She's dying isn't she?

[McSteamyorMcdreamy]

Mum discharged herself from hospital today.

Hiatus hernia. She can't eat or drink anything. Literally throws it straight back up.

Can't walk because her lower back is buggered.

UTI in blood. Been given antibiotics but nothing seems to be giving her a boost.

Sat in a sodding chair for 36 hours at A&E. Not slept for at least 48. Said she just wanted to go home.

I'm really scared 😭

MNHQ EDIT to gently suggest that MNers new to this thread take the time to read through all of the OP's posts before answering

People talk about UTIs like any antibiotic will work against them. They WON'T.

UTI's, specially recurrent ones or in older people, specially if they have other health issues, need a pathology report for the GP to give the RIGHT antibiotic.

My 88 year old Mum has a HH. Before diagnosis not eating or drinking made her really ill and weak. I know from having a child with anorexia what no sustenance can do to the brain. Rationality ceases to exist, all intake is being diverted to other organs. Once they had the vomiting under control she ate and was immediately much better. UTI is going to compound the issue.

My mum is too old/infirm to have an op for the HH but you're Mum probably isn't if she needs one. 2 years post diagnosis she has to watch what she eats and certain meds set it off but generally she's OK. Recently she was taking meds for another condition which triggered it, she seemed desperately ill but it was cause she wasn't eating, change of meds, food intake upped - miraculous change.

She needs to get sustenance in some form and you'll see a difference.

My dh had a hiatus hernia and had the op to fix it. He was fine after. I hope she gets helps soon. Sounds very stressful for you all. And horrible for your poor mum.

I doubt she is dying. You need to gather yourself. Get her some medical attention and get them to keep trying to treat the UTI.

Her relatively young age and the fact from your post that she doesn't seem to have any serious underlying condtions are points in her favour. Lack of sleep, food, hydration and confusion from the UTI is causing her to make poor decisions, which going home from A&E was.

Please get her to go back and wait. At least if she deteriorates she is in the place where she'll get help quickly.

Hopefully you have gone to a&e. They can try broad spectrum antibiotics while waiting for a pathology report, if the gp has not already arranged a test. They can also get fluids into her.

Once you mum is feeling better ask for an ultrasound scan to check if fibroids are causing the UTI. If she has any vaginal bleeding make sure she also gets a CA125 blood test.

Correction to previous post, nursing times/ ai says cola isn't a good idea for hydration as too much sugar and caffeine. I'll delete earlier post

Hopefully you will get your mum back to hospital - there is nothing immediately life threatening, but the UTI certainly needs treatment with antibiotics, that should see a great improvement in her mental state.

Hiatus hernias (I've got one, the joy) are normally first treated by lifestyle changes, diet / excise and acid reducing medications, if after a period that doesn't work they look at surgery - so that may be a longer journey to get resolved.

Hi all.

Thanks for your comments. Ambulance is on its way. She doesn't even know what day it is.

Wet her bed 3 times last night because she couldn't get out of bed quick enough.

Oh op how worrying for you. I wish your both all the best. I’ve been there with my dad and it’s so hard 💐💐

That’s good to hear, OP. UTIs are absolutely horrible and won’t go away without treatment but the good thing is that they do respond well to treatment. They can cause confusion but that also passes as the infection passes. Hospital is the place for your mum and she should start to feel a bit better once the medication kicks in.

This how UTIs can affect older women . My mother had one at 70 and kept talking nonsense, she asked where my brother was and he was sitting beside her hospital bed.

After her treatment , she was absolutely fine, back to normal .

Sorry this is happening but glad she's going back to hospital. Keep asking them whether she might have Sepsis.

My mum had it a few years back when she was about the same age. She was initially sent away with Diclofenac for pain in her shoulder when in fact she had a serious infection, despite have other systems of toxic shock.
I hope she gets well soon.

I'm so sorry to hear his OP. Your mum needs urgent treatment and you should get her back to A&E.

UTIs, whilst commonplace, can cause a multitude of problems - severe dehydration to name but one, this in turn can lead to confusion, acting out of character and severe apathy. Which sounds exactly like your mum's symptoms.

Get her to A&E, tell her it's going to be a long wait and take an Ipad with a film downloaded to watch whilst you wait. I'm afraid you need to be the adult here and advocate for her. You can do this in a way that is respectful of her, but also firm enough to get her the help she needs.

Good luck OP, it's horrible when our Mum's are ill x

Not to alarm... but a uti can develop into sepsis and then you need antibiotics v quickly (1hour) as blood pressure suddenly drops off. My mother nearly died and i stood in the middle of the staff and asked for antibiotics or she would die within the hour with sepsis. It worked. She pulled through. (My daughter is med scientist n told me what to do) weve all had water infection without these dire effects.
You have to advocate v clearly. Sepsis is sudden n confusion can be a sign. All the best. Haul her back for her own good. Say youre worried about sepsis. Google it. Or phone 999 and say sepsis. Its the biggest cause of death apparently.

Yep, that's common enough with a UTI, my mum was seeing all sorts that weren't there, having really dementia type symptoms.

Within a day of starting antibiotics she was almost back to normal. I'm going to guess her eating and fluid intake issues will improve once the UTI is cleared too.

Once she is in hospital do try to get them to look at the hernia during her stay, they can get scans/tests/camera etc ordered and done same day, via the gp will take months.

best of luck.

When you are older a UTI can be very serious. The back pain could be her kidneys.
I hope you get some answers soon.

Sending best wishes OP 🙏

Sending you a hug OP

I know all the talk about sepsis is frightening OP, but previous posters are right in advising that you keep asking about it specifically on her behalf. I had it this year (few years younger than your DM) and got through it, but only because of massive IV antibiotics and rehydration.

Hoping all will be well for her.

Good luck OP, pls keep us posted to how your Mum is doing x

Delirium is commonly accompanies UTI in older people (over 65’s)

Ring 111 and get the out of hours GP to come and review her - if deteriorates further than you should call 999

Just seen you have rang an ambulance already. Hope your mum is feeling better soon