Dad was admitted for a bone infection and an abscess on his spine- which was causing him tremendous pain. One week later, he is still in so much pain that he can't move. He cries out when the nurse raises the head of the bed to give him his medication. He is taking oral oxycodone (he's been on it for years), and morphine was only given twice. He is seeing things that aren't there. He asked me to get the birds out of his room and got angry with me when I didn't see them. Last night he called 911 numerous times, so the nurse unplugged his phone. Have any of you seen this (experienced this), and how long does it take to resolve?
This is very different from what I call spiritual visitors who visit some people at the very end of life. They may be loved ones who have passed before or people they don't recognize and seem to bring comfort.
I'm so sorry to hear what you're dad has been going through. I know its very hard to see your dad like this and its good of you to try and find out what is happening. I think so many doctors underestimate the side effects of medications. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
They gave me morphine, to which I am allergic and wow---hallucinations-- visual & auditory for about 4 hours. Stupid Dr. didn't bother to read my chart that I am allergic to morphine. It was horrible.
Now, I was 57 at the time, hardly "aged", but I know that elderly people can and will react much more violently to meds. I did fall out of the bed, and just plain fell several times--embarrassing, but I thought I was OK all the time--and I wasn't. It took a couple of days for all the s/e to go away, even though they changed the pain meds.
Your poor dad is dealing with a serious infection, probably doesn't respond to strong painkillers as he's been on them for years, and so delusions and hallucinations are a strong possibility. They can sedate him, I know they finally did for me, after I became frantic and hysterical. (SO embarrassing to remember this!) so ask for something to calm him down--he's miserable and there are a lot of options for pain besides morphine. I was on Dilaudid, which didn't make me nuts.
BTW, Bone pain is the absolute worst!!!!! I can't even imagine how bad the pain must be for your sweet dad.
Perhaps it's not common but does happen. She was very reluctant to take pain meds afterwards. At the end of her life she was given morphine and again reacted negatively. Some people can't handle the drugs necessary to relieve the pain. Some can't handle the setting or perhaps a combo of the two. Hopefully your dad will be through the worst soon.