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My almost-76 year old mother fell a week ago and hit her head. She was hospitalized for the first time since I was born 50 years ago. She's been a great health otherwise.
My sister is making this a lot more dramatic than it has to be. Our grandmother had dementia. My mother has some occasional forgetfulness, but it's mostly mixing up story details from 20+ years ago. My sister has tried to convince everyone around us that she has dementia and doesn't need to live at home. (Sister is a Drama Queen to the max.) She's making me nuts!
The thing I'm concerned about the most is my mother's vitamins. A friend of the family is in one of those MLM vitamin companies. She has been taking them for years and credits them for her good health. In the ER when they were asking about her meds, I reminded her about the vitamins. She said, "They're just vitamins." I wish the doctor had pushed more to find out what they were, but he shrugged it off. Our family doctor said it won't hurt her. I checked the ingredients when I was at the house yesterday and was shocked.
One of the vitamins is an energy blend. It contains extremely high levels of the B vitamins, double the recommended amount of C, something called L-Tyrosine (more than twice the recommended amount) and 80mg caffeine. The 2nd one is a multi-vitamin. It also contains high levels of the B vitamins, other vitamins and minerals - most of them are higher than the recommended amount. I'm worried about toxicity. She believes there's nothing wrong because they're "vitamins", but I don't think she's told the doctor how MUCH she's taking.
I go to the same doctor, and while he can't discuss her case with me, I can tell him anything that concerns me about her. I'm planning to call his office tomorrow to see what they suggest. She complains about her stomach a lot, and it's no wonder. I read that diarrhea is a common side effect of too much of the B's.
My sister is ready to read the vitamin distributor the riot act and have him arrested for practicing medicine without a license. I'm concerned, but I'd rather go about it through the doctor. Yes, it makes me mad to think that she has been swindled, but she's been quite capable of making her own decisions. My father even supported the vitamins, even though he couldn't take them. They're loaded with sugar! Daddy died 4 years ago, and she's done a great job of managing life on her own.
Any thoughts on dealing with the vitamin issue? (My sister is a whole other story all together. There's no help for that! haha)
I am very surprised that her doctor has not insisted on being informed on all medications that your mom is taking including vitamins & over the counter meds. There can be drug interactions and overdoses when certain medications are combined.
My husband, who is also disabled, used to take a lot of over the counter vitamins, minerals & natural herbs. He kept claiming that his doctor was aware of them, but what had happened was during one visit he would ask "Is it OK if I take Vitamin X?" and she would say "Yes" and then six months later he would ask "Is it OK if I take Vitamin Y and Mineral Z?" and she would say "Yes", So, over the course of many years he ended up taking about 15 or 20 different vitamins, herbs and minerals a day, in addition to his dozen actual medications, and he never cut out any OTC vitamins or medications
During one annual visit, I made sure that he took every single pill bottle with him to the doctor. She was absolutely horrified at all of the over the countervitamins &medications that he was taking. Several were far, FAR over the daily recommended dosage (because he was getting the same vitamin in several different pills). The doctor made him drop about 75% or 80% of his over the counter pills and now insists that he bring every bottle along to his semi-annual appointments so she can review what he is taking.
It is possible that your mother's stomach problems and diarrhea could be caused, or at least worsened, by all of the over the counter medications.
Good luck.
Last edited by germaine2626; 08-17-2014 at 09:59 AM..
Even in a good veterinary hospital they will NOT ALLOW the pet owner to administer ANYTHING other than what the doctor prescribes and that includes herbs.
Her doctor needs to approve EVERYTHING.
The real reason I'm posting on your thread is to tell you to make sure you get a urinalysis for a urinary tract infection ASAP.
It's the NUMBER ONE reason for falls in the elderly especially women and especially with dementia.
They don't drink enough water and wipe wrong, too. DEHYDRATION can cause falls. It's a HUGE problem in this community.
As it progresses they can appear lethargic, weak, have random pain complaints that aren't logical, be shaky, fearful, FALL and even very angry combative and like they're on LSD.
IT's also dangerous if it isn't treated.
They have to do a CULTURE to see what antibiotic will work in her particular type of bacteria not all antibiotics kill all bacterias.
