I'm so worried what this could be

[CAW]

Mom has had AD for some years but only diagnosed officially about 18 months back. Dad is caring for her and I am proud of all the things he is doing. I'm living over 100 miles away so get down to see them as often as possible but I wish I could do more. It's been hard to get Dad to even think about getting some help but we are slowly getting there. He told me a day or so ago of something that has kept me awake at night. He says Mom has gone into a kind of 'trance' a couple of times in the last few weeks. Its as if she has fallen asleep and he cant awaken her. Her eyes are open during these episodes and they last a minute or so. He hasn't told the doctor yet and I am probably getting on his nerves by asking every time I speak to him now if he has. Has anyone got any idea what this could be?
I havent posted on this forum before but have read many messages which have been so helpful... thank you to everyone.

 

[ishard]

Three things spring to mind but remember Im not a doctor although I used to be a nurse.

Absences similar to what you describe could/may be either epilepsy, TIA, small stroke type events ( Usually associated with vascualr dementia) or nightime terror.

All three have similar syptoms.

It may be any number of things but I would certainly mention them to the CPN or GP.

 

[Brucie]

I agree with Ishard that it may be one of those things - best to tell the GP.

My Jan had many such events, and on several I thought she had died as there was no sign of breathing and her eyes were wide open. It took about a minute to bring her back.

 

[Mameeskye]

It is difficult living so far away isn't it? For a long time I was but am now lucky to be much closer.

You have had some good suggestions as to what it might be. Just a thought though that if you Dad is nervous about approaching the GP perhaps you could maybe ring and let him know what has happened and he can put your mind at rest.

Whilst most GPs will not talk due to confidentiality I think that one a dementia diagnosis is given they are often able to speak to family members more freely and can maybe help to advise/put your mind at rest or even make an appointment for your Mum.

Good Luck

Mameeskye

 

[elaineo2]

Iagree with most posts.get in touch with the g.p.theses may be "absent seizures",a momemtary lapse of oxygen to the brain which can be brought on through trauma,heart conditions and cognitive impairment,either way i would get it checked out.love elainex

 

[Margarita]

He says Mom has gone into a kind of 'trance' a couple of times in the last few weeks. Its as if she has fallen asleep and he cant awaken her. Her eyes are open during these episodes and they last a minute or so.

I have only seen that happen to my older daughter "absent seizures"

before she was told she had epilepsy at the age of 20 , that use to happen to her a lot , till one day in bed with her boyfriend he wake up in the morning she has her eyes open keep looking at him blankly, and she went on to have a seizures, he come running looking for me .

This happen while we where living in Gibraltar, she had come over with boyfriend for a
holiday to see mum and I .

when we went back to the UK , she would have those "absent seizures" but it did not go on to give her another full seizures ( thank god )
when they done ECG and brain scan on her she was told she has epilepsy . given medication since the she never had an absent seizures" or seizures.



I was so scared when they told her that she has epilepsy as she was having them in the past of the brain that control the memory , as I was thinking back then about my mother and her AZ , memory .

if not under a lot of stress as she was at university at the time and what was happening with mum, me in Gibraltar at the time made those absent seizures worse. she said that when they where happing she felt like a deja-vu feeling came over her . she does not remember anything that was said to her even thought I or her friends where talking to her at the time. they where warning sighs the specialist told us .



so before medication was sorted out , she was having then she just go into her room taking it easy , while I would keep checking on her in case she had another seizures

But its best like every one says we are not doctor so its best just to talk to doctor tell him whats going on with your mother .

 

[CAW]

Thank you

I'll keep on at Dad to report this to the GP, or as suggested, contact the GP surgery myself if I cant get him to do this soon. Thank you for all the replies. This site makes me feel I am not alone.