Emphysema stage and prognosis

[rucca]

77 year old mother.  Smoker for 55 yrs.  MS 45 years Diagnosed with severe emphysema 3 1/2 yrs ago, on oxygen 24/7 since dx. Needs complete nursing level care. Oxygen was set at 2.5 for 3 years, now at 4.  Still very short of breath with any movement at all, speaking, eating.  Taking oral morphine. Inhalers, nebulizers, in addition to multiple antidepressants. Legs are swollen at rest and elevation.  She is getting much worse, on hospice, DNR.  At 4 L of oxygen cannot breathe well, getting worse daily, even with no movement or speaking, MS also progressing.  Dementia comes and goes.  What is prognosis, in terms of time at this level?  Has been considered "end-stage" since dx.  Last several weeks major decline.  Please give a ballpark time prognosis.

[National Jewish]

This is speculation but your mother's prognosis is poor -- probably up to 6 months.

[rucca]

Mother is also on lasix, which does not appear to be helping swelling in legs.  Is this a sign of CHF in addition to everything else?

[maxcamps]

Hi.
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