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Original poster

I need advice about poorly Dad

37 replies

mears · 01/03/2005 12:25

Never mind all the pish about breastfeeding on mumsnet just now - I need support about my poor Dad.

He is 87 years old, has Alzheimers and has an ongoing respiratory problem thatmeans he is nebulized 4 times a day.

He developed a probable chest infection last week (mainly in his throat) for which he has had 2 differnt antibiotics. The antibiotic he is on just now he reactyed to badly in the past - developed thrush and felt very depressed. He has been put on this again by a new GP to the practice and has been on it 5 days with no improvement. Gp was out yesterday and started him on steroids but actually wanted to admit him for oxygen - he is breathless on exertion.

I would like the antibiotic changed to one he usually responds to and would like to avoid admission. He gets very upset and disorientated in hospital. Last time he was in he has a urine infection so was in a lot of pain.

My main worry is that perhaps he is not going to recover from this infection and would be better staying at home. However, is that the wrong assumption to make? How do I know that?

Unfortunately I am sick myself at the moment with some sort of virus but I need to go over there and speak to the doctor who is coming out.

If he has to be admitted then I want him admitted straight to a ward. Last time he spent 4 hours on a trolley in A&E and I am not having it.

Unfortunately I am feeling like sh*T and will have difficulty keeping a cool head. I just feel a huge fight coming on...

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 01/03/2005 15:55

Brill news mears

hope these antibiotics and nebs work for him

anorak · 01/03/2005 15:59

So glad he is still home, mears.

Tissy · 01/03/2005 16:23

mears, I think your Dad was admitted in the South of the county before, am I right?

If it's the North, and he needs admitting, let me know, and I'll arrange to meet you in casualty and speak to the bed manager myself...

Beds are really tight at the moment. It may be that the Consultant would agree to coming out to your Dad's home, if an admission could be avoided, even temporarily. The visit is paid for (I think) by the GP practice, though, so they would have to make the request.

beansprout · 01/03/2005 16:34

Hope you both feel better soon x

Original poster
mears · 01/03/2005 20:57

Thanks for your posts. I am feeling a bit better tonight.

Have phoned my sis and Dad has eaten fish and chips and is drinking with encouragement.

Tissy, your memory serves you well, it is the South we are in. The North works differently I believe in that GP referrals are not put on trolleys in A&E. Anyway, here's hoping we can avoid admission altogether. Thanks for your offer of help, that was really kind

Let me know if you are planning another baby and I'll see what I can do

OP posts:
Original poster
mears · 02/03/2005 09:27

Feeling hellish again this morning...kids think I've got birdflu

Anyway, more importamtly Dad had a good night last night, no struggling for breath and slept straight through. He kept mum awake the previous night with his noisy breathing. He seems to be on fairly good form this morning. My sis will be down shortly. No admission to hospital today I wouldn't think

OP posts:
bundle · 02/03/2005 10:43

good news mears

Tissy · 02/03/2005 13:24

mears, glad your Dad is feeling better. I am certainly NOT planning another baby (don't have the time!)but if the unexpected happens, you'll be one of the first to know

Original poster
mears · 02/03/2005 14:03

GP visited this morning and was pleased with his improvement. She told mum that he only avoided admission because of the experience of his daughters - power to the nurses

OP posts:
Marina · 02/03/2005 14:10

Good news about your dad, why not threaten to peck the kids unless they take over all possible domestic chores

Original poster
mears · 11/04/2005 17:28

Well he is in hospital now
However, at least I feel happy this time that hospital is where he should be. He was having real difficulty breathing yesterday and my sister (who was down for the weekend with her family) asked mum to call me for my opinion at about 6pm. He really was working hard to get a breath so we took him to the GP oncall centre (minimum 2 hour wait for home visit) where the GP was nice. He said he thought he would need admitted but agreed to try a nebuliser first to ease his breathing. There really wasn't much of a response from that so we agreed he should go in. Got referred round to A&E and had to go through the same carry on of waiting on a trolley until assessed. He got more nebulisers, oxygen and steroids. Was transferred to the ward at 1.00am approx. We were in A&E at 9.16pm. If only they could put people like him on a bed rather than stuck in a cubicle. Anyway, he's in the ward now. Today he sounds pretty hellish. His chest is really moist and he has been started on intravenous antibiotics.
This time round I am not as vexed because I can see that he is needing more treatment than he could get at home at the moment. Hopefully we will see a bit of an improvement tomorrow.

OP posts:
suedonim · 12/04/2005 14:28

So sorry to hear about your poor dad, Mears. At least you feel he is in the right place, this time, and getting the right treatment. Best wishes.

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