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My mother (87) has bronchiectasis, osteoporosis, ...

Sent to Health Experts June 02 04:54 AM

My mother (87) has bronchiectasis, osteoporosis, swelling feet and ankles, slow circulation. Every test taken has proven nothing wrong. Been in hospital two times since nebulizers started and a slimey, frothy spit has developed w/clogging of the nose, side pain, increased coughing particulary at bed time, yet lungs clear, swelling in feet and ankles, fatigue, and tremendous loss of appetite (she's amaciated). On recent visit to hospital, they found increased enzymes, still nothing. Stopped Nebs and some improvement but still ongoing.   I suspect undetected congestive heart failure, is there such a thing after taking all those tests? Can you have w/o docs knowing? What other thing could cause this spitting that's wasting my mother away and making her lose so much sleep? Please help, I'm desperate.

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
June 2 9:42 AM (4 hours and 48 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
As a respiratory therapist I see this much.Your mom being elderly unfortunately has much to do with this.Being unable to fight off infection.As an elder persons immune system if in no way that of a younger person.Unfortunately our ages happen inside our organs as well as outside our appearance.Not eating can happen and with no nutrition her immune system gets even weaker.Eventuallly people with empysema,copd(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) bronchiectasis,all have a way of breaking down ones immune system as well.Perhaps your mom needs to be hositalized if she is that ill.You can take her too the emergency room.The swelling in ankles is a sign that something is going on to her heart.You might want a cardiologist to look at her.However youre telling me she has a slimy frothy sputum suggest if its green in color,she may have pnuemonia.However judging from these symptoms and her weakened state her being hopitalized is best.Have you tried giving her ensure.This is a milk in a way that is loaded with vitamin so that if she doesnt eat at least she will be getting nutrients.You can get it at any supermarket or pharmacy.It comes in many flavors.Getting 3 cans down a day might help.Her bringing up sputum is the best way to clear her lungs,unfortunately it does tend to literally knock one out.But not keeping that infected sputum in her is her best bet for some relief than to have it build up inside her.For her edema or swelling she needs to be on diuretics.I really thing your mom needs to be hosptalized so that all these can be given to her via iv so she can get better quicker.However be aware of her just being elderly has a lot to do with her weakened condition.Sometimes the body just breaks down and the strength to fight off the illnes is not there which make it even harder.I do wish her much strength,as for you.A cardiologist can rule out any heart failure.
Karel1 -- Certified Respiratory Therapist -- 100% Positive Feedback on 81 Health Accepts
Have suffered with Narcolepsy a sleeping disorder over 30 years,specializes in asthma ,COPD
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June 3 6:53 PM (1 day and 9 hours later)
         
Reply to Karel1's Post: I appreciate your quick response! My mother is holding her own, but I noticed every time she takes Mucinex, the fun begins. I don't know, perhaps it has something to do with that. She's had every test under the sun in the hosp. All tests come back clean! If she could get this mucus, spitting, slimey mouth thing out of the way, she could eat and I think recoup. Would sinuses cause this kind of thing? Stomach, esophagus? Help!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 3 7:09 PM (16 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Yes ,sinuses,post nasal drip.You might wanted to consider and ear ,nose and throat doctor.Your local hospital cn refer you.To help this you might try a cold air humidifier,Its sold in surgical supply stores or cvs,rite aid.It has to be a cold air one.Then you simply fill it up with the water,add a teaspoon of salt,and place it in her room so that its facing her.The salt may dry up her secretions.They sell for about 20 dollars and are all plastic.This may help until you get her to an ear,nose and throat doctor,as if her sinuses ar e infected,he can prescribe some meds to get her out of this misery.
Karel1 -- Certified Respiratory Therapist -- 100% Positive Feedback on 81 Health Accepts
Have suffered with Narcolepsy a sleeping disorder over 30 years,specializes in asthma ,COPD
Reply
June 3 10:52 PM (3 hours and 42 minutes and 25 seconds later)
         
Reply to Karel1's Post: Thank you again! Going to an ENT was my next line of defense! However, I REALLY appreciate the advice, I will try. I already connected the cool (distilled water) bottle on her oxygen tank and her nose feels better. Maybe (I hope) it will help the spitting too.

Thank you again.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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