My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", every time you visit WebMD.com you won't have to type your email address and password. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Caregiving Community

Taking care of a loved one is an honor. It can also overwhelm you and make you ... more

Announcements

Related Communities - Stroke Community | Alzheimer's Community

Discussions

Sort by:

Good News/Bad News

Yesterday's appointment went well from my point of view. My mother has lost about 30 lbs since...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Good News/Bad News Yesterday's appointment went well from my point of view. My mother has lost about 30 lbs since...

Thank You

Dear Members, As most of you know, we experienced some problems this morning that caused your...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Thank You Dear Members, As most of you know, we experienced some problems this morning that caused your...

Birthdays, Gifts and Limited Income

My birthday is this weekend. I turn 40 which means I think a lot about my dad and miss him. My birth...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Birthdays, Gifts and Limited Income My birthday is this weekend. I turn 40 which means I think a lot about my dad and miss him. My birth...

Dizziness

My mother has ongoing issues with dizziness and unsteadiness. We have talked it over with her...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

9 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Dizziness My mother has ongoing issues with dizziness and unsteadiness. We have talked it over with her...

Mother's anxiety getting worse

I'm not sure this is the correct board, because I'm not really a caregiver, but this is about my 80 year-old...

Posted by cjh1203

I'm not sure this is the correct board, because I'm not really a caregiver, but this is about my 80 year-old mother.

She is in mostly excellent health and physical and mental condition. She exercises regularly, is learning advanced Spanish (having conquered French a few years ago), reads a lot, uses the computer a lot, plays word games, does crosswords, sews, etc. She is energetic and watches what she eats. She has had no chronic health problems, ever, and takes almost no medication.

She has always had problems with anxiety, sometimes severe. She has a history of panic attacks, but has not had any for a couple of years. She takes Xanax when she feels anxious, but not on a regular basis.

She is also a perfectionist and hyper-organized.

She has always had an extreme fear of death -- or maybe more accurately, an extreme desire to not die. She has also always been terrified that something will happen to her at home when there's nobody around. Because of that, she bought a house a few years ago with my sister and her husband and kids.

A couple of weeks ago, Mom had an episode where her heart was racing (200 bpm -- my sister is an RN and took her pulse), and she felt like she was going to faint. It lasted quite a while and she ended up spending the night in the hospital. She had never had any kind of heart problem before.

She has seen a cardiologist, has some tests scheduled, and will presumably be put on some sort of medication. In the meantime, the doctor has told her not to drive, so I'm taking her where she needs to go -- I'm perfectly happy to do that, and it's not a problem at all.

The problem is that the episode with her heart seems to have really exacerbated her anxiety and she's done some things that really aren't even logical. For instance, she called the gas company to replace the two water heaters in their house, even though there have been absolutely no problems with them, because she was afraid they would start leaking sometime when she was home alone. Fortunately, the men from the gas company convinced her it wasn't necessary.

When she and my sister moved into their house, which has a very long driveway, they had an electric gate installed so Mom would feel safer when she was home alone. Now, she won't keep it closed when she's home alone during the day, because she's afraid something will happen to her and she'll have to call 911. Even though she has Lifeline, who would give her gate code to the EMS, she won't close the gate. Also, if she's out with my sister or me, she won't let us close the gate while we're gone, either, because she's afraid that something will go wrong with the gate and they won't be able to get it open, even though that's never happened in five years. Even if it did happen, the worst thing would be that they have to walk around the gatepost and leave the car outside the gate until they could get it open. Now, the only time she'll allow the gate to be closed is at night, when someone else is in the house with her. There are other things, but you get the idea.

She seems to be trying to prepare for the worst possible contingency in every aspect of her life, and it appears to be getting out of hand. I can sort of understand the need to feel in control, because she can't control what happens with her heart, but she needs to stop obsessing over everything. Trying to talk to her about it is really difficult, because she gets defensive and thinks we're making light of her fears.

Sorry this is so long. Does anyone have experience with a situation like this, or have any ideas for how we might handle this without making it worse?View Thread

Posted bycjh1203

(FromCaregiving: Support Group)

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Mother's anxiety getting worse I'm not sure this is the correct board, because I'm not really a caregiver, but this is about my 80 year-old...

Your Depression Story

Dear Members, Have you been diagnosed with depression? Are you suffering from symptoms you think...

Posted by Olivia_WebMD_Staff

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Your Depression Story Dear Members, Have you been diagnosed with depression? Are you suffering from symptoms you think...

Moodiness

My mother is moody. She always has been subject to her moods but as she has gotten older, it gets...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Moodiness My mother is moody. She always has been subject to her moods but as she has gotten older, it gets...

Senior Finances

I am giving two lectures next weekend on handling senior finances. "Mom and her money" is a frank and helpful...

Posted by GAP1954

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Senior Finances I am giving two lectures next weekend on handling senior finances. "Mom and her money" is a frank and helpful...

