Just in the last day my mother's feet and ankles have swollen up. It is hard for her to walk. Does this mean end of life? She seems ok otherwise. I was told to elevate her legs and keep her off her feet? I'm scared this means end of life because she looked at me in the face and said, "I feel like I'm dying, please don't leave me." This breaks my heart but I know it is coming. She is also starting to have incontinence of her bowels and it is scaring her and me.
If you.want advice for ALL the issues, speak up about them. Probably only get 10 min or so appoinentment time so be prepared, write it down. Dot points.
If you are done & need immediate help, say so. Ask for options.
Just as a PS, Roger, if Doc wants these put on be certain you go to good medical supply store and measure your mom just as instructed. Know that a good powder such a Zesorb can help with getting them on and off.
Hugs 🤗
Does Mom suffer from CHF (congestive heart failure).
Does she suffer from diabetes and because of that she has kidney desease.
Both of these problems will cause what is happening to Mom. Her body is not getting rid of water. Putting her feet up is a good thing. Cut out as much salt as you can.
I would take her to the ER.
Best to see a dr. My SIL has very swollen ankles and she is only 67---she commented the other day on how ugly her legs looked and my heart dropped--she doesn't 'do' doctors and so she won't have it checked, but she said by the end of each day she can't get her shoes on----so something's amiss.
The incontinence is another whole issue. I hope you can get some answers from the doc.
Perhaps it is time for the 'Hospice' Talk? You get a lot of support and you're not fishing around in the dark wondering what's happening.
But last year they got worse, and it was just a matter of changing her meds
But as you know this could be something worse or something just meds can help.
That's my nonmedical terms.
Curious have you taking her BP?
Might be something wouldn't hurt to check.
Good luck and keep us posted
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Seek emergency medical care (go to the ER) if there is leg swelling and any of the following signs or symptoms, which can indicate a blood clot in your lungs or a serious heart condition:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath with exertion or lying flat in bed
- Fainting or dizziness
- Coughing blood
Seek immediate care (Urgent Care) if the leg swelling:
- Occurs suddenly and for no apparent reason
- Is related to a physical injury, such as from a fall, a sports injury or a car accident
- Occurs in one leg and is painful, or is accompanied by cool, pale skin
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/leg-swelling/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050910
I assume when you say that YOU have a meeting with doctor you really mean your mom does?
He will be able easily to tell you if what you are seeing is simple dependent edema (and make suggestions such as leg elevation at rest or compression hose, etc) or if he would like to work your mother up for more serious issues such as CHF.
I have a feeling that you already will be a bit familiar with Congestive Heart Failure as it is often talked about here on AC. But that again is something to look up as there is a lot of online information on that. Your doctor can run some simple tests on your Mom, such as an ultrasound to check on some things. Do look up CHF and you will see there a list of symptoms that will either reassure you or cause you more worry.
A VERY brief primer on CHF is to consider the heart a pump. With age it is a less efficient pump. People may suffer from LEFT heart failure, RIGHT heart failure, or a combination of both. In left heart failure (the more serious) the heart's insufficiency as a pump will allow fluid to build in the lungs resulting in shortness of breath on minimal exertion or an inability to lay down quite flat and breathe comfortably. In Right heart failure the heart's insufficiency as a pump allows for fluid to build in legs, ankles, sometime even abdominally.
Cause? Aging, as said. Also some valve problems in heart. Also some other things.
No cure other than valve surgery if that's the problem or heart transplant (not an option).
But treated with diuretics which help to eliminate excess fluids.
Hopefully your mom is just experiencing some dependent edema, but importantly this is a question from the MD who will know her and know what tests to run.