For the past approx. 2 weeks she has been nauseous and not feeling very well. The past few times we took her out for drs. appts., etc. she has vomited when we returned home. We have some stairs to go up as we live in split level home and she has to have much assistance getting up the stairs and it seems like after getting up the stairs she is more nauseous and then has to vomit. We have looked into getting a stairlift and were seriously considering this but the physical therapist who has recently been coming over since mom was in the hospital for 3 nights in March after having a TIA. Usually vna comes over after a hospital stay. Physical therapist thought her climbing the stairs would be good exercise and seemed to not think a chair lift would be the answer. But lately mom is nauseous even when staying home and not going out. We just took her to a hospital yesterday to get her checked out and were there for quite a long time as we had to wait and then they did some blood work and a cat scan. Well, everything was normal. Past 2 weeks have taken her to her drs. to be examined and found a UTI but was treated for this with antibiotics and now off of them. All other blood work normal. Mom seems to have no will to do anything much now and only wants to lay down most all of the time. Her appetite is rapidly decreasing. I am afraid this may be the start to the end. She is 89 and will be 90 this year if she makes it to that. Does anyone know if these symtons sound anything like her last days? I am so sad over this whole thing but at the same time can't stand to see her suffering. She hates to take her meds but has usually been cooperating and taking them. It's so sad to see this once full of so much life person just laying on the couch and sleeping so much as we try to keep her awake so she will be able to get a good night's sleep. Any suggestions on how to make her life somewhat better and if anyone knows is this could be the start of the end? I'm sick of this whole thing and very very sad. Thanks to all.
A couple of questions. You say you took mom to a hospital? Do you mean to an ER?
Does mom have a regular doctor? Perhaps one who specializes in geriatrics?
ERs are good for sudden, Catostophic events like falls, sudden loss of consciousness or breathing difficulties. But as you've seen, if you take an elder there with nausea, you have to wait for hours to be seen, because in an er, it's not first come first served. When you get seen depends upon the severity of your issue. They are only checking your mom for the most obvious issues, not the subtle ones.
Does your mom drink enough fluids each day? When I get nauseous,, I'm usually dehydrated. That could also account for the tiredness.
Once there, but not because of being there, she went down hill rapidly. She had no real physical symptoms, but her mind was gone. It was so hard for me to visit and listen to the outlandish things she spewed. She also became combative; this lady who would catch houseflies and release them outside.
I had to develop a talent for putting my shock and horror, and yes fear and sadness too, into a locked box in my mind, at least until I got in the car and could bawl my eyes out in the parking lot. Is there any way to fix a place for Mom downstairs so she doesn’t have to go upstairs? My husband’s hospital bed is smack in the middle of our family room. Have they given her anything for the vomiting? Is it truly sick type vomiting or just “overflow” if she’s just had something to drink? I do know there are certain antibiotics that can make one feel like total c**p. I might also check to see if you can get her doctor to make house calls, or find one that will and work in conjunction with her doctor. Even home health care sends out an RN who reports to the doctor.
Sending you peace and blessings. Come back often and let us know how you’re doing.
Or it could be like Barb mentioned above, being dehydrated. That has happened to me couple of times.
Oh, regarding a chairlift, it is best to find a place where Mom can test drive the chairlift to see if she likes it. Nothing worse then installing one and Mom is scared silly of it.
If so, it can cause he symptoms you describe.
Also, can you have her checked for an ulcer or bowel issues?
She hates old age and always took such good care of herself. I was told years ago that she is a very smart woman and is suffering from depression. She seems to hate to get out of her bed in the late morning. Once in the bathroom she only wants to get back in bed. We don't want her spending all of her time in the bed so we try to let her stay on the couch in the living room and put the tv on for her so she will still be in with us during the day. She only wants to keep lying down most of the time when home. She doesn't have as much of an appetite when at the table lately but if she is lying on the couch and asked if she wants something to eat most of the time she will want something if she can eat it on the couch. Don't know if she is suffering from depression. Recently she was put back on her anti-depressant and hoping she will be feeling better. Again have to realize she is 89 and soon will be 90, so she doesn't have all of the energy she had when much younger. She did vomit again today before going to the drs. and this was when I had to take her from the couch to help get her ready. She hated for me to uncover her and she hated to get up. She only wanted to rest on the couch. I don't know if this is something emotional (her vomiting) as she hates to get up. But I had to get her ready for her drs. appt.
It's very hard to accept that our parents are winding down. At her age, I'd tend to let her do what she wanted to do once you've checked out all possible causes other than just her body winding down.
Can you call the doctor who prescribed the laxative?
Have you talked to her primary care physician about Palliative care or hospice?