Author Topic: Gasping for breath  (Read 19281 times)

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Online sneakypete

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Gasping for breath
« on: December 21, 2018, 10:59:36 pm »
So......,my shortness of breath suddenly went from being a minor irritation to "I can't walk from the living room to the bathroom without having to sit and gasp for breath when I get there,and rest up to get the strength to walk back to the living room."

So I go to the local Hindu pulmo guy I have been seeing for a few years,and he takes an x-ray and tells me I probably have lung cancer and he needs to do a biopsy immediately. He then asks me what meds I am on,and immediately tells me I need to stop taking the Plavix "right now because I can't operate as long as you are taking it."

I tell him "I can't quit taking it because my heart doc told me I have to take it daily for at least a year after my recent heart surgery (stent) or I could die."

So he laughs,and says "Well,I guess I will see you in a year,then."

My response was "No,you won't. I will be seeing a doctor about this,but it won't be you." because I think a year is too long to wait,and there MUST be an alternative drug I can take. NOT really happy about his cavalier approach to lung cancer.

So I get an appointment through a local family doc to see another pulmonary surgeon,and this guy is all business,despite his dyed hair and hipster "man bun". He comes in the room,sits down,asks me what has been going on,and tells me  "I am going to schedule you for a CAT scan tomorrow morning (last Thursday) at the hospital . Let's see for sure what it is we are dealing with before we do anything else,and then come back on Monday so we can go over the results and make plans.",smiles,shakes my hand,and walks out of the room after telling me "See the woman at the front counter and she will give you all the paperwork.

I go have the CAT scan on Friday,and on Monday go back to see him again,and he walks into the room and announces,"Your lungs are full of water and you are drowning. See the woman at the counter for the paperwork to admit you to the hospital tomorrow morning so I can drain your lungs",smiles at me,and says "See you tomorrow!"

By this point,I am loving the HELL out of my new doc. This guy doesn't screw around,and he doesn't schedule your appointments for 2 weeks or 2 months into the future."

I go to the hospital the next morning,and by now I am so weak from lack of oxygen I can't walk in from the nearest handicapped parking space. I get part way,go to my knees,and ask someone passing to have them send a wheelchair out for me. They roll me in to the registration desk and then roll me to the room where the surgery is to take place,and then the doc shows up.

He uses a scalpel to cut a hold in my back,and then sticks a needle connected to a rubber hose into my right lung. The hose is connected to a 1 liter bottle I had already seen and laughed about while asking him "You don't really think you need a jar that big do you?",and he tells me "Sometimes we fill one up." I kinda thought he was screwing with me on that one because where is the room for air if you have that much water in your lungs?

Damned if he didn't drain 1 and 3/4 liters of water out of just my right lung. No kidding. Looked like beer or urine. Look at a 2 liter bottle of Pepsi for reference to how much fluid I had in my right lung. It still seems impossible to me,but I saw the jars.

He finishes up and tells me he is going to send it off for analysis and will see me next Wednesday to discuss what he finds out and to make future plans. For all I know I might actually have lung cancer,but I would love to know how the Hindu doc could see a spot on my lungs when they were covered with water,and not see the freaking water.

I do know that I am going to try to talk him into draining the left lung,too.

VERY little pain involved. Maybe a bee sting. The most discomfort came after a lot of the water had drained out,and suddenly there is a vacuum in my lung and I am not breathing deeply enough to fill it. When I do breathe that deeply,it makes me want to cough.

BUT.......,after sitting around for 15-20 minutes,damned if I didn't get up out of the wheel chair and walk to another room to give blood,and then walk to my truck in the parking lot!

I also slept like a clubbed baby seal when I got home. Hadn't been sleeping worth a damn because of the pressure on my heart when I laid down.

I am once again panting for breath and and exhausted,and it worries me some. I am hoping it comes from me being so far down it will take me a few days to recover enough to get my endurance back. Or at least some of it.

Besides the hack Hindu doc screwing me around and wasting my time and money,the freaking VA has been giving me inhalers for the last couple of years despite me telling them the inhalers don't work worth a damn.

It really boils down to being lucky enough to find the right doctor,doesn't it?
« Last Edit: December 21, 2018, 11:04:07 pm by sneakypete »
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Offline Right_in_Virginia

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2018, 11:28:45 pm »
I really didn't know where you were going with this .... and was a little hesitant to keep reading @sneakypete .  But I'm glad I did and even happier you're okay.

