Metabolic Encephalopathy

By Anonymous January 9, 2011 - 9:33pm

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Hi,
My mom (60 year old) is admitted in the hospital for a week now and doctors tell that she is suffering from metabolic encephalopathy. Couple of days back another doctor had told that she is suffering from Brain Edema.
She is a diabetic and was undergoing dialysis twice a week for almost 14 month. She was keeping fairly good health with occasional sugar fluctuations, pressure losses etc that are associated with these kinds of patients.
A week back, suddenly one day she felt uneasy (but she could not explain what is the concern) and she started speaking incoherently (repeating the same words twice thrice...) and she was admitted to the hospital immediately a day later she lost her consciousness and since then once or twice she regained consciousness. Mostly she is unconscious but restless. She moves around / twists and turns in the bed, tries to remove the feeding tube that is inserted in her nose. So she is restrained in the bed presently. She does not recognize us (but was recognizing when she regained consciousness twice).

Doctors say that they are administering steroid injections to reduce brain edema and she is undergoing dialysis alternative days. Doctors say that there is nothing much that can be done and that they are carrying out supportive symptomatic treatments. Their judgment is that continue this treatment / dialysis and hope for the best.
Appreciate any feedback from the expert panel.
Thanks
Raghu Varma
Ernakulam, India

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Anonymous

Dear Raghu,

My mom (69 years old) has the same symptoms. What was the diagnosis and prognosis for your mom?

October 19, 2012 - 9:16am

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Raghu Varma - Thanks for writing and for sharing this information about your mother. It sounds like her doctors are providing a lot of supportive care, and are also providing information about what they are doing for family members and keeping them informed.

If you are seeking a second opinion on the care that she is getting it would be best to seek that opinion from a specialist in your own country. This site provides information to assist our readers, but we are unable to provide any medical opinions or advice. We have information on our site about this condition which may help you in having those conversations with medical professionals: https://www.empowher.com/condition/metabolic-encephalopathy

We wish the best for your mother and your entire family as you go through this difficult period.

January 10, 2011 - 6:05pm