Is This What Lupus Is Like??
My mom just came to live with my husband and I in may, before that she was 5 hours away, and we had just reconnected...she is in and out of the hospital a fair bit...but things, happened yesterday...
So she is 65, copd, lupus...I went in at 9 am and found her on the floor. She told me she fell and hit her head but she didnt hurt her head...I got her in bed which was hard because she is so weak she cant lift herself...
Then I walked into her bathroom and found she had pooped all over the toilet and floor and didnt seem to know that she had. So I took her to my bathroom and got her in the tub. I had to get my husband to help me lift her out of it as I am not strong enough to on my own. Getting her in was easier, getting her out, I couldnt. But this had not happened before, at least with her living with me.
I gave her her meds, then 5 mins later she asked if she took her meds. She talks so softly I cant hear her too well. So is this what lupus is like?
I have seen her get weak and be in pain, but this one was so different and she had yet to soil herself...5 days ago she was slow but still up, fully aware...
Im kinda flying blind on this...
, My heart goes out to your and your family. Lupus can be a cruel condition and is just as confusing and complex as it is painful. I am not a doctor, so I am unable to fully understand the route of your mother's issues this week. That being said, I can provide a few resources that might be helpful. Firstly, lupus can affect the memory and brain, especially during a brain fog flare-up: https://lupus.net/symptoms/brain-fog It is possible that it could impact your mother's cognitive function. In addition, lupus can affect the gastrointestinal system and affect bowel movements: https://lupus.net/gastrointestinal-system. While these symptoms could be linked to lupus, it is still important that you and your mother consult with her doctor to make sure there aren't other medical issues going on, especially considering that she is living with multiple diagnoses. Thank you so much for all you are doing to support her, I know it is not easy to manage as a caregiver either. Here is a link to an article written by one of our caregiver advocates that might be of interest to you: https://lupus.net/living/caregiver-tips Good luck, I hope you are able to find some clarity and treatment options soon!
Gabby (team member)I appreciate your reply...I am calling the DR to make sure nothing else is happening. It is helpful to know what you said since this is very new to me...
Keep us in the loop on how the phone call goes. We are here to support you as much as we can. - Cody (Team Member)
Her Dr said to take her to the ER, I called the ambulance so they would take her right in. That was lazy night...they put her in the ICU because her blood pressure was too low...as of today that has resolved, if it stays good over night they will move her to a normal room...yet again they say she had a uti and an infection...this has happened now 3 times since she came here in May...I feel bad that this is her life now 🙁 thank you for asking about her...
oh good. I am so glad that she is in the hospital!! You did the right thing! My RN heart is happy for both of you. Sadly, if she is on treatment for her lupus she will be more apt to get infections of all kinds. That said If she is to a place where she can’t toilet/clean herself well she may not be cleaning herself well and that can lead to more UTIs. We are dealing with that with my grandma but that’s not important.
oh my, my heart goes out to you. The nurse in me encourages you to get in touch with her dr, or get her seen. If this is a big difference from a few days ago the dr needs to be aware. And it makes me nervous that she hit her head. Make sure they know that as well. Obviously I can’t provide medical advice or tell you what to do. But those were/are just my thoughts. Sending big hugs to you, your husband, and your mom. Please keep us updated on how she’s doing.
Amber (lupus.net team moderator)
