It can’t only be dehydration?

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My MIL is 83. She is very independent and active. Generally fit and well for her age. Had breast cancer 8yrs ago but was treated and given the all clear. Other than statins she doesn’t take any regular medications.

The last couple of weeks she lost her appetite. She can’t eat more than a couple of spoonfuls of yoghurt before saying she’s full. She’s lost 11lbs in 2 weeks.
She started having pains in her side.

She was taken to the GP last week who wasn’t concerned. Said the pain was a pulled muscle and “older people lose their appetites”. So not much help there.

Yesterday she called us and said she was in a lot of pain and also breathless. So my husband ended up taking her to A&E. Her heart rate was 170bpm so they gave her medication to bring it down. They’re saying her other problem (pain and no appetite) are down to dehydration?
No scans/X-rays of her abdomen have been done. No bloods. Hospital are saying it’s not necessary. They’ve kept her in overnight for fluids but will discharge today.

We’re concerned that there isn’t more investigations and she’s being sent home still in pain and having no appetite and not eating.

Can dehydration really be the cause of pain, loss of appetite and fast heart rate in the elderly? Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience with their elderly relative?

Well time will tell because if the fluids dont get her better then its not dehydration

It amazes me when someone is admitted these days that the most basic of checks arent done like bloods etc.

You could refuse discharge as an unsafe discharge, or you could get her out of there asap and get some private blood tests done.

Did she not get tested for a UTI? Are you sure there was no bloods done that seems highly unusual I think you should ask to speak to a Dr before she's discharged, saying that the body will.over react if its dehydrated so maybe? She's maybe not drinking because she feels she needs to pee all the time.

It's been very warm lately and if your mother tends to drink with meals, but hasn't been eating I can imagine dehydration being a problem.

Is there a way in which you can support your mother in eating and drinking. Via buying cartons of soup, smoothies etc. Staying with her for a day or two.

If you know exactly what she is and isn't eating and drinking, and how she is hour to hour it might be easier to intervene. For example, go back to the GP with this info and say that in the light of the hospital admission and early discharge you would like blood tests done. Accompany your mother to the surgery? Email practice with your concerns?

If she went off her food so suddenly and has pain in her side then I'd be very suspicious it's got nothing to do with dehydration. I often get dehydration but no symptoms like that, mainly headache, dizziness, fatigue, not pain or increased heart rate. Pretty sure that in a younger person your MIL's symptoms would be investigated differently. What if it's a tumour pressing on her stomach and lung? That's what would concern me.

I am not sure that it is just dehydration but the electrolytes as well. I added electrolytes to my parents water which did seem to make a difference. It is crazy what dehydration can do.

However, there seems to be such a big step change with your Mum, with regards to loss of appetite, the rapid weight loss and the pain. That seems concerning. I am surprised they haven't, at a minimum, taken blood.

If I was in your situation I would be asking a lot of questions.

Good luck I hope she feels better soon and you get some resolution.

Its not unusual at all that bloods dont get taken.

I would have assumed wrongly obviously if someone was unwell like that they would have had bloods taken to investigate, now I know. I would still speak to someone before she was discharged though.

Which side is the pain? Might be liver related if on the right and can also reduce appetite.

I would push for a scan or at least blood tests.

I was dangerously dehydrated a while ago - a side effect of a medical thing that meant I was unable to rehydrate. It was really dangerous.

I had a very fast pulse, and very low blood pressure. Basically I had reduced blood volume so it was having to be pumped more to get it around my body if that makes sense.

I was nauseous all the time, dizzy, the room was literally spinning, vomiting, couldn't walk in a straight line, breathless, chest pain, it was really awful. So I'd say yes - if she's really very dehydrated that could be causing all sorts of symptoms. But it could also be something else.

What other diagnoses have they considered and what makes them rule those diagnoses out? If they discharge her and she carries on losing weight/experiencing the pain then what would they investigate next?