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Recurrent intermittent of gasping of breath
For quite some time now I have been experiencing recurrent regular intermittent episodes of gasping for breath. It happens suddenly with no warning and only lasts a second. These gasps of breath are then followed by what I can only explain what feels like a rush of blood flow in my arms and into my hands which then slightly pulsates and goes.
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I took my father to A & E, he was admitted with SOB, Lethargy and hypertension and was unable to walk more than a few steps due to SOB. He had a wheeze.
After examination at A&E he was advised he had a crackle in the left base ( I had suspected same as I sounded him myself at home ) I expected he would be commenced on IV antibiotics and IV furosemide, however he was commenced on IV antibiotics only.
He remained hypertensive with resps of 26 BP 185/103 and he was also tachycardic P103 for a few hours and this came down to within outside limits as he was sitting on the bed in the Fowlers position. Xrays confirmed fluid in the pleural cavity and after an ultrasound the next day, some of the fluid was aspirated and sent to lab for investigation.
Some of the results were back on the Monday night which confirmed he was +ve to infection but when I asked if the A/B he was on were the right ones I was advised they couldnt tell from the pleural fluid sample what type of infection it is, that they would need a sputum sample. Dad hasnt been asked to supply this' but he doesnt have a productive cough anyway and hasnt brought up any frothy sputum either.
The nurse advised we were still waiting for the rest of the results to come back. There has been no definitive diagnosis yet but I was advised on day two by the consultant that " we need to be realistic, ur dad has penile cancer ( which he has chemo cream to treat and has 3/6 monthly checks carried out ) so it could be mets in the lungs. "
Today is now day 7 and he commenced a diuretic yesterday at 1pm. My father has been unable to sleep in his bed since admission and only for 3 hours in an upright position on one occasion. Nursing staff advised he has to go for an ecco now. They have not drained the fluid on the lungs. Dad as had abdo pain which developed since admission. I wondered why wouldnt he have been drained or given a diuretic to relieve his symptoms until yesterday.
Also before admission my dad foolishly stopped his antihypertensive medication for 2 days ( A & E staff were advised of this ) , I advised him to get straight back on them and go to his GP the next day but he didnt go. I was at work 12hr shifts for next 2 days and had only spoken to dad by phone. When I went to see him on the Thursday morning he was so bad I just got a neighbour to assist me to the car with him and went straight to a and E.
Dad recommenced his antihypertensive medication after the 2 days ( This was before admission ).
I have a meeting with the consultant tonight at 7pm. What questions should i be asking. My father has remained in pain and discomfort, although the paracetamol administration has helped his pain to a degree and I understand why they wouldn't want to suppress his respiratory system with stronger pain relief, but why havent they done anything more to relieve his symptoms over the past 7 days. His ankles were slightly oedematous on admission' but his legs have become hugely oedematous since admission which is probably due to underlying condition and immobility' but I just dont understand why he hasnt been made more comfortable, surely a diuretic sooner would have eased his discomfort.
I also advised that i thought it was disgraceful that my dad was told " we need to be realistc etc without a family member present the 1st time. My father has capacity and has told the nursing staff and consultant he wishes me to deal with his medical information. Dad worries so much and doesnt take in what they are saying. Fortunately he did not pick up on the above comment at the time and when she said it to us both later he didnt actually hear her.
When I asked the sister to supply me with dads information over the phone she would not and advised a nurse would tell me when I came in that night after work. I said I know what the concerns were re I could be anyone' however' I said if my dad ( who has capacity ) confirms who I am and gives you the phone back surely then she could give me the information I require. She stated the English and Scottish laws differed ( pointless ) how was that relevant, and then said about giving information over the phone and the hospital confidentiality issues are different from a nursing homes. I am well aware of patient confidentiality issues and I wouldnt give information over the phone' however surely it is acceptable if the patient with capacity confirms the identity of his daughter to the sister that that would be suffice.
I was later advised by the nurse that the sister didnt want to say the results because of the nature of same over the phone' but the results I was told was that the sample was + to infection only and that we awaited other results. The nurse was not forthcoming with any other information and only once I asked " so the other results will confirm if there is cancer present when they come back " she replied yes. The nurse would not have informed me had I not asked' so why couldnt I have been told some of the results had returned and it was +ve to infection and the rest would follow.
Time 1800
At visiting today i was told he had the echo carried out and hopefully the consultant will have all the results for 7pm tonight. Diuretic has made a obvious difference and dad isn't as short of breath and his legs are now less oedematous. He advised he did manage to get a few hours in bed last night. ( After the first dose of diuretic ). I am on my way to see the consultant now.
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I have problems breathing with a tight chest.
Hi, i have problems breathing as normal, this has only occured during the last few weeks and is now every night. During the day when at collage or active outside this does not affect me however when i sit on my bed for a while watching TV it occurs after about 5 minutes with a tight feeling and feeling like i am not taking in as much air in my lungs. My left side of my chest bone sticks out like an inch or 2 more than normal but dont know whether they are linked as i have had the second problem for much longer.
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CHEST PAINS AND BREATHING PROBLEMS
IN JANUARY I HAD A SWINE FLU JAB AND SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM PAINS IN THE CHEST, COLD AIR AFFECTS MY BREATHING, WALKING AROUND GOING UP SLIGHT INCLINES, UPSTAIRS AFFECTS MY BREATHING AND CHEST PAINS.
I HAVE THIS WEEK HAD AN ANGIOGRAM CHECKING BOTH MY LEFT SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE. NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUND. ORIGINALLY THEY THOUGHT I HAD A TRICUSPED REGURGATATION - THIS IS NOT THE CASE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT EVERYTHING OKAY AND NO PROBLEMS WITH MY HEART.
15 YEARS AGO I HURT MY BACK AND I HAVE NOW GOT A PARTIAL FROZEN DIAPHRAGM ON MY LEFT HAND SIDE, MY STOMACH HAS MOVED UP UNDERNEATH THE DIAPHRAGM .
WHAT CAN I DO ??
I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WINTER BECAUSE OF MY BREATHING PROBLEMS.
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My grandmother has COPD
My grandmother is a 84 years old and has COPD. She had all the scans at the end of last year and tests i.e full body scans and Spriometrey test... her scans were all clear with no malignancy but it did reveal she had COPD. She has smoked since she was 19 and is continuing to do so. She smokes about 20 per day. Our family and countless doctors have tried to persuade her to give up smoking and she says she will but never does. She beat Advanced Cervical Cancer 8 years ago with Chemo and Radio aswell as Gamaray treatment. around about the same time she also broke her anckle and recovered well. Other than that she has had no medical conditions other than this COPD. My question is, is it worth her stopping smoking? The amount of people I have heard who have stopped and pick up all kinds of illnesses. I want her to be happy which she says she is with cigerettes but at the the same time, I want her to stop to live longer with her family.... Both is obviously not an option! I would appreciate some life expectancy advice aswell as the best course of action? Thanks guys.
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Breathlessness and leg swelling
For the past three months, I have been unable to walk up hills. I am very breathless. My feet have become painful and my legs feel like lead.
I went to my Doctor for an ECG and blood test No problems were evident in either test.
I am 59 years old, male. I took a course of antibiotics for my swollen feet.
The swelling disappeared, but pain in the upper part of each foot continues. I am unable to exercise because of this condition
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