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My mom is 75 with MS and she's been living with us for almost 8 months. It seems like she is getting worse every day. She barely gets out of bed, she's skin and bones and it's so painful to watch. I find myself really angry because I want her to fight to get better and it seems like she's giving up. Am I doing the right thing to keep her at home with us? I can't find people who might be dealing with the same issues because it's rare to have late onset MS. Thank you.

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Call Hospice they are angels when it comes to getting you through this.
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Wayne has said it well. Your mom is on her pass. Seems like it's time for you to acknowledge that she's choosing not to have heroic intervention, no feeding tubes, no breathing apparatus, etc. Do you have POA and DNR? Since she's home with you, it would be good to have those documents in place. You can support her comfort marginally with any food she likes to eat or, if she is resistant to eating, try something like Ensure (250 cal) or Ensure Plus (350 cal) if she's not milk allergic.

When someone is skin and bones, it makes me think of wasting away or failure to thrive. As difficult as it is to live through, if your mom is on the slippery slope toward her demise, it would be very helpful for you if you could get hospice involved. Your mom's doctor would have to certify that in his opinion she has 6 months or less to live. Hospice folks will come to your house, make sure she has comfort medication and even assist in bathing duties usually twice a week. It could help take a lot of pressure off of you. Talk to your mom's doctor, better yet documented in a letter and fax it to the office, getting him up to date on her condition and asking him for an evaluation if she is hospice appropriate. My best wishes are with you as you go through this difficult time.
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I too have a Mom who has late onset MS (now 73) as well as a stroke (2000) that was caused by an experimental MS drug.
My only suggestion (and it may be inaccurate) is to try to keep her at home and comfortable as long as you can manage it.
My opinion is not to intervene when it comes to feeding and nutrition.
She is on her path that you nor I could ever imagine. She sounds like she is resigned and that is OK for her. Though it is so painful to watch such a loved one slip away.
For those around her it is almost incomprehensible.

Offer her all your support and love and some gentle nudging to gain her strength.
But beyond that she is in charge.

Good Luck to you and know you are in my prayers.

Wayne
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