Can anyone think what might be up with my dad?

[narmada]

Hello everyone, just casting around for ideas really. MY dad (early 70s) has been feeling under the weather since christmas. It started off with dizzy spells, feeling tired, generally not quite right and (he says) a bit absent. He has also had epsiodes where his legs feel wobbly and he can't walk as far as he used to (he has always been fit and active, doing loads of walking).

During the investigations, the GPs only really found hypertension, and even then this wasn't too bad and has been fully controlled with medication. He's had MRI scans on his head in case he'd been having mini strokes or something like that, but they haven't turned up anything. I think he saw someone at ENT who checked for things like labyrinthitis and Merniere's, and ruled them out. He's having a blood test for (I think) heart issues this week so we will see if anything comes of that.

I think he is really worried about his health, as is my mum, who keeps saying he's not 'quite the same'.

Does anyone have any idea of further questions he should be asking the docs? It's all so vague and I am not medically trained so I can't be of any real help...

[belleshell]

did they check His Pulse...daft question i know but atrial fibrillation is common in people in their 70 and even more so with hypertension. the trouble is it can come and go so maybe a heart monitor would help rule this out.It is not life threatening but can cause all the symptoms you described.One important think if atrial fibrillation is found it can increase the risk of a stroke, therefore they would have to consider aspirin or warfarin.

Check your dads pulse is it regular (like the ticking of a clock, or irregular). irregular pulse should be investigated.

its just one other thing they could rule out.

best of luck.

[narmada]

belleshell thanks, that's really helpful. Will suggest dad asks doc about this.

[KilledBill]

Veritigo possibly? Or some sort of definciences you could check for, people often have poor diets as they get older and need top ups.

[dontlikemondays]

Make sure they check for B12 deficiency. I have it, and it can cause all of those symptoms you mention, plus numbness, trembling, depression and eventually dementia. Been having injections recently which really help. Its one of those things which is so simple to treat but often misdiagnosed. (I had to diagnose myself and ask for blood test!)

[narmada]

killedbill and dontlikemondays many thanks, I will mention both those possiblities to him - I think vertigo has been considered but don't think B12 deficiency has. Funnily enough I thought pernicious anaemia based on the fact that we know someone else who's had that and had similar symptoms.

[KilledBill]

I think if it was pernicious aneamia it would have showed symptoms before now, its more likely to be another form of aneamia or deficiency - ask the doctor about it they can run some simple bloods and keep an eye on what your dad is eating, see if you spot any food groups lacking or general undereating. Good luck.

[ChoccyJules]

Has his thyroid function been tested (via bloods)?

[narmada]

No, don't think his thryoid has been checked, thanks choccyjules. thanks again killedbill.

[3littlefrogs]

He should have had an ECG. If he has another episode, take him to a walk in centre if there is one near you. They will usually do an ECG as a matter of course. His pulse rate should be above 60 beats per minute. If it is lower than that he needs further investigation.

Hope you get some answers soon.

[Jux]

Diabetes? I've no idea what the symptoms might be I'm afraid, but I know it can creep up on you at his age.

[narmada]

I don't think he's had an EGC either 3littlefrogs. His docs are a bit crap I think but don't like to interfere too much. Good advice about the walk in centre, will do. I think (not certain) that he's been tested for diabetes, you would hope so..

thanks both.

[3littlefrogs]

Have you checked his pulse?

[narmada]

3littlefrogs apparently his pulse has been checked and found OK. The doc ordered a screen for folic acid levels, so we shall see. Thanks again everyone.