Help with diagnosing relative's condition
Discussion
A very close and dear family member in their 60s is experiencing certain symptoms that could be a sign of something serious and progressive.
They are reluctant to seek a diagnosis as I think they fear that the truth may be bad and that ignorance is bliss. On the other hand I can see that if they did get a diagnosis it would be the end of them anyway. Those around him are trying to see what we can do to help him. Could I pick your collective brains with the following symptoms please?
Toes curling under.
Can't feel feet/tingling.
Weakness in stomach muscles.
Cramps.
Walking bent over sometimes.
Stumbling and falling.
Losing strength in arms and cannot easily raise arms.
Occasional breathlessness, turning purple.
Coughing fits.
Thank you.
They are reluctant to seek a diagnosis as I think they fear that the truth may be bad and that ignorance is bliss. On the other hand I can see that if they did get a diagnosis it would be the end of them anyway. Those around him are trying to see what we can do to help him. Could I pick your collective brains with the following symptoms please?
Toes curling under.
Can't feel feet/tingling.
Weakness in stomach muscles.
Cramps.
Walking bent over sometimes.
Stumbling and falling.
Losing strength in arms and cannot easily raise arms.
Occasional breathlessness, turning purple.
Coughing fits.
Thank you.
Appreciate any constructive input and thank you so far to those that have offered.
With all due respect, it is not that straightforward to simply go to the doctors because the relative is avoiding that and we are worried of what their actions would be upon receiving an official diagnosis.
So please, anyone with experience or knowledge of these symptoms, I would be grateful for any discussion put forward on this discussion forum. I know we will not diagnose the person through this forum, never intended that, just to seek discussion in the meantime from others from their knowledge and experience. This may help form a strategy for those around this person to help ease them through the process of seeking professional help with support and comfort. Please respect that.
With all due respect, it is not that straightforward to simply go to the doctors because the relative is avoiding that and we are worried of what their actions would be upon receiving an official diagnosis.
So please, anyone with experience or knowledge of these symptoms, I would be grateful for any discussion put forward on this discussion forum. I know we will not diagnose the person through this forum, never intended that, just to seek discussion in the meantime from others from their knowledge and experience. This may help form a strategy for those around this person to help ease them through the process of seeking professional help with support and comfort. Please respect that.
Jeanboi said:
Appreciate any constructive input and thank you so far to those that have offered.
With all due respect, it is not that straightforward to simply go to the doctors because the relative is avoiding that and we are worried of what their actions would be upon receiving an official diagnosis.
So please, anyone with experience or knowledge of these symptoms, I would be grateful for any discussion put forward on this discussion forum. I know we will not diagnose the person through this forum, never intended that, just to seek discussion in the meantime from others from their knowledge and experience. This may help form a strategy for those around this person to help ease them through the process of seeking professional help with support and comfort. Please respect that.
With further respect the symptoms you describe sound like something from an episode of House where he spends an hour running around and then shouts something nobody has ever heard of to universal acclaimWith all due respect, it is not that straightforward to simply go to the doctors because the relative is avoiding that and we are worried of what their actions would be upon receiving an official diagnosis.
So please, anyone with experience or knowledge of these symptoms, I would be grateful for any discussion put forward on this discussion forum. I know we will not diagnose the person through this forum, never intended that, just to seek discussion in the meantime from others from their knowledge and experience. This may help form a strategy for those around this person to help ease them through the process of seeking professional help with support and comfort. Please respect that.
I would imagine that anybody with a medical degree is constrained from offering an opinion online by the GMC and consequently anything you get suggested here is conjecture and speculation at best
Good luck, again
PS how do you get 2 user names?
Well if you thought you had cancer, but you were scared to go to the doctor because you didn't want to hear the worst you are a bit silly (imo).
The sooner things are diagnosed and treated the better (Generally)
I can speak personally re a very close family member.
I can appreciate the person's anxiety though.
The sooner things are diagnosed and treated the better (Generally)
I can speak personally re a very close family member.
I can appreciate the person's anxiety though.
numtumfutunch said:
Jeanboi said:
Appreciate any constructive input and thank you so far to those that have offered.
With all due respect, it is not that straightforward to simply go to the doctors because the relative is avoiding that and we are worried of what their actions would be upon receiving an official diagnosis.
So please, anyone with experience or knowledge of these symptoms, I would be grateful for any discussion put forward on this discussion forum. I know we will not diagnose the person through this forum, never intended that, just to seek discussion in the meantime from others from their knowledge and experience. This may help form a strategy for those around this person to help ease them through the process of seeking professional help with support and comfort. Please respect that.
