General Medical issues thread

[DejaBrew]

Oh dear @ellen10 I’m so sorry to hear Mr Ellen10 has gone through such a rough patch in his recovery. I do hope he has indeed turned the corner and that it’s only positive updates from here on in. I hope you’re doing ok as well - I’m sure this has been both physically and mentally exhausting for you. Please do take care - sending plenty of positive thoughts to you both.

 

[ellen10]

Glad things are improving
I'm pretty sure you are describing 'a' (atrial) fib rather than 'v' (ventricular) fibrillatiion

Yes @andye I meant A fib
Too much information to take in!

 

[ellen10]

Oh dear @ellen10 I’m so sorry to hear Mr Ellen10 has gone through such a rough patch in his recovery. I do hope he has indeed turned the corner and that it’s only positive updates from here on in. I hope you’re doing ok as well - I’m sure this has been both physically and mentally exhausting for you. Please do take care - sending plenty of positive thoughts to you both.

Thanks @DejaBrew its been a bit of an ordeal dealing with it all for both of us. I try to be a glass half full person. Of course very hard for MrEllen10 who is usually full of energy and activity. As I I say to him he is a very impatient patient at times. As his cardiologist keeps reminding him, it takes time.

 

[Quickstatus]

VFib is what Kerry Packer had before he was whacked by Packer whacker.
These days the AED - automatic packer whackers only whack with it detects VFib. If it does not whack it does not mean it is not working.

I finally went home and once in bed, suffered cramps in both legs and both feet. (that was not fun!), I think not eating or drinking, sitting, standing and not walking for such a long time was the culprit.

@ellen10 sounds like Mrellen10 is in very good hands including yours but do you have someone looking after you?

 

[love_the_life]

@ellen10, that sounds so stressful and of course disappointing as it was to be hoped that Mrellen10 was recovering well. Take care of yourself as well. And hope he has turned the corner and is now on the straight run to recovery.

 

[Pushka]

An update on MrEllen10:
Went to see doctor 9am Friday morning. Warfarin INR 4.8 too high. Doctor checks his vitals, pulse not good. She gets the nurse to do and ECG, VFib 120 doctor says I've rung an ambulance, off to emergency.

Emergency at our local public hospital department crazy, but he is taken straight in to a bed in emergency. Hooked up to machines, VFib rising and too much fluid. Chest Xray, Ct scan. Cannula in and diuretics injected, lots of weeing, which is exhausting. Tried to contact the heart surgeon from Prince of Wales but he is operating.

V Fib rising into the 130's (it got as high as 140 in the end). Started on Beta blockers and he has fluid in the lungs etc. Called cardiologist team, we had to wait hours, finally came at 4.30. Yes will need to be admitted to a cardiac ward. MrEllen10 finally admitted to ward at 10.30pm.

What a long stressful and exhausting day. But I must say all the doctors and nurses in the emergency ward, although run off their feet, were just amazing! Those beautiful nurses working 12 hour shifts in some very trying and difficult situations, I couldn't praise enough for their care and kindness.
I finally went home and once in bed, suffered cramps in both legs and both feet. (that was not fun!), I think not eating or drinking, sitting, standing and not walking for such a long time was the culprit.

This was last Friday the start of the long weekend. Mr Ellen10's cardiologist, visited him in hospital. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. With medication and monitoring in hospital. Stopped Warfarin until yesterday. Nursing staff were good.
The cardiologist said he could go home today, does not want to risk infection. He has medication for the V Fib, V Fib now 112, and hoping it will go lower, fluid still there, but taking Furosemide.

Went to GP this afternoon, INR today 2.8. Will drop the dose by 1 mg tonight. We will see her again on Thursday.

Still finding sleeping hard, between bed, chair and recliner. Practising breathing and doing short walks. He is tired but we are hoping we have turned a corner.

Oh dear. My thoughts - also take care of YOU!

 

[Pushka]

VFib is what Kerry Packer had before he was whacked by Packer whacker.
These days the AED - automatic packer whackers only whack with it detects VFib. If it does not whack it does not mean it is not working.

@ellen10 sounds like Mrellen10 is in very good hands including yours but do you have someone looking after you?

Yes. My SIL - former AE staff, explained this to me the other day but it's something that never seems to be mentioned. I guess whack and if it doesn't then hope for ambulance asap.