Encouraging Exercise

My mother is using her wheelchair more and more often. Her doctor wants her doing more exercise but...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Encouraging Exercise My mother is using her wheelchair more and more often. Her doctor wants her doing more exercise but...

Oncology Appt

I took mama for her first appointment with the oncologist yesterday. She saw him while she was in...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

I took mama for her first appointment with the oncologist yesterday. She saw him while she was in the hospital but not in the office. I, of course, forgot to bring my print out of her current meds and health history. I knew he had some records so wasn't worried. Mama picked up the wrong referral slip on the way out the door. So, we had to wait a good long while to see him...he was running a little late and the office staff was digging for a referral number. In addition, we were trying to fill out an extensive health history form from memory. (not recommended. I swear I am going to put that thing in triplicate in the car, in her go out bag, in everything. ) It had changed a little bit and I had yet to run off the new copy and make the changes.

My mother had ovarian cancer 10 years ago. They discovered while doing some bowel surgery. She did chemo and has been cancer free since, so this is basically just a follow up sort of visit. She also has a port in her arm that needs periodic flushing.

Doctor asked her about the BRCA test which she hasn't done (that she remembers) and he seemed to encourage it quite a bit...as did other staff. She asked me if I knew about it. Uh yes, mom, I do. So, of course, she seems like she wants to get it. Just another blood test. No big deal.

But it is. Do I really want to know? My sisters have both had hysterectomies and their ovaries removed. They both are pretty obsessive about preventative medical care.

So, it is just me in this generation. Do I want to have to face the burden of talking this out with my girls or get tested if Mama tests positive? What about my sister's daughter? And finally, do I want her tested if her test comes back positive and those tests are used against me or the girls when it comes to medical insurance in the future?

Is the reasoning for preventative removal there? I am done having children. I don't REALLY need ovaries or breasts...but I also don't want unnecessary surgery. Or is it unnecessary? Will it be the better choice in the long run?View Thread

Posted byLouise_WebMD_Staff

(FromCaregiving: Support Group)

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Oncology Appt I took mama for her first appointment with the oncologist yesterday. She saw him while she was in...

hey

my mom is bed ridin and she is haveing problems trying to keep her from haveing dipar rash is there...

Posted by chic_southern

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:hey my mom is bed ridin and she is haveing problems trying to keep her from haveing dipar rash is there...

75th birthday

We're celebrating Dads 75th birthday tomo at the city park with a big bbq. His b-day was on the 29th but...

Posted by bensboo1973

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:75th birthday We're celebrating Dads 75th birthday tomo at the city park with a big bbq. His b-day was on the 29th but...

can not find reas. for symptoms

My father had stroke like symptoms 10 days a go. Slurred speech, droopy face, very high blood pressure,...

Posted by czexrus

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:can not find reas. for symptoms My father had stroke like symptoms 10 days a go. Slurred speech, droopy face, very high blood pressure,...

How do you decide?

Yesterday as I prepped my mom for a weekend stay in a hotel near my younger sister's nursing home, I...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:How do you decide? Yesterday as I prepped my mom for a weekend stay in a hotel near my younger sister's nursing home, I...

Alzheimer's Disease/medication

Hi, I'm Helen, my Mothers caregiver. My mother has stage 4 alzheimer's disease. She is in a skilled...

Posted by daughtercaregiver

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Alzheimer's Disease/medication Hi, I'm Helen, my Mothers caregiver. My mother has stage 4 alzheimer's disease. She is in a skilled...

Weekend Plans

What are your weekend plans this weekend? Do you have any special outings planned?

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Weekend Plans What are your weekend plans this weekend? Do you have any special outings planned?

Memory Loss

The news this week is full of things to prevent dementia. There are the old standbys-working, ...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Memory Loss The news this week is full of things to prevent dementia. There are the old standbys-working, ...

Check In

Our Monday Check in is just a way for all our members to stop in, say hello and let us all know that...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Check In Our Monday Check in is just a way for all our members to stop in, say hello and let us all know that...

Hospital Aftermath

Mama is home from the hospital. That means...LOTS of appointments today. Woo Hoo. And hopefully...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Hospital Aftermath Mama is home from the hospital. That means...LOTS of appointments today. Woo Hoo. And hopefully...

Hospital

Took Mama to the hospital yesterday after stroke symptoms. No stroke...they think, but they kept her...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Hospital Took Mama to the hospital yesterday after stroke symptoms. No stroke...they think, but they kept her...

HUSBAND STROKEANDMOM CANCER

Hi begining a year ago november my mom was diagnosted with breast cancer with lymphnode envolvement. Last aug...

Posted by MSFISCLE

Hi begining a year ago november my mom was diagnosted with breast cancer with lymphnode envolvement. Last aug she had a her breast removed and several lymph nodes. Come this past november she had trouble breathing we took her to the hosp and she was misdiagnosed being told it was caused by med side effects

Come Jan all hell broke loose my husband had a stroke while eating soup at dinner he suffered a brain clot in his corotted artery on the left side of his brain, my moms cancer came back this time in her back and I was admitted to the hosp for severe pink eye my eyes were actually bleeding.

