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Original poster

My mum has vascular problems I need advice and I need to know if I'm over reacting

45 replies

Johnny5needsinput · 15/09/2013 18:17

My mum has vascular problems.

She has problems with blood flow to her legs, heart and brain, I think. I'm not privy to all her personal goings on, but I think that's about where it's at.

She has had two episodes in the last week or so of losing the sight in her eye for about an hour, then it starts to return, and looks like a negative photo when it does

She has been told to go to A&E and won't go but says she will make a doctor's appointment tomorrow after I have nagged all day.

My need to know if I'm over reacting is that I think she shouldn't be driving? Should she?

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 15/09/2013 18:25

You aren't over reacting at all. She is being very silly and needs to see a doctor urgently.

Original poster
Johnny5needsinput · 15/09/2013 18:26

That's what I said. She won't go. I to her to go to a&e on Friday but she didn't want to go on a Friday night.

OP posts:
digerd · 15/09/2013 19:05

Don't blame her not wanting to go to A&E on a Friday night. How old is she?

Original poster
Johnny5needsinput · 15/09/2013 19:06

She's 72.

OP posts:
digerd · 15/09/2013 19:22

3 years older than me then. I know how she feels about A&E hanging about for 4 hours +.

Hope she gets an urgent appt with GP, but not sure if he will know what the matter is unless she actually has an episode with her eyes at the time.

Can she phone NHS Direct as I have done in the past. As I don't drive and DD was at work, they sent an ambulance to me and whisked me straight into a bed at the nearest hospital. Mine was a life threatening allergy though.

Wish your mum all the best.

Original poster
Johnny5needsinput · 15/09/2013 19:23

Thanks.

I just need to make sure she goes.

OP posts:
TiredDog · 15/09/2013 19:29

Hi Johnny
Your mum sounds like she has had Amaurosis fugax and does need to be seen by vascular specialists.

Does she take any meds that you know of? Aspirin? Statins? Etc and is she taking them!

Original poster
Johnny5needsinput · 15/09/2013 19:32

She is taking statins she's been on them for years and she takes an aspirin.

To be honest her gp is useless. She gets fobbed off a lot with its just her age.

Should I make her get a 2nd opinion?

OP posts:
TiredDog · 15/09/2013 19:33

I doubt that going to A&E at night is useful. Your mum needs a carotid scan which will probably mean a Monday morning appt. I would encourage her to consider things rationally along the lines of keeping her independence by looking after her health :)

Original poster
Johnny5needsinput · 15/09/2013 19:35

So me getting cross with her wasn't helpful then I may have figured that out blush

OP posts:
TiredDog · 15/09/2013 19:36

From GP notebook (UK Medical reference for GPs)

Sudden loss of vision is an ophthalmological emergency and requires immediate referral to the eye emergency department

Non-invasive tests for carotid blood flow and lumen diameter should be performed routinely. Angiography should be considered

Definitive treatment is dependent upon test results. Aspirin may be beneficial

She should just go to A&E tomorrow.

TiredDog · 15/09/2013 19:36

Cross=I love you Grin

Original poster
Johnny5needsinput · 15/09/2013 19:37

Thank you that's so helpful.

OP posts:
Original poster
Johnny5needsinput · 15/09/2013 19:37
Grin
OP posts:
TiredDog · 15/09/2013 19:39

Oh and btw...no driving. Remove her keys and be stern about that Imagine if she hit someone

Original poster
Johnny5needsinput · 15/09/2013 19:47

That's what I said.

She called me a jumped up little nazi. Grin

But she has promised not to drive

OP posts:
TiredDog · 15/09/2013 19:52

She sounds like a lovely mummy Grin

Good luck with sorting this ! Wine < you'll need this by the sound of it!!!

Original poster
Johnny5needsinput · 15/09/2013 19:54

She's stubborn wonder who inherited that Grin

Thank you though. I was awfully worried and rather losing the plot

OP posts:
Featherbag · 15/09/2013 20:05

If you can persuade her to go to A&E tomorrow, make sure it's early! Everyone thinks weekend nights are the worst times to go to A&E but honestly, Monday from about 11am until about 4am Tuesday is the worst, it gets SO busy and waits are HOURS unless you're seriously ill - as in heart not working properly, not breathing, death imminent type ill.

It would be better if she could get her GP to arrange direct admission to a ward for investigation, but again on a Monday there are likely to be no beds.

woodlandwanderwoman · 15/09/2013 21:29

Hi, firstly I feel for you and know a little bit of what it's like. My mum has vascular problems although they manifest themselves in different ways.

Secondly, it sounds like the reason your mum is refraining from going to a&e / GP is because by going it is likely that she will have to address a serious health issue that she doesn't feel able to deal with. Nonetheless, it is clearly reaching a stage where it needs to be addressed.

I would echo comments above in short term, if she has another episode of loss of vision etc, either take her to a&e yourself or phone NHS direct who will be able to send an ambulance. The best way to manage this is to physically be with her if you can.

If she doesn't have another episode in next few days, I would recommend suggesting a GP visit that you can attend together on the basis that you need a referral to a specialise. My mum's gp is equally useless and spends more time talking about his holidays (and rearranging appointments) than really listening to her and carrying out necessary tests.

Your goal should be to get her some initial tests because if results do come back indicating she needs further help she will be in the system (albeit slow) and not able to bury her head in the sand any longer.

If she absolutely won't go to her doctor, there is no harm phoning her GP to say you are worried and asking their advice on how to get her in. This must be something they come across a lot.

I know you will be well aware, but vascular problems can cause many complications in the long term if left untreated even if there are no major episodes.

Good luck, be strong for each other and in this case do for her what you know she would do for you .. Follow your instinct on what is right. xxx

Bunbaker · 16/09/2013 06:35

"I would encourage her to consider things rationally along the lines of keeping her independence by looking after her health"

That's what we do with MIL. She doesn't want to become a burden and we point out that if she doesn't look after her health she will do.

digerd · 16/09/2013 07:32

This " It's your age" is all too common. It began with me in my 50sConfused. I got really fed up with it. I know how your mum feels. < Although, I would never call my DD a Nazi, Grin>

I may have open heart surgery in less than 5 years time and need to be looked after for several weeks, which I will HATE. DD just said, "Oh, wonder if I can get paid leave from work" with a smile Hmm

Hope your mum makes and gets a GP appt today .

mineofuselessinformation · 16/09/2013 07:48

Johnny5, my mother is also very stubborn when it comes to health issues. A very good line is ' do you want me to call them for you?' This is usually enough for my DM to sort the problem out as she knows I am also stubborn and WILL call if she doesn't.

harverina · 16/09/2013 09:28

My fil has vascular problems which he was first alerted to when he had a popping sensation in one eye and loss of sight for a while. He went to his optician not thinking it was serious and was immediately referred to a specialist who told him that he was at a very high risk of stroke. So, no, your bit over reacting. If it happened when she was driving she would be putting herself and others at risk. Best to err on the side of caution for now.

As an aside fil has had 3 bypasses now - 2 on his neck and 1 in his leg and he is doing well. He is 75.

harverina · 16/09/2013 09:29

Not over reacting not bit!

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