seeing and hearing things that are not there

texasruby · Oct 29, 2003

My father had mitral valve replacement 2 weeks ago and has been recovering wonderfully until about 2 days ago. He has started seeing and hearing things that are not there. He also says he feels like he is walking on air at times. The doctor thinks this could be caused from a sodium imbalance. His potassium is normal. Does this sound normal and is it just a result of major surgery?

Nancy · Oct 29, 2003

Sometimes pain medication does that, is he on any? There is also a residual reaction to anesthesia which can last for a while and has many peculiar manifestations, including vivid and scary dreams.

But, barring anything medical causing it, I would vote on hallucinations from pain meds. My husband has had those. If it's from meds, they will go away once the medication is no longer needed.

How's he feeling?

hensylee · Oct 29, 2003

Barring an age factor, I would go with Nancy. Those drugs can cause so many things. Brother is on meds that used to cause this (he has Parkinson's + heart issues and is on much med) but the dr adjusted the med and this is no longer an issue.

bvdr · Oct 29, 2003

I would agree that it probably is from the anesthesia, pain meds, or electrolyte imbalance. All these things are correctable and at this point, regardless of his age, I wouldn't assume that this is a permament condition.

It sometimes happens with any major surgery and is not necessarily connected to valve replacement.

Welcome to our boards and please keep up informed on how your dad does OK?

texasruby · Oct 30, 2003

Thank you all for the information. He goes tomorrow to the doctor for blood work and a check up. I know things will work out. It's just scary to see him go through this.

sylviayasgur · Oct 30, 2003

hi texasruby!
welcome to this wonderfully supportive and informative site.
how old is your father?
i know that joey, my husband, the patient, was given percoset after his surgery and he hallucinated for days until they realized that this was the culprit. when they changed his pain meds the hallucinations went away.
i also agree that the anesthesia can be a little disorienting to patients.
please let us know what the doctor says today.
all the best, sylvia