Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Dear Sirs,

I need urgent help on the present condition of my father. He is 68 years old. Medical history as under:

1) Chronic Diabetes since past 35 years- on medication
2) Chronic Hypertension since past 40 years- on medication
3) Chronic Asthma since past 40 years. Under control. Ventrolin for SOS and Seroflo 250.

4) COPD detected in 2008 due to past smoking habits. He had quit smoking at the age of 35. Was occasional drinker but had quit at the same time he quit smoking.

5) Sleep apnea- Doctors recently diagnosed this. He used to snore during his sleep.

Physical build: Short height (5'3) and overweight.

He did regular yoga and pranayam and hence had no difficulty due to asthma.

Recent Medical condition: He had recently developed over sleepiness which we later on understood was due to low sodium in his body. He would sleep at any time even in the middle of conversation. This condition worsened to such an extent that we had to splash water to wake him up. In the last week of November, the condition became so critical that we had to admit him to hospital wherein it was detected that it was detected that Hyponitermia is the culprit. He was discharged after his condition improved. After few days he again went into the same condition. Blood report showed that his sodium level was 104 whereafter we immediately took him to the hospital. His oxygen saturation was also low- 85-88%. Pulmonary expert diagnosed that his lungs were very weak. He was given treatment for low sodium and was given oxygen CPAP ventialtion which gave him immediate relief. It was also detected that he has chest infection. Treatment with antibiotics and the CPAP ventilation helped him. Infection went down to almost normal level and sodium level increased to 127. He was discharged from ICU and was shifted to normal room. He needed support in walking but overall was okay. His bladder control was lost and he had pain due to continuous use of catheter tube. May have had UTI infection. He used to be uneasy and would not sleep at night due to pain in penis. After 2 days of shifting i.e. on 2nd December, 2015, the doctor felt that he could be discharged from hospital because he looked stable and sodium level were also holding good. However, on the same day after coming out from the washroom, he complained of uneasiness. The condition suddenly started getting worse and before we could react he complained of breathlessness and started shouting. He was sweating profusely and demanded medication for High BP which was immediately given by the attendant. The doctor came and decided to shift him to ICU.When the stretcher was brought, i asked him to get up which he could. But later on we decided that we will lift him while he lying down in bed. While we were taking him to the ICU, he suddenly started to lose consciousness and after about 15 seconds, his tongue came out and he started biting it. That was the time i noticed that he has completely lost consciousness. In ICU he was immediately supplied oxygen through endotracheal tube with the assistance of laryngoscope. His pulse rate had gone down to 30 and had to be given CPR of 15 seconds to revive. He vomited during the process and may had aspirated. Bronchoscopy was done on the same day. He infection went up to 25000 (WBC count) the next day. He had pain induced eye opening but did not open his eyes. After 28 hours, he opened his eyes which we felt was signs of recovery. Since he was not able to breath but opened his eyes, tracheotomy was done after 2 days. His vital stabalized but then on the 4th day he had episodes of seizure on the right side of his body. The initial response of eye opening went away. Thereafter, the next day when the convulsion stopped he opened his eyes for sometime. Sometime he opened eyes after continuous calling but we are not sure whether he recognize command properly. He could blink eyes when told. This improvement stopped because he then developed high fever and shivering. This fever continued for few days. He was given antibiotics to control infection and saline was given intravenously for sodium. Brain CT done twice did not show anything. He was given Chest Physiotherapy because he had developed VAP and the mucous had to be taken out using suction. Since his infection level was not going down, he was shifted to another hospital. Presently, the vitals are stable and he has now developed hypernitremia. He is being treated for bringing the sodium level down.

Homeopathic treatment was being down symtomatically to keep his vitals stable and to treat other ventilator associated infections. Medicines like Cuprum Met, Arnica 1m, Stramonium etc have been given.

He is still in coma since 22 days. MRI down 4 days back revealed that he has Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and the damage is global. The local homeopath had given Opium 1m for consciousness which was followed up today by Antimonium Tart 1m. There is no motor or sensorium response. Neurologist has given up saying that his condition may not improve as the damage to the brain is severe. He also fears that he may go into persistent vegetative state.

We have been believer of Homeopathy and feel that only homeopathic treatment can bring him back. I urge you all to kindly advice treatment to bring back the consciousness without which other conditions will simply keep on deteriorating. Heavy antibiotics like tigecycline and colistin are being administered because the sputum culture revealed Acinetobacter which may be because of ventilator.
His vital stat today was normal. The infection has gone down to 15000.

Anxiously awaiting response. Please let me know if you require any further information.

Regards,
Shrijith Nair