I need medical advice and help regarding my grandad!?

[archibald01]

My grandad who is 89 just recently had what seemed like pneumonia and the Doctor prescribed Amoxicillin 500mg x 3 daily for a week after sounding his chest and doing other general on the spot checks. My grandad was in bed and COMPLETELY lost his appetite and energy, he had a temperature of over 38*c, he coughed a lot and sometimes brought up Phlegm (slightly yellow) ... It is now 7 days since he finished the course of antibiotics. My grandad who use to be a big eater prior to the infection has still got no appetite (most food we give him he barely touches, where he use to clear the plate before) and his answer is "i'm not hungry".... We give him lots of drinks throughout the day, mostly tea, coffee and hot chocolate of which he finishes most times (trying to get his energy level up and keep him hydrated) we even bought Metatone and started him on that to try and boost his energy but to no avail.

below are a few questions to any doctor, pharmacist or indeed anyone who has either had this or had a family member who has had it in the past;

1) Is this normal for someone particularly an elderly person to completely loose their appetite following pneumonia well after the apparent symptoms have gone?
2) Is there anything we can get from the chemist to boost his energy levels?
3) He has slipped into a depressive mood as well, where he wants to stay in bed all day, we collectively as a family keep trying to get him up and involved with the family and put some of his best programs of TV. Q) can people slide into depression following illness? and can you recommend ways to bring them out of it

Before i end i will state that my grandads memory has also got worse since he had the antibiotics, now his memory was never perfect beforehand but it is noticeable how his memory has changed since (basic things like remembering where certain items are and locations, also peoples names). As i stated his memory was never perfect before but he always knew peoples names and where items are and how to get to a certain room. This whole saga has knocked him for six and we are generally worried about his well being, i would greatly appreciate any help.

For those medics among you .. his blood pressure is fine, temperature is 36*c, blood test results the doctor said were largely fine (including white cell count). When i ask my grandad does his body hurt anywhere his always says no and has no trouble breathing

[shellylynn39]

Pneumonia really takes a lot out of people...........especially the elderly. But, your granddad seems to have really been thrown off by this. He most likey has lost weight during this time and certainly has lost his "mo jo". Hopefully, over the next
little while you will be able to help him find it again.
Will he be going back to see the Doctor soon?
I would say you are doing all the right things..... hopefully, he will drink boost or ensure as this will build up his energy much better than coffee or tea. While it is good to see him drinking anything, it will help him to drink things that will nourish his body.

[Natalka]

I agree with shelly - when I had pneumonia in my 30s, it wiped me right out for weeks afterward, so it must take so much out of an elderly person.

Did he go back to the doctor once his course of meds was done? If he didn't then, he should go now - just to check things over. He needs to eat, needs the nutrition - that may be why he's not seeming like himself -

Hoping he's better soon!

[hollyquaiscer]

I had phneumonia a few times, and amoxcicillan will not get rid of phneumonia, it is not strong enough. His dr should know this. You need a heavy duty antibiotic to remove the virus from his lungs. Did they do a chest xray? If not they should do one, and they will probably see that the phneumonia is still there. Amoxacillan is a general antibiotic, and even in it's strongest dose, it will not clear phneumonia. If you cannot take him back to the dr, you MUST call the dr and get a stonger med for him. It also takes about 3 weeks to regain your strength after a bout with this. I dont remember the one I was on, but it works. Also, ensure, thats what I am currently drinking. It is a meal replacement. Whenever he is thirsty, give him ensure, or boost. They will help to give him the vitamins and minerals that his body so desperately needs right now. Good luck, I will say prayers for him and your family.

[KrazE]

Amox for pneumonia??? He needs to go back to the doc!

I get pneumonia every time I get a cold that jumps right to my chest early on - my doc always puts me on Biaxin (Clarithromycin) @ 1000mg per day for 10 days; I really think you need to take him for a follow up & a better antibiotic.

[spidey46x2]

I agree with most of the posts on here - I think my grandfather had Zithromycin when he had pneumonia. I would DEFINITELY try to get him to drink Boost/Ensure. My grandmother drinks this once a day (along with eating solid food) and it makes her stronger and gives her all the nutrients she needs. She turned 100 last September : )
Did the doctor check his electrolytes? If they are off, he will not get better without help.

[avoncallingu]

I would say that the coffee and tea are diuretics and will take fluids from his body. I agree with the Boost, Ensure advice. WRT his memory - could it be that he has suffered a minor stroke? I would definitely get him back to his doctor or A doctor (emergency) and have him re-assessed. Good luck and god bless your grandpa!

[Tweetybird999]

My DH had pneumonia. He is allergic to a lot of antibiotics, so he had some special ones. It took a lot out of him for weeks. Amoxicillin doesn't even cure my sinus infections! I agree with everyone, please try a new doctor at least for an evaluation.

