Follow
Share

Hello,
I am in an unpleasant situation right now because of the virus - I need some advice but I can't take my grandma to the doctor. I need to get some opinion on whether she's actually developing the above mentioned or if it's something else.


My grandpa passed away 1.5 years ago - they'd lived together at the same house for over 50 years. Grandma lives alone now. Some time after that she started saying that people from the TV are talking to her, waving. She asked if it's possible. In the beginning she was more skeptical but then she seemed to have accepted it. She also started having some trouble using the mobile phones but nothing too bad. I thought it was probably because she was never good with technology and she doesn't know how it works.


However, in the past 1-2 months things are taking a more dire turn. She started saying that the neighbours are going in her house in the middle of the night and are trying to sell it but her story makes no logical sense. She also sensed a strong smell after a night when she thought they were there - like sweat, filthy people. She washed everything the next day. Then she said she saw the prime minister leaving the house one day but she couldn't even say where she saw him. A week later she said maybe she saw him on TV but because it has a big screen and it seemed like he was actually there. She continued with a story about another politician who was talking to her only and giving her signs from the TV to change the channel.


Finally, she also said that a couple of days ago she saw herself in the... first she said "mirror" then "TV", and she thought it was someone else so she started to tell that person about her day and the past months - like that she went to the dentist. At some point she realised it was her reflection. She found the story amusing. Me - not so much.


All of these things she says with a smile. I would freak out if I thought someone was in my place, but her tone was like it wasn't such a big deal. I wonder if it counts as a change of personality - she just doesn't seem that bothered with things anymore but at the same time I know she's really worried and stressed out because she thinks the neighbours are out to get her.


She says she's sleeping but that she also wakes up a few times a night and she gets up to check if other people are in the house.


As far as I know, she doesn't have problems with her daily activities - she does the laundry by hand every day, she goes to the store, etc. Her memory seems fine.


The only other thing is that she says she sometimes gets electrical shocks - the first time was bad, she said something pushed her very hard and she fell and lost consciousness and the ability to move for a while (it's possible she hit her head). For at least a week afterwards she said she was getting dizzy when lying down or getting up from bed. The other "shocks" were small ones, on her hands and feet, one time feeling as if something's crawling in her head but couldn't get it. Other than the TV, the other problems started after that incident where she fell. I learned much later and no one took her to the doctor... and now I can't even get to her, let alone take her somewhere.


Any information or opinion might be helpful, I read a lot but she doesn't really seem to match anything.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Where are you, Diana? I'm just wondering which Prime Minister is keeping grandma company :)
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
DianaG Apr 2020
Hi, sorry to disappoint, but it's the Bulgarian prime minister. Just an ordinary thug with some charm.
(2)
Report
It sure sounds like dementia to me........lots of signs and symptoms are consistent with a brain disorder, including hallucinations and paranoia. I realize now is not a good time to get her to the doctor, but perhaps you can put a call into her primary care physician to alert him/her to what's going on. There is always a possibility that she's suffering from a urinary tract infection *UTI*; is she complaining of a burning sensation or anything when she urinates?

Living alone while suffering these symptoms doesn't sound particularly safe to me, either. I think you'll need to come up with some sort of a plan for her care moving forward. Just something for you to think about and research now, so you can have a plan of action for later.

Best of luck!
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
DianaG Apr 2020
Thank you for the quick reply! I asked her if she would take cranberry pills but she showed no interest. She would get them if she had problems, she takes herbs and pills.

I wondered about the fact that she was aware that she was speaking to her reflection... is it normal in earlier stages? Because everyone says it's impossible to convince the person that it's them in the mirror. And it seems weird to me that she doesn't seem to have problems performing daily activities, with her memories, or getting lost.

I'll have to come up with a plan, I just don't think I can get the phone of her doctor without explaining to her that she's having problems and I don't want to stress her out more. Anyway, I'll be thinking about possible solutions.
(0)
Report
See 1 more reply
She might be having ministrokes. After my father suffered a series of mini strokes, he developed vascular dementia. He seemed fine most of the time with occasional demented behavior. The dementia definitely came and went.

I'm glad she doesn't seem terribly distressed by her hallucinations. A trip to the doctor is in order when you can get her there.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
DianaG Apr 2020
Thanks, it might be vascular dementia, seems to fit better than what I've read so far. Thanks, I'll read up on it!
(0)
Report
Sounds like dementia to me too. But whether or not that is being caused by mini strokes is of particular interest, since it sounds a lot like what my MIL is doing. But unfortunately, she thinks she's fine, and we're the ones that have a problem. :-(
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
DianaG Apr 2020
I'm sorry to hear about your MIL. My other grandma is convinced my mother is stealing from her and that she's trying to take away her house. Of course, we are all the silly ones for not seeing it and she's the one who knows what she's talking about. It's created some issues in the family...

I can keep you posted on the development of the current situation when I manage to take grandma to the doctor. Best of luck to you!
(1)
Report
Diana I agree about the possibilities, but what your grandmother really needs is a brain scan - because there could be dozens of other possibilities, too, some of which must be ruled out first.

Any chance of that at the moment? Any access to medical advice for her at all?

It's the change in sense of smell and the physical sensations that are sticking out like sore thumbs. I know it seems as though you'd be asking a silly question if you called her doctor and breezily said "can you just pop her in a CT scanner..." but then again - people do still need healthcare! We can't just drop all the plates, and it's not like the imaging facilities have all vanished.

So - call her doctor, ask advice. It can't hurt!
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I gave my grandmother frozen blueberries and yogurt this I believe Unswelled her brain! She wanted it regularly, if she would of had protien powder and flax seed oil in her shake she might still be here! I believe fungus and allergies play big roles in elderly health something to consider rather then name calling and testing!! Yes I did have dr pull a ball of cancer out of my grandfather head doctor could not believe it was really a gray ball that caused headaches.. grandma passed of heart & bowel issues from internal swelling I believe that swelling my have been undiagnosed thyroid as she Also had diabetes. Love your grandmother as I’m sure she did you🦋❤️With light wings!!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter