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Fancicoffee57 Asked October 2014

My husband says he is tired, and not the usual type of tired. What do I need to watch for?

He is sleeping more. He has COPD and emphysemia. I am fancicoffee. I have been on here before. He is still able to get around and doesn't need help dressing or anything. He just told me he is real tired. And I noticed he is sleeping more. I just want to know what to watch for. He is 83.

MaggieMarshall Oct 2014
I'd get an oximeter. Cost $30 at Walgreen's. They'll measure his oxygen level. With COPD and emphysema, he could need a higher setting on his oxygen . . . or, if he's not on it, he could need it. Should be 90 or above. Measure it at rest and also when he's moving around.

freqflyer Oct 2014
Fancicoffee57, sometimes the change in seasons might cause one's internal clock to be a bit off, especially with it getting so much darker early evenings.

In my area, we have had a lot of very cloudy rainy days which is unusual for us, made me feel very sleepy.

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Fancicoffee57 Oct 2014
When he woke up from a short nap, he asked for his clip board. He doesn't have a clip board, so I asked him what it had on it. It was a clip board that he checked off how he was feeling for the day. He never had one of those. He has a strong family history of Alzheimers. I gave him a new notebook if he wanted to keep one.

partsmom Oct 2014
He may have blood sugar issues, or a systematic low-grade infection of some sort, or a low-grade breathing issue--all sorts of possibilities. Set up a good physical exam for him, and watch what he's eating and drinking. Might have an undetected food sensitivity.

pamstegma Oct 2014
He may be a little depressed about being in a Nursing Home. Talk to the MD about treating this.

blannie Oct 2014
Is he on oxygen? I'd wonder about his oxygenation level if he has COPD and emphysema. Do you get that checked regularly?

I'd also make sure he's getting enough fluids, so that he's not dehydrated. My mom was sleeping a lot and had lost a lot of weight and she was dehydrated. Now I have to keep after her to drink enough so she doesn't go back to that place. But she's much perkier these days and not sleeping nearly as much. I'm sure others will have other ideas too.

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