Hello, please if anyone could help me on this subject,
My father (59) was slepping one night and he let out a loud grunt and my mother try'd to waken him but was unconscious for around 20mins, was took to a+e and done alot of tests, they put him on epilepsy tablets plus aspirin.
This was about 7 months ago, my family have started to notice past 5 weeks that his mood swings are awful and the bad language.
This is totally out of charter for him, we are getting worried and would like to know is anyone else is going through this.
He is a proud man and will not see a doctor or does'nt think that anything is wrong.
Thank-you in advance
You know, my Dad had a stroke a year or 2 ago and he has since gone a bit aggresive, mood swings etc. When he had the 3 rd stroke and they did some brain scan they found he had 2 previous strokes.
After a lot of investigating on strokes and after loads of talking to him it turns out that as he has difficulty communicating and also as he (feels) he has so little control over anything (as everybody is sorting out his stuff for him) - he gets moody because he can't have control and can't say so - because of the stroke he finds it difficult to find words - in his head he know exactly what he wants to say but the words don't reach his mouth.
So. for instance, if they give him brown bread he will throw the whole plate to the floor and stomp off, swear or be downright rude (as he only likes white bread) - the centre where he lives now then pumps him full of drugs to control his moods - in the meantime it is frustration!
If I were you I would take him back and ask them to see if maybe he's had a stroke. Nothing to be scared off as after a stroke sometimes abilities are lost or moods are 'created' - but this can change in weeks or months to come. At least if you have a correct diagnosis you know what your are dealing with.
2 of my dad's strokes went by without anybody noticing anything - it was only on the scan that they could see the 'lesions' on his brain. People do not have these mood swings etc. out of the blue - there is s cause for it so maybe take this further.
Explain to your Dad how it is affecting others in the family and see if he will have the tests for you, or your Mom or whomever, if he won't have them for himself. If he acts out of character or is moodey or uses bad language, point it out to him. Also, talk to him, maybe he doesn't want any test or doctors because he is scared and not just proud......
Hope this helps you a bit.
Hi Tracey, sorry to hear your dad is having problems. I'd agree with Jobelle and get your dad back to gp to get a scan done. Personality changes like these can be the result of brain trauma for example when someone has had a head injury or stroke. There are support groups and medics who specialise in helping with these things but unless the problem is identified your dad won't get the help he probably needs.
Persevere with getting him in for a scan. He may be aware there is a problem but not know what to do about it.
Best wishes to you all
Thanks
Hi just a quick reply to say thank you for your your replys, to nice to know that other people take time to read your problem and write a reply back.
I will keep an eye on my father and hopefully get him sorted out soon, i know he has'nt time on his soon, buts its sad the way some people will not see a doctor, just set in there ways, plus on the other hand some old folk jam the doctors door 7 days a week.
But...thanks again for your advice
"The Lord Doesn't give you a heavier Cross To Carry"
Tracy,
Just another thought. As your Dad is not somebody who knocks down the door to the surgery (and they can see that by his notes!) - maybe you can talk to his GP - explain it all to him and get him to do a house visit. Once he is there it will be easy for him to either check some things or to make some kind of assessment. Doesn't matter how long your Dad has left, it is about quality of life, his, as well as yours!
This worked for my Dad in Holland and once my Dad had seen him a couple of times he was happier going to see the doctor at the surgery, and the Dr, knowing the circumstances, was happy to pop around to see him at home....