And now my 88 year old mother.......

[scotthongkong]

As if things could not get worse my 88 year old mother has now been diagnosed with afib. Similar to me she entered into hospital for another operation and now she has it too. I had to put my foot down when I was told by the doctor at the hospital that there was nothing they could do for her though. I am going to demand she see someone. They obviously feel she is past her used by date. This has been a hideous year.........

[BobD Volunteer]

No comfort I know but the older we get the more likely we are to get AF. In fact forty years ago AF was considered normal for older people it was so common. Since any and all treatment for AF is only ever about quality of life (QOL) provided that she is asymptomatic which she obviously was there is little they would do. At that age, anticoagulation has it's risks so a balance needs to be struck. It is not a matter of sell by date at all.

[jedimasterlincoln]

Of course there are things they could and should do, even if it's just look at options and her/you chose not to take any of them.

[Hidden]

It’s obviously a blow but so much depends on how AF is affecting your Mum. Over the past 4 years I have met so many people who have been diagnosed with persistent or permanent AF who lead normal lives and wonder what all the fuss is about. They take their betablocker and anticoagulant, if prescribed and are reluctant to pursue alternative, invasive procedures because they don’t believe the risk is worth it for them. Of course, if your Mum is suffering from symptoms then you need to push hard for support from a specialist but that will take time on the NHS so a private appointment might be the best way to establish the most suitable treatment plan.

[10gingercats in reply to Hidden]

A friends mother in her 90's was treated for Afib and then given a pacemaker. She lived to 100 and it was something else that killed her!

[Love100cats]

A lot depends on quality of life. Some specialists are not so good at explaining the options. I'm 78 and diagnosed last June. I'm on medication which has slowed my heart and calmed it down a bit but there is nothing in the pipe line. My husband has an end of life form completed but I don't. My life is at a standstill but I look after myself and my husband and have some home help. It's ok for me but I know some who would not want a sedentary life style. You know your mum so you are the best person in the world to work out what's best for her. Trust your instincts! I did with my mum who I lost 2 years ago to h.f. It was right for her. You will be in my thoughts.

[ling]

How true.

With the large number of old people, yes hospitals are tending to go down that route, where doctors decide on behalf of the patient based on their old age, that it's best for them to die. That happened to my dad. They try all insidious ways to let them die "naturally". Bastards

[Janith in reply to ling]

I would be enraged and feel very sorry for any doctor or facility who would dare to make a decision that it was best for my parent to die “naturally” when help was available to them. I would sue him and or his facility and expose their ideology for the world to see. They would pay dearly for their mean and uncaring attitude!!!

[ling in reply to Janith]

It was a very subtle thing, the way these doctor "experts" do it. They know they are crossing the line, so they are really careful. If the records are checked, it would be difficult to fault them for not doing the necessary.

One thing they would do, is to prey on the patient's family's ignorance. We realised it only on hindsight. At the time, we were severely stressed and trusted and relied greatly on the doctor to guide us. How stupid we were

[scotthongkong]

Thank you all for your caring and concerned responses. I appreciate being able to 'vent' with my newly found friends and confidants.......we will get through this in some way whatever that looks like. Thanks again.