My grandmother recently suffered a bad fall resulting in a broken neck and back. She was recovering well until she suffered from a UTI hospitalizing her for a week. Since then, her mind has still not came back fully. She was starting to show early signs of dementia, just telling you the same thing 4 or 5 times in a discussion, but it has become increasingly worse. She can't tell the difference between a phone and a tv remote. When she is told or asked a simple question, she seems to always answer with "I don't know" or "I forgot about that". I asked her dr about it and he said very rarely does a UTI create permanent deficits like this. Has anyone else expireanced something like this with a loved one? How long have you seen the effects of a bad UTI continue to take control over a mind? It's been almost 2 weeks since she has been treated and returned to "normal ". What should my next step be?
Talk with her Dr. about her symptoms. I'm also curious as to whether your grandma had surgery as a result of her fall. Anesthesia can wreak havoc on dementia.
Ultimately, I think CM is correct, that it's another UTI. Call her doctor to discuss. And find out about home testing for UTIs, going forward.
But with UTI's it caused strange effects... such as my Dad seeing ants on the walls and in his food. Once the antibiotics kicked in, the ants started to go away.
Falls were the main culprit for my parents memory issues increasing.
After she came home from the hospital she was quickly back to normal, doing all the housework, etc. The doctor recommended caregivers to which Mom shooed out of the house on day 3.
Then a week or two later, another fall where Mom had once again hit her head. Thus another brain bleed, plus a blood clot elsewhere, but this time it took a fair sharp person who was 98 years old, it put her into the last stages of dementia, and she wasn't able to walk or even stand ever again.
So, this past UTI was treated with oral antibiotics but, even after her course was done, her dementia seemed to be even worse. Her Doctor basically said that this was our new norm as she is aging and that is what happens when we age.
Nope, another fall and a hospital visit two days after completing the course of antibiotics. And, of course, the hospital found a UTI. After IV antibiotics and four days in the hospital, she has given a clear sample. No UTI (for now). But, it looks like this increased level of dementia is here to stay.
Problems from a concussion can last a year. Your primary should check for another UTI. They don't always clear up.