My mum has vascular problems I need advice and I need to know if I'm over reacting

[Johnny5needsinput]

My mum has vascular problems.

She has problems with blood flow to her legs, heart and brain, I think. I'm not privy to all her personal goings on, but I think that's about where it's at.

She has had two episodes in the last week or so of losing the sight in her eye for about an hour, then it starts to return, and looks like a negative photo when it does

She has been told to go to A&E and won't go but says she will make a doctor's appointment tomorrow after I have nagged all day.

My need to know if I'm over reacting is that I think she shouldn't be driving? Should she?

[Bunbaker]

You aren't over reacting at all. She is being very silly and needs to see a doctor urgently.

[Johnny5needsinput]

That's what I said. She won't go. I to her to go to a&e on Friday but she didn't want to go on a Friday night.

[digerd]

Don't blame her not wanting to go to A&E on a Friday night. How old is she?

[Johnny5needsinput]

She's 72.

[digerd]

3 years older than me then. I know how she feels about A&E hanging about for 4 hours +.

Hope she gets an urgent appt with GP, but not sure if he will know what the matter is unless she actually has an episode with her eyes at the time.

Can she phone NHS Direct as I have done in the past. As I don't drive and DD was at work, they sent an ambulance to me and whisked me straight into a bed at the nearest hospital. Mine was a life threatening allergy though.

Wish your mum all the best.

[Johnny5needsinput]

Thanks.

I just need to make sure she goes.

[TiredDog]

Hi Johnny
Your mum sounds like she has had Amaurosis fugax and does need to be seen by vascular specialists.

Does she take any meds that you know of? Aspirin? Statins? Etc and is she taking them!

[Johnny5needsinput]

She is taking statins she's been on them for years and she takes an aspirin.

To be honest her gp is useless. She gets fobbed off a lot with its just her age.

Should I make her get a 2nd opinion?

[TiredDog]

I doubt that going to A&E at night is useful. Your mum needs a carotid scan which will probably mean a Monday morning appt. I would encourage her to consider things rationally along the lines of keeping her independence by looking after her health :)

[Johnny5needsinput]

So me getting cross with her wasn't helpful then I may have figured that out //blush

[TiredDog]

From GP notebook (UK Medical reference for GPs)


Sudden loss of vision is an ophthalmological emergency and requires immediate referral to the eye emergency department

Non-invasive tests for carotid blood flow and lumen diameter should be performed routinely. Angiography should be considered

Definitive treatment is dependent upon test results. Aspirin may be beneficial

She should just go to A&E tomorrow.

[TiredDog]

Cross=I love you

[Johnny5needsinput]

Thank you that's so helpful.

[Johnny5needsinput]

[TiredDog]

Oh and btw...no driving. Remove her keys and be stern about that Imagine if she hit someone

[Johnny5needsinput]

That's what I said.

She called me a jumped up little nazi.

But she has promised not to drive

[TiredDog]

She sounds like a lovely mummy

Good luck with sorting this ! < you'll need this by the sound of it!!!

[Johnny5needsinput]

She's stubborn wonder who inherited that

Thank you though. I was awfully worried and rather losing the plot

[Featherbag]

If you can persuade her to go to A&E tomorrow, make sure it's early! Everyone thinks weekend nights are the worst times to go to A&E but honestly, Monday from about 11am until about 4am Tuesday is the worst, it gets SO busy and waits are HOURS unless you're seriously ill - as in heart not working properly, not breathing, death imminent type ill.

It would be better if she could get her GP to arrange direct admission to a ward for investigation, but again on a Monday there are likely to be no beds.

[woodlandwanderwoman]

Hi, firstly I feel for you and know a little bit of what it's like. My mum has vascular problems although they manifest themselves in different ways.

Secondly, it sounds like the reason your mum is refraining from going to a&e / GP is because by going it is likely that she will have to address a serious health issue that she doesn't feel able to deal with. Nonetheless, it is clearly reaching a stage where it needs to be addressed.

I would echo comments above in short term, if she has another episode of loss of vision etc, either take her to a&e yourself or phone NHS direct who will be able to send an ambulance. The best way to manage this is to physically be with her if you can.

If she doesn't have another episode in next few days, I would recommend suggesting a GP visit that you can attend together on the basis that you need a referral to a specialise. My mum's gp is equally useless and spends more time talking about his holidays (and rearranging appointments) than really listening to her and carrying out necessary tests.

Your goal should be to get her some initial tests because if results do come back indicating she needs further help she will be in the system (albeit slow) and not able to bury her head in the sand any longer.

If she absolutely won't go to her doctor, there is no harm phoning her GP to say you are worried and asking their advice on how to get her in. This must be something they come across a lot.

I know you will be well aware, but vascular problems can cause many complications in the long term if left untreated even if there are no major episodes.

Good luck, be strong for each other and in this case do for her what you know she would do for you .. Follow your instinct on what is right. xxx

[Bunbaker]

"I would encourage her to consider things rationally along the lines of keeping her independence by looking after her health"

That's what we do with MIL. She doesn't want to become a burden and we point out that if she doesn't look after her health she will do.

[digerd]

This " It's your age" is all too common. It began with me in my 50s. I got really fed up with it. I know how your mum feels. < Although, I would never call my DD a Nazi, >

I may have open heart surgery in less than 5 years time and need to be looked after for several weeks, which I will HATE. DD just said, "Oh, wonder if I can get paid leave from work" with a smile

Hope your mum makes and gets a GP appt today .

[mineofuselessinformation]

Johnny5, my mother is also very stubborn when it comes to health issues. A very good line is ' do you want me to call them for you?' This is usually enough for my DM to sort the problem out as she knows I am also stubborn and WILL call if she doesn't.

[harverina]

My fil has vascular problems which he was first alerted to when he had a popping sensation in one eye and loss of sight for a while. He went to his optician not thinking it was serious and was immediately referred to a specialist who told him that he was at a very high risk of stroke. So, no, your bit over reacting. If it happened when she was driving she would be putting herself and others at risk. Best to err on the side of caution for now.

As an aside fil has had 3 bypasses now - 2 on his neck and 1 in his leg and he is doing well. He is 75.

[harverina]

Not over reacting not bit!