Any success or horror stories of anesthesia in an elderly?

FF, you were in a brain fog for over a month ... but you did fully recover, right? (At least your writing seems fine!)

Each time my husband (mid 70s to mid 80s, with dementia) was hospitalized I think it took nearly 5 months for him to get back to his former baseline. This was just from the hospitalization experience, no anesthesia involved!

1teach1cory, I expect that your dear grandmother is going to be at least a little foggy for weeks, whether she has this procedure or not. She has already had considerable trauma with her health. The anesthesia may make the recovery period longer.

It sounds like this decision is hers, but you can try to influence her if you have strong opinions.

Several years ago when my mother was in her mid 80s her doctor wanted her to have some tests for a mass that showed up on a scan. My mother refused, saying "if it is cancer, I will not accept treatment, so what is the point in even knowing? I'm going to die of something. If this is it, I'm OK with it. I've had a good long life." Wow! Her doctor accepted that. (Mom is still with us, so it wasn't cancer.)

I'd want to know from the anesthesiologist what the risks are, how long it stays in her system, etc. And I'd want to know from the doctor what will they do with the information they gather? What are the realistic options for treatment? I'd share this with Grandma.

It is really, really hard to feel responsible for decisions for a loved one, isn't it? Hugs to you, dear caregiver, and please don't feel guilty for whatever happens. We all try hard to do our best. That is all you can expect from yourself!

Please come back and tell us how this all works out.

Are you her medical POA?

If they think she can make her own decisions then it's up to her...

My Mom had gallbladder surgery at 88 and in my opinion after that the dementia became worse.. She's 93 now and at Stage 6 of the Alzheimer stage..

BUT my husbands Grandmother had same surgery at 83 and had no dementia and lived till 94..

Good luck.. I understand your hesitation... It could be nothing serious and she could live a long and healthy life..

I found an article here in Aging Care regarding same. https://www.agingcare.com/articles/how-general-anesthesia-affects-elders-mind-160100.htm

I know when I had surgery to remove a large kidney stone, I was in a brain fog for over a month.

Teach, from what you describe, it sounds more like an endoscopy than surgery. My father had that years ago; he was under light sedation, required in part to suppress the gag reflex.

He had surgeries at 94 and 95 for fractured femurs.

But really, it depends on the individual and what other medical conditions the person has.

One thing to ask the physician who'll perform the procedure is what's the worst that could happen if she doesn't have it done? And can she live with that, and is that acceptable to her and is it acceptable to her family?

I hope you find peace and comfort in the decision you make.

My mother has had a hip replacement and two knee surgeries over the age of 90, with no problems with the anesthesia.

If her doctor thinks it's a good idea to do this, I'd go with that.

I am so glad they got the UTI "craziness" under control.

What will they do with the information they get from this procedure? If they find out the cause of the ulcer, can they treat it? I guess that is the approach I'd take if I had to make a decision for her. What are the benefits of having this test vs the benefits of not having anesthesia?

Unless you are her medical POA AND she is deemed not competent to make her own decisions, it really won't be up to you.

a few days ago, she would not be able to make the decision, but today She could. It is minor just putting s tube down into her stomach. I just don't want to loose her menetally.

1teach, is it general anesthesia or something lighter? Ask the docs. Ask to have a consult with the anesthesiologist if needs be.

I am her durable POA