last stage of copd

[rily]

My mom has copd and in about the last few months she has not been able to keep a conversation she makes know sence when you talk to her.shes very weak and sleeps alot her mind gets worse all the time,lots of time she does not even know me.she cant walk any more she has fell 3 times in the last week.I guess I dont understand whats going on can you tell me what is going on?

[National Jewish Health]

Failure of any one of a number of her major organs (liver, kidney, circulatory system) could cause what you describe.  But, if the cause of her symptoms is the COPD, it is highly likely that she is experiencing chronic respiratory failure, resulting in low blood and tissue oxygen levels and very likely, elevation of her blood level of carbon dioxide.  This is a medical emergency and you should call her doctor immediately and arrange for her to be transported to the nearest hospital.  She may or may not be in the last stage of COPD. She may simply need supplemental oxygen therapy.

Do not delay

[warros]

I'm not a Doctor, however, if I were I would ask you for some more information about your mom. For instance is she on supplemental Oxygen? Does she have any other chronic conditions or diseases? How old is she? Has she been checked for or been diagnosed with Alzheimers? Does she have dementia? If she just has end stage COPD then I would imagine that she is not getting enough Oxygen and that could be causing these symptoms you are describing. Again more information about her overall condition is needed.

[rily]

I know some of what my mom has,is do to not enough oxygen getting to her brain from the copd,however, she also has lyphoma cancer.she quit taking treatments a year ago,so who knows what that has done! As far as I know she does not have Alzheimers,or dementia.Any way the cancer could be in the brain,and that could be some of why her mind is the way it is.I guess I could guess at this all day long! Thank you for responding to my comment.

[rily]

Thank You for answering my question about my mom.I am going to call her doctor like you said,I never thought about her organs shutting down ,could cause all these problems.If its not that then may be she just needs supplemental oxygen therapy like you said.

[rily]

My mom did not seem much better today she has fell for the third time this week. Im sure her sickness keeps her very weak.since her mind is not real good how do I make her understand to call for help when she needs it?  She lives in a nursing home,and I cant make her understand that is what the nurses are there for.  Seems like she forgets everything I tell her. she is so very sick with copd and cancer,and I really dont know what to do about her falling! HELP!