Trip to the ER last night

Lindsay22

Got a call from MC late afternoon yesterday that her wrist was red and swollen so they sent her by ambulance to the ER.  When I got there wrist had already been x-rayed and wasn't broken so they did some blood work and decided on a arthritic infection in the joint.  That's all fine and good (script for antibiotic and we were released) but my mom was in a state I have never seen her in before.  She was SO agitated and fighting me physically.  I had to call the nurses for help to keep her in the bed and room.  How can an 89 pound person who can barely stand be so strong?? Once she was released I didn't feel like I could drive her back to MC on my own so my husband took an uber to the ER to drive us and thank god he did! It took two nurses, me and my husband to get her in the car.  Thank god one nurse put on the child lock in the back because she was yanking and pulling on the door the whole time.  It was awful.  One nurse, me and my husband were able to get her back inside but she couldn't say anything to me once we got back in and wouldn't sit down, just pacing and pacing the room like a caged animal.  It was terrible.  I could see in her eyes how scared she was not knowing what was happening. She's losing words now too.  She'll start to say something and then it just dissolves into a mumble. Is this advancing or just disorientation from the ambulance and ER? I will see how she is when I am over there today after work but it was a rough night for everyone.

M1

Linsday a joint infection can be a big deal and can cause sepsis, which can certainly cause confusion/worsening in general.  If she's not promptly better I'd take her back.  You need to know if they aspirated and cultured the joint fluid, and ask if it needs evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon.  The question is, how did the joint get infected in the first place?  Are they sure she's not already septic and possibly seeded the joint from the bloodstream?  Or could it be gout (which can mimic infection)?  Did they give her any IV antibiotics in the ER?  If she's not definitively end-stage, I'd be kinda pushy on this one....

Lindsay22

Thanks M1. I am not seeking to prolong her life as there is no quality to it.  They did suggest aspirating and culturing the fluid but cannot do so now because of the current inflammation.  Her white counts were fine so widespread infection wasn't indicated.  We are trying oral antibiotics and prednisone for comfort. In a few days the doctor will check on the swelling and see what next steps might be.

toolbeltexpert

Lindsay22 wrote:

HI Lindsay this may not be anything, but my dw gets agitated and she bangs her hand hard and  it will get red and sore, the next day we have to use a hand compression brace. It happened today I hope she doesn't  put a hole in a wall.  Prayers for ya.

Lindsay22

That's interesting and definitely a possibility. They did splint her wrist to help with the swelling.  It was much better last night and still no fever so hopefully she is more comfortable.