After AT LEAST two weeks on the antibiotic, she needs a follow up test. They should wait a couple weeks to make sure it's out of her system before the second culture.
For MY client we do them every month now. You need a focus on her hydration. SHe will forget to drink or not like it even without dementia.
WATER not coffee, soda, juice etc. You need twice the amount of them and even so they are not a replacement.
I make my client take ONE PILL AT A TIME. With a large glass of water like 12 oz. NO STRAW.
She drinks much more that way with one pill at a time and doesn't choke as much either!
Yesterday she saved the headline in the newspaper to show me it said "be careful of your hydration in summer weather".
LOL
ETA: We also took her off MELATONIN because the staff was making her take it to "make her stay in bed overnight so she didn't fall".
She NEVER falls unless she has a UTI.
BUT the melatonin was giving her bad side effects like nightmares and super powerful dreams that she could not shake all day long in fact they seemed like reality.
I saw a 30 year old host on Fox and Friends Weekend show say she had that problem so I insisted they stop giving it to her and her psychiatrist agreed.
Last edited by runswithscissors; 08-17-2014 at 11:17 AM..
Even in a good veterinary hospital they will NOT ALLOW the pet owner to administer ANYTHING other than what the doctor prescribes and that includes herbs.
Her doctor needs to approve EVERYTHING.
The real reason I'm posting on your thread is to tell you to make sure you get a urinalysis for a urinary tract infection ASAP.
It's the NUMBER ONE reason for falls in the elderly especially women and especially with dementia.
They don't drink enough water and wipe wrong, too. DEHYDRATION can cause falls. It's a HUGE problem in this community.
As it progresses they can appear lethargic, weak, have random pain complaints that aren't logical, be shaky, fearful, FALL and even very angry combative and like they're on LSD.
IT's also dangerous if it isn't treated.
They have to do a CULTURE to see what antibiotic will work in her particular type of bacteria not all antibiotics kill all bacterias.
After AT LEAST two weeks on the antibiotic, she needs a follow up test. They should wait a couple weeks to make sure it's out of her system before the second culture.
For MY client we do them every month now. You need a focus on her hydration. SHe will forget to drink or not like it even without dementia.
WATER not coffee, soda, juice etc. You need twice the amount of them and even so they are not a replacement.
I make my client take ONE PILL AT A TIME. With a large glass of water like 12 oz. NO STRAW.
She drinks much more that way with one pill at a time and doesn't choke as much either!
Yesterday she saved the headline in the newspaper to show me it said "be careful of your hydration in summer weather".
LOL
ETA: We also took her off MELATONIN because the staff was making her take it to "make her stay in bed overnight so she didn't fall".
She NEVER falls unless she has a UTI.
BUT the melatonin was giving her bad side effects like nightmares and super powerful dreams that she could not shake all day long in fact they seemed like reality.
I saw a 30 year old host on Fox and Friends Weekend show say she had that problem so I insisted they stop giving it to her and her psychiatrist agreed.
Thanks for this! They did do a urinalysis in the hospital. She did not have a UTI, but she was dehydrated. She doesn't think she is, but we've pointed out to her that 2 glasses of water in the morning is not enough! (My boss' elderly mother used to get UTIs and she would hallucinate. My grandmother did too.) She had taken imodium the morning of the fall, and that does dehydrate you. If the nurse asked her if she was drinking, she'd say, "Oh yes, a LOT" We'd just shake our heads!
I dread the talk about the vitamins. My sis said she was like an addict when they got home from the hospital. That was the first thing she went for.
Yay for the hospital thinking of the UTI; they don't always.
Sounds to me like you have to have the doctor push the issue. It's logical that she'd have to go to her doctor after an ER trip so that's one way to get the appointment done.
Tell the doctor your sister is concerned about possible dementia don't dismiss it. It may be a way for them to justify having you go with her to the appointment or something.
I would also figure out a way to get her to sign a HIPPA so that they will talk to the children about her.
ALso be thinking about a POA. Try and get her to understand that if you two don't have at least a medical one (there are many types) then if she has to be admitted again, the hospital MIGHT refuse to let the family "help" yada yada.
