My mum again

[pregooolady]

Can I have some advice.
ive posted before

My mums 60 this year untreated copd heavy smoker. Had a couple of hospital admissions last year sepsis and pneumonia that’s copd was found.

she never went to the copd clinic.

all she gets is blue inhaler from doctors coz she’s not officially diagnosed.

lost weight like badly u could snap her that’s how frail she looks she’s still working

she still smoking

anyways she’s caught a cold flu and she’s been in bed two days shivering can’t hardly walk up the stairs I called her she says she fine but she said I definitely need steroid she’s using the blue inhalers a lot and she won’t test her oxygen levels

is this going to turn bad with all her refusal ?

i actually feel helpless this is an ongoing issue she won’t discuss her health she says it’s her private life

I would say her copd is stage 3 she sucks in when resting I think she hides it so much and she uses the blue inhaler every day alot

thnks any response is appropriated

If she has COPD the there is a high risk she will develop a chest infection. As she has has spesis within the last year she is at increased risk of catching it again. I think she needs to see a doctor.

Are you with her? If not, do you live nearby and can you visit?

@2026willbebetter she’s lives in London I live in Southampton. I’ve spoken to her and she said she’s got shortness of breath I told her to go to the hospital she said no she will wait it out untill tomorrow to see gp.! I’ve contacted my younger sister who lives near by to check on her x

Ask your sister to call 111 when she is there and describe the symptoms, especially any temp or shortness of breath. It would be a good idea for your Mum to have an oxometer in the house and to use it occassionally to work out her normal oxgyen stats - people with COPD often have lower stats and this is fine if it’s their normal.

@2026willbebetter she went to the walk in center. With my sister she wouldn’t let my sister in the room but they gave her antibiotics and said her 02 was 84 she told them it’s normal for her ??? That’s what she told me on the phone. Since being home she coughed and has pain in her chest under her rib and now when she breaths it hurts. I thought 84 is low even with someone with copd ? Is this correct ? X

I’m not a medical professional but I believe 82 to be worringly low. My Mum had COPD which is were my knowledge/experience is from.

Did they prescribe any medications or say what they thought was going on?

@2026willbebetter they said her chest sounds ok but gave her amoxicillin. I think she played it down to them. It’s so worrying !! I can never get the truth from her but my sister said she’s not managing the stairs and really breathless so will
see what tonight brings. Thanks for your support x

My Mum often knew she has a chest infection before it could be heard.

You can ring her GP and ask to leave a message or email them with your concerns about her long term treatment. Obviously they can’t tell you anything but you can share information with them.