Mum's neurosurgeon mentioned Sundowners syndrome after her 'burr hole' op for acute subdural and whilst she was recovering post surgery. I recall her mood swing (from one extreme to another)sinceand I also noticed mum started to demontrate coupulsive hehaviour paerne.g combing he hair at least 10-12 times,arrangeing her pillows in specific order when she settled to sleep; sheher body from waist downwards to her toes since the creation of an ileostomy for bowel cancer (she is not a candidate for reversal surgery since the subdural haemorrhaege and as she also has cong. hypertrophy of Lt ventricle (which did not and had not troubled her until past 1.5 year as she has suffered atrial fibrilations 3 times resulting from the surgeries she underwent -mastectomy, bowel resecion, radiotherapy, hysterectomy (sametime as bowel resection)
Mum has demonstrated repetitive traits since her craniotomy -she would comb her hair over and over again ( one action which she did not do before her brain trauma. She has, lately become very obsessive with cleanliness -she would wash herslf from waitline downwards repeatedly. She spends about hours total each day just cleanign her perineum; her buttocks and area around the ilesotomy (which she now clims to be very 'smelly' and she would become extremely angry should anyone comment about her actions. As she now also been discovered to have life limiting cancers (stage 3-4) she has become very panic at the slightest change with her ileostomy drainage; her pain level and it has become extremely difficult supporting her. She has low tolerance with pain killers -she seems to be very sensitive to most opiods pain relief (itchiness and loss of appetite ) She stops smiling and in fact she has become a worrier -she panics at the slightest discomfort or any body marks (redness)owhen her mood swing episode take effects x 2 daily. Mum looks very sad and all I cando is pray to the good Lord to give her strength to cope with the pains. I often has to remind myself not to get angry with her as she is one of a kind 'brave' individual (who had already witness her own daughter (my elder sister) suffering lung cancer (a rare type) 48 years ago!!! Now she has to face the same demons herself!!! I just pray the lord willspare her the awful discomfort that most terminal ill patient have to endure. I also am desparate to find out (if any way of minimising mum's suffering of exhaustion from her mood swings (I am pretty sure this drain energy off her!! anyone pleas help. I am most thankful. Anyone can help with pointing me to a website, Juliek
I believe that "sundowning" usually refers to behaviors that occur or worsen at twilight in people who have dementia. Not everyone who has dementia has this happen. I've also heard "sundown syndrome" used to refer to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which is depression brought on by lack of light (such as in winter in northern climates), What you describe doesn't seem to fit either use of the term -- unless your mother's behaviors occur at sunset. So I'd have to ask the doctor what he or she meant, and for any suggestions of how to cope with it.
Has Mother been seen by a geriatric psychiatrist? There may be a medication that could ease some of the anxiety and panic attacks.
Best wishes to you both in this very challenging time.
She thinks I am evil and she has become 'pranoid' at the slightest. I think she hears voices. In short I feel she is really beyond 'help'.She is not due to see the geriatric psychiatrist for another 2 weeks. I took her to the local GP all he could do was just listen. Sadly, shen he told her he noticed that she has lost more weight he last reviewed her, she has become even more paranoid. At present
she has become even more uncooperatuve, she would not allow me to be near her -she keeps calling me 'devil'. The awful names she call me has bcome even more unbearable. I feel really really sad and helpless that I am unable to help her; console her I think she is extremely 'frightened' of dying on one hand and on the other she just 'simply' refuse comfort from both my sister and I. I had made several approaches to the Church that she attends, but so far, I haven't heard anything from them. Meanwhile. I am worry that her fears will exhaust her so much that she will end up being hospitalised ??? then she would be evn more distressed. Please helpyone. Juliek1947
because I have had many friends who although able. actually decided that it 'suit' them better even is for temorary durtion to 'farm' their loved one (mother /father/ and in-law) to spend the last days o their life on earth , die @ a nursing home because it's out of sight, out of mind (or some people refer this act as one of kindness, I rather view this as pure selfishness. For example my mum would inssts that my sister 'settle her' for the night because she believes that my sister does a better job of putting on her pampas in order she can slwwp through the night with no worries of incontinence, I have tried my utmost to persuade mum to allow me to assist in order that she can settle for the night earlier than 10pm. However. who has nil consideraton of the fears mum has and also it's her opinion that I am not going to 'please you' I need my own life so you just hae to wait until I am hapy to settle you for the night @ around 11pm. THis is pure punishment and I view this as being very unkind. I am refering to a sister whom I had always admired since we were very young and she has become such and inconsederateperson. I spoke with her daughter re my concrs for her grandmother (our mum) NEVER offers any suggestion. I again has been really disappointed by them both as I know mum does not have much time with us!!! Yes, I am like you when I think about mum's battle with cancers and the tough life she had lived to bring us up, I forgive her for being so nasty to me. But I still feel very sad that I can't do more for her because mum always beleive her children should have equeal sheare o. That's why she has used sabusive kanguage to 'rub off' me and hoping I will tell my sister off (mum had been during this to me as long as I can remember -making me as buffer between her and my eldest sister who for some reasons dislike mum immenswly and she had accused mum for breaking up her marriage and ruin her life (which is quite untrue, yes mum may have contributed to some degree to my sis relationship my ex- brotherin-law has just as much to be held responsible for the relationship breakup between him and my sister, this his daughter had recently confessed to me how she is not forgiving him for not atending her wedding and had not bother to contact her when she gave birth to his 1st grandson!!! I STILL LOVE MY MUM vry much for who she was BUT FEEL REALLY AND HELPLESS FOR WHO SHE HAS BECOME TODAY -weak confused, agitated and worrisome. Thank (((((hug)))) Take care
I don't think you are going to be able to do anything about the relationship between your mother and sister. If they wish to come to a better resolution they will work that out. Meanwhile, if your sister is willing to settle your mother in each night and that is what your mother wants, be grateful and thank your sister.
Juliek1947, please try to understand that not everyone who places their loved one in a care center does it to get them out of sight and out of mind. I have seen several people in my local support group agonize over how to keep their loved one home as long as possible, and then over the decision to place them. They spend hours every day at the care center. I have just made a decision of where to place my husband if the time comes when I cannot give him the best possible care here at home. This is NOT about what is convenient for me, it is about what is best for him, as far as I can determine that. I am NOT suggesting that you should place your mother. That is absolutely your decision. But when the hospice team suggests it please do not accuse them of lacking compassion. Sometimes it is the most compassionate thing to do. You are entitled to your beliefs and to make your own decisions. Just please don't dismiss those of us who have a different approach as lacking compassion or being self-centered.
Keep a journal of your mother's behavior and symptoms, and discuss this with the psychiatrist. Some additional medication may help.
I've seen some very good results with very small doses of ONLY ONE DROP of risperidone at breakfast ,lunch and dinner .But only her medicine doctor knowns what is the better for her and what drugs she can takes.
One question I have is: was you mom like this before she started taking the Lexopro or was she put on the Lexopro to treat her anxiety, mood swings, and OCD symtoms?