My poor kids ages 19 and 22 went crazy especially my son they both stepped up to the plate but my daughter seemed to run away from it alot.

Since then my moms cancer spread to her lungs and liver leg and a spot on her skull.

My husband ended up inpatient since his personality changed for the worse. he became so nasty he threw my mom out of our house. My mom was so good too. She never did anything to him but try to help.

Since then Ive been running and my son too back and forth to my moms and trying to take care of my husband. He was inpatient for behavorial problems from the stroke. Noone told me about what to expect.

At first when he came home after the stroke he was actually funny and carefree then it all turned to rage even against me so bad If it werent for my kids and animals I would have left. It sounds cruel but I did tell him on a few occasions that I should have let him die. I am not like that but the emotional abuse was so bad hed even call me at work and tell me to get my mom out of there by that fri.

My son told him that he had to stop that he was getting out of here to. He didnt seem to care. Well he is now started outpatient therapy and the dr told him at the first visit that he either has to change or loose us.

I am worried about my son and daughter seems like she went into a downward spiral lost her job is very disrespectful and only comes home late at night and is drinking heavily. My son is a nervious wreck he is worried about his dad and my mom. He gos over to see her alot and was always very close to her since he was born.

My stomach is in knots all the time I cant sleep anymore without sleeping pills and I cant pay for my house anymore the doctor bills are adding up sent out payments on 15 the other day. My husband always protected me and took care of things and now Im not sure I can and do it rite. I am scared of loosing my mom and my husband since hes started smoking 2 packs a day again. What do you do when you could loose the most closest people in your life at the same time. I guess I feel like I already did, How do you handle it all.

my brothers started helping thank god with moms dr visits and her lawn at least I dont have to worry about that so much.

Seems like everything fell apart all at once when he had the stroke. Funny everyone I talk to says I am a strong person that god doesnt give you anymore than you can handle so god whats next>View Thread

Posted byMSFISCLE

(FromCaregiving: Support Group)

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:HUSBAND STROKEANDMOM CANCER Hi begining a year ago november my mom was diagnosted with breast cancer with lymphnode envolvement. Last aug...

Weekend Plans

Our oldest child, Jenn, the one who got married in March is coming up here for the weekend. Her new...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Weekend Plans Our oldest child, Jenn, the one who got married in March is coming up here for the weekend. Her new...

Today-an appointment

Today's appointment is with the eye doctor. She needs to see one-definitely. But ack-balancing...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Today-an appointment Today's appointment is with the eye doctor. She needs to see one-definitely. But ack-balancing...

Check In

How are things going at your home? How is the person you are providing care for doing? How are you...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Check In How are things going at your home? How is the person you are providing care for doing? How are you...

Mental Sharpness

There is lots of research on why people's mental skills decline in their 70s, but a new study looks...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Mental Sharpness There is lots of research on why people's mental skills decline in their 70s, but a new study looks...

Medical Equipment?

Where do you get most of your medical equipment-like hospital beds, grab rails, transfer boards,...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Medical Equipment? Where do you get most of your medical equipment-like hospital beds, grab rails, transfer boards,...

Still Alice

A few weeks ago I picked up Still Alice by Lisa Genova from the large print section of the library...

Posted by Louise_WebMD_Staff

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Still Alice A few weeks ago I picked up Still Alice by Lisa Genova from the large print section of the library...

confusion

Ok I jus recently found my biological father an i'm really confused. I'm excited to get to know him but i'm...

Posted by bensboo1973

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:confusion Ok I jus recently found my biological father an i'm really confused. I'm excited to get to know him but i'm...

1 2 3 4 5

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

Spotlight: Member Stories

helperchic

I am a 32 year old female whom has been a caregiver for my husband. He was in a toxic chemical accident at his work and now has cervical disc disease,...More

See All Posts by helperchic

More Members

Byroney_WebMD_Staff

Edit your story | See All Members

Popular Discussions

Start a Discussion | See All

Helpful Tips

Natural Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Looking for some natural treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, or RA? Check out this article on natural therapies that are so popular ... More

Was this Helpful?

12 of 20 found this helpful

Cutting and Pasting

Post a Tip | See All

Helpful Resources

Preparing the Home for an Alzh...

Cancer Caregivers Share Patien...

Free & Low Cost Health Care Re...

A Day in the life of Richard C...

Researchers Find Clues for Ear...

Post a Resource | See All

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other Member Communities

Dieting Club: 10 - 25 Lbs Member Community Share Your Tips and Support!
Caregiving Member Community The Support and Understanding You Need!
Parenting Friends Talking Member Community Get Support from Members Like You!

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

In-depth coverage:

Find us on:

URAC: Accredited Health Web Site

HonCode: Health on the Net Foundation AdChoices

About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us

Medscape Reference eMedicineHealth RxList Medscape MedicineNet BootsWebMD WebMD Corporate

First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory

WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.

Caregiving Community

See All