Bronchitis

[vocrehablady]

I had pulmonary valve replacement on 3/20 and was released from the hospital on 3/26. Before I left the hospital I started to develop a very minor head cough. (My husband had been sick with a head cold for several days.) Overall I felt very good--much better than I had anticipated. Two days after I came home, on 3/28, the cough turned into a productive (green phlegm) cough from my chest. My PCP called in a prescription for me for a streoid (4 mgs, 21 pack) and Clarithromycin 500 mgs. I felt great on 3/29, had very little coughing and even took two very short, slow walks. I woke up yesterday feeling much worse--cough had increased in frequency, low grade fever, shortness of breath. I went to the ER. My oxygen levels were between 97 and 100, which I was thankful for. I was told my chest x-rays looked "fairly good". They diagnosed me with bronchitis and castochondroitis. (I have not done any heavy lifting so I guess the latter diagnsosis results from the surgery.) They gave me two breathing treatments and sent me home with a prescription for cough medicine and a higher dosage of steroids. I was given instructions to follow up with my PCP today. (I am going in to see her tomorrow.) Instead of getting my better, I am feeling worse. My temperature is low today, but my cough has increased and appears to be hurting much more. I am short of breath again and have developed a sore throat. I've researced some forums and read that Avelox is a good antibiotic. Any other suggestions for my doctor tomorrow? Have any of you experiened this shortly after being released? Thanks. (And sorry this is so long!) Oh, I forgot to mention that I was diagnosed with MRSA the day after my surgery. The nurses told me it was minor and that I wouldn't need antibiotics but I was kept in isolation until my release? Could this be related to the MRSA at all?

 

[Nancy]

Well, if this were my husband, at this point, I'd be insisting on getting an Infectious Disease doctor involved. I think insteasd of guessing what the bug is that you've got, they really have to get much more scientific and take some cultures and then treat what shows up.

To do otherwise is ridiculous, especially with MRSA in the recent past.

There could be something else besides MRSA working in there.

You are so vulnerable at this point, your doctors have to get serious and stop fooling around.

Endocarditis is only one of the things that they should be worried about.

You must be in terrible pain.

You've got to put your foot down. I think the buck stops at this point.

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry to hear you are going through this, especially so soon after your OHS. I imagine the coughing is pretty uncomfortable. I echo what Nancy said. This early post-op your body is pretty vulnerable. Better to be safe than sorry. Best wishes.

 

[Wise]

Prayers going out for you. So sorry you are feeling this badly so soon after surgery.

My only advice is "Listen to Nancy".

 

[Susan BAV]

Well, if this were my husband, at this point, I'd be insisting on getting an Infectious Disease doctor involved. I think insteasd of guessing what the bug is that you've got, they really have to get much more scientific and take some cultures and then treat what shows up.

To do otherwise is ridiculous, especially with MRSA in the recent past.

There could be something else besides MRSA working in there.

You are so vulnerable at this point, your doctors have to get serious and stop fooling around.

Endocarditis is only one of the things that they should be worried about.

You must be in terrible pain.

You've got to put your foot down. I think the buck stops at this point.

Echoing this. I hope you find answers and relief soon! Please keep us posted.

 

[Computec]

By all means listen to what our fellow forum members are saying.

Having had heart surgery and then being told that you have MRSA and "it's minor" ... well... I'll think my comment on that instead of typing it. MRSA is NOT minor. That's why they had you in isolation. Besides being highly contagious it can complicate your recovery. Think Super Staph. Please consult with a knowledgable/competent physician about this. Sadly, your PCP is probably not the guy.

Needless to say you should not be feeling as though you're going downhill at this stage of your recovery. Kick those doctors in their arrogant rumps and insist that they take care of you.

Pneumonia is another strong possibility following OHS. Being told that the chest xrays looked "fairly good" would make me suspicious. An undiagnosed case of pneumonia won't help your recovery at this point.

You are your own "BEST" advocate for your health. The medical community, unfortunately, has an assembly line mentality where time is money. They will rush if you let them get away with it.

An infectious disease specialist, as has been suggested, is an excellent idea. They'll figure out what's going on with your lungs, be it pneumonia or anything else, as well as do the cultures for testing for bacterial endocarditis.

Best Regards

Jerry

 

[Ross]

If it's truly an upper repiratory germ, Avelox will knock it silly 5 days time. You may get 7 or 10 days worth, but the stuff is good.

 

[Computec]

I find it very unusual that you are under the care of your PCP so soon after having OHS. Usually a patient stays under the care of their surgeon for several weeks. The possibility of complications following the surgery exists and the surgeon is the one to deal with them or to refer you to the cardio etc. as necessary. Did the ER staff contact your surgeon?

MRSA is a serious infection that, following a procedure as invasive as OHS, can have serious infection consequences. It requires a long term treatment of antibiotics to get it under control. I would think that your hospital stay should have been longer.

Take Care

Jerry