Mom's persistent clammy, sweaty skin is concerning me. Any advice?

This is mac. I'm a retired RN and a mbr. here based the fact that I am my own care-giver! I have no one to rely on. Anyway, your question prompts this thought....sweaty skin can be sign of cardiac problem. Better be talking w her doctor about this I'd say.

If she does have CHF, it's controllable, if treated in time. What Aferrino needs to do is find out what's happening first before making decisions on quality of life. My father's 97 and has been in CHF numerous times, but we know the signs now and get to the ER fast.

Your mother needs to be seen by a different doctor - ASAP. Has this doctor run a complete bloodwork panel on her? Your mother's symptoms are not normal. If she isn't having a side effect to a recent medication change, then there's something else going on. I've learned painfully the hard way not all doctors are trained the same. Your mother should be taken to the ER NOW for a look over - or at the very least, she should be taken to an Urgent Care facility - but make sure this facility is staffed with a doctor. Does your mother have her wishes written down for you to honor? I know this is a stressful situation for you but you need to think about her quality of life instead of quantity of life. At her age, does she really want to be poked and prodded like a farm animal? I know this sounds cruel but, really, her quality of life is the priority here. Besides the skin issues, how is her overall health? Get a second doctor opinion on your mother's symptoms and then make thoughtful decision on what should be done.

Aferrino, I hope you didn't interpret what I said as doubting that your mom was having these symptoms. She needs to be evaluated by someone who is trained, hopefully when she is having the symptoms.

I was going to suggest the same thing as Pam suggested before I even saw Pam's second post. It sounds to me as if Afer's mother might be diaphoretic - weak, shaky, sweating, cold...

Afer, does your mom have swelling in her legs or anywhere else? When you get her pulse and sat rate, what are they? She might be in congestive heart failure. If so, it's an emergency and necessitates a trip to the ER - STAT.

Has she been diagnosed with any heart conditions?

If you don't have a pulse ox to take her Sat rate, you might want to seriously consider calling EMS to do a quick evaluation and see if she does appear to be in CHF; if so, they'll take her to the ER.

I wouldn't wait on this.

Go through her medication list and see if any list the side effect "diaphoresis" which is a fancy word for sweating.

If she is alone, are these symptoms observed by anyone, or is she self-reporting them? It is important to verify by seeing this with your own eyes. Learn how to take her temperature, BP and O2 saturation and heart rate. Learn what is normal for her so you know when something has gone wrong. Keep a log with date and time.
Finally ask her if she wants to be taken to the ER or if she wants no more poking and jabbing. Use a form called a MOLST. Follow her wishes, even if she says no to further treatment.

Your mom is 90 and lives alone. She experiences these sudden feelings of cold, sweaty and clammy while alone? Has anyone been with her when these occur?

In other words, are these subjective feelings only or has someone else been there to take her temperature , her bp and her 02 level when these occur?

Is her doctor a geriatrics doctor?