SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

My FIL had that SM. he got much better with no delusions/paranoia after lots of B vitamin and good nutrition. He was not good at learning new things, but he could remember and he no longer thought we were trying to poison him.

Praying that it makes a difference for your brother.

Your family and brother are in my prayers. It is never easy.

Hang in there Sister. I have seen patients recover to an almost previous level of function an do ok. It does take the dreaded 4 letter word though. TIME.

He obviously has a lot of healing to do. This can take upwards of a year. Keep pushing and fighting for rehab of he cognizant enough to follow instruction. I second the dbl dose of thiamine as well. He is going to need some help and support and will have good and bad days. Encourage your sister to work with the Case Managers and Social Workers to start coming up with a plan of attack and figurin out what insurance will and won't pay for.

It is a sad situation but he is on the right path to recovery now that they have figured out what the cause is. He may need meds to keep him emotionally happier, and get rid of the angry, scary, delusions.

My mom had a second hip replacement surgery April 2012. She JUST came home December 2013 (back in the hospital for two week right now).

She developed an infection in the wound that required numerous follow up surgeries.

When admitted at the ER (from the rehab center where she went after surgery) - she didn't know who she was. She smoking (imaginary) she was chewing gum (imaginary) she was laughing at the comedy she was watching (ah, no tv - imaginary). And although some of it made me laugh...I was scared out of my mind.

Some days - she thought she was a spy. I would have to cover her head with a pillow case and she refused to acknowledge or speak to ANY of the nursing staff.

Some days she was an author.

Some days she was doing charity work in another country for children with AIDS.

Some days she screamed and cursed at everyone - at the top of her lungs.

Some days I would walk up to her room and hear a full conversation - with no one - and then she would tell me that my aunt was just there and I must have missed her. Or it was my niece... she saw little people in closets, climbing out the ceiling tile (they were repairing her tv so she was okay with them ).

ETA: At one point she had to be restrained because she would pull all her ivs out - spurting blood all over the room and then tell me and my husband that the nurses there were responsible and not gentle enough with her. She called my husband a "turd" and told me that I "had to know you aren't intelligent enough to write a book, TheHardWay".

I could go on. This was in patient - and no one could tell us wtf was wrong with her or if it was permanent - a stroke? brain damage? medicine? What???

It took a while but she eventually did come all the way out of it..... she remembers bits and pieces. She has had a very very very rough road - but is determined to walk again!

We were told that the anesthesia and medicines mixed with stress and some health issues basically didn't allow for her body to get rid of the toxins and anesthesia correctly.

I wish your brother well in his recovery.

[This message edited by TheHardWay at 12:33 PM, March 20th (Thursday)]

I've seen vast improvement with proper nutrition, sobriety and occupational therapy rehab. But there are usually some mild intellectual deficits left over.

Thanks all for continuing to check this thread. Thank you all for the encouraging words. We will be positive, but also aware of the hard journey. My big Sis believe the dose they are giving dear brother is 500 mg twice a day. She is going to double check on that. Does that sound like way too much?

The case worker has found a rehab facility that sounds perfect for dear brother. It has a psych department, medical dept. and physical therapy. All things that our brother needs. They are coming to visit him today to see if he is a good candidate for their facility. It is an acute < (I think sister said acute) long term facility. We know it will be a long journey.

Prayers to you, SMS and family.

SM, how's your brother doing?

Oh, little turtle, thanks so much for asking. Very kind and thoughtful.

We were getting so scared that our dear brother was gone forever. About 2 weeks ago he started to come out of the horrible place his mind had gone, too.

He called me about 2 weeks ago. Told me he got his diagnosis. I said "Really? What is it?" he replied "I'm nuts!" It was the first time since his surgery that he had his old voice and sense of humor back. He still was a little fuzzy and wasn't sure if a man in the hallway was a hallucination or not.

Just today I spoke to him and he seems to be totally back to his old self. Totally clear minded and remembering his life and what is going on. However, he doesn't remember even coming in for surgery or the past two months. He was excitedly waiting for the man who is making his leg to come and make a cast. He has lost 50#'s and really didn't need to lose that much maybe 20#'s at most. He is working hard in PT and his leg is healing well. He is feeling good and happy to be alive. He is determined to live a healthy lifestyle, no drinking or smoking. He doesn't ever want to go through this again.

SSM your post made me smile!

Sounds like he found it, his mind I mean.

Great news. Must be a relief for all of you.

Don't worry about him not remembering. He doesn't need to. I believe that post illness amnesia is actually a gift.

Tell him to keep up the great work.

So glad to read your latest update, SMS.

..definitely great news!!!

smy

Wonderful!! I got goose bumps reading your post. I'm so happy to hear things have turned around for the positive.

I just found this thread as I don't often come to off topic.

Sister, I am SO happy to hear that your brother is back!!!

(((HUGS))) to you all!

This is a really positive update. So glad to hear this, SMS.

Thanks all!

Hi SMS!!!

I am not usually in the mood for Off Topics, but I did see this post of yours.

I am so happy that I found this after your dear brother has made a turn-around. Now I may offer a "Good For You Sister and Brother!"

May his health continue to improve and may both continue to be encouraged.

Lovedmesomehim

What a wonderful update!!