Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

her temp has been around 37 degrees since she went in to hospital, no more no less.

Not sure where the fluid is, will find out, but I am assuming if the dr said it collapsed her lung, it must be within the lining, otherwise if it was inside her lung, it would have swelled, not compressed? that's my understanding

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Is the fluid actually in her lung tissues, or in the pleural cavity ie outside the lungs within the lining?
Makes a big difference, if its in the pleural cavity it most likely is a severe pleurisy. Is she running a high temp?
Edit: as it's draining so rapidly I expect it's in the cavity..

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

I'm so glad you kept on at them and they found this before your Mother was discharged!
I did mention at the outset that it was unusual for congestive heart failure related fluid to come on so rapidly to such a degree, and its usually bilateral.
There are numerous other possible causes, particularly the pneumonia, but in view of the fact that she had a "stroke" I'm beginning to wonder if she also had a pulmonary embolism. I'm sure that's something they'll investigate now this has come to light. She will undoubtedly feel much better quite quickly as the fluid drains away, it must have been making her feel so ill.
Sending more good wishes, and do let us know how she gets on...
Elsa x

I asked her doctor if it was likely to be pneumonia, and he said, well its a type of pleurisy (think that's how its spelt?), and that was it. But as you know, that can just simply mean, fluid on the lungs, doesn't really say anything else, truth is, he doesn't know as yet.

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Thanks guys, yep, as soon as shes fit enough I will be seeking a private second opinion.

Due to see her this afternoon so will let you know how shes feeling. I know where they have put the drain in is really uncomfortable, but I should imagine the relief on her chest will outway any of that.

Strangely enough she told me the other day she noticed one side of her chest appeared to have shrunk compared to the other, I shrugged it off, but it seems now her lung had collapsed due to the fluid. so its all starting to make sense.

She said they have reduced a lot of her medication, and a nurse said, she had a couple of pills in the morning still, sounds like they have taken her off most of the statins, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors and are just giving her diuretics and antibiotics, im not sure, but I will double check, this may confirm they are now rethinking the original diagnosis.

Luckily, I get the feeling her Dr thinks I know what im talking about so is quite happy to speak in depth with me about her condition, so I will keep on top of it all.

[MrsD]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

so glad they found it, just goes to prove that you can never ever let up on the questioning if you don't feel it's going well. just because they are doctors doesn't make them infallible, just keep being a bloody pest until they get her sorted, I'd probably ask for a second opinion now, so that you can get to the facts.

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

I'm so glad you kept on at them and they found this before your Mother was discharged!
I did mention at the outset that it was unusual for congestive heart failure related fluid to come on so rapidly to such a degree, and its usually bilateral.
There are numerous other possible causes, particularly the pneumonia, but in view of the fact that she had a "stroke" I'm beginning to wonder if she also had a pulmonary embolism. I'm sure that's something they'll investigate now this has come to light. She will undoubtedly feel much better quite quickly as the fluid drains away, it must have been making her feel so ill.
Sending more good wishes, and do let us know how she gets on...
Elsa x

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Oh she is really frustrated! the dr left it to me to tell her how much longer she would need to stay for lol, he said he knows how eager she is and didn't want to be the bearer of bad news. What a guy.

I bloody knew such a rapid decline in symptoms didn't tally with her diagnosis, but when all you have is professionals telling you something you shrug it off.

If the dr comes back and says he doesn't know what caused it, its not the end of the world because the drain itself will correct things, but I have read a study where it was reported that a pulmonary oedema was associated to the contrast agent used for an MRI scan.

My mother has never had an MRI until recently in hospital. Although there were some fluid on the lungs prior to admission, the rapid increase fits, as does her other symptoms.

Ill mention this to the dr, depending on what they find, or don't find.

[cymruambyth]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

It's a very worrying situation for you; just when you thought everything was being sorted out they question their original diagnosis and treatment. From a position of ignorance all I can say is that sometimes symptons are similar and can be masked by other illnesses. Their initial problem was dealing with the stroke and her medical history may have meant that assumptions were made! Hopefully the correct treatment will now be put in place and although she isn't escaping as early as she would like to, she should now leave in a much stronger and healthier position.
however, if I was your mum I would be really frustrated at being kept in longer!

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Hey guys, been quite a major development today. Firstly my mothers discharge has been put back a week.

Over the last couple of days ive been in talks with my mothers Dr. I imformed him, that my mothers breathlessness since being admitted to hospital has been getting worse. He ordered an x ray to be done, and this happened yesterday.

She had one when she first went in to hospital.

The dr today, called me in to his office and explained, that the most recent x ray showed one lung completely full of fluid, he showed me the x ray and compared it against the one taken 3 weeks ago, and the first one only showed slight amount of fluid in both lungs.

The diuretics she had been on, I would imagine the dr's thought would clear it given the small amount.

But today the dr has confirmed to me, that to have this much fluid in a short period of time, is not related to heart failure, hes unsure right now what it is, but it could be either an infection or related to smoking for a number of years, or something they haven't seen before.

The point is, all of her symptoms related initially to heart failure, but the fluid in her lungs has now made them question this.

The hospitals chest specialist this evening fitted a drain to her lung, and during this evening when I was with her, has already drained over 1600ml of fluid.

The chest specialist asked me, who exactly diagnosed her with heart failure, which I thought was a strange question to ask.

