After a couple of months of relative calm, my MIL is beginning to show signs of another decline. She has been sleeping more frequently and her hypostatic blood pressure is acting up again. She has passed out a few times and really banged herself up one of those times. It was really low in the doctor's office the other day. She also appears to be more out of it and has a funny expression on her face at times. She can't communicate much, and nods her head rather than reply when relatives call. She eats well, so at least there's that. She also needs to go to the bathroom -- a lot! Hope she can pull out of this one.

There are meds one can take for the OH (orthostatic hypotension). There are lots of non-pharmacological approaches as well.

Could your MIL be experiencing an infection, which would explain why she's more out of it? Or have there been any medication changes?

She's currently taking midodrene. She also gets strong coffee in the morning and we make sure she keeps the fluids going. No med changes recently. We salt her food to try to keep the blood pressure up. She won't walk around or do exercises in her chair to get the blood pumping. Do you know of any other tricks or meds we can suggest? She has an appointment with a cardiologist to see if there is something he can suggest. Don't think there is an infection involved. When there is she pretty much becomes incoherent and can't even stand up. No temp.

When faced with similar circumstances, I ask myself - "am I trying to keep my LO going for ME or for HIM?" Is she on hospice? Do her medical people thinks she is at end of life? What amount of intervention do you think she'd want at this stage - is it documented in an advanced directive or has she had conversations in the past about what she'd want under these circumstances? I wish you and your family the best. It is a difficult time. Lynn

dagoetz -

You are doing lots of good things to treat the OH. One thing that jumps out is the use of Jobst stockings. You could try that. Also, before standing, eat or drink something salty such as a Dill pickle, a handful of potato chips, or a glass of Gatorade. (Even drinking a glass of water before standing helps.)

See this post for a list of non-pharmacological treatments:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1944

Is the head of the bed raised at night?

Robin

Hadn't heard of the socks. We give her something to drink before she stands and her head is raised in bed. Thanks for the tips.

We call them TED hose [I think they're the same] and they are very snug and elastic. They force the blood from the leg veins back up to the heart and this helps keep the BP up. They can be a PIA to put on but they do work.

Leone -
You might post on that topic here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2430
Robin

Leone,
You can do it on your own by clicking here:
posting.php?mode=reply&f=2&t=2430
Robin