I don´t even know what to put in the subject because I absolutely don´t know what it is that I´m looking for. But here goes the explanation.
My father in law is only 73 years old and has this weird disease. About 6 or 7 years ago, he started losing movement in his right hand. Since he´s never been the type to go to the doctor, he didn´t do anything about it. Then the it started going up his arm and throughout his body until he lost movement in his whole body. Now he´s practically paralyzed. Although he isn´t paralyzed he can still barely move his fingers and lift up his legs, but with a lot of effort. Every day we have to sit him in his chair, lay him down on his bed, roll him over on his other side, spoon feed him all his meals, he drinks from a straw, we have to carry him to the bathroom, and wipe him when he´s done.
Then he lost his voice. He can´t speak. He tells us he wants something mouthing the word. When he gets a cough, he is unable to take out the flem, because he doesn´t have enough strength. One time he almost choked to death.
Now this morning, we found him hardly able to breath, couldn´t swallow water, and very pale. My husband took him to the doctor and he said that his heart rate was irregular, and that sometimes it would beat very fast and at other times it would stop. So he told us to take him to the hospital in the city. So he went to the city and they told him that he might have one of his lungs blocked.
So my question is, what is this disease that my father in law has? Honestly the doctors here in Mexico are so corrupt, they tell you any thing to make more money. And some doctors didn´t really finish their doctorate, because here in Mexico you can buy your license. What can we do to help him? Is there any specialist that we should take him to? If he gets better, what can we do at home to help him feel better?
Julieta, I can't answer your question, but I wondered if you could afford to take him to a private hospital? I found the service in public hospitals in Mexico to be pretty much the way you described it, but I really thought the doctors at private hospitals were excellent - every bit as well-trained and professional as we all want our doctors to be. Is a private hospital a possible option for you?
Posts: 2241 | Location: In between | Registered: 06-03-02
Wow, that could be any number of things from a series of small strokes to a chronic nerve or neurological disorder. 6 or 7 years ago was the time to consult a doctor but better late than never. The American Embassy may have a roster of physicians to whom they refer staff and tourists and you could at least be be sure that such doctors had completed their medical degree and had no history of serious malpractice. A hotel/resort catering to international guests may also have some helpful information. Good luck.
Posts: 2235 | Location: Western United States | Registered: 06-03-02
At the hospital, they told us to take him home because it was of no use to have him there. they said that he would need an oxygen tank to be able to breathe. His lungs are no longer able to expand very well.
Last night after we brought him back from the hospital, he had another attack where he couldn´t breathe. We almost lost him last night. It´s like these attacks come in waves. One minute he´s fine and the other minute he can´t breathe.
You know Juan, I looked up ALS on the internet, and I think that his symptoms are more closely related to ALS.
Sarai-- No, unfortunately we cannot afford a private hospital. We could hardly afford the public one!
Julieta - I was diagnosed with Guillain Barre over 3 years ago so if you would like to talk my e-mail address is in my profile. Just remove the "_no spam_" portion of it.
For some recovery can occur in 4-8 weeks. For others it may take longer. A very small percentage will have a chronic form of it which will flair up from time to time.
This disorder affects the peripheral nervous system. The body starts attacting itself in the form of destroying the myelin sheath that covers the nerves. This affects the way electrical impluses travel down the nerve to the muscles. But the "good news" about having a disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system is that peripheral nerves can re-myelinate.
Posts: 9192 | Location: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
Originally posted by Georgia85: But the "good news" about having a disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system is that peripheral nerves can re-myelinate.
Not so for my father in law; he passed away last night.
Your descriptions of his respiratory involvement make me feel compassion for him and you, his family, but I don't think that it was necessarily a bad thing for his passing.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Posts: 9078 | Location: PA, USA | Registered: 06-05-02
