What do I do?

Friend 68 very ill, will not eat. Just a bite or two. I took her to the doctor, they ruled out cancer. She's drowning in mucus. She's weighs less than a 100 lbs.

Her mother lives with her 87.
She has dementia and recovering from a stroke. I've been here taking the daughter and mother to their doctor appointments.

I got someone through the mother's doctors office to have someone come in and fill the medicine box.

The daughter refuses to let me take her to the ER.

I was told that is her right.

I live 2 and a half hoursrs away.

Advice please, This is in Texas. I'm at my wits end.

You can only do what you can do. Not all pts want intervention. That is definitely their right, unless they are incompetent. You have to respect that.

What is the diagnosis for her "drowning in mucous"?

Probably congestive hear failure, with the lungs filling with phlegm, and it is also likely that she has swelling (edema) of her feet and ankles. Taking a Mucinex tablet, three times a day, and drinking lots, and lots of water will help to clear the lungs by allowing the phlegm to be coughed up more easily. It may also help with the edema, but furosimide (Lasix) twice a day will also help the kidneys work better at reducing fluid retention.  The loss of appetite is to be expected, as activity is probably minimal. However, if she feels better without so much congestion, she will probably eat more.  That is my cardiologist's advice to me, and it works, as I have both COPD and CHF with the very same symptoms. She should see a cardiologist ASAP.

espíritu del lago wrote:Friend 68 very ill, will not eat. Just a bite or two. I took her to the doctor, they ruled out cancer. She's drowning in mucus. She's weighs less than a 100 lbs.

Her mother lives with her 87.
She has dementia and recovering from a stroke. I've been here taking the daughter and mother to their doctor appointments.

I got someone through the mother's doctors office to have someone come in and fill the medicine box.

The daughter refuses to let me take her to the ER.

I was told that is her right.

I live 2 and a half hoursrs away.

Advice please, This is in Texas. I'm at my wits end.

You deserve a humanitarian medal with oak leaf clusters for starters.

Exactly. If it was PE, she has probably passed.

I agree with you RV. No swollen ankles. Agree with mucinex. She will not drink water. Only Dr. Pepper.

COPD yes life long smoker. I'm going to make another appointment with her Dr. Monday.

She had 2 bottles of metropalol. I put one up because she was double dosing herself. I asked. her doctor about reducing the lisinapril due to the 50 pound plus weight lost since her husband passed suddenly.

Her Docter agreed and told her to take half. She doesn't remember and won't do it.

I just feel so helpless.

Well I'm going to go do laundry.

Yes they have money, but live like they don't. Reminds me I need to order propane. I'll pay for it myself.

I brought down, all kinds of food. Already cooked at least her mother is enjoying it.

Today I'm thawing a chicken and making soup.

I put the recipe channel on thinking it might make her hungry.

The only diagnosis the doctor gave was cataplexy and broken heart syndrome.

Yes they have money, but live like they don't. Reminds me I need to order propane. I'll pay for it myself.

I brought down, all kinds of food. Already cooked at least her mother is enjoying it.

Today I'm thawing a chicken and making soup.

I put the recipe channel on thinking it might make her hungry.

The only diagnosis the doctor gave was cataplexy and broken heart syndrome.

Oops sorry double post.

Cataplexy? Are you sure you spelled that correctly? Cataplexy is a specific symptom of Narcolepsy. It does not occur on its own. Ever.

Yes, but she's shriveled up. Anorexic. Bones protruding. Yes I googled it too. I was bewildered when I read that.

New Branfaules or San Antonio are the closest large cities. They live in Canyon Lake.

Since I've had cataplexy with Narcolepsy since 1986, I didn't need to google it.
Unless she has Narcolepsy, she doesn't have cataplexy. Period.
If the Doctor wrote Cataplexy, then I would find her another Doctor pronto. He/She is an idiot.

Insure yes. No to checking vitals. Her feet are cold. I got yelled at for trying to gently brush her hair.. I have been able to get her to bathe.

We had a winter storm here. The electricity has been out but now it's back on. I covered her up with a lot 3 blankets.

I warmed up the car and had her put on a down coat. We went in to town and got breakfast to go hers is still on the table uneaten.

I got her to eat one bite of bananna. I was here for 5 days last week she ate 3 popcycles. A spoon of chicken soup. 3 or 4 bites of pancakes. 1 piece of bacon.

I have to go home. Her mother has mild dementia. I bought microwaveable veggies and chicken with He goes. Her mother is eating well.

ferret wrote:Since I've had cataplexy with Narcolepsy since 1986, I didn't need to google it.
Unless she has Narcolepsy, she doesn't have cataplexy. Period.
If the Doctor wrote Cataplexy, then I would find her another Doctor pronto. He/She is an idiot.

I agree with you. I've begged her to get a second opinion. She refuses.

I've known her for many years. The death of her husband has broken her spirit.

For many years she's cared for her mother. Trust me she's a handful. She also cared for her mother's husband for many years while working.

Family...children-siblings?

What is her blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen concentration? Those are easy vitals to monitor daily. You will need a BP cuff, and a pulsometer. Both are available at drug stores. Does she have a temperature?

WillieRae wrote:Family...children-siblings?

They haven't stayed in touch. Drugs one, mental illness another.

Can you contact social services in Texas for them to check on both women?

Yes, I'm sitting at the doctors office as I write this. She flat out refused to go to the doctor. The mother is fine.

She was hoping the doctor wouldn't see her. The receptionist from last week knew how bad it was.

I'll let y'all know laterwhat happens.

I meant hospital. She said she has to have a referral.
I told her the ER doctor could do that. She said I was full of shit.

She didn't eat nothing since Friday when I got back. Maybe a sip of milkshake. She spit out one bite of pancake and fed it to the dog.

BP 117/67
Blood oxygen 93

Sinus infection and back to broken heart syndrome.
Scheduled for colonoscopy.