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My 93 year old father had a dry cough 5 months ago, which quickly turned into a productive cough. His appetite started to decrease and he started losing weight. After 2-1/5 months he had a chest X-ray which showed pleural effusions in both lungs - so possibility of pneumonia. 5 days of antibiotics and he started feeling much better. He continued to improve over the next 2 months. Suddenly he started feeling weak and coughing again. We had a trip planned and did not tell me about the cough returning and the weakness especially in his legs. We flew to Florida last week and he was extremely weak when we got there - he was having a hard time walking. To shorten this story, it is now day 6 of our trip and all he does is sleep. He hardly eats and told me he has lost over 20 pounds since October


He will not go the the Doctor when we return home. He is so weak I have to help him undress and walk (he now uses a cane). We go home on Tuesday. He will not be able to take care of himself but he refuses to talk about it. I am at a loss !

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Tottart56, coughing and losing one's appetite could be what is called Aspiration Pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is very serious, and is a type of pneumonia where if one had an pneumonia shot, the shot does not help.

What is happening is that food/liquids are going into the lungs instead of into the stomach. Thus, the coughing. As others had mentioned, get your Dad to the ER stat. There are tests one can take for aspiration issues, and sometimes physical therapy can help.

My Dad had passed from Aspiration Pneumonia [which was something I never heard of before]. We all though Dad's cough, which he had for many years, was due to sinus problems [post-nasal drip].

Hope your Dad starts feeling better.
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ER NOW. Right away. Tell them he is on his own. He may be actively dying at this point; he needs the full battery of tests and there needs to be decision going forward. He cannot be on his own. Enlist the Social Workers at once to find placement for him. You will need to discuss palliative care and hospice for him at this point. You firstly need a clear diagnosis. The pleural effusions could be coming from a weakened heart pump; at his age it could be anything. You cannot leave while he is in this condition. Call EMT and have him transported to hospital whether with or without his permission. He is clearly not competent to make this decision on his own now.
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Yes, why are you waiting till you get home? He is not going to be able to fly. With what is going on right now, I doubt the airlines would allow him to fly.

Get him to the ER!
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Don't ask, just take him to the ER.

Recurring pneumonia is a very real situation, especially when they are only on antibiotics for 5 days with no follow up.

Pneumonia is a very real killer, my 52 year old sister died from it.

Please don't take no for an answer.
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