Surviving
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Thanks Ann, I really appreciate the vote of confidence!0
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Hope the doc had good news today!0
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If no news is good news then sort of. The first round of tests don't show anything definitive that's causing his breathing problems.........so more tests and another specialist. The new inhaler seems to be helping a little though. If he could sleep he'd feel a million times better so maybe that will help until someone figures it out.4
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One step forward at a time...1
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Here's to hoping he has better sleep.1
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Status update here...........just because it helps me to put it down on paper. It's been a rough week except for maybe Wednesday. Hubby has now developed a nasty cough and has run a low grade fever off and on the last week or so. He had an appt next Tues but I called and they're fitting him in today so we'll get the latest test results a few days earlier and hear what the doc has to say. I'm hoping they can come up with a plan to make him more comfortable while we try to figure out what's going on.
We're hanging in there but lack of sleep is beginning to get to both of us. I missed a run with my dog and now a gym day because I've been awake most of the night worrying. I wish I knew how to turn that off even though me missing a workout certainly isn't the end of the world.
Anyway, depending on what happens today we're planning on going back to his regular doc next week and also making an appt with his heart doctor to see if there's any relevance to what's happening now and his past, or perhaps new, heart issues. It's difficult to know where to go for help when there aren't any answers yet but maybe we'll get a clue this morning.
Thanks for listening............I'm trying not to overstay my welcome!
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In my thoughts and prayers....hoping for some answers that will help.1
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Thank you for the update. Sending positive energy your way!!
I never realized how important sleep was until I was struggling to find some...1 -
'Hoping that the doctor visit was helpful.1
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Sending positive thoughts.1
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Thanks everyone, it looks like we're getting closer to a diagnosis.......maybe.
It looks like the most likely culprit in hubby's illness is some sort of kidney problem. We know from his CT scan that his tubes from kidneys to bladder (ureter) are dilated, we know he has a kidney stone but don't know if it's blocking anything, his blood work came back with decreased kidney function, he's gained 14 lbs of water weight (not fat) in seven weeks, 7 of those in the last 9 days, he's having trouble breathing and sleeping, has a funny taste in his mouth, lack of energy, swelling in his ankles (this is new), increasingly higher blood pressure etc. All symptoms of kidney disease. His lungs are more or less okay, mild scarring and perhaps mild COPD but his oxygen levels and pulmonary function test are all normal, so everything is leaning towards kidneys right now.
We have an appointment with a urologist on the 21st of June and will go see his primary doctor next week to see what she thinks. If anything changes for the worse...............we go to the ER right away.1 -
So sorry you're both going through this: Beaming strength & positive thoughts in your direction! I hope there will be some avenues for improvement, with the diagnostic progress.1
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Sorry I have been non existent the last few days. Hope you are getting some answers!2
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Thanks guys, it was kind of a long weekend. He feels pretty good in the morning but as the day wears on......not so much. We keep thinking about going to the ER but can't quite pull the lever on that yet. It's such a grueling experience and exhausting.
We're calling his primary care doc at 8 am tomorrow to get a same day appt and see what she thinks of the results we have so far and then we'll go from there.
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Okay..........last post regarding hubby for awhile. We have appointments with 4 different specialists between June 21 and July 8 so we probably won't know anything definitive for awhile. His doc today prescribed a diuretic to help get rid of some of the extra fluid...........poor guy's gained about 18 lbs in 8 weeks and it's not from over eating.
Anyway, thanks for all the support here, I really do appreciate it. Looks like we're looking at something kidney or heart related, or both, but none of his results so far are too dire. Obviously we're hoping for a good prognosis once all tests and appointments are complete.
I've been a little off my game plan but hoping to hang tough still with my workouts and helping him around here with his normal work/home related activities.2 -
You are doing well handling lots of incoming info. It helps to feel things are "not too dire."
And yes, you are a star for keeping to your workouts.1 -
Where you at?
http://www.biosciencetechnology.com/article/2014/10/reversing-idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis
That's just a link I found. I know of another company with a product on the market to reverse liver fibrosis that should work well on pulmonary tissue as well. Get your doctor educated.
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Thanks Jerome, it's not looking right now like IPF is the culprit but we could get to Cedars Sinai if there's a change in the diagnosis. We have fabulous insurance and can go wherever we want as long as they take Medicare. We had crappy insurance for years and paid through the nose for it ($1700/mo for the two of us) and so we feel lucky now that we can place our health first and receive good care.
He has appt's with his cardiologist, a urologist and a nephrologist this month then back to the pulmonologist in early July. We should know what we're dealing with by then. I do have him taking a supplement called MSM that's supposed to be helpful for lung tissue.1 -
Okay..........last post regarding hubby for awhile. We have appointments with 4 different specialists between June 21 and July 8 so we probably won't know anything definitive for awhile. His doc today prescribed a diuretic to help get rid of some of the extra fluid...........poor guy's gained about 18 lbs in 8 weeks and it's not from over eating.
Anyway, thanks for all the support here, I really do appreciate it. Looks like we're looking at something kidney or heart related, or both, but none of his results so far are too dire. Obviously we're hoping for a good prognosis once all tests and appointments are complete.
I've been a little off my game plan but hoping to hang tough still with my workouts and helping him around here with his normal work/home related activities.
@luluinca, you're doing exactly the right thing keeping up with your workouts and other self-care. Caring for a spouse with a serious condition, chronic or longer-term acute, is one of those "put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others" scenarios. Your strength and health become even more vital elements.
Sending wishes to you both for positive turns in the situation!2 -
I have been absent for a while. I am so sorry that your husband is dealing with such serious health issues. I hope that the doctors can sort it all out and create a plan that brings relief and improved health.1
