This morning my father had trouble waking up my mother (55F), is not usual for her and took him 3 tries to get her up. Upon getting up she was acting very strange, almost like she was out of it and very confused. She was just looking around a lot, moving really slow, not speaking, and not really responding to anything. After about 25 she was back to herself. But once again, she’s acting strange. My sister went with her to take my niece to school and said the entire time she was driving she didn’t not say a single word, she was tapping her hands on her steering wheel and legs, clearing her throat a lot, and even sent a text to my father that made no sense(though she drove perfectly fine). As soon as they got home she went back to sleep. What could be the problem? Should she go in?
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She needs to go to an ER as soon as possible. While there are other potential causes this is concerning for a stroke or a TIA (essentially a mini-stroke). The sooner she gets seen the better.
NAD - Just to add to this, it seems obvious, but OP, do not let her drive again until after being seen by a physician, please. She definitely should not have driven this morning following such behavior.
NAD but adding in here that my MIL was acting in a similar manner and I took her to the ER. She’d had a pretty significant stroke although it took days in the hospital of watching her symptoms worsen to understand the full extent. I also discovered she had been driving the day prior to my speaking to her & realizing something was wrong. When I went to her house to take her to the ER, I found the front end of her SUV banged up. She had an episode of double vision while driving, the first symptom, and hit a construction barrel on the road, but kept driving and went home not realizing what was wrong. It was very lucky that she did not injure herself or others. ER ASAP!
piggy backing off of this. ER NOW!!!! this is alot like what happened to my nan, it was a series of mini strokes.
Yep this is exactly what happened to my friends mum and it was mini strokes.
Right, don't let her just go and sleep, she could have a bigger stroke in her sleep.
I don’t know what to do at this point I’m at work and everyone’s saying she’s fine because she’s acting fine at this moment and “looks fine” and is insisting that she’s fine. Nobody is listening
You call emergency services and tell them you need a welfare check/ambulance to come check on your mother for altered mental status/possible stroke. Send them to her address.
This!! Please this
Even if her symptoms are gone right now, she still needs to be seen asap! The underlying issue that caused those symptoms might still need urgent treatment.
Dont wait, ER now
Are you able to take time off from work without being fired so you can go get your mom yourself?
It really is that serious.
NAD. When my mother had a Temporal Global Amnesia, this is the way she was behaving. She was able to function - albeit in a less tuned in way, she was able to drive. And she kept on telling everyone she was OK. But she wasn't. Your mother needs to see someone asap.
NAD but my brother had a small stroke which resolved while he was at the ER, but they determined it was caused by a previously unknown heart defect which required surgery. She needs to go in.
DO NOT WAIT. Leave work and take her to the ER NOW. WHY ARE YOU WAITING?!
Why are you at work? Even if she’s fine right now, it’s likely going to change at any moment. It’s very likely she’s having a stroke or mini strokes that can lead to a major one.
Update us please.
NAD, my mother had similar issues and was experiencing a hypoglycemic episode. When paramedics got to us, her blood sugar was at a 27, definitely another thing to consider as well. I know I’m a bit late to this post so I hope all is well with you and your mother. 💛
Your mother needs to be seen in the ER now. An abrupt change in mental status is a medical emergency.
Did you get your mother to the ER? Is she ok?
Any update?
UPDATE: Hey everyone! I’m sorry I’ve been mad busy and this time of the year is chaotic as ever so I haven’t had the opportunity to sit didn’t and give an update.
Firstly, thank you all for your concern and sharing your thoughts/opinions it’s greatly appreciated. Her episodes have been attributed to her thyroid issues (Overwhelming stress may have also played a role.) As of now she is home, well, and back to her usual self as if nothing has happened.