Yesterday my mother had the best day she'd had in a long time. She didn't take a nap at all, she even ironed some clothes and helped with making dinner. This was great, because I was having a really bad day with my fibromyalgia, so was able to go in and take a nap and not worry about her.
Today looked like it was going to start out ok, but then she said was feeling shaky, so we decided she needed to get some food into her. She went into the kitchen and had some fruit items, and I left her there, while I went to fold towels while my husband was in the family room. The next thing I know, he is pushing Mom back to her room in her walker (it has a seat) because she needed to lay down and was too weak to walk. When I went in to see what was going on she was shaking so bad she couldn't even get her glasses off. She does have an essential tremor, and the neurologist has said she MAY have early Parkinson's, but not sure yet. Since her hospitalization last month, she has had some cognitive decline that I am concerned about. More forgetfulness, inability to do her taxes, things like that.
I took Mom's blood pressure as soon as she got into bed, and it was normal - 129/72 with a pulse of 80. Not sure if I'm overlooking anything here. She is not diabetic, her blood sugars have always been normal, she eats very healthy foods.
Does anyone have any ideas why she would have such a good day one day and be bedridden the next? Thanks for your input.
But, definitely worth keep track of as Jeanne suggested and mentioning to her doctor during next visit. I did find taking care of 3 elderly that they all at some time or another experienced shaking for no known reason that would disappear. The aging process can be an enigma and even to the doctors who try their best to properly diagnose problems. Also, one thing to keep in mind is that the person dealing with these aging ailments can become depressed on some days and just not feel like doing much; but better another time. Take care and hope she improves.
I don't know about ups and downs as they relate to your mother's conditions. It is something to talk to her doctor about, I think.
What I am familiar with is dementia, and "good" days and "bad" days are very much a part of that condition. It is especially characteristic of Lewy Body Dementia, with also includes symptoms of Parkinson's. In LBD sometimes the changes are from "good day" to "bad day" but from "good hour" to "bad hour."
You might want to keep a log of her ups and downs, to discuss with her doctor on the next visit.
When you said that when your Mom was feeling shaky all she wanted to do was stay in bed, that is exactly like my Mom. She hasn't been positively diagnosed with Parkinson's yet, but when she was last at the neurologist, he had her place her hands on her lap and count backwards from 100. The further she got, the worse her tremor got, until he stopped her in the mid-60's because she was shaking so violently. He said that it was an indication that stress made the tremor worse, and that can be indicative of Parkinson's. He couldn't put her on medication at that time because she had just been released from the hospital for a gastric bleed, and he said most of the Parkinson's medications are hard on the digestive system, so to wait another 3 months.
Caregiving is the hardest thing I have ever done. God bless you for loving and caring for your mom.
It's so scary.