Doctors!! Mums voice update

[Kathleen]

Hello again
A locum GP came to the home to look at mum's throat as she has been having problems with her voice for weeks. He asked her age?..74...what is the problem?...her throat is causing her worry and some distress...he looked and could not see anything obvious then said she has alzheimers so what do you expect me to do!!
I won,t repeat word for word my response, suffice to say he got the message that she still has physical and mental pain and worries like him and everyone else,and deserves the same treatment as anyone else.
She may have AD but she is still a person. How come so many medical people see any dementia sufferers as lesser beings.
I contacted her psychiatrist and he rang me back after having strong words with the GP and he will be visiting mum on Monday to assess her for himself, as he is disgusted with the dismissive way the GP treated her. He suggests she may have problems with her throat due to the AD, if not he will see about getting a referal to a specialist himself.
We are so lucky to have him on side he really has done more to help us through dad's death and the major trauma that caused to mum's transition to the care homes than anyone else.
Thanks for your support I really need it at times
Kathleen
x

 

[TED]

Hi

Glad that you got Mum seen even if the initial results caused you further distress, Am pleased that you have someone else who can 'fight your corner' and am sure you must feel better in your own mind that Mum will have some help with whatever may be troubling her.

It is easy to lose faith in the medical profession sometimes when episodes like this occur, my Mum and Dad have been fortunate so far but we've had the same Dr for many years. I'd say that the majority of the profession are fantastic in their care and understanding, dont let one bad moment turn you away.

Take care
now go get yourself that Ice Cream eh !!

Have a good weekend
TED

 

[Jude]

Dear Kathleen,

So many people tend to dismiss AD sufferers as past their use-by date. This sort of attitude sends me ballistic too! I'm so glad to hear that you have a wonderful CP who is ready to do battle on your mother's behalf. Well done to you for leaping up the chain of command so promptly.

This situation is also a clear message for all carers out there who feel defeated by indifferent medics and others who do not take the plight of AD sufferers seriously. If you feel that you aren't getting the prompt attention that your loved ones deserve - then go straight to the top.

All AD sufferers have a right to be treated decently - it is their right to expect respect and dignity in their vunerability.

Good luck and I hope Mum's throat problems will be resolved soon.

Jude

 

[Brucie]

Don't they make us mad! No understanding at all [whatever happened to bedside manner?] and SO SO convenient to write everything off as dementia.

I had a good story yesterday though, to show not everyone is so unfeeling.

When I was crawling with Jan yesterday, she held the top of her right arm a lot. I said to her "does it hurt" and she said, unusually clearly, "yes". I touched the area and said "here?". She again said "yes".

On the way out, I said to the nurse in charge what had happened and asked that the doctor see Jan next time she is in. The nurse said that would not be until Tuesday. Since Jan seemed not in great pain - and in any case these things can be 'ghost' pains anyway - I said ok.

At 9pm last night the nurse called me to say the doctor had examined Jan, but had found nothing obviously wrong. They will keep a watching brief.

That's about the best one can hope for in care - it IS difficult to determine what is wrong, and whether pain is real especially with advanced Alzheimer's, but it makes life so much more palatable if we at least feel that we and our loved ones are being taken seriously. When our loved ones appear to be in pain, we are in pain as well, knowing we are the only ones who can act on their behalf. If a GP or someone else has an uncaring manner, it makes the hurt all the more for us.

 

[Jude]

Dear Brucie,

Totally agree with you on this.

On reflection, I guess that's why I felt so ill when I got home. It was probably the horror of seeing my parents in such a shocking condition.

Jude

 

[Sheila]

Dear Kathleen and Brucie, hang on in there, dont let the "you know whats" grind ya down, thinking of you, hope things improve soon, love She. XX

 

[Norman]

I don't think GPs write off things as Dementia just to give an answer.
It's more likely that they don't have a clue about Dementia anyway.
At a seminar recently one suggestion was that there should be modules on Dementia in the medical training.
Money and time also enters the equation.
A dentist told me that many dentists will not treat Dementia patients because it could take 2 hours to settle the patient and then get only £7.50 for a filling.
What happened to the caring professions?
Norman

 

[connie]

Norman, thats it in a nutshell. Connie.