[K8's Fate]

I'm not sure where you live, but in Ontario I would call Telehealth.
Here is a link to the website where you can find the phone number:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/publi...ms/telehealth/
Other provinces and territories may have similar health numbers.

If you're still questioning what to do, go back to the hospital to get him re-assessed especially at his age.

[[email protected]]

I agree with giving him boost and/or ensure. Tea and coffee are diuretics. Bananas are also good. If he hasn't improved by now, I would get him looked at by the doc again. Getting out of bed also helps to get everything back to normal. Did he finish his meds? Perhaps an extended dose or another med altogther may be required. If he's cvoughing up the phlegm that's great. So ften the elderly don't have the strength to do that.
Do you think his memory or confusion p;roblems could be caused by a shortage of salt due to being dehydrated.
Hope you get some concrete solutions soon. He's lucky to have you.

[[email protected]]

Another quick question for all you regulars that is not related to this discussionl My email address keeps popping up as my username and that was definitely not my intention when I signed up. How can I change that? I've been emailing Bo about it for years, but never get a reply.
It upsets me because I don't like the lack of privacy. I thought I'd re-register, but can't do that because my email account is already in use. Where did I go wrong?
Thanks everyone.

[Poirot]

Another quick question for all you regulars that is not related to this discussionl My email address keeps popping up as my username and that was definitely not my intention when I signed up. How can I change that? I've been emailing Bo about it for years, but never get a reply.
It upsets me because I don't like the lack of privacy. I thought I'd re-register, but can't do that because my email account is already in use. Where did I go wrong?
Thanks everyone.

You could post this in Site Related Posts section.Maybe then you will get help.

[Poirot]

My grandad who is 89 just recently had what seemed like pneumonia and the Doctor prescribed Amoxicillin 500mg x 3 daily for a week after sounding his chest and doing other general on the spot checks. My grandad was in bed and COMPLETELY lost his appetite and energy, he had a temperature of over 38*c, he coughed a lot and sometimes brought up Phlegm (slightly yellow) ... It is now 7 days since he finished the course of antibiotics. My grandad who use to be a big eater prior to the infection has still got no appetite (most food we give him he barely touches, where he use to clear the plate before) and his answer is "i'm not hungry".... We give him lots of drinks throughout the day, mostly tea, coffee and hot chocolate of which he finishes most times (trying to get his energy level up and keep him hydrated) we even bought Metatone and started him on that to try and boost his energy but to no avail.

below are a few questions to any doctor, pharmacist or indeed anyone who has either had this or had a family member who has had it in the past;

1) Is this normal for someone particularly an elderly person to completely loose their appetite following pneumonia well after the apparent symptoms have gone?
2) Is there anything we can get from the chemist to boost his energy levels?
3) He has slipped into a depressive mood as well, where he wants to stay in bed all day, we collectively as a family keep trying to get him up and involved with the family and put some of his best programs of TV. Q) can people slide into depression following illness? and can you recommend ways to bring them out of it

Before i end i will state that my grandads memory has also got worse since he had the antibiotics, now his memory was never perfect beforehand but it is noticeable how his memory has changed since (basic things like remembering where certain items are and locations, also peoples names). As i stated his memory was never perfect before but he always knew peoples names and where items are and how to get to a certain room. This whole saga has knocked him for six and we are generally worried about his well being, i would greatly appreciate any help.

For those medics among you .. his blood pressure is fine, temperature is 36*c, blood test results the doctor said were largely fine (including white cell count). When i ask my grandad does his body hurt anywhere his always says no and has no trouble breathing

Definitely get your Grandad back to a doctor.

[K8's Fate]

Another quick question for all you regulars that is not related to this discussionl My email address keeps popping up as my username and that was definitely not my intention when I signed up. How can I change that? I've been emailing Bo about it for years, but never get a reply.
It upsets me because I don't like the lack of privacy. I thought I'd re-register, but can't do that because my email account is already in use. Where did I go wrong?
Thanks everyone.

I don't know how you would go about changing it. I have a feeling that you may not be able to. Users who are banned from trading would do this often in hopes of fooling another member with a new name, hoping their trade rating wouldn't be checked.

However, I would contact AmberLab, Sally888, Jezzeebelle, or Jeniana (they are active mods). Hopefully one of them can help. However, they're usually pretty busy with SC duties too.

[Patty Smyth]

Another quick question for all you regulars that is not related to this discussionl My email address keeps popping up as my username and that was definitely not my intention when I signed up. How can I change that? I've been emailing Bo about it for years, but never get a reply.
It upsets me because I don't like the lack of privacy. I thought I'd re-register, but can't do that because my email account is already in use. Where did I go wrong?
Thanks everyone.

Names CAN be changed, PM Sally888