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whaleyf Asked October 2020

My good friend seems to be losing her mind. Does anyone have an idea of what's going on?

Any idea on what's going on? Neighbor is 87. She hears music that isn't there, is having an affair with a guy that's in her mind only, makes meals for him and when he doesn't show because he isn't real, she tosses the food out. She tells her neighbor to be careful what she says because the guy can hear her. Asks neighbor to listen to the beautiful music that isn't there and woke a neighbor at 2 in the morning looking for boyfriend that isn't real. Knowing all this, her family moved her to Indiana to be near family and she didn't handle the move well at all. Now she's in the hospital to see what is causing all this. She wasn't like this just a few months ago. She went from an active, intelligent adult to someone scary. She did have a UTI a few months ago but the hospital says she doesn't have one now. Any ideas on what's going on? I had her as a neighbor and am worried sick about her.

sjplegacy Oct 2020
Your neighbor is experiencing both hallucinations and delusions. What's causing them is hard to tell. She should go thru the dementia screening process and maybe that's what they'll do while she's in the hospital. I'm sure they'll go thru the bloodwork protocol to see if there's medication interactions, thyroid issues, plaque buildup or other contributing factors.

We all wish we had neighbors like you who look after their friends.

NeedHelpWithMom Oct 2020
This is sad. So sorry. Hope you find answers soon.

Best of luck to your friend.

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AlvaDeer Oct 2020
It is good news she is in now and will be tested. You may soon have some answers from diagnostics. But certainly we would be the last to know what this may be. Are you in contact with her family, with the POA? You may never know what caused this if family doesn't wish to share. Sorry for all your friend is going through. A note to the family involved in her care might help. Tell them that this seems so sudden, and you are so worried for your friend. Offer any support you can give them, and that may help insure you are somewhat informed as things go forward.
whaleyf Oct 2020
Yes I'm in touch with her son. He called me to tell me about it. He's out of state with her. He's keeping in close touch and keeping me up to date. (she has wonderful kids). He called today with an update (see my other post)
JoAnn29 Oct 2020
Since the hospital says its not a UTI, then I would say a stroke of some sort? Dementia is a progressive thing, not overnight. Seems like her family stepped in and hopefully they will find out what caused this sudden psychosis. I hope too, that being a neighbor for years, the family will keep you in the loop.
whaleyf Oct 2020
Praise God the son is keeping in touch with me. In fact he had called me to begin with to tell me what was going on because he knew we were trying to get in touch with her and worried that we couldn't. (He's a great guy). They are thinking that it may be medication she's on or even because of a nerve block she had during surgery. She's in a phyc. nero hospital right now as they really can't just let her go back to her apartment without knowing what it is even though she's doing a lot better today.
Isthisrealyreal Oct 2020
I agree with glad, she needs medical intervention.

It could be a stroke, hospital delirium, infection, etc, etc.

Are you able to stay in touch with her? Will her family share her status with you?
whaleyf Oct 2020
Yes, the family is keeping me in the loop. See my other answers for today's update. My son has phantom hearing (opera singer) but his is due to having a brain tumor removed. But seeing a guy who isn't there and thinking she's having an affair with him was really weird. She is doing better. See my other posts on this.
gladimhere Oct 2020
She may have had a stroke, or the UTI may be back. Either way she needs to see a doc.
whaleyf Oct 2020
When I wrote that question she was in the hospital being checked out. I talked to her son today. They have ruled out UTI, dementia and a few other things like Parkinson's and stuff. They think it may be from medication she's on or even a nerve block she had for surgery. She has moved to a psychiatric nerror hospital and today has stopped seeing and hearing things that aren't here. She's not ready to be home (new apartment) until they figure out WHY this happened.

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