barbaric_yawp
02-04-2006, 10:34 AM
Hi guys,
Yesterday my mom (has alzh.) had some serious chest pains, bad enough to land her in the hospital. I do not understand--WHY!! She is slim and trim..no problems with physical heath!
I am sooo scared, and am frustrated with these unexplainable double-wammy health problems she has. One serious problem with an alzh. person is that they have symptoms at home, and by the time she gets to the hospital she can't explain them...my brother told me that she explained her symptoms to him, gave the nurses who checked her in another story, then the docs yet another one.
I know this is not a heart-problem board, but many of you take care of people who have heart trouble. One of my questions would be: what problems have been found that relates to chest pains (other than the obvious heart attack)? And, how do you deal with them once they happen? Obviously I am young and know nothing about how serious this can be.
I need support.
Yesterday my mom (has alzh.) had some serious chest pains, bad enough to land her in the hospital. I do not understand--WHY!! She is slim and trim..no problems with physical heath!
I am sooo scared, and am frustrated with these unexplainable double-wammy health problems she has. One serious problem with an alzh. person is that they have symptoms at home, and by the time she gets to the hospital she can't explain them...my brother told me that she explained her symptoms to him, gave the nurses who checked her in another story, then the docs yet another one.
I know this is not a heart-problem board, but many of you take care of people who have heart trouble. One of my questions would be: what problems have been found that relates to chest pains (other than the obvious heart attack)? And, how do you deal with them once they happen? Obviously I am young and know nothing about how serious this can be.
I need support.
Sponsor
fourt9rkim
02-04-2006, 11:20 AM
My mother has congestive heart failure, as does my father. My dad isn't NEARLY as bad as mom...mom's problem that compounds her heart problem is her extreme anger lately.
Heart attacks can hit ANYONE at ANY time, regardless of age. I hope they run comprehensive tests on her. Has she had any shortness of breath, or any leg or ankle swelling lately? That is a true giveaway for congestive heart failure. My mom's ankles were swollen for about 3 weeks in September until she FINALLY got bad enough to be sent to a cardiologist. She has suffered from chest pains (angina) for years, only it has gotten worse in the past couple of years. That's why the Nitroglycerin bottle is her 'best friend.'
Please keep us posted on how your mother is doing. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers during what I'm sure is a very scary time for you and your family.
Heart attacks can hit ANYONE at ANY time, regardless of age. I hope they run comprehensive tests on her. Has she had any shortness of breath, or any leg or ankle swelling lately? That is a true giveaway for congestive heart failure. My mom's ankles were swollen for about 3 weeks in September until she FINALLY got bad enough to be sent to a cardiologist. She has suffered from chest pains (angina) for years, only it has gotten worse in the past couple of years. That's why the Nitroglycerin bottle is her 'best friend.'
Please keep us posted on how your mother is doing. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers during what I'm sure is a very scary time for you and your family.
Martha H
02-04-2006, 01:04 PM
Dear B Y,
My mother is on 5 prescription drugs for congestive heart failure, after nearly choking to death in May 2003 when water almost filled up her lungs. First symptom was shortness of breath, difficulty getting up stairs, stopping every 10 steps or so on a walk.
Mom always had a 'logical' explanation for her symptoms - of course I am short of breath on those steep stairs, at my age. I stop to : choose one - admire a nice car, look at a nice front lawn, flowers, shrubs, to look at a store window, to speak to a neighbor. Every 10 steps, a pause.
Finally when the shortness of breath became alarming, we took her to the ER. She was treated for 4 days and released with 6 new meds. One was a statin. Shortly afterwards her memory problem became immensely worse.
She is still on 5 of the drugs and her heart is ' OK.' Yet there is swelling in her ankles, much worse now that she spends all day in a wheelchair, and she bruises very easily, having black and blue marks on legs and arms without having bumped into anything, at least nothing anyone saw or remembered.
Your Mom is ever so much younger, and her heart problem can be fixed. But she does have to remember the medicines! Now may be a good time for the hospital to assess the level of her Dementia, and come up with some helpful ideas for her future care.
While Mom was hospitalized we expected the worst. My brother and I drove to the old neighborhood where we grew up, Harlem, looked at the ancient house now dwarfed between 2 huge co-op complexes .. in our youth the 5 story walkup tenement was a BIG building.
