Off on and on for the past week I've been SO dizzy! It started off as only happening when I stood up, bent over or moved too quickly. I knew something was off so I went and talked to my doctor. He sent me for some blood work as my blood pressure was a little low in the clinic - 110. The results came back the next day saying I had VERY low blood sugar, and my iron was on the lower end. But everything else appeared fine. He told me to eat more throughout the day and to rest as much as I felt I needed to rest.
A week later (Jan 24'th) I was still very dizzy, even when sitting down and it was sometimes accompanied by chest pain. Back to the doctor I went! My blood pressure was still 110, so that's likely my normal bp. It's never really been taken before. After a series of questions he had me lay down flat on the bed and turn my head to one side. He then pulled me up at which time I had to turn my head and see if I was dizzy (I was both times, both sides).
He then diagnosed me with vertigo. We're hoping it is just an inflammation in the inner ear or maybe an infection that will go away. I'm on a medication to relieve dizziness for two weeks, we will follow up when the prescription runs out. If it's no better he wants to send me for a scan on my brain, this will make sure there is no fluid, brain lesion or something else going on!
He mentioned vertigo can last 2 days to 2 years. I'm REALLY hoping it goes away and there is no need for a brain scan!
Vertigo
Health & Home
Well, After a week or so in the hospital Opa is finally home! :) He did great in the hospital, he was up and walking, very alert and chatty! It was so good to see his improvement throughout those days. However, the ACE team told Oma that she is endangering his life by treating him like a child. (She won't let him do anything, not even feed himself), and that she needs to learn to respect him. Oma didn't take this too well, But I'm glad that she was told by those people. She complains and whines about his Alzheimer's but does nothing to help him and his mind.
Since Opa is home it is arranged that he will have home care in the morning and evening, go to fitness class mon, wed & fri. And He will have 2 hours with a respite worker on Thursdays. This will be GREAT for Opa, providing Oma doesn't try to block it. In one breath she says she can take care of him with help, and in the other doesn't want him home, or says she can do it with no help. It's frustrating to say the least.
The family is glad he is home, hopefully he'll be able to stay healthy and do the things he needs to do.
Now I have developed some health issues. This past Sunday at work I got very dizzy and felt like I was going to pass out. It continued on throughout the next couple of days and Tuesday I went to the doctors office. He told me I have low blood pressure and sent me to get some blood work done. I'm still VERY dizzy, I hope that today the blood tests will come back and show SOMETHING to give an explanation as to why I'm so dang dizzy! I'm tired of it and it needs to stop before I get hurt. If the tests show nothing I will be going back to the doctors to find an answer.
ER and the Doctors office
Well, Opa got to go home yesterday afternoon from spending the day in the hospital. The doctor he seen said all that needed to happen was an adjustment to his medication. This morning Opa was unable to open his eyes or get out of bed. He couldn't squeeze your hand back if you squeezed his. So, once again the EMT's were called. Opa was taken back to Emergency where he was seen by another doctor (so far.). His heart rate was 96! That's way too high! It's taking some wild swings, yesterday it was in the low 30's.
They're bringing in a cardiologist as well as Opa's regular doctor to check on him and hopefully find a reason for these wild swings in his heart rate. I'm told he is resting comfortably and is in a good mind set today. He's calm and not asking where Oma is 24/7 (this was a big issue last time he was in the hospital).
As far as I know right now, he will be in the hospital for a couple of days. Although there is no diagnosis so far, I'm sure this is because they want to 1.) Figure out for sure what is going on. 2). Run some tests and 3.) Monitor his heart rate.
I love my Opa so, so much. He's been my idol since I was just a little girl. I remember spending so much time with him, and loving every minute of it. He was always there to comfort us (the grandkids), teach us new things, and help us anyway he could. I hate seeing him sick and suffering. It's just not fair. Now is my time to be able to comfort him and help him through this tough time. I have confidence that the doctors will be able to figure out what's wrong and do something to help him out. Patience is something I don't have when it comes to peoples health.
Back to the ER.
I had a 6 hour shift at work today, I left 10 minutes after the shift was over. My routine is to change and check my phone as soon as the shift is over, today when I checked my cell I had a text from Mom saying my Opa was back in the hospital but would be going home.
It turns out his heart rate has dropped naturally, and his medication brought it down even lower. This caused his heart rate to be far too low, making him weak and ill. The paramedics were called and Opa went back to the hospital, all that needed to be done was a change in his medications. After being so sick and having a massive heart attack, this is a good sign. His heart is recovering!
He's back home now and he's doing much better now that his medication has been altered. It's always a huge scare when one of them has to go to the hospital, I'm just glad he's home and nothing was TOO wrong.
Hopefully things keep on a steady, healthy pace and everyone stays healthy from here on out.
Battle of the seniors.
I will never understand why seniors have to be so incredibly difficult! Really, is it so hard to accept the help and care you need in order to live a healthy life for your last years?
Well, I don't know if all seniors are this way but my Oma sure is. My Opa has Alzheimer's and it is a brutal disease, but we are thankful he has not forgotten faces/names, but his short term memory is bad. He spent almost a month in the hospital due to a massive heart attack, pneumonia, bladder infection and blood infection. It wouldn't have gotten to the point it did if Oma had told someone Opa wasn't feeling good, or let the paramedics take him to the ER the first time they were called... rather than the third.
Since he does have Alzheimer's and some mobility issues, Respite care and home care were arranged. This should allow Oma a bit of a break, to go get her weekly shopping done and Opa can go for a walk and to activities at the building with the respite worker. Someone will also come each morning and help him shower, shave and get dressed.
Sound nice doesn't it? Not just for Opa, but Oma too. She could relax and be thankful for the help. But, alas she turns the workers away and tells them not to come. Well, with Respite care.. it's a one shot deal. If you turn them away too many times, they cancel the agreement and you can't get them back. Oma's turned them away three times now of the four times they've been there. The family had to beg the respite center to come back. How sad, right?
I don't know how to get it through to her that she NEEDS to let these people do their jobs, not just for Opa's benefit, but for her's too. She KNOWS she can't take care of him & herself, it's just too much. So why can't she accept the help? I know she's taken care of them all of her life pretty much, but it's time to sit back and let people help. I've tried everything I can think of to get through to her. But it always fails and I'm beside myself about it. I don't want Opa to suffer because of her selfish attitude. He deserves the best possible care there is. She does too, but right now she doesn't need that kind of care.
I'm desperate to find a way to make her allow the workers in and to let them do what they show up to do. Some how someone has to be able to get through that thick head of hers. .
Sweet jesus I hope I'm not like her when I'm old..
