I have a friend who is 82 yrs old. She has been suffering back pain for months and has been taking Oxycontin 20mg twice daily for some time. She had a fall and had to postpone surgery, She had operation few days ago and has major behavioural changes. Prior to this she was showing signs of confusion, memory loss (asking same thing over and again) depression and lethargy. Staying in bed all day etc. She went to hospital 2 days early to prepare for operation as she has had a heart triple by pass and now is being monitored regularly for heart failure. She became very unsettled her first night and showed strange behaviour; pulling faces and poking her tongue out at nurse. She was given a fairly high dose of morphine to settle her as surgery would be called off if she did not settle. Since operation she has become increasingly difficult; throwing things; pulling out cannular; spitting out medications and abusive to family. The doctor has mentioned dementia; could this be from oncomiing dentia and she has not coped with change of enviroment? Long term oxycontin use effected by more meds? Medicine combinations not working? I would appreciate your opinion. Robynne