We couldn't believe our good luck when Mom recovered so quickly. Yet, the very first time I took her out (just walking around the block) and stopped at the brand new corner cafe for lunch, she completely misunderstood where we were. She kept making comments about having been there before and eating pizza. That was a restaurant about 4 blocks away, she was not ready to walk that far. Later she said I enjoyed being back at the place again. At the time I corrected her 'mistakes." I said we have never been there before, this was the first time.
Later the same day "I am glad we had lunch at the pizzeria again, I love pizza." We had eaten hamburgers.
This was my introduction to Mom's Dementia, only a week or so after the heart event. Connected? Maybe. Docs said no.
My thoughts are with you!
Love,
Martha
My mother is on 5 prescription drugs for congestive heart failure, after nearly choking to death in May 2003 when water almost filled up her lungs. First symptom was shortness of breath, difficulty getting up stairs, stopping every 10 steps or so on a walk.
Mom always had a 'logical' explanation for her symptoms - of course I am short of breath on those steep stairs, at my age. I stop to : choose one - admire a nice car, look at a nice front lawn, flowers, shrubs, to look at a store window, to speak to a neighbor. Every 10 steps, a pause.
Finally when the shortness of breath became alarming, we took her to the ER. She was treated for 4 days and released with 6 new meds. One was a statin. Shortly afterwards her memory problem became immensely worse.
She is still on 5 of the drugs and her heart is ' OK.' Yet there is swelling in her ankles, much worse now that she spends all day in a wheelchair, and she bruises very easily, having black and blue marks on legs and arms without having bumped into anything, at least nothing anyone saw or remembered.
Your Mom is ever so much younger, and her heart problem can be fixed. But she does have to remember the medicines! Now may be a good time for the hospital to assess the level of her Dementia, and come up with some helpful ideas for her future care.
While Mom was hospitalized we expected the worst. My brother and I drove to the old neighborhood where we grew up, Harlem, looked at the ancient house now dwarfed between 2 huge co-op complexes .. in our youth the 5 story walkup tenement was a BIG building.
We couldn't believe our good luck when Mom recovered so quickly. Yet, the very first time I took her out (just walking around the block) and stopped at the brand new corner cafe for lunch, she completely misunderstood where we were. She kept making comments about having been there before and eating pizza. That was a restaurant about 4 blocks away, she was not ready to walk that far. Later she said I enjoyed being back at the place again. At the time I corrected her 'mistakes." I said we have never been there before, this was the first time.
Later the same day "I am glad we had lunch at the pizzeria again, I love pizza." We had eaten hamburgers.
This was my introduction to Mom's Dementia, only a week or so after the heart event. Connected? Maybe. Docs said no.
My thoughts are with you!
Love,
Martha
barbaric_yawp
02-04-2006, 01:28 PM
Thank you both, my mom is going through extensive testing today, hope for the best and I will keep you posted.
BarbaraH
02-04-2006, 02:03 PM
Hi -
Other things that can cause chest pain are pneumonia, collapsed lung, gallbladder trouble, pancreatitis, tumors, blood clots, leaking aneurysms, shingles (this is a burning under the skin), heartburn, indigestion, reflux, and lots more, from the not so serious to the really worrisome. Your mother has her age in her favor, so it's hopeful that it's not something bad. At least your mother is getting a workup and that's excellent. Be sure that your family gets a copy of all of the lab results and test results as that will be a good reference point for the future.
Start a medical file for all information about your mother to go into. What was helpful to me was that my cousin put copies of my mother's papers like this on a clip board by the door, so it was easy to grab as they went to the doctor's office or ER. Insurance information and the names/phone numbers for her regular doctors was written on the outside if the folder pockets. That saved lots of hunting and confusion.
Hope the medical staff finds what the source of the trouble is and that your mother improves quickly.
Wishing you well - Barbara
Other things that can cause chest pain are pneumonia, collapsed lung, gallbladder trouble, pancreatitis, tumors, blood clots, leaking aneurysms, shingles (this is a burning under the skin), heartburn, indigestion, reflux, and lots more, from the not so serious to the really worrisome. Your mother has her age in her favor, so it's hopeful that it's not something bad. At least your mother is getting a workup and that's excellent. Be sure that your family gets a copy of all of the lab results and test results as that will be a good reference point for the future.
