Sorry you're in the hospital. Hope you get better soon, and find out what's causing your problems.

Well.....take it easy and call it a vacation...until they find out what's going on....(((hugs)))

Sending good thoughts your way ... now you're on "hospital time" so might as well relax while they do their thing.

Sending good thoughts and prayers for you to have a return to health.

My sister has shortness of breath with an atrial fibrillation and flux. Weirdly her c pap machine for sleep apnea has helped somewhat. Hopefully they find out what's what quickly for you.

Sorry to hear that you're in the hospital. Make sure you get the best possible "true" test results by relaxing and making the best of your hospital time. I just completed 22 days as an inpatient, so I know first hand that you're experiencing a lot of anxiety. As for the IV, TELL them what happens and INSIST that they use a IV team nurse to insert and monitor it. The minute you notice any type of problem, use your call bell and INSIST that they get the IV team nurse back. You can be an advocate for your best interests without being a PIA. Hope all goes smoothly.

Lisa

Sending you special, positive thoughts as you go through the processes. Been there, done that, not much fun.

Rosie

Sending healing thoughts to you. Hope they can figure out what's going on and get you fixed up right! Seriously , rest up and let them do their magic

Sending good thoughts your way. Hope they find the source of your problems and get you started on the path to better health.

Sending kind thoughts and well wishes your way.

So sorry to hear this. Caroline, hang in there. I know that it is difficult for me to have an IV or give blood on my right arm. I injured it years ago, so I always have things done on my left.

Is there any way they can place it where it is more comfortable for you?

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Caring thoughts going out to you, Caroline.

How are you doing today Caroline? Here's hoping for a speedy solution and recovery.

Please don't let your lack of control create more stress for you. I can tell from reading that you are upset by not being able to fix this health issue "all by your ownsome". You'll have to just do the drill for now.

Good advice here on how to correct the IV issue. That and the blood draw seem to be the only 'invasives' ordered.

The KT Regulars are standing by. Report in as you can.

Have they checked your iron levels? Anemia can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, etc. Feel better soon!

I am so sorry you are having to go thru this. But I do not understand why the dr. has let this go on for ages. And unfortunately I also have a hard time with IV's so I feel for you.

So sorry you're in such a mess. As someone who lives with chronic shortness of breath (nothing can be done about this - I'm already doing everything including supplementary oxygen), I can say I understand that it's no fun at all. And it's frightening when ones doctors do not know what is wrong.

Perhaps you can ask them to put in a PICC line for your IV's. I have terrible veins and very thin skin and any IV is a problem for me. When I've had to have them for multiple days, they always put in a PICC line and that makes IV's a breeze. It's a quick, easy procedure - you're conscious and can see them do it, and removing it is quick and easy - they just pull out this tiny tube!

My sister is the same and she always demands that they get a highly qualified person who can do a picc line. Now she has no problems and they always comply without a fuss.

I hope that you get answers and are feeling better soon. Best wishes to you.

I hope that they get things figured out soon, Caroline.

In the meantime, relax, try not to worry (worrying gets the worrier troubled ... but almost always doesn't accomplish much), and let them work things through. The medical people have developed so much more knowledge in recent years.

I'm sending you very good wishes and offering some prayers on your behalf.

ole joyful

Thanks everyone! I'll answer you individually after I have time to process it all.

They sent me home late last night. I could drive; I got home about 12:30 a.m. - after getting stopped by a cop!

One blood test showed a slight elevation for the possibility of blood clot, but the lung cT said there wasn't one. It was a "D"-something level. I'll get the papers out later.

They will call me Monday morning with appointments for a heart scan/ultrasound and a couple more tests. I will see cardiologist and a pulmonary (?) doctors at that time.

The Dr. changed my Hydrochlorothiazide to Lasix (?) to ease the fluid build around my lungs and heart. He said it appeared to not be a lot of fluid.

The worst part - besides the oversized IV port - of it all was trying to lay on the gurney with the sciatica hip/nerve issue.

I couldn't lay on the gurney; I couldn't sit on the gurney; my legs would not reach the floor so they hung there swelling like balloons! I got up several times and walked around.

I'm tired, but no more than normal. The lasix seems to really be helping these swollen legs already! They don't feel tight enough to burst like an overwatered tomato!

I may get my cute calves back!

Since getting about a gallon of water out of my system since last night has made my legs feel so much better! Any reduction in pain is cause to celebrate.

Wes is going to town to get the Lasix prescription filled - the base pharmacy is closed on weekends - so I can have the second pill today.

I just walked out front and cleaned/refilled the ground level birdbath.

I came inside, made a cup of tea, and was barely breathing hard - not gasping, not dizzy.

I'll read for a while then go out front to turn on the sprinkler for the birds (free well water).

OH, glad today is better. That must have been scary, the not knowing part as well as all the rest if it. Hope you get answers next week.

That test is a d-dimer to check for pulmonary embolism. Changing aciphex for lasix doesn't make sense, they are totally different classifications of medications. Aciphex is for GE reflux, lasix is a diuretic. It sounds to me like you really need the lasix, but you probably also need the aciphex. The big question is why do you need the lasix? The most likely cause is from congestive heart failure, which would cause fluid buildup in your lungs and legs. I hope you have another appointment set up with your primary physician to get some answers, but glad you feel better.

Get well soon!

Sorry to see everything you've gone through, Caroline, but I'm glad you're doing better today!

Sleeperblues, I'm on Lasix, but I have never been diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

Her symptoms were consistent with CHF. Not everyone who takes lasix needs it for that reason.

I agree - CHF. Needs to see a cardiologist NOW!

SleeperBlues; I'm sorry, I was so stressed when I wrote this. I did not mean Aciphex, the drug was Hydrochlorothiazide that has been replaced now with Lasix.

Interesting but off topic- my dog has CHF and takes Lasix. I hope that you feel better soon Caroline.

That makes more sense, Caroline. HCTZ is a "weaker" diuretic, and it sounds like you needed more. No need to apologize, medical terminology is overwhelming especially when you don't feel good. Please follow up with your physician, you want to know how to avoid this happening again. You sound like you are feeling much better, though, and I'm happy for you:)

Hope you're improving!

My husband has been battling severe breathing issues for a year now and it does scare him. He recently several months ago started having lower leg and feet swelling a lot, work up shows no CHF ..next step take a look at the lungs with a scope.

Caroline keep your follow up appointments which I'm sure you will.I wish you the best.

Studies demonstrate better outcomes when cardiologists manage patients with heart failure. If someone has heart failure, and they are not on an ACE inhibitor type of medication, they should be asking their doc why.

My FIL died of CHF but it wasn't until later we realized he must've gotten it from Lyme disease. It was many decades ago when not much was known or understood about the disease. We finally put the pieces together -- he did have a flu, a funny rash, and then got better. Later he picked up arthritis in his knees and then CHF. After FIL passed, my Dad got lyme disease twice as did a neighbor so then we knew it was in our area.

From what you described, you may be due for a pace maker. I wish you well.

I'm glad to hear you got to go home! Hope the lasix gets your sexy curvy legs back. Keep getting well!

I was hoping you would have improved news. Glad you are doing better. Definitely agree, follow up with the cardiologist and pulmonary specialist these types of conditions are very serious. Continued improvement is the goal!

Glad you are feeling a little better. Just 'getting a handle' on what's happening is helpful. Best to keep at this until you have a clear diagnosis and have a plan of action on treating the problem.

I've just sent an email to my internist asking for a blood test. I found a tick 'too late' two weeks ago and have been feeling 'run down', with flushes, swollen joints and odd 'stiffness' -- beyond what I think of as gradually worsening arthritis.

Oh my, what a ride you have been on Caroline. I'm glad you're home and feeling a little better. I really hope you can get to the bottom of this and get the treatment you need for a full recovery. We are all praying for you.

Sending more good wishes and offering some more prayers, Caroline.

ole joyful

More prayers and good thoughts for you.

Sending prayers your way.

Just hope you are feeling better and better every day.

Thinking all good thoughts for you.

Thanks everyone; it's wonderful to have good people on your side!

They did a rather long sonogram at the hospital yesterday.

I won't see an actual doctor until the pulmonary tests are finished, too.

My heart sounded very "squishy!"

So...no news. At least the sonogram didn't involve dye, needles, or IVs.

I have packed a three-day bag "just in case." It will stay packed until after the third test.

The Lasix has made it so easy to breath. I'm not my "old self," but I am so much better. I'm filling bird feeers today :) and folding lots of backed-up laundry :(

I'm so thankful to be able to do these tasks!

As an asthmatic, I hear you on the breathing. It's amazing to me how much not breathing well can affect me, until I can breathe and I realize what I was missing out on! Best healing thoughts for you.

Adding my hopes for your progressive improvement. It's amazing how sometimes the little things become big accomplishments to some of us. Sometimes the 4-footed therapy helps a lot too when available.

Take care of yourself and tell everyone around you to take good care of you too... or they answer to us! :)

You poor thing. Hope everything works out and you are better soon

Cynic, you and this group would be a force to be reckoned with! Thanks everyone.

I'll be at the hospital tomorrow for the first pulmonary appointment.

I was able to finish filling all the bird feeders this afternoon - 4 hummingbird feeders. Two are in my yard; the other two are in two neighbors yards. 1 jelly feeder on my deck; 3 suet feeders in my tree; 1 thistle feeder, 1 suet pellet feeder, and one huge black oil sunflower seed feeder, all also in my tree.

Wes lifted the BOSS feeder up and down using our "hook on a long pole. It holds 10 pounds of black oil sunflower seed and hangs way over my head.

Sending hopeful thoughts and good news coming thoughts!

Moni