I suspect my mother has had a stroke. Her ability to walk/balance has rapidly declined in the last month. Her speech is slurred slightly and getting worse. She said her left foot feels paralysed, her 'bones are painful' when she tries to walk/climb steps and she can barely stand without holding onto something. This is in contrast to a month ago when she was walking for an hour to the shops. She says she'll need a wheelchair soon. Are these symptoms of a stroke or something similar?
I live 100 miles away and other family live nearer to her but it's difficult getting information out of her & them. She has visited the doctor and seen a physiotherapist. She said the physiotherapist said they couldn't do anything?! She has had an MRI scan and said the results won't come back for another month! She also said she will speak to a neurologist over the phone 'in a few weeks time'. Given her rapid decline these NHS timeframes seem very long especially as she is talking about buying a wheelchair. Should the NHS provide these things? She never asks the doctors questions and I wonder if they are aware how much she has declined.
I am visiting her this week. Obviously I don't know for sure if she has had a stroke but what can I do? I have zero experience of this. Should I ring her doctor or hospital and tell them how much she has declined? What does the NHS provide for stroke patients? Despite her decline should she be trying to keep as active as possible? Anyone who has experience of this please do answer. Thank you.