Mom has been having "crashes" (I have written about them in past posts). They last a couple days each time.
But..we have something new. She is having trouble swallowing. Throat seems to have phlegm. She isn't running any temperature. No congestion. No breathing difficulties.
She had a stroke 6 months ago and had a few months getting swallow function fully back. This has gone completely away over the last two months...and she was cleared by speech therapist. I don't know if that even has any relevance.
I can't figure out if I should get her to ER, wait 4 weeks for a doctor appointment, or what.
Anyone dealt with this? Any ideas?
Hope there is a good resolution to your Mother's discomfort.
For my mom, we went with the Ranexa, an oral med, but not the EECP, a possibly onerous and relatively contraindicated procedure to try to help her heart last longer, and also decided no more hospital trips when what they could do had really maxed out. I absolutely needed to take her for that cardiology consultation where they took the time to assess and explain everything so we understood what we were deciding.
Your mom is right about the doctors. Many feel once a patient gets a certain age then it's better to let nature take its course
She is not coughing. She is on warfarin so aspirin cannot be take also. Because of her heart damage..she also take diltazem at 240 mg.
The last time I asked about the possibility of seeing if she was having small strokes...the answer I got back was.... "and do what?" There is nothing more to do above and beyond what is already being done. The expenses of knowing if she has had more strokes cannot be justified with the certainty that there is no follow up.
Pneumonia has been ruled out.
The period of time between crashes is getting shorter. Just do not know how to help her...and the doctors seem to take it all in stride. Mom has said to me she thinks they are just waiting for her to die.
There are other issues as well with what might be dysphagia. Certain foods can cause coughing, especially meats that are hard to chew. Beef and ham can be hard to chew. Fish should be easier.
Food with crumbs, such as the crusts of toast, bread, some cookies can also cause coughing. Chocolates, especially thick gooey ones, can cause coughing.
Dysphagia diets specify which foods can be eaten and which foods should be avoided. If she coughs with fluids, Thik-It can be added; it thickens liquids so they're not aspirated as easily.
But seeing a speech therapist is key to finding help. I'd do that ASAP.