davidfortune is home AGAIN!!

[StretchL]

Hi, David. Stretch here. I've not checked the board in days (I promised myself I'd not get online until the picture of me with The Shirt was ready to post), and I'm very sorry to hear that you've had such a rough go of it. I was kind of wondering how you were doing, though, as I thought you'd probably call unless something was up.

I totally sympathize with you in your agrument with the doc about using the echo to visualize the needle placement. If the damned machine was there, or even a couple of doors down, it just sounds arrogant of him not to use it to start with.

I'm thinking about you a lot, brother... and trusting that from here forward it will be onward and upward for you.

I'm doing well. Probably getting more rest than I deserve, but I'm enjoying the slow pace.

I'm going to make a long post about my recovery, along with some pictures, tomorrow.

Take care of yourself. Gimme a ring when you feel up to it.

Best-

 

[Susan BAV]

My goodness! What a thing to go through so suddenly and after things had gone so beautifully earlier! You are a brave man to take that needle but it sounds like the best way for a quicker remedy. Have you still been doing your spirometer exercises, or is there any connection to that? So glad you are back to your home and doing well again. Hopefully that will be your last trouble. Hang in there and have a nice weekend.

 

[davidfortune]

Really,

It didn't feel like that "rough of a time" (at least prior to the Pericardiocentesis and the subsequent overnight pericardial drain catheter). They apparently forgot to prescribe pain meds and I didn't think to ask so the overnight drain catheter was uncomfortable and prevented me from deep breathing since that felt like it was stabbing me if I tried to breathe deep.

I really didn't realize how SOB/"full of chest" I was feeling until after I got the catheter out. I also didn't realize how tired I was until I got home after the procedure.

I feel great again (like I did first 9 days after surgery).

Susan,
This is not related at all to exercise, breathing, etc... It is apparently an immune response. Nothing that I could do to prevent this and no way the docs can predict who this will happen to.

Anyway, my hospital no longer utilizes the spriometers. They use a device called a "Expiratory Resistance Exerciser". Basically you blow through it and it resists your exhale at different settings. The positive "back pressure" is more effective at recruiting closed alveoli in the lungs than the spirometer. Same purpose but different mechanism of action than the spirometer.

 

[davidfortune]

David Musselman - he is in the same practice with my cardio (John Harper) who was on vacation this week.

 

[Karlynn]

Anyway, my hospital no longer utilizes the spriometers. They use a device called a "Expiratory Resistance Exerciser". Basically you blow through it and it resists your exhale at different settings. The positive "back pressure" is more effective at recruiting closed alveoli in the lungs than the spirometer. Same purpose but different mechanism of action than the spirometer.

Is this device something they send you home with? I think it's important for post-VR patients to continue the incentive spirometer, or this other "thingie" after discharge. Particularly for those who end up having fewer days in the hospital than most, but really everyone should continue to exercise the lungs in this way.

 

[Susan BAV]

...I feel great again... This is not related at all to exercise, breathing, etc... It is apparently an immune response. Nothing that I could do to prevent this and no way the docs can predict who this will happen to...Anyway, my hospital no longer utilizes the spriometers. They use a device called a "Expiratory Resistance Exerciser". Basically you blow through it and it resists your exhale at different settings. The positive "back pressure" is more effective at recruiting closed alveoli in the lungs than the spirometer. Same purpose but different mechanism of action than the spirometer.

Good information to know and very interesting. So glad it's over for you and you feel great again!

 

[tobagotwo]

Very interesting that your hospital gives you a breathing toy that works on exhaust. The classic tool is an inspirational spirometer - inspirational meaning that you breathe in to practice with it.

Your response to the arrogant cardio made me laugh, as it sounds so much like me. I also have a penchant for making pointed comments when the timing may not really be to my advantage.

Glad you got that off your chest, and are back to recuperating. As this sometimes recurrs, keep track of your weight for a while, and watch for SOB.

Best wishes,

 

[davidfortune]

In order to prevent recurrence my cardio practice injects steroids up through the pericardial catheter before the remove it. Then you have to "roll side to side" to make sure the steroid spread out in the pericardial sack.

The doc said that with the complete draining AND the injection of steroids that it almost never recurs.

However I will be monitoring weight, SOB and other symptoms just in case.

 

[Farid]

Well,

I guess I'm one of the 2 in 10,000.....



So - I chose the big, hunkin needle since they weren't excited about waiting to see if it got better. Cardio said intra-pericardial pressure was about 15 times the normal pressure which is not good.

Anyway - back home and walking my way healthy again.

David

David
You are truly courageous.
When that happened to me about two weeks ago. I did everything possible not go through the procedure; and I told them if you have to do the procedure knock me out.
I was so scared that I chose to stay in the hospital for eight days and take medication to avoid the procedure. Within the 8 daysi had a total of three Echo?s, one at the Card office and one next week.

I?m glad it all worked out for you ?

 

[jbrown413]

hi david!

hi david!

i loved your description of the periocentresis procedure, and cardio guy who wouldnt use an echo for guidance. i can just imagine you there, a needle stuck in your heart, making a snarky remark about how he shoulda used it in the first place. and he shouldve too! jerk. hope you are doing better. -- joe

 

[Susan BAV]

i loved your description of the periocentresis procedure, and cardio guy who wouldnt use an echo for guidance. i can just imagine you there, a needle stuck in your heart, making a snarky remark about how he shoulda used it in the first place. and he shouldve too! jerk. hope you are doing better. -- joe

That is quite the visual, David... Glad it turned out alright!

 

[susieq14]

David,

Wow ! What an ordeal! So sorry that it all happened but very glad that you noticed your symptoms and followed up on them. Not quite sure I'd want that doctor taking care of me. Why must they be so arrogant?! Well that of course could be the subject of a whole thread - doctors and other helath professionals who are arrogant and just downright "cold" and incompassionate. GRRRR!!!!

Take care of yourself!
Susie

P.S. Happy New Year to you and Priscilla! Hope it is healthy and happy!

 

[perkicar]

Hi David--
Sorry about the bump in the road but glad that they were able to identify and treat it so quickly. I went home for a week after surgery and was readmitted for a pericardial effusion accompanied by atrial fib/atrial flutter. I couldn't figure out why I felt WORSE after I got home than when in the hospital, but I just thought it was being more active at home. But when we went back to Cleveland to see my cardio and I couldn't even walk from the drop off back to the office I knew it was something more. I was actually kind of glad to be back in the hospital, I felt that crummy. Mine wasn't reachable by needle so they just put me on diuretics (love that lasix) and Sotalol for the rhythm problem. I was not excited about the prospect of a window, so was glad it resolved on it's own, although it took about a month before I started feeling really human again. I had serious swelling in my feet and ankles, we called them "cankles".
Hang in there, don't get discouraged, you will start to feel betterer. (I guess that's a word LOL)

 

[davidfortune]

Thanks all.

I'm not discouraged at all. I feel great again since the fluid was removed. I have been walking on the treadmill (about a mile a day at one time - I would do more but I get bored). I know I'll need to extend it but I'll start tomorrow increasing my distance.