Yes, a doctor sometimes leads you deeper into the pit.  I myself am a firm believer in second and third opinions.  One way or the other they are always helpful.

And as of this moment I know I will be much more receptive to and respectful of any man bun doc in my future.  Promise.     happy77


 :bighug:

Online sneakypete

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2018, 11:36:19 pm »
I really didn't know where you were going with this .... and was a little hesitant to keep reading @sneakypete .  But I'm glad I did and even happier you're okay.

Yes, a doctor sometimes leads you deeper into the pit.  I myself am a firm believer in second and third opinions.  One way or the other they are always helpful.

And as of this moment I know I will be much more receptive to and respectful of any man bun doc in my future.  Promise.     happy77


 :bighug:

@Right_in_Virginia

Thanks! I post stuff like this to maybe help others who are sick and as ignorant of medical care as  I am. You never know who might read it and suddenly realize "HEY! I have been having the same problem,and need to contact a pulmonary surgeon and find out what the problem is!"
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Offline EdJames

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2018, 11:37:36 pm »
Glad that you are finally getting the right treatment!

Offline Right_in_Virginia

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2018, 11:39:04 pm »
@Right_in_Virginia

Thanks! I post stuff like this to maybe help others who are sick and as ignorant of medical care as  I am. You never know who might read it and suddenly realize "HEY! I have been having the same problem,and need to contact a pulmonary surgeon and find out what the problem is!"

 :thumbsup:

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #5 on: December 21, 2018, 11:53:41 pm »
Glad that you are finally getting the right treatment!

@EdJames

Thanks!
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Offline Victoria33

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2018, 12:35:03 am »
@EdJames
@sneakypete

Sneaky, bless the doctor who knew what to do and did it quickly.  Seven months ago, I couldn't lift my arms, couldn't sleep due to pain, so painful getting into bed and out of bed and throughout the night, just like you, but different reason.  Family doctor said, "You need an Ortho/Pain Specialist.  He didn't fool around and mess with this, immediately sent me to the right doc.  I've been through this doc putting me to sleep four different times, entering my spine in about the center, then running a needle up my spine to my neck and putting in steroids.  The pain was gone the next day.  I could use my arms and sleep without pain. 

This doc gave my arms back to me, I could use them, and I could sleep without pain. How much is that worth?  How much is it worth for your doc giving your breathing back to you?  I was an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and I know from what you say you were drowning more and more each day - you were dying.

Sneaky, I am glad you are alive and let me know what the doc finds out, PM me and I mean that.  Let's discuss living and how precious our time is.
Marcella

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2018, 12:45:35 am »
@sneakypete

I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’m glad you are doing better now. I wish doctors would listen to their patients and have a little hubris instead of G-d complexes that they know everything and anything. And we know nothing
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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #8 on: December 22, 2018, 01:00:13 am »
@sneakypete

Glad you are doing better! Had no idea anything like this was going on and cannot help but wonder if anyone has advised you as to why you had so much fluid in your lungs to begin with.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

Online sneakypete

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2018, 01:09:22 am »
@sneakypete


 I was an EMT (
Quote
This doc gave my arms back to me, I could use them, and I could sleep without pain. How much is that worth?  How much is it worth for your doc giving your breathing back to you?

That's almost like asking "What is the smile of a child worth?" Some things are beyond pricing.


Quote
Emergency Medical Technician) and I know from what you say you were drowning more and more each day - you were dying.

I went from being ok to barely able to walk in less than 3 weeks. I suspect I would have died within 2 weeks if I hadn't gotten lucky and found the right doctor. And that's all it was,pure luck. Better to be lucky than smart any day of the week. The truth is I was so oxygen-deprived I was having trouble thinking.


Quote
Sneaky, I am glad you are alive and let me know what the doc finds out, PM me and I mean that.  Let's discuss living and how precious our time is.
Marcella

My plan is to see if I can still find this thread,and then post any future developments here so other people can learn from my experiences.
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Online sneakypete

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2018, 01:17:26 am »
@sneakypete

Quote
I’m so sorry this happened to you.

Thanks,but in a way I am glad it happened because I WAS lucky enough to survive it,and maybe I can spread the word and help someone else survive it. This stuff creeps up on you so slowly you are not really aware of what is happening. You think that if you stay inside and take care of yourself that it will pass,but with this stuff it is YOU that passes,not the disease. If it had taken me a few more days to see the right doctor,it would have probably been too late.

One of the few negatives of living alone is that you have no one to nag you to do what you need to do.

