Quite a busy week for Mom!
However, today is the topic for this post.
We went to Providence to see a new doctor, this morning. What a difference!
After filling in the paperwork, and Mom needing to review everything I wrote (talk about nerve wracking - she used to try to disagree with my writing down the diagnoses from previous doctors, but today she was mis-reading most of what was there...odd).
For once, she allowed herself to be weighed, as I told her I would wait down the hall and around the corner to provide her privacy. Later, she confessed her weight. I'm not telling, but she wasn't happy with the number.
Now, the primary issues we wanted to discuss with the doctor were her pain in her hips and legs, as well as the swelling in her legs. But first, the doctor wanted to get to know Mom, and to determine the depth of her LBD diagnosis. Her answers came all through the examination!
Mom exhibited a bit of her condition (mental) when the doctor asked her some questions. When she asked Mom something Mom would respond, mostly from her imagination. The doctor would then glance at me and I would be mouthing, "NO!" or "YES!" while moving my head in accordance with the response. The doctor would make a note and was quite respectful with Mom.
She probed and prodded where Mom stated she was having pain. Mom would exclaim her pain, but then moments later when the doctor re-probed the same spot Mom would state there was no real problem with that area.
The diagnosis for her pain in walking? Arthritis.
Next, we addressed her swollen legs. She concluded this was, indeed, Edema. She printed out an article for me on Edema, which explained that the cause comes from Mom sitting too much, and the veins and their parts were collapsing.
Here are two articles that she provided me through Mom's online chart on Edema:
Peripheral Edema: Bilateral and
Peripheral Edema: Unilateral
She prompted Mom to get some compression stockings - Mom was not happy. She hates those! However, we may need to make a trip to find some. Also, she was told that she needed to do as much walking about as possible, and to keep her feet elevated when seated, as in when she is using her recliner. Mom said she did that already - I've not seen it, but I'm not there all the time. She also liked the idea of the massages. She wanted those kept up.
She also addressed Mom's sleepiness during the day. She prescribed Melatonin, and I stated I would bring a bottle by this weekend, but we needed doctors orders in order for them to administer it to her. She gladly complied.
The next step was for her to draw blood. They need to run the tests to see if the Edema is linked to her liver, heart, or kidneys. So, the assistant came in and drew the blood. Mom loved the attention, but wasn't keen on the stab of the needle - which was instantaneous.
She also stated that there was no reason, at this time, for Mom to be taking her Donepezil (Aricept), as that was showing no effect. If it was working, we would notice within a couple of weeks. She stated that it works for about 20% of the population, and that for Mom it may have been a stop-gap measure, insofar as to slow the progression of the LDB, however at this stage, it was apparent there wasn't the need any longer (this was a little sad).
About the Quetiapine (Seroquel), she noted that the dosage was low, and may need to be increased. We will find out quite soon, I'm sure.
So, we have a doctor who actually cares and pays attention! What a difference! Before we left, they linked me up to their system via my phone, and explained how to do it at home on the computer. Simple! And it has so much information! I'm so grateful!
So, next week, I hope, we will have a few more answers. Also, I'm hoping to hear from the neurologist in the near future, and if we can get the two of them to provide some sort of coordinated care, then we'll be doing much better - and there will be peace of mind.
Below, I have added a corny video for anyone who enjoys Ylvis, and the parodies on "What Does the Fox Say?" This is for those who have a good sense of humor - especially those who have worked in the hospital environment. Enjoy or ignore.
I'll be back around Sunday, with the week-in-review for Mom! And pictures, too! Whoo Hoo!
http://youtu.be/yeu1zUf7Qlk
However, today is the topic for this post.
We went to Providence to see a new doctor, this morning. What a difference!
After filling in the paperwork, and Mom needing to review everything I wrote (talk about nerve wracking - she used to try to disagree with my writing down the diagnoses from previous doctors, but today she was mis-reading most of what was there...odd).
For once, she allowed herself to be weighed, as I told her I would wait down the hall and around the corner to provide her privacy. Later, she confessed her weight. I'm not telling, but she wasn't happy with the number.
Now, the primary issues we wanted to discuss with the doctor were her pain in her hips and legs, as well as the swelling in her legs. But first, the doctor wanted to get to know Mom, and to determine the depth of her LBD diagnosis. Her answers came all through the examination!
Mom exhibited a bit of her condition (mental) when the doctor asked her some questions. When she asked Mom something Mom would respond, mostly from her imagination. The doctor would then glance at me and I would be mouthing, "NO!" or "YES!" while moving my head in accordance with the response. The doctor would make a note and was quite respectful with Mom.
She probed and prodded where Mom stated she was having pain. Mom would exclaim her pain, but then moments later when the doctor re-probed the same spot Mom would state there was no real problem with that area.
The diagnosis for her pain in walking? Arthritis.
Next, we addressed her swollen legs. She concluded this was, indeed, Edema. She printed out an article for me on Edema, which explained that the cause comes from Mom sitting too much, and the veins and their parts were collapsing.
Here are two articles that she provided me through Mom's online chart on Edema:
Peripheral Edema: Bilateral and
Peripheral Edema: Unilateral
She prompted Mom to get some compression stockings - Mom was not happy. She hates those! However, we may need to make a trip to find some. Also, she was told that she needed to do as much walking about as possible, and to keep her feet elevated when seated, as in when she is using her recliner. Mom said she did that already - I've not seen it, but I'm not there all the time. She also liked the idea of the massages. She wanted those kept up.
She also addressed Mom's sleepiness during the day. She prescribed Melatonin, and I stated I would bring a bottle by this weekend, but we needed doctors orders in order for them to administer it to her. She gladly complied.
The next step was for her to draw blood. They need to run the tests to see if the Edema is linked to her liver, heart, or kidneys. So, the assistant came in and drew the blood. Mom loved the attention, but wasn't keen on the stab of the needle - which was instantaneous.
She also stated that there was no reason, at this time, for Mom to be taking her Donepezil (Aricept), as that was showing no effect. If it was working, we would notice within a couple of weeks. She stated that it works for about 20% of the population, and that for Mom it may have been a stop-gap measure, insofar as to slow the progression of the LDB, however at this stage, it was apparent there wasn't the need any longer (this was a little sad).
About the Quetiapine (Seroquel), she noted that the dosage was low, and may need to be increased. We will find out quite soon, I'm sure.
So, we have a doctor who actually cares and pays attention! What a difference! Before we left, they linked me up to their system via my phone, and explained how to do it at home on the computer. Simple! And it has so much information! I'm so grateful!
So, next week, I hope, we will have a few more answers. Also, I'm hoping to hear from the neurologist in the near future, and if we can get the two of them to provide some sort of coordinated care, then we'll be doing much better - and there will be peace of mind.
Below, I have added a corny video for anyone who enjoys Ylvis, and the parodies on "What Does the Fox Say?" This is for those who have a good sense of humor - especially those who have worked in the hospital environment. Enjoy or ignore.
I'll be back around Sunday, with the week-in-review for Mom! And pictures, too! Whoo Hoo!
http://youtu.be/yeu1zUf7Qlk
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