Thanks for the information! I will keep that in mind. Turns out Mom isn't experiencing vertigo. She has problems with her equilibrium, but is not dizzy. The doctor calls it ataxia. I think you are right that her age leads the docs to think "stroke" first, however. It will be interesting to see what the MRI reveals, if anything.
On the positive side, Mom is in a better frame of mind. They have made her mad and she is determined that she will NOT use a cane or a walker. I think a bit of determination is a good thing here. I also know that she may eventually have to rely upon something to aid her in walking, but I am keeping my mouth shut for now. It's just good to see her fighting spirit return. I think that is what scared us the most... she seemed so defeated. That is just not Mom!
Thanks again for the info, Rosemary. I really appreciate it. :)
Okay... Ataxia is different from vertigo. There are organs in the inner ear for positional/equilibrium, too, but I'm not sure an ENG would help with that. I'm a bit out of date. :( Still, it DOES help to ask if there is a test to see if it's peripheral or central.
And I never underestimate the power of getting pissed off. :) A kick in the pants can help, no matter what the source.
BTW--Mom has the coolest cane that she got in England. She used it all over the place, because the sidewalks were so uneven. It's really pretty, and doesn't look "old lady" at all. So if she does have to get a cane, you might pre-arm yourself with a catalogue of aesthetic choices.
I can personally testify to the power of getting royally pissed. Last July I went into the hospital with an infection that was affecting a lot of me, including my lungs. They were collapsing despite being on breathing assistance. In October, one of the doctors on the team treating me approached my sister to tell her that I was probably going to keep going downhill, and that the family should be prepared. He also wanted her to ask me if I wanted them to take--what's that term they use?--well, if I wanted them to try to save me, basically, if it came to that
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On the positive side, Mom is in a better frame of mind. They have made her mad and she is determined that she will NOT use a cane or a walker. I think a bit of determination is a good thing here. I also know that she may eventually have to rely upon something to aid her in walking, but I am keeping my mouth shut for now. It's just good to see her fighting spirit return. I think that is what scared us the most... she seemed so defeated. That is just not Mom!
Thanks again for the info, Rosemary. I really appreciate it. :)
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And I never underestimate the power of getting pissed off. :) A kick in the pants can help, no matter what the source.
BTW--Mom has the coolest cane that she got in England. She used it all over the place, because the sidewalks were so uneven. It's really pretty, and doesn't look "old lady" at all. So if she does have to get a cane, you might pre-arm yourself with a catalogue of aesthetic choices.
Good luck!
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