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My mother is 72 years old and has always been very active but the past 8
months she is declining rapidly her symptoms are jelly legs, shaky feelings,
no desire to do anything. She doesn't have the energy or just doesn't feel
good, more forgetful.
She will get up and work around the house some and then she will have to
rest. We thought that it was her thyroid, she had 2 nodules but after all
the test he said that it was fine. I can't stand to see my mother like
this, do you have any idea what could be wrong with her?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $9

Hi, hopefully my insight will be able to instruct or guide you. Sometimes our Doctors get stumped but all the symptoms are there we just have to put it together. Jelly legs and shaky feelings sounds like low energy and possibly hypoglycemia which could cause shaky feelings, weakness, and fatigue. I would also consider seeing a neurologist with possibly getting a cat scan of the brain and then an MRI of the brain. I suggest this because of the forgetfulness. That would shed some light on assessing her for alzheimers. There are treatments and therapies that could help her.
The next area I would check is her circulation. It sounds as though she may have poor circulation. She needs to be checked for artherosclerosis by a cardiologist. Who should assess her heart,cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Also sometimes diagnosing sbclinical hypothyroidism-hypothyroidism that is severe enough to troublesome symptoms, but to mild to be diagnosed by a blood test-is more difficult. Some people with many symptoms continually test in the low-normal range of thyroid function. Athe patient can actually suffer from a nearly undetectable form of the disease. So, you can test your thyrioid funcion yourself. Here is what you can do. Keep a thermometer beside her bed. When she awakens in the morning, before moving around, tuck the thermometer snugly under her armpit and keep it there for fifteen minutes. keep as still as possible. Take it out then write it down. Do this for three days. Determine an average reading by adding all three readings together and divide it by three. If your average temperature is below 97.5 in all probability you are suffering from subclinical hypotyhroidism and should further discuss your findings with your doctor.
These are a few issues that can be affecting your mom. After you check these areas, if you need more guiadance on treatments, feel free to ask. I have info on treatments that can help her. My best wishes.
If this answer is acceptable to you please do Accept. Thank you for your time. I hope I've
been a help. Bless You.

Edited by nellybli1 on May 25 2006 at 4:10 PM

Reply to Chanel's Post: Every time they check her blood sugar level is within normal limits, One Dr. did put her on Alzheimer medicine last week for her memory, as far as her thyroid they did a biospy, scan, & blood work, I will try checking her temp for three days, but she has had heart problems in the past and she is taking Nitro pills so do I need to make her an appt with a cardio? She does have an appt next week with a neuro can he pick up on this? Will heart problems cause her to be shakey and have problems walking with jelly legs? I'm sorry about asking so many questions but she is getting worse and every Dr. we go to it is taking so long to get test ran and she is just ready to feel good again.

I can feel your concern. When they check her blood sugar it doesnt sound like they are testing for diabetes. Ask if Dr. did glucose tolerance test 9fasting glucose 0 where she doent eat overnight and in the am until bloodwork is done. the normal range is 70-100. If blood glucose level over 140 or higher is considered an indication of diabetes. Md can do a ct scan that will show white matter disease changes or just white matter disease which is a direct indicator of alzheimers. Decrease in mass of brain can also cause some forgetfulness.
Some times stress on the heart causes fatigue and if she has a cardiac history now is the time for her to go for a check-up. Also doctors dont usually give nitro pills daily so that is a concern. Sometimes they use a nitro patch. It may be that she just needs a different cardiac med. Possibly.
The neurologist will further assess her for alzheimers, forgetfulness and the shaky legs. Make him aware of all her meds. Im so apolgetic that this process takes so long but it will be worth finding out the details of these test results. Stay patient. Out of curiosity is your mom a little anxious because sometimes that could make things more intense. If this is the case, acknowledge this and take steps for the two of you to stay as relaxed as possible, the answers are coming. Also what alzheimer med did they prescribe for her?
Also try deep breathing and baths because they relax us in ways we don't even understand.

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