hello,

Im not a med student... I am in desperate need of some help. My grandmother has had two very mini strokes. She also had a blooD clot in her leg. She is 85. Until this she was in excellent health and on no medication what so ever. My problem is that since the second mini stroke which slightly affected her speach she has absolutley no appeite. She eats about 4 or five table spoons of food a day and says she is just full all the time. We are at the end of our rope. Her doctor doesn't seem interested in trying to research this problem at all... mean while she is wasting away and dehydrated we forced him to put her on an IV for the dehydration. We had to force him to run a dopler on her leg because we were sure she had a blood clot but he just wanted to put her on diaretics. We need to have some Idea what might be causing her to feel full all the time even though she hasn't eaten. Her life is fading fast and we are despreate. We are just asking for suggestions as to possible tests that should be run to try to find the problem . Any one with any suggestions please email me I would be extremely grateful. We are in the process of trying to find another doctor. But we really need some suggestions.... her doctor just isn't taking this seriously. PLEASE... any help or ideas would be greatly apreciated thankyou very very much, or links to sites or doctors that I could talk to . kim

First and foremost, I would suggest you go to a doctor who is more receptive to your Grandmother's plight. I'm not saying the one you have is not doing well; but maybe a second opinion is warranted if you and your family feel that strongly.

As for medical advice, any of us would be remiss in giving it. Most of us are pre-med students and therefore unqualified to even guess. Also, having never seen your Grandmother makes it nearly impossible to advise you. Besides, not a single one of us would wish to risk your Grandmother's health by giving erroneous advise.

I hope this is of some help.

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'Old Man Dave'
Senior, Neurosciences
Univ of Texas at Dallas
Class of 1999


[This message has been edited by OldManDave (edited 03-14-99).]

While I don't claim to be an expert in matters such as this, perhaps I can give you some direction. First of all, are you absolutely sure that those were "mini-strokes"? Mini-strokes, also refered to as transient ischemic attacks, by definition resolve all neurological impairments within 24 hours. What this means is that if your grandmother is not eating due to a neurological problem (ie she can no longer taste food) she should be seen by a neurologist because who stroke may be more serious than your family has been lead to believe. However, what you are describing more than likely is depression. If, as you put it, she had been on no medications up to this point that probably means that she had been in relatively good health. It could be that her "mini-strokes" have made her conscious of her age and impending demise. This could potentially bring on severe depression which would cause things like a severe lack of appetite. Consider taking her to a psychologist or psychiatrist who is familiar with depression among the elderly. She needs your love and support right now and it sounds to me that you are very concerned and I hope you can find the resources you need. Good luck.