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He has to be woken up to eat. I am the caregiver for my father who is 89 years old. I have seen him in the last few weeks decline from a fall that injuried his left eye severely. He had to undergo surgery on his eye and the Dr. is trying to save his sight in his left eye. He needs to have another surgery this week which required him to go under anesthesia again. He cannot open his left eye and he hurts from the pain. It’s been 3 weeks since his first eye surgery and he had become very confused and sleeps all the time. He has to be woken up to eat but literally falls asleep sitting up. These characteristics appeared all after his fall to his eye. I have seen a decline in him since this last fall. We thought it was from the anesthesia because for an 89 year old man with heart disease to go under anesthesia it can be worrisome. He is suppose to have his second eye surgery this Thursday and I am concerned about his confusion and him going under anesthesia again. He complained of his head hurting him pressure and I had taken him to ER over the weekend where they did a CT scan of his head and chest X-ray and they all came out clear doctors said. They attribute the pain he has is caused by the injury he did to his eye. I’m worried and not sure why my dad is sleeping all the time. Just wondering if it is safe to undergo another Er surgery where he will have anesthesia. Worried this will confuse him even more. Nothing has changed in his pill regimen either. There have been no new meds introduced. He has high blood pressure as well. Just worried about him and not sure what I should be doing as the next step for him.

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If you are concerned about Dad’s eye surgery and the anesthesia, I would have a heart to heart with the surgeon’s office. Tell them what you’ve written to us about Dad’s pain and lethargy. Sleep may be the only way he can get relief from the pain. He’s not on any pain meds? No new BP meds? I know my BP Med knocks me out like Ambien used to.

If you don’t get anywhere with the eye surgeon, call his regular doctor. I know anesthesia does knock elderly people for a loop, but you need to find out what’s going on and what you can do.
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JoAnn29 Aug 2018
I don't think ur BP med should be knocking you out. You may need an adjustment.
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Anesthesia is very difficult on elderly people as you said. I would imagine that is what's causing his lethargy and sleepiness. But like Ahmijoy said, speak to your dad's doctor and express your concerns.
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Thank you for the feedback. I have spoken to the drs and they insist that it is due to his eye injury. I know my father would want to have this second surgery. This surgery on Thursday is so important because it’s to possibly help him repair some of his vision. Drs aren’t too optimistic but they need to go in and clean up the eye. I feel like my dad is giving up. Eye dr said that keeping his eyes closed is probaly what’s more comfortable for him. I honestly don’t know what to believe. I jut can’t stand seeing him this way. he has been confused as well in the time of day it’s is as well.
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Ahmijoy Aug 2018
If Dad has dementia, what he’s doing is called “sundowning”. They can’t tell the difference between 3AM and 3 PM. My mom had it. It most likely has nothing to do with his eye injury, but if he’s sleeping a lot, he may not be fully awake and this confuses him even more.

I know it's so difficult to see your dad in this shape. It hurts your heart. It makes you feel helpless. Do the best you can to make him comfortable. Come back after his surgery and tell us how he (and you) are doing. Prayers for a successful surgery.
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I would talk to the anesthetist. You can find out who it was by calling the hospital. I guess a concussion was ruled out.
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i don't really have anything to offer as far as medical help

I just know how hard it is to make medical decisions for a parent. and never knowing if im making the best decision. and it makes your heart ache. looking back on my mom and dad. what I did for them, seemed to work out for the best. my dad passed away in 2015 age 92(almost 93) and my mom is almost 89.

and sometimes it seemed I got one situation figured out. only to have another problem pop up. 

they are going to continue to decline. no matter how hard you try to keep them healthy.
and its scary/stressful having to be responsible. but if something happens, you must understand its not your fault. I can tell you care very much. I worry a lot too about everything. my moms dementia, her teeth, her eyesight, falling ect ect ++ ....bottom line...shes just getting old and I have no control over that :(  I wish you good luck taking care of dad.
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