With further respect the symptoms you describe sound like something from an episode of House where he spends an hour running around and then shouts something nobody has ever heard of to universal acclaimWith all due respect, it is not that straightforward to simply go to the doctors because the relative is avoiding that and we are worried of what their actions would be upon receiving an official diagnosis.
So please, anyone with experience or knowledge of these symptoms, I would be grateful for any discussion put forward on this discussion forum. I know we will not diagnose the person through this forum, never intended that, just to seek discussion in the meantime from others from their knowledge and experience. This may help form a strategy for those around this person to help ease them through the process of seeking professional help with support and comfort. Please respect that.
I would imagine that anybody with a medical degree is constrained from offering an opinion online by the GMC and consequently anything you get suggested here is conjecture and speculation at best
Good luck, again
PS how do you get 2 user names?
To convince them, type 2 diabetes is plausible and that can be controlled with tablets.
However untreated the next stages are a real world of hurt, blindness, amputations, sepsis and death.
Two usernames, but same id, they just changed their name.
It sounds like a mixture of peripheral neuropathy, severe anaemia, neurological deficit and lung disease. The causes of which are many.
Severe anaemia can cause the neuropathy, as can diabetes, it can also cause shortness of breath and dizziness. The curling toes and unusual gait sound neurological.
But, as stated you can't possibly get any useful info of here other than to force the person involved to go see a doctor. You would need a much more detailed history, examination and further tests doing to get on the road to treatment. Don't assume it's terminal though, it may be something that can at least be managed.
Burying your head in the sand is just plain daft tbh.
Severe anaemia can cause the neuropathy, as can diabetes, it can also cause shortness of breath and dizziness. The curling toes and unusual gait sound neurological.
But, as stated you can't possibly get any useful info of here other than to force the person involved to go see a doctor. You would need a much more detailed history, examination and further tests doing to get on the road to treatment. Don't assume it's terminal though, it may be something that can at least be managed.
Burying your head in the sand is just plain daft tbh.
dave_s13 said:
Burying your head in the sand is just plain daft tbh.
this - particularly if the condition is progressive and/or has a treatment available. Delaying things could push from 'can be dealt with' to 'get your things in order....'Personal experience:
I have a progressive condition and have some (but not all) of the symptoms mentioned, but I know others with my condition have more of them. I was lucky that I reacted to something 'odd' and was able to push through the diagnostic path a bit quicker through private healthcare; even with that it took a year or two to get from 'odd' to... oh. For many it was several years. Fortunately, following a diagnosis; I have a treatment, although at best it only slows/stops progress, damage already done is irreversible.
How they deal with the answer they get is up to them, but ignoring it is never going to make something with that range of symptoms go away!
coffeebreath said:
Multiple Sclerosis ? Pretty much all those symptoms are present in MS at varying stages of its severity.
The diagnosis of which is nuanced and only done by a neurologist after serial MRI, maybe a lumbar puncture, physical examination, full history take etc etc etc....You absolutely cannot infer anything from anything written in here. OPs mate needs a trip to the GP, nowt else.
Op it seems to me that instead of an online "diagnosis", you actually need a plan to get the relative to the Doctors. You could say you have googled it and it sounds like X and that can be treated/managed with Y and its not too bad. Then use that ruse to get them in to see the GP - you should drive so you know they actually go.
Quite a lot of those symptoms sound like a neurological manifestation of something, but doesn't necessarily mean it's a neurological illness.
A few mentioned diabetes, could also be vitamin/mineral deficiency. These are all eminently controllable.
Could also be blood pressure/heart related, much of which is controllable with medication.
Being in their 60s they've passed the age at which MS & Parkinson's generally become symptomatic (though doesn't mean it's not them).
You, family & friends know they need to go to the GP. Guess you'll have to try to persuade them along lines that "Dr Google says it's <insert seemingly benign cause here>. Let's make an appointment and go get it sorted".
A few mentioned diabetes, could also be vitamin/mineral deficiency. These are all eminently controllable.
Could also be blood pressure/heart related, much of which is controllable with medication.
Being in their 60s they've passed the age at which MS & Parkinson's generally become symptomatic (though doesn't mean it's not them).
You, family & friends know they need to go to the GP. Guess you'll have to try to persuade them along lines that "Dr Google says it's <insert seemingly benign cause here>. Let's make an appointment and go get it sorted".
dave_s13 said:
OPs mate needs a trip to the GP, nowt else.
If that wasn't obvious enough from the opening post, it was obvious enough from the 6 or 7 other times it has been repeated in the thread.OP I hope there has been enough suggestions in the thread to allow you some reading material and open discussion on symptoms with the family to help them guide the relative to the resolution of wanting to see a doctor.
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