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Spouse with Alzheimer's passing out
My hubby, who has Alzheimers has "passed out" 3 times in the last year. The latest incident was three days ago. Has anyone else had this experience? If so, have you gotten any input on what it is and how to handle it? Would appreciate some guidance. Here is the situation:
Sitting outside eating lunch. My hubby had a beer… temps in the low 70s. We were sitting talking to our cousins who were visiting. Conversation was flowing but all of a sudden he just went blank. Did not respond to anything. Eyes open but non-responsive. His head went down, started snoring and sweating. Tried to get him up from the chair to lay him down and get his legs up but he was dead weight. Could not move him. Having experienced this before I thought he would come out of it. It lasted longer than I was comfortable with. Called 911. They arrived within 10 minutes. Got vitals… all were fine. He finally came out of it and responded when the EMT called his name. He also urinated in his shorts. The EMTs got him up and into bed. He slept for about 2 hours and then was fine to go out to dinner where he was totally alert and engaging. No meds change and he sees his cardiologist regularly and no issues there. He is not on blood pressure meds which sometimes can cause this.
Help, please....
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Could be a seizure. Need to consult with a neurologist to see what occurred.
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5 ReactionsWe have been in touch with our neuro at Mayo. She is having some tests run.
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2 Reactions@terrilynne I just know you were so frightened! But, also know that you acted sensibly and took the right steps to get help. I’m so glad that you let his neuro know. They are the experts, you’re the wife and caregiver (and nurse, and chauffeur and cook, and entertainer and…)
Has he been able to talk to you about the episode?
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2 ReactionsYes, it was frightening. He has no memory at all of the incident. Not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing. We have scheduled an EKG of the brain next month. She wanted to do an MRI but he can't tolerate it so that is off the table. After the EKG we have to get an appt with a seizure specialist. Appointments are really difficult to get. They are totally booked until Feb when the next set of spots opens up. Wish we could get in sooner. Thanks for the support.
I may have put the wrong test. not sure if it is an EEG or EKG. It is the one with the tabs. You can tell I am not a medical person. Just wanted to clarify.
@terrilynne an EEG would be the test your husband is to have. You said that there are no appointments until February. Have you asked to be put on a cancellation list?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/eeg/about/pac-20393875#:~:text=An%20electroencephalogram%20(EEG)%20is%20a,lines%20on%20an%20EEG%20recording.
Here is Mayo Clinic’s information on EEGs.
Has your husband been OK since the incident?
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1 ReactionThis was very helpful. Thank you!
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1 ReactionThere are open MRI’s and meds they give for anxiety.
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1 ReactionPeople with Alzheimer's disease are estimated to have anywhere from a two- to six-fold increase in the risk of seizures compared to the general population.1 Over the course of the disease, anywhere from 10 percent to 26 percent will experience some form of seizure, both apparent and non-apparent, according to research from the Baylor College School of Medicine.2 While it is still unclear which mechanisms trigger seizures, there are certain characteristics that can place an individual at higher risk.
Among the two most common types of seizure seen in people with Alzheimer's:3
Partial complex seizures are those in which you become unaware of your surroundings and engage in unconscious actions such as fumbling, lip-smacking, wandering, or picking at clothes.
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are characterized by all-body convulsions and are often accompanied by the abrupt loss of consciousness and/or bladder control.
Time Matters
Most seizures last anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes. A seizure lasting longer than five minutes is referred to as status epilepticus and is considered a medical emergency.
Having two or more seizures is classified as epilepsy.
Hope this helps to understand.
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