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Suggest Treatment For Dementia

Posted on Mon, 8 Dec 2014

Question: My mother has dementia. She is 90 and bedridden in assisted living. Her heTalth has deterioted significantly in the last 3 mos due to treatment of MRSA infection. Over that time there has been contracture development is her right arm and hand as well as both legs. There is a constant worry of dehydration bc prior to her hospital stay for the MRSA she exhibited multiple seizures and UTI's. This afternoon I was resituating her arm from under the covers to outside the covers. Movement of the arm can be painful, but it was under her top drawn up left leg. She started gagging. She has taken thyroid medication my entire life. I would appreciate your insight before accusing the staff of not giving her enough water. She had no problem drinking her just after gagging. .. My brother indicated there was a gagging problem after he fed her; not a choking problem.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more info

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

I need more clarity into what just happened in order to help you

1. Please let me know on what exactly you mean by gagging? Was there troubled and difficult respiration? Inability to swallow?
2. Was there loss of consciousness?
3. Did she gag on her own or was something being fed to her during that time?
4. Was there dentures or anything put into the mouth in the prior hour or so?
5. When was her thyroid levels checked ?

Please get back to me

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (11 minutes later)

She was in no way eating anything when it happened. I gently moved her arm from under her leg to above the covers. She did make a face like the movement was painful then several reflexes occurred....as if she needed to throw up.

I, in fact, looked for something she could throw up in if she could. After the reaction stopped, I tested her swallowing and she was able to drink 8 oz of fluid with no problem.

I'm not sure what the sequence of events was after my brother fed her last night,
but he said it was definitely not choking. And she had finished everything before it started.

I have no idea about the thyroid levels.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
To treat thyroid dysfunction

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back

It could be that your mom might have had a stuck mucous which caused the transient gagging.

Here are my suggestions

1. Always keep her in propped up position ( head end elevated)
2. Prop up to 90 degrees when feeding
3. Finding out the current TSH value and treating it accordingly might improve the symptoms
4. Watch for increased secretions especially while coughing

I hope I was of help, please get back to me if you have any further queries

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar