It could be any number of reasons. It could be a side effect to medication. Has her blood work been checked recently? If she is anemic or low in certain things (including iron and her thyroid level), it could make her tired.

When was the last hospitalization/surgery? I know for my grandparents after a surgery and/or illness, they were very weak, had no energy and would sleep alot. It took a long time, several weeks to months for them to recover and get back to "themselves".

She was started on Lexapro, so there is some depression? Depression can also cause excessive sleeping. When was the Lexapro started? A month ago? Has the sleeping gotten worse, better or stayed the same since the Lexapro was started?

It could be the Lexapro isn't working-either its not the right med or not at the right dose and the depression still isn't really being treated.

Is she bored? Grandpa will sometimes take a nap because "there's nothing else" he can do.

There are many things that could be the cause. Have you been able to talk to the doctor about it? I would think checking the blood work would be the first step.

It could be any number of reasons. It could be a side effect to medication. Has her blood work been checked recently? If she is anemic or low in certain things (including iron and her thyroid level), it could make her tired.

When was the last hospitalization/surgery? I know for my grandparents after a surgery and/or illness, they were very weak, had no energy and would sleep alot. It took a long time, several weeks to months for them to recover and get back to "themselves".

She was started on Lexapro, so there is some depression? Depression can also cause excessive sleeping. When was the Lexapro started? A month ago? Has the sleeping gotten worse, better or stayed the same since the Lexapro was started?

It could be the Lexapro isn't working-either its not the right med or not at the right dose and the depression still isn't really being treated.

Is she bored? Grandpa will sometimes take a nap because "there's nothing else" he can do.

There are many things that could be the cause. Have you been able to talk to the doctor about it? I would think checking the blood work would be the first step.

Thanks Ranae1221.

She HAS been anemic in the past, yes. We'll get that checked while she is here.

Yes; depression. Sleeping has been this way since BEFORE the Lexapro and we don't REALLY know the truth of when it started. She only just started her round of living with my sister and I in August.

She has interest in nothing so there is literally, NOTHING for her to do but I think, we'll start with a blood checkup.

Thanks again.

Thanks Ranae1221.

She HAS been anemic in the past, yes. We'll get that checked while she is here.

Yes; depression. Sleeping has been this way since BEFORE the Lexapro and we don't REALLY know the truth of when it started. She only just started her round of living with my sister and I in August.

She has interest in nothing so there is literally, NOTHING for her to do but I think, we'll start with a blood checkup.

Thanks again.

The "interest in nothing" is something I'm dealing with, with my own parents. Who sleep quite a lot, too. The problem is at this stage in their lives, I really can't help the lack of interest or involvement. They have always been like this, yet they were fairly social when they were younger. Unfortunately at this advanced stage of life, the majority of their friends are dead, or too infirm to get around, and life is boring. They aren't joiners, so if they aren't up to going to a museum, or have no doctor appts, there's not much to do but sleep. Other than make an effort to find out if this is a side effect of meds, I now realize this is one less thing we caregivers need to fret about (more easily said than done).

The "interest in nothing" is something I'm dealing with, with my own parents. Who sleep quite a lot, too. The problem is at this stage in their lives, I really can't help the lack of interest or involvement. They have always been like this, yet they were fairly social when they were younger. Unfortunately at this advanced stage of life, the majority of their friends are dead, or too infirm to get around, and life is boring. They aren't joiners, so if they aren't up to going to a museum, or have no doctor appts, there's not much to do but sleep. Other than make an effort to find out if this is a side effect of meds, I now realize this is one less thing we caregivers need to fret about (more easily said than done).

I've only been at it 2 weeks on Thursday and I can say, it's just about as fun as scratching your nails on a chalkboard.

Thanks for that perspective KathyV.

I've only been at it 2 weeks on Thursday and I can say, it's just about as fun as scratching your nails on a chalkboard.

Thanks for that perspective KathyV.

My 62 yr old husband had a severe stroke 5 yrs ago and goes through periods of sleeping a lot too. Neurologist says stroke took out the motivation part of the brain but he lacks staying on tasks as well. I too can not get him out of the house except to go to dr. apts. or the weekly respite I have made him attend (he now enjoys it). This is the only socialization he gets but it is his choice. After 5 yrs and with all the other responsibilities that come with caregiving a disabled spouse, I realize I can't spend my life trying to make him live his. I just wish he wanted to do more so we could enjoy what time we have left. But again he was never a social butterfly.

My 62 yr old husband had a severe stroke 5 yrs ago and goes through periods of sleeping a lot too. Neurologist says stroke took out the motivation part of the brain but he lacks staying on tasks as well. I too can not get him out of the house except to go to dr. apts. or the weekly respite I have made him attend (he now enjoys it). This is the only socialization he gets but it is his choice. After 5 yrs and with all the other responsibilities that come with caregiving a disabled spouse, I realize I can't spend my life trying to make him live his. I just wish he wanted to do more so we could enjoy what time we have left. But again he was never a social butterfly.

You were not clear about her surgery's. What kind and when? It could be anything from too much anesthesia over time that could have weakend her body. She could be dehydrated which is a very common problem that can make her very weak.. Medications can be a culprit with the elderly, some doctors over medicate patients. Get a second opinion if her doctor is not helping her, she should be using a doctor for the elderly (gerontologist). Lexapro is probably unneccessary or not the right drug. Our gerontologist has a psycho-pharmocologist in his practice so that medicines for depression and anxiety are monitored by a professional in that field. The doctor and the psychiatrist are in touch with each other and working together to find the right diagnosis and proper medications if needed. Is she eating, is she moving her bowels regularly, could she have a urinary infection??? These are common big problems with the elderly. Have you asked about what kinds of tests she's had, the results of each test, whether its worth treating her symptoms or just taking her off all drugs and get hydrated. Pay attention and ask lots of questions. Something has to be happening with her. Prayers are with you and her.

You were not clear about her surgery's. What kind and when? It could be anything from too much anesthesia over time that could have weakend her body. She could be dehydrated which is a very common problem that can make her very weak.. Medications can be a culprit with the elderly, some doctors over medicate patients. Get a second opinion if her doctor is not helping her, she should be using a doctor for the elderly (gerontologist). Lexapro is probably unneccessary or not the right drug. Our gerontologist has a psycho-pharmocologist in his practice so that medicines for depression and anxiety are monitored by a professional in that field. The doctor and the psychiatrist are in touch with each other and working together to find the right diagnosis and proper medications if needed. Is she eating, is she moving her bowels regularly, could she have a urinary infection??? These are common big problems with the elderly. Have you asked about what kinds of tests she's had, the results of each test, whether its worth treating her symptoms or just taking her off all drugs and get hydrated. Pay attention and ask lots of questions. Something has to be happening with her. Prayers are with you and her.

Catherine Cr­emaldi,

Mom's surgeries: 2003, left knee replacement; 2007, open heart aeortal valve replacment; 2009, one eye at a time cataract surgery; 2010, perforated stomach ulcer surgery (she was within minutes of dying); 2010, 3 (three) esophogeal balloon-plasties. Lots of anesthesia last year.

Lexapro HAS made a positive difference in her attitude. She has been depressed most of her life and never did a thing about it. The stigma in her mind I suppose.

She has gained 5 pounds in the first 7 days of being with me. And BMs good.

She doesn't want to talk about things. Her defensiveness is high. Asking questions insults her even if you explain you are trying to help.

Catherine Cr­emaldi,

Mom's surgeries: 2003, left knee replacement; 2007, open heart aeortal valve replacment; 2009, one eye at a time cataract surgery; 2010, perforated stomach ulcer surgery (she was within minutes of dying); 2010, 3 (three) esophogeal balloon-plasties. Lots of anesthesia last year.

Lexapro HAS made a positive difference in her attitude. She has been depressed most of her life and never did a thing about it. The stigma in her mind I suppose.

She has gained 5 pounds in the first 7 days of being with me. And BMs good.

She doesn't want to talk about things. Her defensiveness is high. Asking questions insults her even if you explain you are trying to help.

In recovery from broken hip and various awful infections, then underdose of Lasix, and gain of 20 pounds of water weight, my Mom got heart failure, lung effusions and tachycardia. Somebody decided to give her Digoxin. But then they failed to monitor it at St. Joseph's in Yonkers. She started sleeping all the time and not eating. Overdose of digoxin. Took another hospitalization to figure it out and take her off it. Stupid! After all this (and she's 92) she's been at rehab now (4th time) and walking.

In recovery from broken hip and various awful infections, then underdose of Lasix, and gain of 20 pounds of water weight, my Mom got heart failure, lung effusions and tachycardia. Somebody decided to give her Digoxin. But then they failed to monitor it at St. Joseph's in Yonkers. She started sleeping all the time and not eating. Overdose of digoxin. Took another hospitalization to figure it out and take her off it. Stupid! After all this (and she's 92) she's been at rehab now (4th time) and walking.

You mention coumadi, so she must have arrythmia. Atrial Fibrillation? I would check and make sure she is getting enough oxygen.

I have afib, and I get VERY sleepy when my arrythmia gets bad. It also makes me react to medications in this way, . For example, I was on a calcim channel blocker that made me so tired I'd fall asleep as I was waking up after being asleep for the night. I had young childrne at the time and it was horrible. Lexapro also had that affrect on me, but not for about 6 months, and as you say, your mom started this before she started lexapro. I was on the lexapro for the arrythmia BTW, not depression. I think the theory was it might be anxiety that caused my a-fib.

What does cause my a-fib is sensitivity to glutamate. I strongly advise people to google any auto-immune or nuerological disorder they have with the word glutamate. You'll get a scientific study that links glutamate overload to that disorder.(to any disorder you can think of! This stuff is POISON). Now go to NSGtruth.org to read what glutamates do in layman's language. I did that - googled all my family's maladies and glutamate is the one thing that was common to all of them. So I ha micronutrient testing done (through Spectracell one time and through Genova another). I had my children tested too. All of us tested very high in glutamate, and showed deficiencies in minerals, especially but also some vitamins. We eat well, don't eat many processed foods, and I was talking a lot of supplements - that were not being absorbed.

We changed our diet, and I went on a low dose of flecanide and I hardly ever get a-fib now. I have begun contacting my relatives, and found most of us have a-fib, some have progressed to dementia ( yes, one progresses to the other) and most of us also have a thyroid condition, have had heat prostration and migraines, and anxiety and OCD run in my famiuly as well All have connections to glutamate overload.

You will note I am not taking that horrible coumadin, and I have not had open heart surgery. My a-fib was very severe, so I was literally a hair away from having surgery when I made this discovery.

Glutamates are in everything you eat, and even shampoo and laundry soap and pesticides. You know it as MSG, but if you google MSG all you will find are food additive industry websites claiming it is safe. It is a neurotoxin that is hardest on young and aging brains. It was introduced to the US by the Japanese who HATED us at the time, right after WW2, and all the modern illnesses we can't seem to find a cause or cure for showed up soon afterwards, There are no regulations to control it, - or rather there were in the past and those all got discarded or the FDA stopped enforcing the scant laws in place. Aspartame is the same. It was banned for 16 years, until Monasnot sold the rights to it to Seale, when Donald Rumsfield was the CEO. He got hired by Ronald Reagan and suddenly it was approved.

Bottom line, an inefficient heart will not pump enough oxygen, and a glutamate riddled body will create an inefficient heart beat. Institutional food, particularly chicken, is notoriously high in glutamate, so you mom may have gotten a big dose of it there, and, because glutamate is a potassium blocker, it is sometimes given to patients after surgery.

On another note, I have a FIL who is 84 and refuses to take an interest in anything or anyone. I SO hear you abot the fingernails on the blackboard. He has never had a hobby or been social, according to his wonderful and fun brother. It's a very negative and self pitying mindset, and frankly,it's manipulative,because they get heaps of attention from people who want them to enjoy life. My FIL is rude to anyone who tries to befriend him, and then he gets all dramatic if you point this out. , He never took any interest in his sons but now wants them at his side 24 hours a day and resents their jobs and families. So guess how often they want to see him? It sounds like your mom is simply taking longer to heal than a younger person might to heal, and I don't think you'd be writing if she was normally negative about things, but if this is her temperament, like it is my FIL's I advise you not to give her attention ( don't wear yourself out trying to get her intrested in things). I know my FIL is miserable,a nd it is my nature to try to improve people's lives, but in his case, it is his CHOICE to be miserable, and the more time he spends asleep the happier everyone is - himself included.

You mention coumadi, so she must have arrythmia. Atrial Fibrillation? I would check and make sure she is getting enough oxygen.

I have afib, and I get VERY sleepy when my arrythmia gets bad. It also makes me react to medications in this way, . For example, I was on a calcim channel blocker that made me so tired I'd fall asleep as I was waking up after being asleep for the night. I had young childrne at the time and it was horrible. Lexapro also had that affrect on me, but not for about 6 months, and as you say, your mom started this before she started lexapro. I was on the lexapro for the arrythmia BTW, not depression. I think the theory was it might be anxiety that caused my a-fib.

What does cause my a-fib is sensitivity to glutamate. I strongly advise people to google any auto-immune or nuerological disorder they have with the word glutamate. You'll get a scientific study that links glutamate overload to that disorder.(to any disorder you can think of! This stuff is POISON). Now go to NSGtruth.org to read what glutamates do in layman's language. I did that - googled all my family's maladies and glutamate is the one thing that was common to all of them. So I ha micronutrient testing done (through Spectracell one time and through Genova another). I had my children tested too. All of us tested very high in glutamate, and showed deficiencies in minerals, especially but also some vitamins. We eat well, don't eat many processed foods, and I was talking a lot of supplements - that were not being absorbed.

We changed our diet, and I went on a low dose of flecanide and I hardly ever get a-fib now. I have begun contacting my relatives, and found most of us have a-fib, some have progressed to dementia ( yes, one progresses to the other) and most of us also have a thyroid condition, have had heat prostration and migraines, and anxiety and OCD run in my famiuly as well All have connections to glutamate overload.

You will note I am not taking that horrible coumadin, and I have not had open heart surgery. My a-fib was very severe, so I was literally a hair away from having surgery when I made this discovery.

Glutamates are in everything you eat, and even shampoo and laundry soap and pesticides. You know it as MSG, but if you google MSG all you will find are food additive industry websites claiming it is safe. It is a neurotoxin that is hardest on young and aging brains. It was introduced to the US by the Japanese who HATED us at the time, right after WW2, and all the modern illnesses we can't seem to find a cause or cure for showed up soon afterwards, There are no regulations to control it, - or rather there were in the past and those all got discarded or the FDA stopped enforcing the scant laws in place. Aspartame is the same. It was banned for 16 years, until Monasnot sold the rights to it to Seale, when Donald Rumsfield was the CEO. He got hired by Ronald Reagan and suddenly it was approved.

Bottom line, an inefficient heart will not pump enough oxygen, and a glutamate riddled body will create an inefficient heart beat. Institutional food, particularly chicken, is notoriously high in glutamate, so you mom may have gotten a big dose of it there, and, because glutamate is a potassium blocker, it is sometimes given to patients after surgery.

On another note, I have a FIL who is 84 and refuses to take an interest in anything or anyone. I SO hear you abot the fingernails on the blackboard. He has never had a hobby or been social, according to his wonderful and fun brother. It's a very negative and self pitying mindset, and frankly,it's manipulative,because they get heaps of attention from people who want them to enjoy life. My FIL is rude to anyone who tries to befriend him, and then he gets all dramatic if you point this out. , He never took any interest in his sons but now wants them at his side 24 hours a day and resents their jobs and families. So guess how often they want to see him? It sounds like your mom is simply taking longer to heal than a younger person might to heal, and I don't think you'd be writing if she was normally negative about things, but if this is her temperament, like it is my FIL's I advise you not to give her attention ( don't wear yourself out trying to get her intrested in things). I know my FIL is miserable,a nd it is my nature to try to improve people's lives, but in his case, it is his CHOICE to be miserable, and the more time he spends asleep the happier everyone is - himself included.

Yes; mom's coumadin script is because in her open heart surgery they replaced her aeortal valve - with a pig valve versus a mechanical one. Thank GOODNESS! Those mechanical ones last forever. When someone has that surgery at 80 years old, the pig valve CAN give them another 10 years.

I will ask her doctor who I speak with weekly.

Yes; mom's coumadin script is because in her open heart surgery they replaced her aeortal valve - with a pig valve versus a mechanical one. Thank GOODNESS! Those mechanical ones last forever. When someone has that surgery at 80 years old, the pig valve CAN give them another 10 years.

I will ask her doctor who I speak with weekly.

Please have your Mother's doctor check her levels on the metoprolol. My Mother was having the same thing, sleeping through the night and would nod off during a conversation even. I ask the doctor and he said things were fine, 3 months later she had a heart attack falling in the bathroom due to being overdosed on this medication. She broke 3 ribs, hurt her back and had a huge bump on her head due to the fall. She had heart problems in the beginning but the medication was to much and caused her all sorts of problems. While in the hospital one of his associates told me that she had been prescribed to much metorpolol. They cut it way back and she no longer nods off during the day. If she has done to much she may take a short nap, but nothing like before. My Prayers are with you and i hope you can find out what the problem is. Big Hugs for you.....

Please have your Mother's doctor check her levels on the metoprolol. My Mother was having the same thing, sleeping through the night and would nod off during a conversation even. I ask the doctor and he said things were fine, 3 months later she had a heart attack falling in the bathroom due to being overdosed on this medication. She broke 3 ribs, hurt her back and had a huge bump on her head due to the fall. She had heart problems in the beginning but the medication was to much and caused her all sorts of problems. While in the hospital one of his associates told me that she had been prescribed to much metorpolol. They cut it way back and she no longer nods off during the day. If she has done to much she may take a short nap, but nothing like before. My Prayers are with you and i hope you can find out what the problem is. Big Hugs for you.....

Will do on the metoprolol although, just before I picked her up in NY to come with me in VA, the doc actually cut the dose in half.

It will be tough to find out the problem MAINLY because mom does not want to see a doctor.

Will do on the metoprolol although, just before I picked her up in NY to come with me in VA, the doc actually cut the dose in half.

It will be tough to find out the problem MAINLY because mom does not want to see a doctor.

If she is on coumidin she needs to have her blood checked 1x per month. They change the dosage on my mom's every month, its either to thick or to thin. I realize it is hard to get them to go to the doctor. I have also found it's tough with the change from being child and now the parent to the parent. I have found a terrific therapist to help me through the transition. I am an only child and am so fearful of losing my Mom who is my very best friend. I also have a good support friend who has been taking care of her dad for 10 years now and she gives me pointers on how to deal with things. Good Luck and God Bless

If she is on coumidin she needs to have her blood checked 1x per month. They change the dosage on my mom's every month, its either to thick or to thin. I realize it is hard to get them to go to the doctor. I have also found it's tough with the change from being child and now the parent to the parent. I have found a terrific therapist to help me through the transition. I am an only child and am so fearful of losing my Mom who is my very best friend. I also have a good support friend who has been taking care of her dad for 10 years now and she gives me pointers on how to deal with things. Good Luck and God Bless

LOL. I actually have a caregiving coach! I knew I would need support. And my youngest sister who has mom 8 months of the year, is great to talk with.

Coumadin: it's being tested once a week now.

LOL. I actually have a caregiving coach! I knew I would need support. And my youngest sister who has mom 8 months of the year, is great to talk with.

Coumadin: it's being tested once a week now.

ANY CHANCE THAT YOUR MOTHER IS JUST WORN OUT. HAVE ALL DRUGS CHECKEDD BUT TRY TO HAVE AN HONEST CONFERSATION WITH HER DOCTOR OR GET A SECOND OPPINION.BOTH MY MOTHER AND HUSBAND DID THAT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE THEY PASSES. SOMETIMES IT COULD BE CORRECTED WITH A MEDICINE CHANGE BUT QUITE OFTEN THE CHANGE MAY MAKE IT OR SOMETHING ELSE WORSE. PAETZ

ANY CHANCE THAT YOUR MOTHER IS JUST WORN OUT. HAVE ALL DRUGS CHECKEDD BUT TRY TO HAVE AN HONEST CONFERSATION WITH HER DOCTOR OR GET A SECOND OPPINION.BOTH MY MOTHER AND HUSBAND DID THAT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE THEY PASSES. SOMETIMES IT COULD BE CORRECTED WITH A MEDICINE CHANGE BUT QUITE OFTEN THE CHANGE MAY MAKE IT OR SOMETHING ELSE WORSE. PAETZ

I feel like my Mom's sleep is a bonus for me. I'm able to do paper work, play on the computer, or sit down and see a program on TV without a dozen interruptions. Our Doctor said it was fine for her to sleep a lot. I have more energy to entertain her when I've had a bit of a reprieve.

I feel like my Mom's sleep is a bonus for me. I'm able to do paper work, play on the computer, or sit down and see a program on TV without a dozen interruptions. Our Doctor said it was fine for her to sleep a lot. I have more energy to entertain her when I've had a bit of a reprieve.

DonnaSue I like your reframe of the situation. My main concern IS is it really fine for her to sleep so much. Thanks for your take on things!

DonnaSue I like your reframe of the situation. My main concern IS is it really fine for her to sleep so much. Thanks for your take on things!

Hi : Just want to say Good Luck! I will pray for you and send a hug.

Hi : Just want to say Good Luck! I will pray for you and send a hug.

Hi oldest sister,

It is good that you are concerned about your mother's daily habits etc. A broken hip at her age is serious. Our body knows what we need to heal. Sure, some of this could be from all the medication. Believe me, I know first hand about over sleeping. I have been dealing with cancer, a damaged kidney hip pain and cluster headaches and the list rambles on. There are times when I simply do not have the energy to get out of bed. I also have cycles where I cannot go to sleep without help (I have the pills but will not take unless necessary). Your mother is 83 which makes sense that the broken hip has been a drain to her entire body. Takes energy as it works to repair . I am 63 years old and everyday is a battle to make myself get up, pain or no pain. What I do believe, if your mother is able, a walk around the block would benefit them both. The one thing she needs to avoid colds. Worse yet any type of lung infection. I am not a doctor, but you do need to become a team member with her doctor(s). This is not only for her sake but for your peace of mind. She is blessed by having you and your sister in her during her recovering. Oh, the Lexapo helps Mom in handling/coping with the pain/stress she may be having during this time. Also your mother may be sad for what she feels as not having control over her life. God Bless you and your family. It is hard now but in years to come you will feel blessed being there for her.

Hi oldest sister,

It is good that you are concerned about your mother's daily habits etc. A broken hip at her age is serious. Our body knows what we need to heal. Sure, some of this could be from all the medication. Believe me, I know first hand about over sleeping. I have been dealing with cancer, a damaged kidney hip pain and cluster headaches and the list rambles on. There are times when I simply do not have the energy to get out of bed. I also have cycles where I cannot go to sleep without help (I have the pills but will not take unless necessary). Your mother is 83 which makes sense that the broken hip has been a drain to her entire body. Takes energy as it works to repair . I am 63 years old and everyday is a battle to make myself get up, pain or no pain. What I do believe, if your mother is able, a walk around the block would benefit them both. The one thing she needs to avoid colds. Worse yet any type of lung infection. I am not a doctor, but you do need to become a team member with her doctor(s). This is not only for her sake but for your peace of mind. She is blessed by having you and your sister in her during her recovering. Oh, the Lexapo helps Mom in handling/coping with the pain/stress she may be having during this time. Also your mother may be sad for what she feels as not having control over her life. God Bless you and your family. It is hard now but in years to come you will feel blessed being there for her.

Update: we went to a doctor who was willing to take a new medicare patient. Here in VA doctors have been hit hard by the medicare cuts and just don't take on new patients in that financial situation.

Anyway, after a COMPLETE blood panel, mom is quite healthy except for - NO Vit D and LOW Vit B12 - both essential for energy. She is NOT anemic as she kept saying she might be.

The doc instructed the lowest dosages to get mom going in a better direction.

Through all of this, in the 8 weeks so far mom has been here, she has gained 10 pounds and is walking quicker. Even her attitude is FORTUNATELY starting to get more positive.

Thank you ALL for your support, prayers and comments.

Update: we went to a doctor who was willing to take a new medicare patient. Here in VA doctors have been hit hard by the medicare cuts and just don't take on new patients in that financial situation.

Anyway, after a COMPLETE blood panel, mom is quite healthy except for - NO Vit D and LOW Vit B12 - both essential for energy. She is NOT anemic as she kept saying she might be.

The doc instructed the lowest dosages to get mom going in a better direction.

Through all of this, in the 8 weeks so far mom has been here, she has gained 10 pounds and is walking quicker. Even her attitude is FORTUNATELY starting to get more positive.

Thank you ALL for your support, prayers and comments.

It's good to hear your mom's attitude has improved and they've discovered she is low in D and B12, but the doctor's comments regarding low doses to restore these things, and not having anemia are disturbing to me.

There are 400 different kinds of anemia. You can.t tell from a simple standard blood test whether a person has anything but iron deficient anemia. For that matter, you can tell very little about a person's nutritonal balance from such a panel. Believe me, I know. It took over 50 years after my school nurse insisted I had ALL the signs of malnutrition before I got dxed with exactly that. Along the way I always felt anemic, always felt like I was starving, was tired, had brain fog, migraines, arrhythmia, etc etc. Finally, I found a GP who is also trained in nutrition, which very few doctors are. She did micronutrient testing on me, and subsequently on my two chronically ill children, because we discovered I do not metabilize nutrients efficiently, and we suspected this is congenital. I am now discussing medical histories withh my cousins, all of whom (on my father's side) share most if not all my medical history.

Probably the thing people (including doctors' unfortunately) least understand about nutrition is that balance is eveerything. If one thing is off, so are others. But those blood panels only reveal a couple of nutrients and worse (MUCH worse, in my casse) they only show what is in your blood fulow, not what has gotten into the cells. Micronutreint testing tests what is inside the cells themselves.

So, your mom's blood panel shows she is low in B12, but there are a number of other B's, and they work in concert with each other, so how is she doing in them? Also, we're learning more and more about D all the time, and discovering we need , currently, I think it is about four times as much as was thought even a year or so ago, and many doctors are not up to speed on that.

Also, if these deficiencies are due to malabsorption, all the over the counter vitamins and minerals in the world won't do much good. They are tightly packed and tend to pass right through. There is a term for that - expensive urine ;-). there are specially formulated supplements that are more readily absorbed. They are loosely packed, so require about 8 multi- vitamins instead of one. Many nutrients don't absorb well no matter what and some of those can be administered by injection or iv. Doctors don't alwqys know this. Magnesium is a major issue for my daughter and myself, and it is one that may require several IV treatments to get our levels up high enough that we can switch to massive doses of oral magnesium.

Taking a vitamin to maintain is not the same as taking it for a deficiency, because a deficiency is almost never caused by not eating the rfight foods. It's about having something that blocks absorption. Sometimes, that can be a medication, and sometimes it is food additives, and other times it is malabsorption, etc. Sometims it is eating a high carb diet, which causes the body to block other nutrients.

