I took her to urgent care yesterday because her memory care requested me to due to her lethargy, not wanting to eat, and excessive coughing. They said she just woke up that way yesterday morning.
Urgent care doctor gave her a chest xray which showed pneumonia. All other results were normal, blood pressure, urine results, and temperature.
The doctor prescribed doxycycline, an antibiotic, to take for 10 days, 2 times a day.
Should I ask for a prescription for ibuprofen as well? I didn't think about it at the time, but I think doctors don't think about the strict requirements at a facility about medication. Her memory care requires a prescription and doctor's signature for everything, including ibuprofen and neosporin.
Or, is it not necessary since she doesn't have a fever?
And, do you have any other suggestions for mom's care while she is suffering from pneumonia? How long does it usually take for the antibiotics to take affect and make the person feel better? How long do I need to wait for her to heal from pneumonia before she gets the vaccine? I'd like her to get it so she doesn't get it again.
I'd also like her to get the flu shot. The nurse wasn't able to give it to her last time she had an appointment because she jerked away and she wasn't able to administer it correctly.
Like your Mum, my initial symptoms were being utterly exhausted and no appetite. I had gone to the doctor once, but they could not find anything. A few days later the coughing started and I had to go to emergency during the night after vomiting because I was coughing so hard. Then they did not need to do a chest x-ray, they could hear the fluid in my lungs. I was given O2, Ventolin and antibiotics in the hospital and went home with an Rx for antibiotics and Ventolin.
I'm surprised your mother was not admitted to the hospital with her case of pneumonia. See how things go for a day or two, and go from there. What I do when my mother exhibits worrisome symptoms is I ask the ALF to call an AMBULANCE, and then meet it at the ER. IMO, it's a lot easier than dealing with Urgent Care and all of that. Then she can segue from the ER right into being admitted, easy peasy.
Good luck............it's hard, all of this, isn't it?