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Omletina Kyckling

Worried about dad

By Omletina Kyckling, in The Nesting Box

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Omletina Kyckling Chicken Addict

Omletina Kyckling

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I'm really worried about my dad. He keeps having awful choking fits. Not when he's eating, just when he's just sitting there. They are made worse if he is drinking any alcohol (particularly brandy) though.

We went to see a relative today and she plied him with brandy (as ever!) and I was just so tense waiting for it to happen. It happens out of the blue, one moment he's sitting there and the next he's gasping for breath and turning blue. It's so dramatic and frightening. This one was the worst I've seen as he was in this state, on and off for about half an hour. He'd calm down then start coughing, then choking. At one point he went very pale and his lips went blue. We managed to get him in the car and get him home but I've had a couple of texts from mum to say he's had a couple more tonight.

He's 81 and has various medical conditions, but isn't that bad for his age.

Mum is going to ring the doctor first thing and get him in to see somebody, but just wondered if anybody had any experience of these things and could suggest anything as I'm really worried and very shaken up and tearful to be honest!

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Omletina Kyckling Chicken Addict

Omletina Kyckling

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How awful and scary. To be honest I wouldn't wait until tomorrow I would seek medical assistance tonight. A & E perhaps. Sending hugs.

 

This has been going on, on and off for months so don't think mum would want to take him down to A and E as he gets so stressed about everything......he kept saying he didn't think much to being in his 80s and the sooner he's dead the better. It was so distressing to see him like that. I think if he had a bad session in the night, mum may well call an ambulance, but hopefully he'll be able to sleep.

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Omletina Kyckling Chicken Addict

Omletina Kyckling

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Sorry to hear it, that must be frightening for all concerned - do you think it might be some sort of allergy, if it happens with alcohol and particularly brandy? I hope the doctor can offer some advice.

 

It happens at other times, but I think the brandy brings it on as it's a very fumey spirit, if you know what it means. I once had a choking fit when I was drinking green ginger wine, which is a similar thing, it makes you go aaahhh sometimes if that makes sense.

I'll make sure it's mentioned at the docs though. ....he may end up going with mum AND me at this rate!

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j00lz_12366 Frequent Layer

j00lz_12366

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It might be a good idea for you to go to the Doc with your mum and dad anyway-incase your mum forgets something-having met her I cant imagine it somehow but you could still be there for support-might also put your mind at rest to go with them. Would it help to give him an extra pillow tonight-might just be a silly idea tho.

I'd also make sure your mum knows to ring for someone to come out if he has a bad turn.

 

Hope he picks up again

Take care

Juliet x

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Omletina Kyckling Chicken Addict

Omletina Kyckling

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Ok, dad went to doctors this morning and he listened to his chest and wasn't happy with what he heard, he thought he may have a fungal infection in his lungs?!

He sent him straight to hospital for an x ray and he's going back next week for the results. In the meantime he's on antibiotics in case it is an infection.

He has asbestosis in his lungs from handling asbestos early in his plumbing working life. It's not life threatening in his case and has been static for some time, but it could be that the damage to his lungs has increased. Whatever way, the x rays will show more.

He seemed quite jolly when I called in, and enjoying the attention (he wears his various ailments like trophies, with pride, so something new is to be enjoyed) :roll::wink:

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Margalot Frequent Layer

Margalot

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Hello,

 

I am glad you got your Dad to the doctors and they are investigating for him, it is a worry when you dont know whats causing it. i thought I would reply to you becasue a very similar thing has happened to my MIL. She is in her early 60,s and last year she woke up in the night really struggling to breathe, she had to crawl to the bathroom and was coughing and trying to catch her breath, she said she was panicking and my FIL was on the verge of calling an ambulance as her lips were going blue, but then it seemed to get easier and she was able to breathe again. She wasnt wheezy like an asthma attack and hadnt been suffering any cold or cough so it came from out of the blue. the next day she suffered another one but this time didnt panic and again could breathe again after a short while. She attended the doctor who sent her for x-rays and to see a throat specialist as it would keep occuring every now and again and they out a camera down her throat to check for obstructions, none found. the funny thing is it can happen if she sneezes or coughs. She still occasionally gets it. The throat specialist said it seemed that her flap that closes off the tube to her lungs when you swallow and vice versa when you breathe was sticking with mucous. she cannot cough up phlegm for some reason and this makes it sticky. I dont know if there is a medical term for what she has but it is really scary to watch. I hope that your Dads problem is resolved for him. i just though I would post as I had never heard of this in anyone else, and it sounded so similar!

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Plum Cocka-doodle-loopy

Plum

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He sounds a wreck and glad he's getting treatment. It could be phelgm or mucous from his diseased lungs making him choke but also he could have weak throat or vocal chords causing him to inhale food or drink causing this chest infection and choking.

 

There are things he can do to ensure a safe swallow but guess if he's been drinking brandy he's not going to follow any advice he could be given. Things like sitting upright and lowering the chin when swallowing, not rushing drinks.

 

If it happens again his GP can order video fluroscopy and refer him to a speech and language therapist that may prevent it happening again.

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