Acute Kidney Failure

[honey33]

hi my father has alzheimers and is in a home... over xmas he had a chest infection which he got antibiotics for and few blood tests.... i live away so cant see him as much as id like to..

anyway the blood tests have sowed acute kidney failure... my sister went to see him and he hadnt drunk anything or passed any urine and the home were going to call 111 if m sise couldnt get him to drink anything... she managed to get him to drink 2 glazsses of water, and now the home are saying they will check with the manager on MONDAY to see what the next step is....

does this all sound right? shouldnt he be getting something done about it? the staff told my sister that with this condition life span is 6month- 1yr? can this not be treated

[woofgang]

The treatment is dialysis which is stressful and unpleasant for people without other illnesses and without alzheimers. It also has side effects in terms of anaemia and needs very careful dietary management......If he has kidney failure, drining won't be that helpful although it may make him more comfortable. How old is your Dad and how bad is his alzheimers?

I am sorry that my post isn't more upbeat and I am really not a proponent of "letting the oldies die" but from my personal experience the outlook doesn't look like a happy one. I am so sorry.

[gness]

Honey. You need more information than you have given here. Acute kidney failure is very rapid and would, I think, need a more accurate test than some blood tests over Christmas.
If the staff member has said life span is 6-12 months that is wrong on two counts. It is not for her/him to be telling you that and as my husband lived for eleven years after diagnosis...6-12 months is incorrect.
If his kidneys are failing now you need someone to be taking some action, even if it is to make him comfortable.
If he is passing no urine don't force water down him.

[Sqad]

Well "acute kidney failure" is an end result of some other kidney problem.

Yes.....dialysis "may" be required........OR it may not.

Yes.....he should be in hospital and further tests done.

No......he mustn't be thrown on the "age scrap heap."

[Sqad]

sorry...I agree with gness...we cross posted.

[gness]

Honey. Heed what Sqad has said please. The home should have good daily records of your Dad's condition.
Can you phone them and ask for details, tell them of your concerns and ask what action they are taking? Be clear about what you want to know.

[honey33]

he will be 86 on wednesday.. his alzheimers isnt as bad as others in there he knows everyone one in that respect he just cant remember anything apart from years ago but he dosent really say much on the odd occasion where ive been able to visit.... im just going by what my sister said on the phone to me tonight... they apparently said that he will be better off staying in the home rather than at hospital?... just seems odd that they are waiting till monday to do anything

[gness]

Honey, do you know who has diagnosed acute kidney failure?

[honey33]

no.. all i know is that blood tests were sent off and came back and thats what they said it was to my sister... im going to ring the home 2 moro and ask ow mydad is and to see whats happening

[gness]

Do that Honey. Ask who diagnosed kidney failure and exactly what the doctor has said. Ask is your Dad passing urine. Are they monitoring how much and how much fluid he is taking in. Also ask if he has any swelling, especially of the feet and legs.
Let us know how you get on. Gx

[Sqad]

\\\. just seems odd that they are waiting till monday to do anything\\

The kidney function tests can be that bad then and the kidney "upset" is almost certainly brought on by the chest infection that he had over Christmas.This situation is not unusual and will be treated by diet, tablets and the situation observed over a period of time.

From what you have said, dialysis is an unnecessary option at the moment.

I suppose that 48hours in the home wont make a lot of difference, but he would have been better hospitalized.

[Sqad]

\\\The kidney function tests can be \\

Sorry should have read " The kidney function tests can't be that bad.

Of course the other possibility....is that he is producing urine, but not being able to pass it die to an obstruction..e,g Enlarged Prostate.
Easy to exclude or confirm by a Dr putting a hand on his stomach and feeling an enlarged bladder.

gness is correct....not enough information.....

[honey33]

rang the home and they said my dad is alot better today and that hes had a good brekfast been to toilet drinking and been reading the paper.... she will see the manager 2moro for course of action, she said they may let nature take its course or do further action.... i meant who gives them the right on deciding if my dad should be left to die ???????????

[Sqad]

\\\ she said they may let nature take its course or do further action....\\\

Don't read too much into that, I think that they just mean that they will monitor the situation and monitor his blood products.

As long as this is under medical advice and supervision, I think that it may well be a sensible approach.

[gness]

Honey I'm glad Dad is better today. As Sqad says letting nature take it's course doesn't always mean letting a person die. It often means that nature will sort out a medical blip without the need for intervention that could be distressing for your Dad. It certainly doesn't sound like acute kidney failure now.
Keep on top of things by speaking to the manager tomorrow and getting as much information as you can.
Let us know how you get on and take care of yourself....don't get too worked up about things and you'll be able to do your best for your Dad. x