It's a LONG haul now.
I would ask your sister WHAT she believes are signs of dementia. DO you live there? Is she cooking ok? Able to do her hygiene? Use the remote? Paying her bills? Not fixated on certain wierd things? LIKE VITAMINS?
I only ask because sometimes it's not obvious until later then all the pieces fit together. I know you said she's managing ok and it sounds weird your sister says she shouldn't live at HOME right now...but just asking? Or does she live alone?
My mother had to take her entire pill collection with her to the doctor and I had to take it when she got admitted, too. SO she needs to take them there.
From an outsider's point of view it doesn't sound NORMAL to me that she be so married to these vitamins and I would suspect her judgement a bit. Most people would WANT TO listen to doctor's advise on such an issue after that type of fall BUT IT"S POSSIBLE she doesn't even really remember it or will dismiss it.
THere's a grey area here between being "OK" and not really being "OK" plus all the professionals told me their memory disorders or other issues get worse after a loss. Such as a death of a spouse.
She may be clinging to the vitamins because of your dad. It's tricky. But she MAY listen to her doctor.
"NO you cannot take these vitamins that's why you fell; they dehydrate you they're not for seniors, eat away at your stomach...blah blah"
Thanks for this! They did do a urinalysis in the hospital. She did not have a UTI, but she was dehydrated. She doesn't think she is, but we've pointed out to her that 2 glasses of water in the morning is not enough! (My boss' elderly mother used to get UTIs and she would hallucinate. My grandmother did too.) She had taken imodium the morning of the fall, and that does dehydrate you. If the nurse asked her if she was drinking, she'd say, "Oh yes, a LOT" We'd just shake our heads!
I dread the talk about the vitamins. My sis said she was like an addict when they got home from the hospital. That was the first thing she went for.
Dehydration could have led to the fall -- if dehydration is significant it can affect your blood pressure, and that can lead to feeling light-headed and falls.
As far as the vitamins - I think discussing with her doctor is a great start. Will she listen to the doctor if he suggests she modify the vitamin regime?
Vitamins are generally a sales-job, as most people get plenty of vitamins through a balanced diet. Some small-targeted supplements may be helpful if someone has trouble getting enough of a specific item (like calcium, vitamin D, whatever..) .. but that doesn't stop many people from swearing by them.
It sounds like most people here are opposed to taking supplements. Some supplements can be extremely helpful at very high levels. It's preferable to have tests to determine needs, which can be done by a functional medicine doctor or a naturopath. Cutting all of them off suddenly could be harmful.
I take a lot of prescribed supplements. I always take a list to new doctors. They look at the list and are totally clueless about most of them. Most doctors, including primary care doctors, are not educated about nutrition and nutritional supplements. Try to get her to see a specialist who can advise her on what is beneficial to her and what is not.
It sounds like most people here are opposed to taking supplements. Some supplements can be extremely helpful at very high levels. It's preferable to have tests to determine needs, which can be done by a functional medicine doctor or a naturopath. Cutting all of them off suddenly could be harmful.
I take a lot of prescribed supplements. I always take a list to new doctors. They look at the list and are totally clueless about most of them. Most doctors, including primary care doctors, are not educated about nutrition and nutritional supplements. Try to get her to see a specialist who can advise her on what is beneficial to her and what is not.
BTW, I am not opposed to taking supplements. If my disabled husband starts to "talk crazy" or be incoherent the first thing that I check is that he has taken his potassium.
However, my concern is that the OPs mother has not informed her doctor of all the over the counter medications and vitamins (and dosages) that she takes.
Maybe her doctor will agree with her and determine that they are fine or maybe the doctor will be horrified like my husband's doctor was when she found out what he taking.
Just bring the vitamin bottles to the follow-up appointment your Mom has with her doctor.
She is likely a little dependent upon the caffeine in the pills. That's what she "likes" without realizing it.
Her doctor should check her blood levels of some of the B vitamins. You can overdose on them and have serious side effects. For example, too much B6 can actually cause a neuropathy - abnormal sensation in the nerves - and could contribute to falls.
It is very common for people to have trouble drinking when they get older. The thirst response decreases with age.
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