Question My mother is 86 years old and was diagnosed years ago with fibro. She is very frail, has no appetite and is in constant pain. She is very unstable on her feet and is showing signs of memory lapses. It is difficult to see her in so much discomfort. My question is how do you help someone like her? She cannot do any physical activity, she lives on ensure because she has no appetite. She has other health problems as well. So far her doctors have not done much to give her relief. But they don't specialize in fibro. Everything I read seems to be talking to people that are not her age. Is there help for her?
Betty Little
Answer Hi Betty,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother ... I know you must be worried!
Sometimes with age, it is hard to tell what is due to aging, what is due to other conditions, and what is from a condition that has gotten worse because of age!?
The best place for you to get hints about treatment for the elderly is http://www.myalgia.com. It would seem many of the principals of treatment would be the same no matter what the age ... pain management and reduce muscle spasm, improve sleep and rest, and gentle exercise. She needs to see a geriatric doctor or rheumatologist who's familiar with FM and how meds affect the elderly differently.
I am afraid I haven't been much help! Good luck with the web site that I mentioned! Let me know what you find out!
