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Suggest Treatment For Weight Loss In A Person With Rheumatoid Arthritis

HI I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT MY MOTHER IN LAW SHE IS IN A NURSING HOME SHE HAS STAGE 4 RA HAS HAD MULTIPLE STROKES IS ALSO DEAF AND HAS LOST ABILITY TO SIGN SHE HAS RECENTLY LOST ALOT OF WEIGHT HAS DC D ALL OF HER MED AND FOOD AND IS ONLY ON A LIQUID SUPPLEMENT SHE HAS NOT EVEN RECONIZED THAT WE ARE IN THE ROOM THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. IS THIS A INDICATION THAT WE ARE NEARING THE END OF OUR TIME WITH HER DO WE NEED TO LOOK IN TO HOSPICE?

Sat, 27 Oct 2018

Post as: Anonymous Non Anonymous

Keep me posted

Cardiologist, Dr. Ilir Sharka's Response

Hello,

May be related to increased fluid retention due to heart failure. Her weight gain could be an adverse effect related to her medications too.

For this reason, I would recommend performing a cardiac ultrasound and some blood lab tests:

- complete blood count
- blood electrolytes
- NT pro BNP levels for heart failure
- kidney and liver function tests
- fasting glucose.

You should discuss with her doctor on the above tests.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist

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Suggest Treatment For Weight Loss In A Person With Rheumatoid Arthritis

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