Would like to say hello to everyone and share my situation. I am here for my mother and myself. About 4 weeks ago my 87 year old mom fell in her bathtub sustaining a scalp laceration, 3 cm hairline skull fracture and very small subarachnoid hemorrhage per CT. She was in hospital for 1 week. The SAH resolved within 4 days but the day after admission, her labs showed that her electrolytes really dropped esp potassium and sodium. She had mental changes which slowly improved as her electrolytes returned to normal and she came home after one week. She was weak, of course, but mentally pretty normal. Then, one week after being home, we noticed she had trouble forming words and had aphasia. Back to hospital to rule out stroke. CT was okay, sodium was a little low and the doctor said she needed to drink more, at least 2-3 liters aday. Admitted her for care and treatment with Cavinton IV but the next day she was really upset and demanding to go home. (she hates hospitals anyway) Couldn't be reasoned with, definitely not 'with it' as far as the need to stay. Anyway, they let her come home with the stipulation that she would return everyday for 3 days for IV therapy with Cavinton (vinpocetin) which is widely used in this part of the world. After which she was officially discharged and started on tid oral Cavinton. For a while she was improving but now progress has slowed. We had to decrease the dosage as it just seemed to make her symptoms worse. 3 days ago she seemed actually better then bam, after the medicine dose she started having problems again with saying what she wanted and finding the right words. On top of it all, using the stove is giving her difficulties, which is a new issue. She has trouble using the right word for items and sometimes puts things in unusual places (dentures in kitchen sink this a.m.!) She has trouble reading although now her eyes stay on the proper line and don't seem to 'rove' around the page. An improvement.
We received no info from the doctors about what to expect, prognosis, home care or anything. She is really resistent regarding any idea of going into a rehab center.
Despite all the problems she is having, I realize how lucky she, we are that she can do so much! But she gets depressed, of course and scared. I try to keep a positive mindset but it is getting harder.

I really do need a place where I can vent, cry and get advice!

I'm sure there is a proper forum here for this post but honestly I am too stressed to look for it.
And we have no earthly idea why she fell in that damn tub in the first place!

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

The elderly do get low sodium spells. This is called hyponatremia. But drinking MORE water is usually not the solution to that. So I am confused about that advice.
If she were just dehydrated, that would be a different situation.

Here is more on the subject
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071707/
Antidepressants in the SSRI category also may cause this but rarely.

Also, some elderly patients when traumatized develop low thyroid in response. So I'd make sure they did a thyroid test on her while she was in the hosptial. Low thyroid can give mental confusion symptoms.

You know when a person hits their head, the brain can move about inside the skull and other parts may be damaged.
There is also a condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus:
http://www.lifenph.com/
This can present with cognitive issues, incontinence etc. The blow to the head may disrupt the circulation of spinal fluid, and if it builds up it can cause this.
http://www.lifenph.com/symptoms.asp

It can be very difficult with a very elderly patient therefore.

I think you'll need to see more doctors, and perhaps get another opinion.

(((SuzieQ50)))

I'm so sorry your dear mom had such a nasty fall! She is so fortunate to have such a caring daughter to help and look after her.

God bless you both!

I had the same question regarding the issue of low sodium and drinking more water...basically was told she should eat more salt and drink more! Her hemoglobin and hematocrit were totally normal and they never checked her urine. The doctor kept saying she was dehydrated because her lips were so dry and her skin turgor was poor.
She's not on any antidepressants, her thyroid was normal, her follow up CT was normal. She is supposed to get another followup CT hopefully this coming week. Of course, with the holidays and all scheduling is problematical. Hopefully also to see a neurologist.
It is so heartbreaking to see what has happened. Despite her age, she was mentally pretty sharp until this fall. This feels like a nightmare. I keep thinking if she would only consent to some time in a rehab center but then I think that a strange environment would just make it harder for her to cope.

Thank you for the links. I checked out the NPH, the other will take a bit more reading. I wonder about post concussion syndrome? I hope tomorrow I'll have the time to look through the forums more. The days just seem so short right now...

I'm so sorry to hear of the struggles you and your mother are having...
but so happy that she has you!!

Here is a link that may help you...

• Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome
  • http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

I understand you are very busy... but when you have time please feel free to roam around and join in anywhere!!!

You have found a wonderful place full of very kind and caring people who share a wealth of knowledge.

If you have any questions or need any assistance please don't hesitate to ask... someone will always be along shortly to assist in any way that we can.

I look forward to seeing you around the board.

Abbie