V.poorly Relative

[Eve]

Wondering if anyone (like Sqad) could shed any light for me - concerns a very ill close family member.

What could cause someone's body temperature to go right down to 20 degrees, blood pressure on the floor too and symptoms of feeling like falling progressing to inability to use legs.

Blood poisoning has been said but not sure where. Secondary addisons in close family (brother) - nearly having lost that family member a couple of times to crisises.

Any ideas very much appreciated.

[Buenchico]

Heat is generated within the human body by the vast number of chemical reactions that take place within it. Most of those occur within the liver, so liver failure might well be involved here.

Low blood pressure can come about through problems with the heart or adrenal glands (among many other causes).

Sepsis (blood poisoning) can also cause low blood pressure but it's normally accompanied by fever, rather than by hypothermia.

My guess (and it's very much a guess) is that one major organ has failed and that it's having knock-on effects with the rest of the body.

Chris

[Sqad]

Eve....the data that you have given is insufficient to even guess at a diagnosis.

20 deg is severe hypothermia and the blood pressure "on the floor" is a combination that is hardly consistent with life.

Addisonian crisis is extremely rare...I haven't seen a case, but the symptoms do not bring that disorder to mind.

Soory cannot help, but would be interested to know of further developments.

[Sqad]

just had another thought.....septicaemic shock may explain all these features.........may.....hypothermia is indeed a late sign of septicaemia.

[Eve]

Thanks both. I'm waiting on more info myself, it's my uncle who is badly mentally handicapped and on a raft of meds in any event so difficult to get a clear picture.

He was seriously ill when admitted to hospital (in rescuss (sp?)), stabilised a little but then went downhill and back up again for now. Blood pressure better. Heart ok. Kidney function apparently ok.

Addisons only sprung to mind as a concern another uncle, his brother has it, secondary to pituitary issue (they think secondary now rather than primary). We very nearly lost him the first time (unknown what it was, he was in a coma and organs shutting down) and it happened again, not quite so seriously but still very bad.

I was worried with the very low body temp, blood pressure it could point to something like that/thyroid related... though from googling it seems sepsis could cause those symptoms?

Hoping to get blood results pinpointing the source of sepsis/infection soon.

[Eve]

Ah, you answered while I was typing :) I will update you when I know more. He's more responsive now which is a huge relief at least.

[society]

"and on a raft of meds "

Is it possible the medications are interacting with each other and causing liver problems?

[Eve]

They've apparently taken him off all meds for now (including anti-psychotics etc...) so could be one possibility. Sepsis seems to be the major player though still much more info to find out. Hopefully a clearer picture once results back, hopefully tomorrow.

[society]

Awww Eve I hope you get some reassuring answers from the doctors and things turn around for the better for your uncle.

[Eve]

Thanks Society, fingers crossed for some good news later. I worry it is going to be confusing and upsetting for him if he doesn't understand and is out of his routine and off his meds, especially in a place where both his parents passed and his brother in a coma (family called in it was that bad). Thankfully things seem to be ok on that score so far.