Want to help my elderly mum

[muggle1965]

My mum is 78 and was diagnosed with Raynaud's many years ago. Up until 5 years ago she only suffered with cold hands and was very healthy. However, for the past 5 years and its been getting worse, she gets spells of feeling like she's drunk. She's convinced it's to do with her circulation but her GP is dismissive and says she must drink more water. She's now getting quite depressed about it and is at a loss what to do.

[honeybug]

Dear muggle1965. 🤗🌿🌸🦋My dad and I both have Raynauds; mine is worse.

My dads hands only are affected. His hands are ice cold and they range in blanched white to dark purple blue in color.

Raynauds is a circulation disease where the blood flow is constricted causing the color changes. Serious complications can develop if the circulation isn’t restored soon.

My dad is 91. He has a severe salt addiction. Some foods already too salty for the average eater doesn’t have enough for him so he will freely salt his food before ever tasting it. He even goes so far as to put about a half inch of salt on a slice of bread fold it in half and relish every salty bite...yuck!!

He is in heart failure from his horrible diet. This salt diet has really complicated his heart/circulation disease. His hands went totally numb at times.

With Raynaud’s disease we are at risk of getting frostbite ulcers gangrene and finger amputations. There is sensory nerve damage long term for not getting restored circulation soon enough. This leads to difficulty with detecting hot cold wet frozen everyday objects in our palms as well as our finger dexterity.

Have you taken her to a Rheumatologist or Cardiologist???

I wouldn’t let your negative GP visits stop your quest for a proper diagnosis. Your mom’s life may depend on it.

Best wishes for getting this sorted sweetie.

EJ 🤗🙏🌿🌸🦋

[muggle1965 in reply to honeybug]

Thanks honeybug, I was saying to my mum today about seeing a Rheumatologist so thanks for the advice.Is your dad's Salt addiction linked to Raynaud's? Bless him, must be such a worry for you.

[honeybug in reply to muggle1965]

You’re most welcome muggle. 😊🙏🌿🌸🦋

No my dad’s salt addiction Is caused by his love of all things salty, period. Being 91 having gone through 9 decades of full body changes as he has aged and the decline of his tastebuds with that has caused an ever increasing amount needed to feel satisfied.

It truly is a worry and I’ve had the heart to heart discussion of cutting way back on it. He had firmly told me he isn’t going to change and accepts whatever happens regardless of how it will hurt me. I’ve had to accept his personal choices. That’s been really tough honestly.

Thank you for your kind words.

Have a good evening sweetie.

EJ ♥️🥰🙏

[redmaggie]

Hello, I know I've come to this post late, but I do hope you have got your mum to see a doctor (rather than just a phone appointment). Dizzy spells in an elderly person could mean any problem - an should be properly investigated. Added to that is the risk of falls and injury. Please don't be fobbed off by an uncaring Doctor, get the attention that is deserved! Good Luck.