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Pneumonia

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Lisaleo1208
Lisaleo1208

After some advice please. My mum had a hernia operation a week ago Monday, all went well, she was discharged the day after. As soon as she came out of surgery she had a cough, and had to be on oxygen. Cough gradually got worse, and I could hear her chest 'rattling' when she was breathing. I called a doctor out to her today, and the doctor diagnosed a bad chest infection and pneumonia. She's 75, not in the best of her at the best of times (takes blood pressure tablets and warfrin amonst others). Am I right in being very concerned? She has been given amoxicillin, steriods and a enhaler. Doctor doesnt 'feel she needs to be in hosptial at the moment' . Can anyone give me any advice? I'm very worried,

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Nanny1086
    Nanny1086 Lisaleo1208

    Posted

    Hi ,you must be very worried ,no one likes to see their mum poorly ,sounds like she's had/ having a rough time ,and possibly should have been kept in hospital ,

    the steroids should start working soon along with the amoxicillin antibiotic ,but you can always contact your GP again and explain your concern ,or ring the British lung foundation ,I'm sorry it's all OR's ,but I'm not a health proffecional, but I have had pneaumomia ,and I was taken into hospital the first two occasions ,,,but the last time I was treated at home, ,,,if in doubt ,,,,999. Best wishes to you 

    • Lisaleo1208
      Lisaleo1208 Nanny1086

      Posted

      Thank you son much Nanny1086. Its pretty scary. Althought my dad predominatly passed away from a heart attack, he'd been in hospital for the 2 weeks before his death, and he also had pnuemonia. Mum is on a pretty high dose of steroids, has to take 6 a day, all at once. Hopefully the will kick pnuemonia's butt! Thanks again.
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee Lisaleo1208

    Posted

    Yes Lisaleo, you should be concerned. It could take her a long time to spring back from this infection given her age and other health challenges.

    There is something that I would insist upon and that is to have her sputum cultured. She only has to cough up her phlegm into a little sterile container and then the lab cultures it to define exactly what the bug, germ is and that way you can be sure she is on the proper medication/antibiotic to kill the bug instead of the average cover all types antibiotics that may only suppress it.

    You cannot waste time due to her age, however it is ok to take an antibiotic while waiting for the cultured results.

    We can catch serious germs while we are in hospitals. It has happened to me twice. Straight to my lungs, the weakest part of my body. If I had not insisted, I could have died or spent years on antibiotics that only suppressed it instead of killing it.

    If you are not listened to, as has happened to me, and this is the reason I use the word "insist." Remember that your mum is part of the medical team. In fact she is THE most important part of the team, and you are her advocates. Sometimes doctors need to be reminded of this.

    Hope the best for your mum.

    💛 Dawn, USA

    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 DawnDedee

      Posted

      I agree with all you have said ,,,,,and your comments clearly stated, I whole heartily agree with INSIST ,
    • Lisaleo1208
      Lisaleo1208 DawnDedee

      Posted

      Thank you Dawn, yes, she has a container which she needs to put her phlegm into, I told her to do it tonight when I went to see her after work. When I go in to mums in the morning, I will run it to the surgery straight away. I'm wondering if the doctor is waiting for the results of this, and then will maybe admit her to hospital?
    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 Lisaleo1208

      Posted

      Hi if your mum is doing a sputum sample tonight ,,,put it inthe fridge to keep it fresh ( I was told by my consultant) or do a fresh sample first thing in the morning ,
    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 DawnDedee

      Posted

      Hi , ,,,I'm not sure if I've offended you in some way DawnDedee,,,if I have ? I assure you I didn't intend to ,regards,
    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee Nanny1086

      Posted

      What offence? I do not know of any. What made you say this? No you have not offended me in anyway.

      Hugs

      💛 Dawn

    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 DawnDedee

      Posted

      Hi ,I've obviously misunderstood your comment, thankyou for your reply I appreciate it ,confused
    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee Nanny1086

      Posted

      Dear Nanny,

      The source of my thoughts for the comment of been there and done that, was based on your comment before mine in which you put the emphasis on the word" insist", from my post before that. Ha! Complicated huh? 💛

      We both know that we sometimes have to INSIST with medical personnel when we want and need something done.

      Hugs

      💛 Dawn, USA

  • Nanny1086
    Nanny1086 Lisaleo1208

    Posted

    Hi again ,keep us informed of improvements ,and remember to ring GP ,or 999 if YOU think it nesasary ,,thinking of you both ,
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