Hi Everyone - I could surely use some quick advice...I'm currently at my parent's house today - I came over earlier to try to help since my father wasn't feeling well. It's been a really stressful day - I intend to write a separate post at some point due to the struggles I've had from both parents regarding physical and emotional abuse they've caused me in very recent years - both of them are fully lucid and it's not dementia related at all - it's just who they are. I've tried to distance myself from them as a result, but I'll still help when they need something. It's a long story that I am still trying to understand and work through, but that's for a different post.
For now, there's an urgency that I'm dealing with regarding my father's behavior - he said that he had an upset stomach yesterday (it's not surprising since he said that he ate fried rice from an open buffet from a supermarket...followed by a chocolate donut...and he and my mother went to a Chinese restaurant that evening (not sure if MSG sometimes in the food could also have an effect). So, today, I get to their home and my father is agitated...seeing moving numbers in front of him...seeing things on the ceiling that aren't there...he wet the jeans he was wearing and didn't realize it (which never happened before)..he's blaming me for all this - telling me that I'm doing it to him - saying horrible hurtful things to me (which is his typical personality anyway)...he's slurring his words - if I ask him a question, he answers something referring to a different topic - it's scary and I tried to get him to Urgent Care and he threatened me not to call. I have an appt for him at his doctor's office first thing in the morning and the nurse that I spoke to thought possibly a UTI or bacterial infection - especially since the day prior, he was perfectly fine - he's still functional - usually does his finances, drives, very coherent and very active. Today it's all different. My mother has only added to the chaos today - she's a covert narcissist type.
So, my question is - does anyone know what this is - or sounds like - and if it is a UTI or bacterial infection, is there anything anyone can suggest that I can do to help him this evening - until he sees the doctor tomorrow? This day has been so bizarre and scary and after the prior suffering that he's caused me in my life, it's a very big mix of emotions for me.
Thank you so much for any suggestions you can offer ~
He may have had an allergic reaction to something in the food. It took a while before I realized that MSG causes respiratory distress even if I have a little bit of it. I had trouble breathing, felt as if a band was pulled over my chest and tightened. It took anywhere from 15 min. to an hour to recede, and was frightening.
Between the Chinese food and the chocolate, a reaction is possible. But it's best to get immediate help and find out for sure.
Call 911.
Even food poisoning needs to be treated in a 90 + y.o.
Even if it turns out to be a UTI, it needs to be treated right away. (Not even tomorrow morning, imo.)
Do you not think that calling 911 is the proper response?
I get that you are walking on eggshells, but you shoukd find out if the EMTs think it is a stroke or not.