thinking it was remarkable that my mum had glasses with water in them; I even imagined one of my cats perched on my aunt’s shoulder. Overall, it felt akin to a terrifying drug experience. I do have videos capturing my behavior at home, though I cannot recall anything from the hospital. I often awakened with either my mother, aunt, or medical staff restraining me. Could it all stem from psychological causes? Is it possible that the medications led to a psychotic episode where I convinced myself I was experiencing seizures and on the brink of death? After they subsided, I felt like an automaton for weeks, plagued by involuntary muscle jerks—primarily in my legs and neck. I sincerely hope these symptoms do not return. I intend to avoid emergency care unless it’s absolutely necessary. I seek nothing more than to comprehend what transpired. Thank you for your thoughts.