Just over a month ago my MIL was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). This was after a few months of unexplained falls which caused her a lot of injuries and more recently bladder incontinence. She also has a few random cognitive problems.
My MIL is already quite poorly. She has pulmonary fibrosis which she has had for years, though only diagnosed a year ago. Among other things, this means she gets tired easily and before the NPH her mobility was already restricted to getting about within the house (luckily no stairs). The high risk of falling with the NPH means she no longer walks anywhere, and uses a wheelchair to get around the house. The pulmonary fibrosis is progressive and incurable.
The NPH is treatable with an operation to put in a shunt. However due to MIL's poor respiratory health, she has been told she can't have this treatment. This means, I assume, that the NPH will progress. I am concerned what this will mean for her quality of life.
I have not been able to find out any information about what happens to people with NPH if it is left untreated other than it may be fatal. MIL already has a life limiting illness so that isn't a major concern. I would like to know what to expect as the NPH progresses, though I accept other family members don't want to know.
Is there anyone else with a family member living with NPH? or who has been through this?