Start a medical file for all information about your mother to go into. What was helpful to me was that my cousin put copies of my mother's papers like this on a clip board by the door, so it was easy to grab as they went to the doctor's office or ER. Insurance information and the names/phone numbers for her regular doctors was written on the outside if the folder pockets. That saved lots of hunting and confusion.
Hope the medical staff finds what the source of the trouble is and that your mother improves quickly.
Wishing you well - Barbara
Sandyspen
02-04-2006, 02:53 PM
BY
I don't know a thing about it to give advice.
But my thoughts are with you! Sometimes it's like geez! isn't the AD enough.
You're in my prayers!
I don't know a thing about it to give advice.
But my thoughts are with you! Sometimes it's like geez! isn't the AD enough.
You're in my prayers!
LuvMyLilDoggie
02-04-2006, 03:38 PM
I have to tell you this one.
One night about a year ago, my dad came into the living room where I was watching tv. I noticed he was rubbing his chest a lot and making strange faces like he was in pain. Knowing that he had congestive heart failure, I began to worry. I asked him what was wrong and he said he was feeling pain in his chest. I went where he couldn't see me and called the hospital. they said to bring him in. I took him in my dh's pickup truck. Dad was so out of it that he tried to get out of the pickup while I was driving! We had to go about 18 miles to the VA hospital. All the time he was moaning, groaning, whincing and doubling over in pain.
We got to the hospital and the doctor saw him within a couple of minutes. From the time we walked in the door till the time the doctor came in, he forgot why he was there and said he had no pain. I explained everything to the doctor. He did some tests and found that dad was severely constipated and full of gas. He developed acid reflux because he was so backed up. That's what was causing his chest pain. I had no idea because he wasn't bloated like people get when they're constipated. He's on Colace now for the constipation and has some acid reflux medicine. And I'm happy to report that there has been not more chest pain or ER visits.
Try not to worry too much about this. I know it's easier said than done. But there are so many things that are not as serious as heart disease that can be causing your mother's pain.
I hope you get answers very soon. Your mom is in my prayers as well as you.
Love, Barb
One night about a year ago, my dad came into the living room where I was watching tv. I noticed he was rubbing his chest a lot and making strange faces like he was in pain. Knowing that he had congestive heart failure, I began to worry. I asked him what was wrong and he said he was feeling pain in his chest. I went where he couldn't see me and called the hospital. they said to bring him in. I took him in my dh's pickup truck. Dad was so out of it that he tried to get out of the pickup while I was driving! We had to go about 18 miles to the VA hospital. All the time he was moaning, groaning, whincing and doubling over in pain.
We got to the hospital and the doctor saw him within a couple of minutes. From the time we walked in the door till the time the doctor came in, he forgot why he was there and said he had no pain. I explained everything to the doctor. He did some tests and found that dad was severely constipated and full of gas. He developed acid reflux because he was so backed up. That's what was causing his chest pain. I had no idea because he wasn't bloated like people get when they're constipated. He's on Colace now for the constipation and has some acid reflux medicine. And I'm happy to report that there has been not more chest pain or ER visits.
Try not to worry too much about this. I know it's easier said than done. But there are so many things that are not as serious as heart disease that can be causing your mother's pain.
I hope you get answers very soon. Your mom is in my prayers as well as you.
Love, Barb
needtoescape
02-04-2006, 11:46 PM
B.Y.
I hope they find something easy to fix that was the cause of the chest pains. I have severe reflux and an esophagus condition that sometimes results in esophagus spasms - and I've been to the ER several times that were not heart related as far as they could tell. It was good that she went to the hospital so that they can test and determine if it is or isn't heart related. So many people ignore the chest pains too long.
I'll say a prayer for your mom and for you. N2E
I hope they find something easy to fix that was the cause of the chest pains. I have severe reflux and an esophagus condition that sometimes results in esophagus spasms - and I've been to the ER several times that were not heart related as far as they could tell. It was good that she went to the hospital so that they can test and determine if it is or isn't heart related. So many people ignore the chest pains too long.
I'll say a prayer for your mom and for you. N2E
angel_bear
02-05-2006, 03:22 AM
Did she eat anything weird, strange, unusual (for her?) ..... I found my ex-charge would dive into the mustard pickles (she hated them before AD) and then clutch her chest an hour or so later .......... heartburn ........ her heart is strong .... we've had her checked before ....
