Blowing up like a balloon!

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Specializes in nursing home care.

Hi, Just a personal question. My gran has vascular dementia and is in LTC ward at psych hospital. She has arthritis to both knees and wrists and has recurring chest infections. My problem is I am concerned that she has become very bloated recently. She has put on weight +++ but refuses most meals and only gets offered biscuits/ cakes when visitors are in and with cups of tea. I cannot believe that sweet treats are making her put on weight as she does not eat enough of them! Her mobility has detriorated due to this weight increase and she gets breathless lifting a cup to take a drink. I personally think she needs to be seen by the doc as does an agency nurse that was on the ward the other night. We both think breathlessness and all over bloating may be due to cardiac problems. However regular ward staff, acknowledge that she has bloated suddenly but do nothing! I do not want to appear pushy but is it too much to ask that a doc sees her and perhaps does a few tests???

PS They keep putting her on antibiotics that do not appear to be doing anything for her chestiness!:uhoh3:

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Stick to your guns about having her see the doc... call him yourself if the nurses won't... geez... that can't be comfortable for your poor gran...

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

I agree with Wise Woman,insist they get a doc.Have you tried gently pressing leg to see if there is pitting oedema there? A review of her medication might be required as well. If you are a main relative you can insist on her being seen.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

If you know who is your grams direct power of attorney for health care is get in touch with them and talk about your concerns. They may not even be aware there are problems. If she doesnt have a legal power of attorney for health care then you need to speak with your parent or aunt or uncle who does have the authrority to get her to a medical doctor.

I think you are absolutely right that she needs to be seen, but depending on decisions made by her POAHC and possibly herself when she still had her faculties it may not be their wishes to treat something that may not be so easy to treat. Some more investigation for sure. But remember whoever has control, if it isnt you, has last say about how things pan out.

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Specializes in Case Management.

I agree. INSIST on it.

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If your gran doesn't have someone appointed as her medical power of attorney, now might be a good time to see about setting that up.

It sounds like she might be retaining fluid and this can lead to or aggravate congestive heart failure. Please, be very insistent that she be seen. This needs to be taken seriously. If all else fails, call an ambulance or take her to the hospital yourself.

Please let us know what happens.

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Specializes in ICU,CCU,Med/Surg,LTC.

Marjorie,

Either contact her POA with her status or let her doctor know right away so that she can get the help she needs.

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Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.

Go ahead, be pushy! Do what your gut is telling you. She needs someone to speak up for her.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
If your gran doesn't have someone appointed as her medical power of attorney, now might be a good time to see about setting that up.

It sounds like she might be retaining fluid and this can lead to or aggravate congestive heart failure. Please, be very insistent that she be seen. This needs to be taken seriously. If all else fails, call an ambulance or take her to the hospital yourself.

Please let us know what happens.

If the woman lives on a DEMENTIA unit in a PSYCH hospital and doesn't already have a signed DPH or HCP it's TOO LATE. If she is demented she legally cannot make a rational decision. Someone would have to be appointed as legal guardian.

I agree with the rest of the people here. Insist they call the doc.

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If the woman lives on a DEMENTIA unit in a PSYCH hospital and doesn't already have a signed DPH or HCP it's TOO LATE. If she is demented she legally cannot make a rational decision. Someone would have to be appointed as legal guardian.

I agree with the rest of the people here. Insist they call the doc.

Oops. Missed that part. Thanks for pointing it out.

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She's gotta see the doc and get some furosemide to get that water off. Sounds like CHF.

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