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Brain And Lung Cancer, Confusion, Put On Ventilator. Brain Surgery Done. Treatment?
Hi, My sister has brain and lung cancer . She has brain surgery and was doing okay. Friday night she got very confused and we couldn t get her in bed. She went to the hospital and was put on a vent and removed because of carbon levels. Does that make any sense? Today she had a burst of energy and was much more lucid. Is this normal? In three months she has had brain surgery and fell and had a hip replacement . She is also very close to dialysis .
Fri, 30 Aug 2013
Hi,
I think I understand what you have described. In your sister's case, her confusion may have been due to high carbon dioxide levels. This may have been caused by the effects of the brain cancer which can affect the breathing pattern which, in turn, affects the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. When she was put on a ventilator, her breathing would have been better controlled. This would have lowered her carbon dioxide levels to normal and her confusion would have improved which would have made her more lucid.
If you would like to ask any further question, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger,
MBChB FRCA
I think I understand what you have described. In your sister's case, her confusion may have been due to high carbon dioxide levels. This may have been caused by the effects of the brain cancer which can affect the breathing pattern which, in turn, affects the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. When she was put on a ventilator, her breathing would have been better controlled. This would have lowered her carbon dioxide levels to normal and her confusion would have improved which would have made her more lucid.
If you would like to ask any further question, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger,
MBChB FRCA
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