Up shot is, my mother actually ate more of her food tonight than she has done in weeks, and even finished half of a sticky toffee pudding for desert. Shes been drinking more than she had also.

Clearly, in my opinion, if her lung was full of fluid, then no oxygen would be getting in to her blood, no oxygen would result in fatigue, fluid build up, and a decrease in diastolic, systolic, pulse rate, and blood pressure.

The oxygen therapy they have recently placed her on, has simply just been replacing that which she can not inhale on her own.

Im really starting to wonder whether the initial diagnosis was wrong, but I can bet that they wont admit this being so late in the day, will more likely say the fluid is something as well as heart failure. I think when shes a bit better and discharged, I will seek a second opinion privately.

She may well have heart failure, but its more likely, the fluid is the main reason for all her breathing and fatigue issues.

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

I'm glad they've decided to address the chest issues more before sending your Mum home. Although I know she's anxious to get home, if she's not well enough it can be very frightening to suddenly find yourself at home without the professional 24 hour care if something goes wrong.
How old is your Mum SXguy? When I worked in Elderly Acute Medicine we got OT and physio in to do a full assessment with the patient-in their own home for a couple of hours. That way all the needs could be assessed and put in place prior to discharge.

My mother is 70, She has had various OT's at hospital, is due a visit from social worker tomorrow to discuss needs, and will no doubt visit her at home to assess what else she will need.

The dr has confirmed she will be discharged Friday between 1 and 3pm. She had a blood test and chest x ray today, so fingers crossed, results will be in tomorrow and they can follow on with any treatment she needs as an out patient.

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

I'm glad they've decided to address the chest issues more before sending your Mum home. Although I know she's anxious to get home, if she's not well enough it can be very frightening to suddenly find yourself at home without the professional 24 hour care if something goes wrong.
How old is your Mum SXguy? When I worked in Elderly Acute Medicine we got OT and physio in to do a full assessment with the patient-in their own home for a couple of hours. That way all the needs could be assessed and put in place prior to discharge.

[cymruambyth]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Being there every day will help her as it shows the care and love that you have.

[SXGuy]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Well they have delayed her discharge, doctor is concerned about the fluid still on her chest and wants to get rid of this first. Either via drugs or by drawing it out manually. He thinks this may help somewhat with her breathlessness, which he is also concerened about because she cant walk very far. His intention is to try at least to increase her mobility before letting her go home.

He is trying to push through an xray for tomorrow morning, and then he will know more. As for oxygen therapy at home, this also falls under assessment, as its treated as medication, and they cant simply just send her home with a canister of gas, it has to be assessed and prescribed.

He said she will need it at night, but until more tests are done, is unsure if its needed during the day. So fingers crossed for Discharge Friday. Mum admits she feels a little weak right now, so probably best to not come home just yet. she asked if I could bring some work up for her, which I will do, as then she wont feel so useless. Im also sorting out some audio books for her to pass the time.

Its so hard seing her there, the worst part is, shes more upset seeing me having to deal with everything on my own than anything else. When I leave she says I love you, and then wells me up. I know shes scared, but I hope being there everyday eases her a little.

All the best on your mum's return home SXGuy, and they did used to lend out chairs at one point, but there is also the Social Services that deal with these matters too, so as I can see you have that appointment coming up, it maybe worth contacting them as soon as you can for a Occupational therapist who deals with all these things, chairs, seats, stair lifts and so on, they may be able to get hold of an OT straight away.

Good luck and keep us posted, sending our love and best wishes x

Thanks Di, her social worker will be seing her Thursday, unsure of the time, but its likely to be during visiting hours because I have a feeling they will need to speak with me also, so I will get all that sorted with them then.

they assessed my MiL and then a big van popped around with loads of stuff to help out, I think you need to ask. biggest problem was the wheelchair which weighed a ton so was difficult for her to use, we've bought a lightweight one so that she could use it. Has she a shower or a bath? important to get that right, if it's an over bath shower they'll provide a seat thing that whirls out, then whirls back in and someone then has to operate the shower, worth asking about

That's good to know! I spoke to her OT today who pretty much said the same thing. I really didn't know they provided all that, I always thought you had to spend money to get any sort of help.

Can I just add something here? when my mum couldn't get around on her own the social services came and measured her for a wheelchair, but it took a long time to come..In the meantime we were referred to the Red Cross, who will lend you anything for a small donation, we borrowed a wheelchair for a couple of months till hers was ready.

Hope your mum picks up soon SXGuy xx

Thanks for the info, I will bare that in mind, apparently the hospital will lend her a wheelchair until one can be sourced, but ill keep the red cross in mind should I have any problems.

[Sophie]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

Can I just add something here? when my mum couldn't get around on her own the social services came and measured her for a wheelchair, but it took a long time to come..In the meantime we were referred to the Red Cross, who will lend you anything for a small donation, we borrowed a wheelchair for a couple of months till hers was ready.

Hope your mum picks up soon SXGuy xx

[MrsD]

Re: Mother been diagnosed with Heart Failure

they assessed my MiL and then a big van popped around with loads of stuff to help out, I think you need to ask. biggest problem was the wheelchair which weighed a ton so was difficult for her to use, we've bought a lightweight one so that she could use it. Has she a shower or a bath? important to get that right, if it's an over bath shower they'll provide a seat thing that whirls out, then whirls back in and someone then has to operate the shower, worth asking about