If your mom (or any relatives of hers, including yourself) have a history of neurological and auto-immune disorders, Look into micronutrient testing. Genova Diagnostics is one lab that does it, and their website can help you get testing done.

Best of luck.

It's good to hear your mom's attitude has improved and they've discovered she is low in D and B12, but the doctor's comments regarding low doses to restore these things, and not having anemia are disturbing to me.

There are 400 different kinds of anemia. You can.t tell from a simple standard blood test whether a person has anything but iron deficient anemia. For that matter, you can tell very little about a person's nutritonal balance from such a panel. Believe me, I know. It took over 50 years after my school nurse insisted I had ALL the signs of malnutrition before I got dxed with exactly that. Along the way I always felt anemic, always felt like I was starving, was tired, had brain fog, migraines, arrhythmia, etc etc. Finally, I found a GP who is also trained in nutrition, which very few doctors are. She did micronutrient testing on me, and subsequently on my two chronically ill children, because we discovered I do not metabilize nutrients efficiently, and we suspected this is congenital. I am now discussing medical histories withh my cousins, all of whom (on my father's side) share most if not all my medical history.

Probably the thing people (including doctors' unfortunately) least understand about nutrition is that balance is eveerything. If one thing is off, so are others. But those blood panels only reveal a couple of nutrients and worse (MUCH worse, in my casse) they only show what is in your blood fulow, not what has gotten into the cells. Micronutreint testing tests what is inside the cells themselves.

So, your mom's blood panel shows she is low in B12, but there are a number of other B's, and they work in concert with each other, so how is she doing in them? Also, we're learning more and more about D all the time, and discovering we need , currently, I think it is about four times as much as was thought even a year or so ago, and many doctors are not up to speed on that.

Also, if these deficiencies are due to malabsorption, all the over the counter vitamins and minerals in the world won't do much good. They are tightly packed and tend to pass right through. There is a term for that - expensive urine ;-). there are specially formulated supplements that are more readily absorbed. They are loosely packed, so require about 8 multi- vitamins instead of one. Many nutrients don't absorb well no matter what and some of those can be administered by injection or iv. Doctors don't alwqys know this. Magnesium is a major issue for my daughter and myself, and it is one that may require several IV treatments to get our levels up high enough that we can switch to massive doses of oral magnesium.

Taking a vitamin to maintain is not the same as taking it for a deficiency, because a deficiency is almost never caused by not eating the rfight foods. It's about having something that blocks absorption. Sometimes, that can be a medication, and sometimes it is food additives, and other times it is malabsorption, etc. Sometims it is eating a high carb diet, which causes the body to block other nutrients.

If your mom (or any relatives of hers, including yourself) have a history of neurological and auto-immune disorders, Look into micronutrient testing. Genova Diagnostics is one lab that does it, and their website can help you get testing done.

Best of luck.

Just FYI Poupon - the anemia test had about 10 markers to it. I know it was a complete test.

The other Bs - all fine.

Nutrition: mom is eating well. I am a person who makes 80% fruits and veggies and 20% meat, fish or fowl. Plus she supplements with two Ensure or Boost a day.

Vitamins: my mother cannot take many vitamins due to OTHER health complications.

I appreciate your details and your helpful tip about micronutrient testing, great tip. Although I am not compelled to give all details to the situation and know - we have the best information.

Thanks to all for understanding.

Just FYI Poupon - the anemia test had about 10 markers to it. I know it was a complete test.

The other Bs - all fine.

Nutrition: mom is eating well. I am a person who makes 80% fruits and veggies and 20% meat, fish or fowl. Plus she supplements with two Ensure or Boost a day.

Vitamins: my mother cannot take many vitamins due to OTHER health complications.

I appreciate your details and your helpful tip about micronutrient testing, great tip. Although I am not compelled to give all details to the situation and know - we have the best information.

Thanks to all for understanding.