[HillmanMinx]

EDIT

Just updating to say my mum passed away at home while we were with her, on Sunday 28th April. We are having a funeral on Thursday. Love her so much. Did a brief goodbye in the loss thread but thought this thread is the one that some people might be waiting for news about xx
















Firstly
- I've called mums doctor. (eta for clarity - the secratary said the following, because the doctor wouldn't make herself available) She said call an ambulance, or bring mum to the surgery immediately. Mum is refusing. We will over ride mum if there is no other choice... but she is distraught, exhausted and tired of her illness. And she was released in more or less her current condition, from hospital on monday.

Her doctors surgery is now trying to organise 'hospital in the home' for mum.

The situation is that mum has had 15 years of heart disease, triple heart bypass, atrial fibrilation, tachicardia, mitrial valve prolapse and COPD. She now also has diabetes and anorexia and probably other things. In short, she is chronically ill. Its all flared in the last few weeks again.

They removed some fluid and stabilised her blood pressure and heart rate over the weekend in hosp. She was sent home Monday.

Since she has been home she has not had any rest or slept. She is exhuasted but keyed up. I have read that this can be a result of end stage heart failure, so fine. But she needs something to get her the rest she needs. And I am looking for options. If you can point me towards any ideas to look in to, be it sedatives, morphine, whatever... let me know.

BUT here is something I have a sneaking suspicion about. When she was in hospital, they started her on prednisone spray for her lungs. They also messed with her other meds, and started her on 3 other new ones, so that confuses matters. But I just have this suspicion that prednisone could be making her hyped up. When she stabilised in hospital, her mind was quite scattered. she was talking more loudly than usual, and faster. It was like she was on drugs (pardon the pun) but you know, high. Or manic. This settled down but probably only because she is exhausted.

She isn't sleeping, and today she cried and cried (I have never seen her cry) about how exhausted she is but cant rest. It COULD be the heart failure, but COULD IT BE THE PREDNISONE?

Im asking because I have to advocate for my mother and do so very carefully and informatively because she doesn't advocate for herself, is sensitive to people doing so, and doctors miss a LOT of things with her because of her unwillingness to do so.

This post has been edited by HillmanMinx: 30/04/2013, 06:43 PM

[irisis]

Hi, I'm sorry you and your Mother are going through such a tough time. I don't have much advice, but maybe ask a Pharmacist at your local chemist? Have the list of meds she's on, and the new ones that have been started and ask them if there's anything that could be causing this? There may be new drug interactions between what she was on previously and what she's on now.

IME Morphine has been the best thing to provide comfort for patients in the end stages (I'm an RN), but I'm not sure about how to go about getting it at home. Our hospital has a community service with many departments, but I think it's easier to have this initiated during the hospital stay. Mybe talk to a GP about hoew to get a referral?

Sorry I'm not much help, but I couldn't read and not reply.

[~~~~!eternit...]

I'm so sorry you are going through this today. I have no practical advice however wanted to let you know that when DS was on a steroid for croup his behaviour was out of control- he couldn't rest one bit. So yes, it could well be the drug doing this.

[soontobegran]

I am so sorry. What an awful thing to be going through.
Is it possible she is hypoxic? That type of manic and scattered behaviour is often the result of low blood oxygen levels.
Is she still on the steroid spray? Prednisone can give people the 'jitters', particularly if they are not used to taking it but I don't think you can presume it is this that is causing her to be this way.
I say to call an ambulance and have her taken in for assessment.
Good luck OP

[mummaorange]

yes def could be the prednisone!!!!!!!!! for sure 100%\

[rjflc69]

While we encourage members to share experiences about their family's health, we cannot allow members to give medical advice for legal reasons.

If you are concerned about the health of you, your child or loved one seek professional medical help via your GP or a nurse on call service for your state.

Fiona
Moderator

[HillmanMinx]

While we encourage members to share experiences about their family's health, we cannot allow members to give medical advice for legal reasons.

gawd I was asking for clues. One day the government is going to screen conversations held on street corners lest they be sued.

mums back in hospital. today has been a joke. medical system sucks.

over everything

[rosiebird]

I think the moderator was referring to the post above - "definitely 100% the prednisone", not your original post.

I'm sorry she's having a difficult time in hospital.

[judy_]

I would agree with the call to try a gerontolgist. At this stage you need someone who can see your mum in the whole. Not someone who will deal with each little medical issue separately.

I can remember when my grandmother was sick and dying, it was time to kick out the cardiologist and get in to a more holistic view. Someone who could consider a best way forward, not a way to continue interventionist heroics on someone who was on their last journey in this world.

[Elemental]

This often goes down like a lead balloon but I'm going to say it anyway...

I'm not sure what state you are in but I would be asking about a Palliative Care specialist. Ideally someone that is going to involve you and your family as well. I don't say this as a "your Mum is about to die" suggestion, but that she sounds very ill and most of the conditions you've listed are not going to get "better" unless there's a reversible component which I presume from the amount of procedures and hospitalisations she's had already you've already been through. Giving your Mum quality of life should be the absolute goal.

Pall care isn't about death and dying - it's not even about disease. It's about the person in the middle of it all and the families around them. And I think they could be helpful for all of you.