Connect
hypoxia-induced dementia (medical malpractice)
In April 2025, my sister experienced extreme bradycardia. She went into the hospital a voracious reader and fully cognitive patient. The day after being admitted, she was like a zombie. An MRI showed white matter issues and doctors said she had dementia.
I knew this was not normal and have been researching since. A new test and AI searches proved me right. Her PCPs extreme negligence over more than a year (gait issues were really hypoxia-related, not sedentary behavior), followed by the failure of the hospital to properly monitor oxygen saturation, led to her life altering and irreparable diagnosis.
I'm pulling together all medical records in advance of a discussion with a medical malpractice attorney while urgently trying to get her an appointment with a pulmonologist with hypoxia pulmonary experience to find a way to keep her walking, stop additional impact to organs, and stop the dementia from advancing.
I am so angry! I've been researching for so long to understand how this came to be and how to resolve it. If only I knew sooner, moved her to another PCP, took her to another hospital when she suddenly became ill with bradycardia.
She's in such pain. A few nights ago, she cried and said "I want my mother" (who's been dead for over 40 years. I can't stop crying, I will not stop until all involved have been fired and are no longer able to work in any medically-related position.
I have to quickly move her from the negligent PCP because 1) her PCP must provide a referral to pulmonary, and 2) I hate the PCP ore than ever now that I know she's responsible. I've been trying for so long and MA has almost no PCPs accepting new patients.
I'm trying to understand what to do next - I believe an appointment with a hypoxia pulmonary specialist is critical. If anyone has input on steps to take, please respond.
Thanks for reading through this long, sad post.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.
Connect
Have you considered the possibility that she may have had a stroke. You might want to consider a vascular neurologist.
I'm very sorry for in this situation. And that medical personnel aren't working at figuring this out.
Bless you both.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions@gently I can assure you that I have medical records and tests that prove how this came to be, and I'm creating a detailed timeline to accompany the records to share with the malpractice attorney. I instinctively knew that what happened was not natural. I'm so incredibly sad to know that her severe complex medical issues did not have to happen.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactionstrishcnwma, I wasn't intending doubt about your instincts, timeline or value of the lawsuit. And I should have phrased my response more carefully.
I was only thinking about any opportunity for recovery.
Bradycardia can be caused by low oxygen. And in any case low oxygen can cause dementia.
There are mechanisms for triggering the plasticity of the brain. Timing is crucial. It's troubling that you have to wait for medical intervention. Even if the cause were entirely pulmonary, the effect has been neurovascular. i worry that even complete pulmonary remedy won't restore the effect on cognition.
I was only suggesting that she might benefit from a consultation with neuro.
It's wonderful that you are taking care for your sister.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI am so sorry to hear about your sister and the fact that you are having so much difficulty getting answers to your questions and appointments to see if there is anything that can be done for her. I don't think that her medical team have any real incentive to get to the bottom of what happened in the hospital. It is possible that she had the beginnings of dementia when she was admitted that then showed up on her brain scan even though she had no apparent symptoms at the time. It is also possible as someone else suggested that she did have a stroke which is more likely given the sudden deterioration that you saw. But this is usually detectable with imaging. As a former radiology nurse, I would think that a stroke would have been seen when she had her brain scan. So it is understandable I think for you to look for other causes. Here's what I would do. Keep rattling their cages. Contact the Patient Care Representative or ombudsman of the hospital where she was treated to help you get more information about what was done while she was in their facility. "The squeaky well gets the grease". I have no suggestions for getting a new PCP as I know that there are PCP shortages everywhere in this country, more so in smaller locations. Regarding the liability of her medical providers I would ask the Personal Injury Attorney that you have contacted to go over all the medical records that you have. He/She will ask a medical expert in that field of medicine to review the files and records. I know this because my husband was an OB/Gyn who was frequently asked to review records involving claims of medical malpractice in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Sometimes the attorney will get more than one opinion. The opinions will inform the attorney if there is a basis for the claim of medical malpractice. Usually the attorney will not take the case if there is not enough documented evidence to support the malpractice claim. In the meantime I would, if you have not done so already, demand that her current PCP address your sister's pain. There is no reason not to offer your sister some relief. Perhaps you have already done this. This is such a sad and terrible turn of events for you and your sister. Please keep posting here if for no other reason than to vent your sadness, pain and frustration. May God bless you and your sister.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions