Appetite loss after SD haematoma and pulmonary embolism

[abroddrodd]

Hello everyone

My mum had a fall last October and suffered a subdural haemetoma, broken hip and shoulder. Following that she had a PE in December. She was discharged in January but had since been unable to eat properly. In Feb she was so weak she ended up back in hospital where she has been for 6 weeks now. She had a feeding tube put in two weeks ago so I’d getting stronger from that and she is starting to eat a little bit. My concern is that she will soon be discharged and will go home and once again stop eating. I feel we need someone to address the root cause of the loss of appetite. The hospital are saying they will do this but we need as much help as we can get. She’s also developed delirium after an infection in hospital so is now very distressed and frightened following hallucinations. We are based in Merseyside, UK. Has anyone else had similar issues, have any strategies to help and can anyone recommend how we might find a good private Dr. To help with the psychological side of the food issues. If we can crack this, I think we might have a chance of getting her better. She’s 73.

Thank you for any advice you can offer.

[cat3]

Loss of appetite was a problem for me after starting with Atrial Fibrillation in Oct last year but I realise now that, apart from the scary and exhausting symptoms, it was the shock of the diagnosis and fear of the unknown.

So perhaps your mum has been in a similar position where her confidence has been severely affected by the fall, then a chain of worrying health issues. The doctors are obviously taking her issue very seriously in keeping her under their care for so long and I hope they'll succeed in restoring her interest in food as well as rebuilding her confidence.

If she's mobile, walking your mum short distances (maybe within the hospital grounds) might help restore some confidence, and chip away at fears of another fall.

Best wishes for better days ahead, Cat x

[abroddrodd in reply to cat3]

Thank you Cat. Much appreciated. I wish you well also.