They have done CT scans, MRIs and ruled out all physical issues. Then sent her home with no next steps. We have been waiting 10 days for an appointment with a psychologist to diagnose her issues if it is age-related. She is 75, 100 lbs, we can barely get her to eat and walk to the kitchen. She won't get out of bed for anything but the bathroom, she says she is tired and doesn't 'feel well". She is sometimes mentally confused but not always. She is on 13 medications !!! I realize we need a diagnosis but until then how can we get her moving or do we wait for the 'experts'?
I understand why you feel so helpless and it is so frustrating to try and make an appointment and they put you off for weeks when you need someone YESTERDAY. If it is nothing physical then a psychiatrist may be able to help but you need to see if there is a way to reduce all those medications. There is a liquid called Megace (a prescription) that you can have her drink to increase her hunger.
God Bless You and Your Mom!
This makes me so happy, I am tearful:) first intuition was the meds.
Keep us posted on her condition:) xo
We got her started on thyroid meds and it was like a light switch went back on. She quit the crying and had some energy again. So if your mom hasn't had her thyroid checked, that may be another thing you can consider, after you get her medications checked out.
I worked in a pharmacy years ago and the one thing I learned from the pharmacists is that medicines are their specialty - not the specialty of doctors. Doctors DON'T understand how meds work with each other the way pharmacists do.
Go to the website for consulting pharmacists at ascp dot com (I don't think I can put a link in here so I have to spell it out). They have a search area to find a senior care pharmacist in your area. I think you can also do a consult over the phone if there are none near you.
Good luck and please keep us posted!
My mother's doctor prescribed St. John's Wort. My preference is SamE but I cannot find a liquid version. Mom has been sleeping/napping for two days straight, would not open her eyes and would barely communicate with me. I opened up two St. John's Wort capsules and added it to her liquid supplements.
After a few hours she began to talk to me, wanted to know what her food options were and that her coffee should be hot not cold.
The next step is to get her up but getting her to talk and eat is a major victory.
Mom is only on one med.. Since your mom is on many meds, be sure to check with the doctor to see if St. John's Wort is an option to deal with your mom's depression.
I think that when they sleep, parents are young again and in charge. They open their eyes and feel the creaking of a much older body Given their realities, sleep allows them to escape.
Hope this helps.
Her regular doctor has admitted he doesn't know what to do and has not helped in any way. She has an appointment with him tomorrow. I will be speaking my mind! The doctor we have an appt with in 2 days is a specialist in Geriatric Psychotic Disorders, Adult Psychiatry, Dementia, Geriatric Mood Disorders, Mental Retardation, Forensic Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, Brain Injury, Psychiatric Issues in Neurological and Medical Primary Illnesses.
His office asked for all medical records and MRIs so I am hopeful he can help. I can't believe they dismissed her from the hospital with no 'next steps' or assistance on what to do next. They just threw us out saying she is fine physically. I am so angry with the system. Thank you for your answer. I needed to speak.