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My mom has been under hospice for 14 months now and has been pretty stable until today. Suddenly this morning she had an onset of vomiting, head spinning and sweating. I called for the nurse and she came out to check her vitals: BP reading were high 191/107 but has since come down to 117/77 with a pulse reading of 69 (late afternoon)


The sudden vomiting and head spinning happened one other time in Nov. 2019 and I called 911 and she was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with benign positional vertigo and an UTI. During her 2 week hospital stay, they treated the UTI but the vertigo lingered (meds for vertigo was causing all sorts of hallucinations and was stopped). They also performed multiple MRI's, a spinal tap and scans. Mom was eventually discharged to rehab for 3 weeks. After that she never walked again, became totally incontinent and experienced sharp mental decline. I've always believed something happened in her brain that was missed.


The vomiting has since stopped, just occasional dry heave when I try to change her as she's bedbound. She's just sleeping now...extremely tired.


Any advice/ suggestions on next steps or what to ask for is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Your poor mom has a lot of health issues to contend with. I've had BPV on and off for the last 20 years and my bout with covid didn't help it. I would try to have her head elevated if at all possible. Laying flat is usually what can bring it on. If she is able to communicate with you she may be able to tell you which direction she turns her head brings it on. Can they treat her nausea with odansetron? It's a tiny pill that goes under the tongue where it dissolves. Works well for nausea but It can make you thirsty and needs a prescription.
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Nurturbynature Apr 2021
Thanks Geaton777,

My mom's head pretty much stays elevated all the time especially during the day when this occurred this morning. I gave her odansetron and that seem to help with the vomiting a bit. The head spinning continues and when I change her that makes it worse and triggers dry heave, because there is nothing left to vomit.
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I’m sorry to read about your mother’s situation, I’d ask hospice to check to ensure she doesn’t have Diabetic Ketoacidosis. It can arise suddenly and is very painful. Vomiting is a major symptom. I’d rule that out. It is very uncomfortable. If she has cancer, dementia, and CHF, I’m not sure what you are searching for, however, I would make the inquiry to ensure she is as comfortable as she can be.
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Nurturbynature May 2021
Thanks Sunnygirl1,

Other than some test or diagnosis, I don't know what I'm searching for. I just feel like there is something going on that may have been missed.

Before my mom's admission to hospice, she was diagnosed with diabeties but it was managed with diet and was working out just fine. Now that she has been under hospice care for 14+ months now, I just don't know where everything stands...if that makes sense.
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How is your mom today NBN?
Is she back to baseline? Thinking of you and your mom.
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Nurturbynature May 2021
Thanks 97yroldmom,

My mom is doing much better and appears to be back to baseline. One thing I've noticed is that she's a lot more tired. Sleeping later into the morning and taking naps and going to bed at same time. I plan to mention this to her nurse when she comes Tuesday. Thanks again,
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