Guest guest Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 Regarding HE versus analgesics: Joe is in a Hospice. He is confused and at times paranoid and delusional. How much of this is caused by the HE versus the narcotics we cannot tell. Does anyone have any information or help to offer? He does seem to be aware that his thinking is not right and apologizes often, but then he just can’t seem to get the fog to lift. Any help or ideas? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 I personally don’t have any answers as I am dealing with my own little HE monster…that is 9-years-old…and it brings me to tears some days the mean things he can do and say. I have been reading some of the back posts regarding Joe and have been praying for you and your family. I just wanted you all to know that. This darn disease sucks. www.caringbridge.org/visit/noahwmartens Regarding HE versus analgesics: Joe is in a Hospice. He is confused and at times paranoid and delusional. How much of this is caused by the HE versus the narcotics we cannot tell. Does anyone have any information or help to offer? He does seem to be aware that his thinking is not right and apologizes often, but then he just can’t seem to get the fog to lift. Any help or ideas? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 > > Regarding HE versus analgesics: > > Joe is in a Hospice. He is confused and at times paranoid and delusional. How much of this is caused by the HE versus the narcotics we cannot tell. Does anyone have any information or help to offer? He does seem to be aware that his thinking is not right and apologizes often, but then he just can’t seem to get the fog to lift. - Talk with the hospice RNs/MD and ask for full evaluation - you are right, the narcotics can cause confusion. Reducing the dose or changing narcotics can help. To maintain pain control, other medications can be added to augment the narcotic pain relief. HE may also be a factor and adding or increasing Lactulose can help. Lactulose will also help the constipation from the narcotics. The paranoia and delusions may also be a delirium. The hospice team should be well able to assess for the many factors that can cause delirium and ways to treat it. Sometimes it is a simple infection like a urine infection. Other times it is more complex with drug interactions, etc... but hospice is very good at evaluating and treating delirium. Hopefully, the staff are working hard at this. Don't hesitate to ask for more aggressive evaluation for him. Good luck. I'll be thinking about all of you. I'm sorry he is having to go through all of this. The feelings you describe are probably frightening for him. Take care. Joanne (, Ca; mom of , 16, UC/PSC 2-06) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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