Hallucinations when sick with fever or dehydration?

Hi All, I am new to this forum, I live in Bucharest, Romania. My dad, 77, has been diagnosed with AD last summer (August 2015), after a pulmonary infection with fever. He started to hallucinate and to agitate, my mother was so scared that we scheduled an appointment to a geriatric doctor. After MMSE, his score was 23 from 30. The doctor diagnosed him with AD initial stage and put him on Exelon patches, 9,3 mg. All went well until this May, when he contacted Clostridium Difficile and had again fever and diarrhea with dehydration and started again to hallucinate and to be very agitated. I was in the hospital for infectious disease for 10 days, then he continued treatment at home...after getting a bit well he stopped hallucinating; after 2 months he had a relapse and again hallucinations and agitation. After 4 days again in the hospital, now he seems to be stable, but very weak. He has been now evaluated and he is AD stage 2 - mild to moderate. He is taking now also Ebixa 2/day and Depakine 1 in the evening. I don't know what to think, is this Alzheimer's or another type of dementia? He is confused and hallucinates only when sick with an infection (fever). Did someone on this forum experienced this situation with his/her loved one? I would very much appreciate your feedback, I am very worried and stressed and love my father very much. Thank you, guys. Anca

Thank you, Steve for your quick reply. It seems that Sundowners keeps them agitated in the evening and during night. My father sleeps well most of the times, he is only confused with hallucinations when he is sick. Doctors say that is Alzheimer's, but I still wonder. I am very afraid for him not to get sick because of these behaviors.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your father's diagnosis. Every Alzheimer patient's experience will be different, but my father went through pretty much the same thing that your father is going through. I know how frightening it can be.

My father experienced many infections in the latter stages of his disease, and his doctors explained to us that whenever he had an infection, it would affect his mind, making him have hallucinations and erratic behavior. He wouldn't know us or where he was and even forgot that my mother had died during these times. He would have terrible bladder infections, but once the infection subsided, the hallucinations and such would go away. But he would go through that over and over. But he did have good days in between and we tried to enjoy those times as best we could.

My father's Alzheimer's affected the functioning of his organs and that's why he would experience the infections. Keep in mind that Alzheimer's can affect any part of the brain, including the body's physical functions.

You are welcome.

My father passed away 3 years ago from they physical complications caused by the Alzheimer's, but he died with his short-term memory still mostly intact. He knew his children, but his long-term memory had faded and blurred. He never lost his knowledge of his faith in God, though, and he was at peace about dying. As difficult as it is to lose a parent, there comes a time when you know it's their time to rest from their suffering and let them go. Both my parents died from debilitating diseases, and as much as I miss them still, I would not have wanted to see them continue to suffer as they did. They had lived long, full lives, and were ready to go.

Daddy's neurologist said he probably had it for many years before we started noticing any symptoms. We were suspicious that he had it years before his diagnosis, but we weren't sure because he was under tremendous stress trying to care for my sick mother for about 10 years. We didn't know if it was just the stress or actual Alzheimer's. Daddy had 3 or 4 uncles/aunts who were diagnosed before him, so we weren't surprised when he was diagnosed.

You have probably already noticed that you and your dad have changed places. He is now like your child.

Don't try to argue with him on anything. If he says he doesn't like what you're wearing - just agree with him.

The good news/bad news is that he'll forget what you talked about in a matter of hours.

Both of my parents can get down right mean and nasty with everyone..... Two hours later they can can be sweet as can be. My sister and I were concerned that mom might get kicked out of the center she is in. Luckily the head person explained that they expect and are used to dealing with the meanness and that they are seeing some good progress... Not to mention they won't kick her out. YEA!!