Of course,that is also one of the big bonuses of living alone.

Ironically enough,the doctor I went to see to get the referal is my ex's oldest daughter. She recently graduated from medical school and opened a family clinic.

Quote
I’m glad you are doing better now. I wish doctors would listen to their patients and have a little hubris instead of G-d complexes that they know everything and anything. And we know nothing

Well,in this case the doc knew everything,and I didn't know squat. I would have bet it would be impossible to drain almost 2 liters of water from ONE lung. I would have believed a tea spoon full,but no way in hell would I have believed 1-3/4 liters. It still doesn't make any sense to me,and I saw the bottles. In fact,it was seeing those bottles that finally convinced me I had been dying in slow-motion.
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Online sneakypete

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2018, 01:21:26 am »
@sneakypete

Glad you are doing better! Had no idea anything like this was going on and cannot help but wonder if anyone has advised you as to why you had so much fluid in your lungs to begin with.

@Bigun

I have been wondering about the how and why myself. The new pulmo guy said to wait until the results of the fluid he drained come back,and then we will discuss future plans.

What gives me brain freeze is that no one before this guy even suspected I had fluid in my lungs. How is that even possible?
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Offline SZonian

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2018, 01:31:35 am »
@sneakypete
Glad you're ok you old curmudgeon!  Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

« Last Edit: December 22, 2018, 01:32:26 am by SZonian »
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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2018, 01:36:28 am »
@Bigun

I have been wondering about the how and why myself. The new pulmo guy said to wait until the results of the fluid he drained come back,and then we will discuss future plans.

What gives me brain freeze is that no one before this guy even suspected I had fluid in my lungs. How is that even possible?

@sneakypete

Yeah!  That would get my attention as well.  Doesn't make any sense at all.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2018, 02:06:37 am »
@sneakypete

Oh, Pete...I had no idea.  My best wishes are with you at this tough time....
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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #15 on: December 22, 2018, 03:30:55 am »
@sneakypete
Glad you're ok you old curmudgeon!  Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

@SZonian

Thanks,and the same to you.
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Online sneakypete

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #16 on: December 22, 2018, 03:31:45 am »
@sneakypete

Oh, Pete...I had no idea.  My best wishes are with you at this tough time....

@Cyber Liberty

Thanks!
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Offline SZonian

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #17 on: December 22, 2018, 03:38:48 am »
Throwing our allegiances to political parties in the long run gave away our liberty.

Offline roamer_1

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #18 on: December 22, 2018, 03:41:56 am »
Hope you come through it Pete... We're all pullin for ya!

 :beer:

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #19 on: December 22, 2018, 03:50:31 am »
@sneakypete, I had wondered what was going on with you.  I figured it was just an attack of curmudgeon.  Sorry I was wrong, and I'm very glad you got it figured out. 

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Offline truth_seeker

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #20 on: December 22, 2018, 04:00:47 am »
Wishing you a sneaky, speedy, very full recovery with minimum discomfort, anxiety, etc.
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Offline RoosGirl

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #21 on: December 22, 2018, 04:01:07 am »
@sneakypete Glad you found someone who knows what the hell they're doing.

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #22 on: December 22, 2018, 04:07:33 am »
@sneakypete

Wishing you the very best, my friend!  I hope you're not alone and that you have people upon which you can depend until you get through this. 
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Offline To-Whose-Benefit?

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #23 on: December 22, 2018, 04:13:45 am »
@sneakypete

Don't you Dare up and die on me or I'll never speak to you again.

As it is there's only 'bout 8 or 9 people here who unfailingly make Sense to me and you're up very high on that list.

As for Docs missing this, Nowhere beyond the field of Big Medicine is the old saw of Buyer Beware more applicable.

Gotta watch them like a hawk and then go home, get on line and Check out what the want to do or not do.

And remember that most of them get their 'continuing medical education' through the advertorials in the magazines they litter their waiting rooms with.

The amount of dirty money that changes hands between Docs and Drug Co. Reps is Staggering.

Really glad you got this correctly diagnosed and dealt with.

Hang in there.
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Offline To-Whose-Benefit?

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Re: Gasping for breath
« Reply #24 on: December 22, 2018, 04:20:54 am »
@sneakypete

Glad you are doing better! Had no idea anything like this was going on and cannot help but wonder if anyone has advised you as to why you had so much fluid in your lungs to begin with.


See if the inhalers did it.

Wouldn't surprise me.
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