I hope it's not anything serious .........
Cheers ....... you and Mum are in my thoughts
Sally
I hope it's not anything serious .........
Cheers ....... you and Mum are in my thoughts
Sally
barbaric_yawp
02-05-2006, 11:06 AM
THANK YOU ALL!! You had good info that I ran by my stepdad who double checked that a certain problem was checked for in all of the testing. She got a clean bill of health, but they found she is undernourished. She forgets to eat all day as right now she is still able to be at home alone w/o serious consequenses-- other than not eating. So they are sending a dietition out to keep an eye on her. They still don't know why she had the chest pains, but I tell ya, It gave ME a heart attack!! You know what I mean--prob harder on me than her!
Thank You All for chiming in with your support and advice!
B.Y.
Thank You All for chiming in with your support and advice!
B.Y.
barbaric_yawp
02-05-2006, 11:09 AM
BY
I don't know a thing about it to give advice.
But my thoughts are with you! Sometimes it's like geez! isn't the AD enough.
You're in my prayers!
EXACTLY!!! You said it!! I would expect that at 58 that that would be all she would be cursed with. This just compounds my frustration with the higher power--although it does not shake it altogether...
B.Y>
I don't know a thing about it to give advice.
But my thoughts are with you! Sometimes it's like geez! isn't the AD enough.
You're in my prayers!
EXACTLY!!! You said it!! I would expect that at 58 that that would be all she would be cursed with. This just compounds my frustration with the higher power--although it does not shake it altogether...
B.Y>
LuvMyLilDoggie
02-05-2006, 06:31 PM
Glad to hear it wasn't a heart attack. But I think you know this means mom cannot be alone anymore-at least not for any length of time.
My dad's doctor had a dietician talk to dad and try to teach him how to eat. But it didn't do any good. It was like talking to a brick wall. In one ear and out the other. I, however, learned some things and that was good.
The thing is AD makes a person not only forget to eat. It also makes them forget what hunger pangs mean. They forget that when you're hungry, that's your body telling you that you need to eat. They forget the relationship between hunger and food or thirst and drink. Doctors sometimes forget that.
And of course, in my dad's case, the Twinkies, cookies and pies would disappear long before the nutritious food.
Love, Barb
My dad's doctor had a dietician talk to dad and try to teach him how to eat. But it didn't do any good. It was like talking to a brick wall. In one ear and out the other. I, however, learned some things and that was good.
The thing is AD makes a person not only forget to eat. It also makes them forget what hunger pangs mean. They forget that when you're hungry, that's your body telling you that you need to eat. They forget the relationship between hunger and food or thirst and drink. Doctors sometimes forget that.
And of course, in my dad's case, the Twinkies, cookies and pies would disappear long before the nutritious food.
Love, Barb
Sandyspen
02-05-2006, 07:00 PM
Barb is so right.
All of my Mom's problems began with constant trips to the hospital. She was living alone, would call with chest pain and I'd run her to the ER. 3 times in January/Feb/March last year. Nothing wrong........every time. In fact, by the time the doctor saw us, the pain would usually be gone. They ran a ton of tests each time and everything was always fine.
Then her neighbor called an ambulance to take her to the hospital and didn't get ahold of me till later. By the time I got there, the doctor was slightly upset. She said, "I can't even carry-on a conversation with her. She needs to be checked for AD. And you can't rush her to the hospital every time she has a hunger pain!"
I was dumfounded. Hunger had never entered my mind, much less AD.
I made an appt with her regular md, had a diagnosis that day and an education I never thought I'd need.
All of my Mom's problems began with constant trips to the hospital. She was living alone, would call with chest pain and I'd run her to the ER. 3 times in January/Feb/March last year. Nothing wrong........every time. In fact, by the time the doctor saw us, the pain would usually be gone. They ran a ton of tests each time and everything was always fine.
Then her neighbor called an ambulance to take her to the hospital and didn't get ahold of me till later. By the time I got there, the doctor was slightly upset. She said, "I can't even carry-on a conversation with her. She needs to be checked for AD. And you can't rush her to the hospital every time she has a hunger pain!"
I was dumfounded. Hunger had never entered my mind, much less AD.
I made an appt with her regular md, had a diagnosis that day and an education I never thought I'd need.