My Dad (74) has been in and out of hospital in the last six months - most recently with heart and lung problems (he 'died' several times but they revived him).
The morphine they gave him had a similar effect - ie the hallucinations. The effects of that wear off relatively quickly - they should all be gone within a weekof finishing the morphine (depending on the dose and on how long they gave it to him ).
But the hallucinations SCARED him, he did not know what was 'real' and what was not. It knocked him about mentally in that way for quite a while, in fact I would say it still scares him, he never wants to go on morphine again.
It is possible that your dad is suffering in a similar way, but expressing it differently.
The alternative is that he has picked up or is also suffering from an undiagnosed UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). They can have very serious effects - delusions, hallucinations etc.
I was recently an observer on a two day course for doctors approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983. They are the ones that can detain you against your will.
The case studies for 'older adults' included a case which sounded perhaps more extreme, but similar, to what you are experiencing with your dad. The advice from the most senior specialist psychiatrist there (to the doctors attending) was to ALWAYS check for a UTI, because the person may need antibiotics not antipsychotics!
Anyway, my advice would be to raise your concerns with your dad's consultant - the ward should be able to give you his/her number. The consultant might not be aware of the symptoms, or that your dad's 'personality' had apparently undergone a change. After all they probably never met him before he was ill.
Anyway, hope this helps and hope your Dad is feeling better soon.
Karen
