As most of you know, I've been dealing with medical problems of my own as I know you all have and I'm not trying to take that fact away for anything. However, I'm not here to talk about myself but a family member and I need some advice as to what may be wrong. It was a week ago this Wednesday this all started. My dad had a rough schedule last week what with taking my oldest brother and me both to the doctor, him on Monday and me Tuesday. All of a sudden alot of symptoms hit my dad that are leading me to believe he suffered a stroke but I don't know. Lately he's been walking around like he's drunk(of course he doesn't drink though), his balance is off and he has trouble sleeping and he has complaints of everything he eats or drinks tastes like crap(literally, sorry for the graphics on the eating and drinking). Any thoughts on what this may be?
Already a member? Sign in
Welcome to Inspire!
What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.
Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.
How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!
what could be the matter?
- By Matt32
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 12:34 pm · 12 replies
- In Health matters
- Shared with the public
- Edited June 29, 2009 at 10:01 pm
12 replies
- Oldest first
- Newest first
- By ladybyrd043
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 1:45 am
- Report post
You may be right. He needs to get to the doctor and be checked out immediately.
- By greensmile
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 5:32 am
- Report post
hi matt :)
your father may have had a stroke,and needs medical attention now.about everything tasting bad or like "crap"as you say is a symptom of kidney disease which causes high creatinine levels leading to everything tasting bad.he should have kidney function tests,creatinine,and smak test immediately.this also causes stroke like sypmtoms.i know this because my father showed the same symptoms and kidney disease was the cause. best of luck,hugs,and prayers to you all.
- By Matt32
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 6:38 am
- Report post
Thanks to the replies so far. As for getting him to go, he's as stubborn as a mule and won't pay attention to anyone. My oldest brother(the one I mentioned), my oldest sister, myself and my Mom all have told him to get it checked out and my mom even suggested yesterday that it might be a kidney infection.
- By Learning1
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 10:41 am
- Report post
Matt32,
Symptons are consistent with those of a stroke. My grandfather went through much of the same denial, and it sounds like he had a number of small strokes, each time going downhill a bit more for his clarity, etc., until he finally agreed to be checked out. Somehow you need to get your dad to agree to be checked out, even if it is just to calm fears of the family. There are a lot of things that can be done to help control this type of problem, and if it is done soon enough, there are things that can sometimes lessen the effects. One thing that might get his attention is to point out that if he doesn't get checked out, there is a good chance of the next time being a lot worse, and he either may not make it, or might end up paralyzed, simply because he didn't get checked out when he could.
- By Patricia7
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 12:50 pm
- Report post
The hardest thing is getting help for someone that won't go. My Dad even refused when he collapsed outside and paramedics were called... It took the whole family to go with him for the first appt. There will probably be many appts as well as tests that he will not be happy with....Parents can be difficult as probably we were as children.. Matt, Stay persistent and give lots of love... I wish your family and Dad luck in getting on the right track...
- By greensmile
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 2:46 pm
- Report post
hi matt
this most like is kidney related as i said before,and if not taken care of can lead to kidney failure.kidney failure raises blood pressure and this can lead to strokes or mini-strokes.your father must see a doctor urgently.
best of luck,
dr.shoshanna fahima (the green smile :) )
- By angelbrd67
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 4:04 pm
- Report post
Matt, before my son got injured in Feb, I took care of stroke patients helping them gain independence. What you have shared really concerns me greatly. It sounds as if your father has had a stroke affecting the area that sends signals to the equilibrium. What it is doing is when he stands and walks the signals are hyper sending to his equilibrium causing him to walk as if drunk. A stroke also effects your taste buds... One man I care for always say's everything taste the same nothing taste good he can only tell the difference between salt and sweet but not what it is. You can't force a parent to get help; Stubborn is an understatement and when someone has a stroke it can make that even worse. The scary thing is that statistically 1/2 of all people who suffer a stroke have a Major stroke soon after. He needs to get in and get looked at right away. There are drugs they can give him that will lessen the effects if a Major stroke does happen. They can find blood clots or blockages that they can fix before something worse happens. He is playing a very dangerous game by not going to get looked at. A massive stroke can be devastating if you survive it.
- By Matt32
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 7:52 pm
- Report post
Thanks everybody for your advice. As of this morning around 9:45 am, even in the condition he was in, my dad drove himself to the doctor. From all I know at this point, there was no mention of a stroke when I talked to my dad this afternoon. The doctors did however find that he has pneumonia in his left lung.
- By angelbrd67
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 8:04 pm
- Report post
I am so glad he went to get checked out. We will keep you all in our prayers~!
- By greensmile
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 9:04 am
- Report post
we're happy he was at the doctors,and we're praying for you giys.send your father a warm "get well fast" and smiles of encouragement.:) :) :)
- By Matt32
- Posted July 16, 2009 at 9:51 pm
- Report post
hey everyone,
here's the latest on my dad. as greensmile had mentioned, symptoms of what I mentioned about my dad could be the cause of kidney problems, which in fact was the case as I had found out 2 days after my dad checked into the hospital, which is when he found out. the doctor originally told him he had pneumonia and fluid on his lungs. boy, was the doctor wrong on that. something else had been bothering him cause he could barely walk without stumbling. I talked to dad on the phone that Thursday morning after he went to the E.R. and long story short, his right kidney was causing his problems. and since July 3rd, dad has been home and doing alot better than he was when this all started.
- By greensmile
- Posted July 17, 2009 at 6:56 am
- Report post
hi :)
i'm happy to here that the problem of the kidney was caught and treated as this could have affected the other kidney were it not treated.it would be recommended to do follow-up of kidney functions to be sure all is well.such as creatinine levels-normal range=0.4-1.3.smak test checks all variables of kidney funtion and should be done every 6-12 months.same with creatinine levels.hope your father has a rapid and compete recovery.hugs and smiles to you all :) :) :)
dr.shoshanna fachima aka the green smile :)
Add to the discussion