Post-cardiac surgery question...please!!

[goofy4tink]

My dad had bypass surgery 10 days ago. He did very well. But, evidently he has been hallucinating...a lot!!! He needed to be held down, and restrained while in the hospital, with a guard at his door in case he tried to 'escape'!!! He came home on Thursday, after being in the hospital for a week. So, THursday night, he starts hallucinating again...my step-mom was making chicken noodle soup and my father woke up and told her she had to throw it away, that the vegetables were all bad and coming for him and the vines were trying to strangle him!!! Ah, okay Dad. He went back to bed after she 'threw it away' (put it out on the deck). He woke up again, an hour later, saying the same stuff. She called the doctor (at 12:30 am), they said to take him to emergencey if he didn't stop. Step-mom got him calmed down, they both sat wide awake until 4:30, when dad told her she needed to sleep. He left the bedroom, she went to sleep for a few hours. They talked about it that morning...he said he could feel it come over him but he had no control and felt awful about it.
Now, the doctors say his meds aren't causing this, so???? I'm looking to see if anyone else has had this happen to someone they know. Any insights would be so helpful. My poor step mom, and we don't want to visit him since no one is getting any sleep. Help!!!!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

The first thing I would have them check is his oxygen level. Low oxygen can make a person hallucinate and be combative. It happened to my dad. This is not normal and the primary care doctor or surgeon needs to look into it.

Good luck.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks....I'll mention it to my step-mom today.
Any other thoughts?

 

[nliedel]

None. My father in law had a quintuple by-pass almost a year and a half ago now and he never had any of this. It's very frightening and please do not stop persuing it until you have answers!

 

[Alicia87]

My DD15 had open heart last March 7th, and although she didn't experience any hallucinations, she did suffer from severe post-traumatic stress.

 

[Anne MN]

one of my DD's has had 5 open heart surgeries (she is almost 11) and she has never had the hallunications. other problems.
DH had an alergic reaction in the ER to a drug they gave him- it made him very agressive and wanting to leave- gave him a BIG dose of benadryl to counter it
DD O2 levels run 82 at normal- has been lower, but with her, none of that.
If he can "feel it" have your step-mom ask if it is not too long after he takes his meds. and talk to the cardiologist- they need to know what is going on

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks everyone...wow, I never knew there were so many kids having cardiac surgery. I think I'll add any/all cardiac kids to my daily prayers!!

 

[Kaybee]

I would check his medications that he is on. If he is on any pain meds that could be the cause of his hallucinations. I would also inform the doc too as this is not right. Good luck.

 

[m&m's mom]

My DH had open heart surgery exactly a year ago at 50 and he never had hallucinations. Definitely check w/ the Dr.

 

[mrsv98]

man that is tough.

A quick search found something called "ICU Psychosis" here is an article

ICU Psychosis

and another with a list of drugs that might cause it

Critical Care

one more

Cleavland CLinic

It seems as if a combination of the drugs he is on and lack of sleep might be big factors. In any event, I would definitely talk to his cardiologist again.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks...that was really interesting..especially the part about being sensory deprived. My dad in almost deaf and without his hearing aid is helpless. I'm sending those links to him. Thanks so much for giving those to me.