This came up a couple of weeks ago; mom was crying and whimpering that she had exposed my pregnant niece to "something like leprosy" and that "I knew all about it". (I didn't). I finally told mom she didn't have MRSA, Tuberculosis or shistosomaisis and she seemed happy with that. Last night, she was agitated and upset again, pointing to something on her arm and insisting that my SIL call me because "Barbara knows what I have". I've asked the nurses to have the APRN look at her and perhaps get the dermatologist involved. Anyone have any brilliant ideas? Yes, she has vascular dementia and she's on anti-depressants and anti anxiety meds.
It's interesting to see mom from the perspective of someone who didn't grow up with mom as their mother. My experience of my mom is that of someone who watched her terrible anxiety throughout my childhood. I was deeply affected by it.
My SIL doesn't have that history, tends to take her more at face value, i.e., if mom thinks she has something like leprosy, there must be a grain of truth in it. Nope.
I resisted. But i finally emailed my brother the other day and told him that i needed him, as PoA, to complete HIPAA forms allowing me to talk to mom's three derms, two internists...and suddenly, he seemed to realize that this was crazy.
I drove there today armed with all sorts of responses to her concerns. The only thing i wasn't prepared for was her non-concern. Feeling very much at sea.
We need to her engaged and occupied
I cannot recall an instance in which my mother did not agree with a doctor.
My mother has always been anxious and something of a medical alarmist. She was a medical secretary as a young woman ( she refers to this as having been "in medicine") and knows more than is good for her.
We'll just have to see what the doctor says. I'm impatient with her whimpering and pointing with horror to skin stuff like it's the end of the world. And i know it's because i was told as a child to get over this kind of behavior. Sigh
She had a MRSA based UTI once, but doc didn't tell her.. I threw in Shistosomaisis simply because it had "ssss" and I have cats.
Just noticed tonight that these concerns seem to arise in the evening, not during thte day when I visit.
It's just so very concerning when she says "I) know what it is" If I get on the phone with her, she's very hostile when I say I don't know. she says "Dont put me through this,Barbara; you know what I have; you know what I'm talking about" (no mom, I really, really don't!!)
Shingles, Psoriasis, Spiders Spider mites, and Silly Bed Bugs.
Bed bugs can be found with a special flourescent light, magnifying glass, or finding little brown flecks of dried blood dirt on the sheets. The bites appear in tiny three spots (3's). These are suspect in a facility that washes towels and sheets together. Also check the mattress.
Oh, sorry Babalou, you had asked for 'brilliant', my bad! I agree with your Mom, you know what she has! Good luck, and thanks for sharing! You have always been there for everyone else!
Allergies to food or medicine
Flea bites (Cats in the facility?)
Mosquitos or other bug bites
Allergic to laundry Detergent used on clothes/sheets.
Itching caused by diabetes or liver problems, untreated with Benadryl Cream, Mom scratches-makes it worse. Is there a scab?
Std.
Dermatologist will check them out. thanks for listening!