Neuropathy Problems Archives

neuropathy

Dr. Stoll,

I take care of an elderly woman that has a blockage in her brain i suspect it is inoperatable. she also suffers from neuropathy i have searched the archives and didnt find what i was looking for. my problem is: when i started working for her two months ago she walked fine with the help of a walker. now she will walk ok on some days but when you try and get her out of bed in the morning she cant move like she is paralysed and in severe pain in her hips and back. she will also talk out of her head. like say things that happened twenty years ago as if they are present and think i am someone else. when you try to lift her to help her to her feet she is like on a stretcher so to speak. from her neck to her feet she is straight and does nothing to move. almost as if there was a invisible board under her from the top of her head to her toes. her family wants to put her in a nursing home but two of her children say no because they dont like the treatment she would be getting there. I have told them that i cant help her if i cant get her out of bed and into a chair. i hae read where this disease is caused by something else. could it be caused from the blockage. i dont know her past history other than she has had a stint put in her artery and surgery on her bladder. she has lost all control of her urinary control. they will take her to the hospital when she starts talking out of her head and they treat her for dehydration(she wont drink anything thinking she wont use the bathroom) and say they cant find any problems and send her home. i have told them that she needed the trained care that a nursing home could give. i am not trained in any medical field just a friend of the family. any link or your views would be greatly appreciated.

Follow Ups:

• Re: neuropathy (Archive in aging.) Walt Stoll 07:49:55 5/09/03 (0)
• Re: neuropathy cindy 09:03:37 5/08/03 (1)
  • Re: neuropathy home care 14:16:15 5/08/03 (0)

In Reply to: neuropathy posted by home care on May 08, 2003 at 08:18:18:

I know nothing but sounds like she needs professional care. depending on herage a GOOD nursing home wudnt be too bad. maybe a home care nurse ?

Follow Ups:

• Re: neuropathy home care 14:16:15 5/08/03 (0)

In Reply to: Re: neuropathy posted by cindy on May 08, 2003 at 09:03:37:

That is what i thought but they keep calling me telling me to come in. They called me today and told me that she was in the hospital again she went in sunday for this and now she is there with pneumonia which i think it was from being in the hospital for 4 days without getting out of bed. they put a cath. in her and she was basically paralized for those days other than a therapist coming in to work her legs. so we will see how long she stays in this time.

In Reply to: neuropathy posted by home care on May 08, 2003 at 08:18:18:

Hi, Home care.

This is probably not primaraly neurological but muscular.

I would say that you have done your best. If the family is wealthy they need to provide you (as the primary care giver who knows her best) with a personal physical therapist and a regular big strong person (BSP) to help you do the PT recommendations all at home. At least the BSP and you will have to be there 24 hours a day to even attempt what the family's expectations seem to be.

You will have to be careful that the family does not blame you for not being able to do an impossible job.

A good personal care facility would have the personnel to do what she needs but the family would have to be willing to pay a premium for that kind of care.

It sounds to me like she is terminal and not long for this world.

Walt