 

[Quickstatus]

but it's something that never seems to be mentioned

I guess whack and if it doesn't then hope for ambulance asap.

The main problem with AED is that people think it is automatic and nothing else needs to be done (and it is often sold on that basis), so we see AED cropping up in many places and no one knows how to use it, or think the AED supplants CPR.

The main message at a CPR course is that an AED is not the primary lifesaving measure - CPR is and AED is an aid to assist that process.
This means that if someone collapses in a shopping centre, the first thing to do is to commence basic life support which is CPR while someone gets the AED - dont wait for the AED before starting CPR. If the AED is connected and it does not Whack, continue CPR and someone else calls for help/ambos. The AED will enunciate when to try a whack again. Most people unfortunately do not have CPR training and will just wait for the AED while not doing CPR before or after the AED is connected

It may be also the case that when an AED gives a whack and the patient does not wake up, CPR is still required.

These days we don't check for pulse anymore as it is very unreliable because people mostly dont know what they are feeling for. If the patient is unconscious continue CPR regardless of whether a pulse is felt or not.

Down in Jindabyne (my other place) there was a drive to get AED and there are some dotted around the place. I tried to strongly suggest that people also sign up for a CPR course but no one ever did.

All CPR courses teach AED use - CPR is the primary life support measure, an AED is an adjunct to the rescue, not the other way round.

 

[Quickstatus]

Maybe one of these days we could have an AFF Social event with a CPR and AED theme (and proper certification at the end)

 

[ellen10]

VFib is what Kerry Packer had before he was whacked by Packer whacker.
These days the AED - automatic packer whackers only whack with it detects VFib. If it does not whack it does not mean it is not working.

@ellen10 sounds like Mrellen10 is in very good hands including yours but do you have someone looking after you?

Thanks for the kind words from everyone on AFF.

As I am happy to do the very best in these situations ( I’ve had many with MrEllen10, including broken necks, brain bleeds, broken ribs etc all self inflicted)
I’ve come to realise that sometimes we need to give some extra support to the carers. I think it’s the little things, trying to be at the hospital as often as possible, worry, attending to household duties, keeping in contact with lots of messages, calls etc (which is so lovely from friends and family and truly appreciated) but sometimes it’s full on.

And I will try in the future be a better support to others.

I know there are many here on AFF who are wonderful carers for family and friends, you are wonderful caring people.

.

 

[RooFlyer]

Maybe one of these days we could have an AFF Social event with a CPR and AED theme (and proper certification at the end)

Sounds like you are the perfect one to organise - seriously.

 

[RooFlyer]

Maybe one of these days we could have an AFF Social event with a CPR and AED theme (and proper certification at the end)

Sounds like you are the perfect one to organise - seriously.

Adding - if there is lunch or dinner at the end, you'll be over-run!

 

[Brissy1]

The main problem with AED is that people think it is automatic and nothing else needs to be done (and it is often sold on that basis), so we see AED cropping up in many places and no one knows how to use it, or think the AED supplants CPR.

The main message at a CPR course is that an AED is not the primary lifesaving measure - CPR is and AED is an aid to assist that process.
This means that if someone collapses in a shopping centre, the first thing to do is to commence basic life support which is CPR while someone gets the AED - dont wait for the AED before starting CPR. If the AED is connected and it does not Whack, continue CPR and someone else calls for help/ambos. The AED will enunciate when to try a whack again. Most people unfortunately do not have CPR training and will just wait for the AED while not doing CPR before or after the AED is connected

It may be also the case that when an AED gives a whack and the patient does not wake up, CPR is still required.

These days we don't check for pulse anymore as it is very unreliable because people mostly dont know what they are feeling for. If the patient is unconscious continue CPR regardless of whether a pulse is felt or not.

Down in Jindabyne (my other place) there was a drive to get AED and there are some dotted around the place. I tried to strongly suggest that people also sign up for a CPR course but no one ever did.

All CPR courses teach AED use - CPR is the primary life support measure, an AED is an adjunct to the rescue, not the other way round.

Thanks for that summary, I had no idea that AEDs are only secondary. I'm not trained in CPR but I'd give it a go as the last resort, staying alive, staying alive.