Corticosteroid Recovery

Cloudship · 07-18-2010, 02:53 PM

My mother has liver mets, and was experiencing a blockage of her pancreas. They put a stent in her bile duct, which appears to be clearing up her jaundice considerably. However, after this procedure she now has dementia. she is terribly confused, having hallucinations, and while she recognizes myself and my father, that is about it. At this point she has 1:1 attendants (who I might add does not seem to be doing anything, is that right?) because she has already pulled out her catheter and IV.

The Resident said they ended up giving her steroids because of low blood pressure, two doses of 50mg. They dropped her down to 50 and 25, then 10 and 10. She was a bit better today, but still has heavy dementia. I am assuming (though not completely sure) it is some kind of corticosteroid like Prednizone. He thinks this is from that.

I know heavy dose of steroids can cause this type of condition - do I have anything to worry about or is this common? How long do the side effects last?

Jackie07 · 07-18-2010, 04:03 PM

I looked up the side effect of corticosteroid and did not see anything related to dimentia: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/steroids/HQ01431

Perhaps her cognitive problems are caused by low blood pressure and trauma from all the treatment. Her age and genes could also be factors.

It could very well be a temporary thing. I think it took me full three years to regain my cognitive function after my brain surgery. And the neuropsychologist wrote on my chart that the chemotherapies had added to my cognitive problems last 7 years.

It's a 'use it or lose it' situation. Try to get your Mom 'going'. Exercising has been the best way to restore/improve my cognitive ability. [because of blood flow - oxygen - synapse of the neurons...]

Rich66 · 07-18-2010, 06:47 PM

There's also a possibility of hospitalization induced delirium...not uncommmon amongst older patients. You might ask if they are giving her any psych meds like haldol or ativan. They can have the opposite effect on some people. Infection can also lead to agitation, especially in older people.