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What Causes Increased Signs Of Dementia, Confusion And Disorientation While On Oxycodone?
Question: I have a family member who is 80 years old. He has demonstrated mild memory problems for a few years. In the last six months, he retired and then developed serious back pain that has been diagnosed as spinal stenosis. He is currently in rehab. He started taking oxycodone when he first experienced pain and now he is on 10 mg four times a day. He is showing notable signs of increased dementia including confusion and disorientation that is more pronounced at "sundown". His impairment is a challenge for rehab. I am wondering if the pain meds could a factor in his rapid dementia advance. Change of routine and surroundings are also a problem. Any suggestions? The goal is to get him walking and able to do some activities of daily living.
Brief Answer:
Dementia exacerbated by opiates
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear about your family member with recent back surgery and increased dementia. There are several things that would have exacerbated his dementia first and foremost is the oxycodone. This will cause confusion and memory issues but at the same time he needs pain medication to perform his physical therapy. So there is a fine line between too much pain medication and not enough which would hamper his rehab.
The other issues are new environment and new routines. These will quickly escalate dementia. Once he gets back home that portion of his dementia will return to baseline.
I would recommend discussing his dementia with the house staff and see if there is a way to reduce his use of oxycodone. Once he returns home you will have more control over his medications and hopefully he will return also to baseline without the need for medication.
So until he returns home there maybe very little you can do to offset his current decline in mentation.
I hope I answered your question. please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Dementia exacerbated by opiates
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear about your family member with recent back surgery and increased dementia. There are several things that would have exacerbated his dementia first and foremost is the oxycodone. This will cause confusion and memory issues but at the same time he needs pain medication to perform his physical therapy. So there is a fine line between too much pain medication and not enough which would hamper his rehab.
The other issues are new environment and new routines. These will quickly escalate dementia. Once he gets back home that portion of his dementia will return to baseline.
I would recommend discussing his dementia with the house staff and see if there is a way to reduce his use of oxycodone. Once he returns home you will have more control over his medications and hopefully he will return also to baseline without the need for medication.
So until he returns home there maybe very little you can do to offset his current decline in mentation.
I hope I answered your question. please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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