mybiddness
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posted on October 25, 2000 11:56:37 PM new
I've been tossing and turning - just can't get to sleep tonight so I thought I'd post this here (although I'm sure most of you are sleeping now) and see if I can get some suggestions.
My husband is supposed to have his gall bladder surgery on Friday a.m. He's been having pain off and on for a while now and was originally scheduled for surgery at least six weeks ago or longer. The original doctor changed all of his medications and added some, etc. All of that acted like a boomerang and caused different reactions that kept causing the surgery to be delayed.
He got a new doctor and surgeon a few weeks ago and this doctor seemed to have everything under control. But, today my husband went back in for more test and now instead of his blood pressure being too high it's too low, they're also saying that his EKG was irregular. He's supposed to go back in at 3:00 tomorrow to discuss the results of the EKG and to find out if the doctor thinks he should have the surgery.
My uneducated initial guess is that the meds that pulled his blood pressure down so low may also be responsible for the irregular EKG. His last one only a month ago was normal. I don't want him to have the surgery if there are serious risk, but at the same time I can't see him going without it for much longer. He's had a couple of different incidents lately where the pain literally doubled him over. Since he's diabetic I think they should be doing more to get this under control so that he can have the surgery. These doctors have been highly recommended but my confidence in doctors is at an all time low.
I'm just at a loss as to what an irregular EKG means. My husband seemed relieved that I'll be going with him tomorrow but the more I think about it the more I realize that I don't even know what questions to ask. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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bunnicula
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posted on October 26, 2000 01:09:07 AM new
mybiddness: sorry to hear of the added complications. Of course, I'm not a doctor (nor do I play one on TV), but I tend to agree with you that these new symptoms mya be caused by all the meds he has been on recently. Did they say that the blood pressure is dangerously low or the EKG wildly irregular--or are they waiting until tomorrow's meeting to go into it in depth? If the new things aren't life threatening, my take would be to go ahead with the surgery as you say the pain is getting intense for your husband. But that's me. I'm sure you doctor will cover all the angles for you tomorrow (hey, that's today, actually!)
Let us know how it goes--my thoughts are with you and your husband.
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busybiddy
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posted on October 26, 2000 04:04:21 AM new
Try to be patient. It sounds pretty normal to me. Everytime you try a new med or change what you are taking, there is an adjustment period. That's why they have to go back and check things out with the doctor to see what reaction you've had and if you need a change in the prescription dose.
The high blood pressure medicine may be causing husband to lose water and electolytes which can affect an EKG.
I am sure that they will adjust his meds, check him again, and then go ahead with the surgery. It is far safer to be stable when you have surgery so their caution with going forward with it is actually for your benefit.
Sorry this is all happening to you but try to cheer up and know that when its the right time, it will get done!
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snowyegret
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posted on October 26, 2000 04:08:33 AM new
my bidness, is he on a diuretic called Lasix? How is his potassium level? I remember you saying his potassium was low. Could be meds, could be electrolytes, or something else. Ask the doc what is the name of this ekg irregularity, and exactly what is it, what does it show his heart is doing? Ask the doc any questions you can think of, and don't feel silly. good luck!
[ edited by snowyegret on Oct 26, 2000 04:28 AM ]
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mybiddness
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posted on October 26, 2000 06:45:02 AM new
His original doctor had put him on lasix and I think that's what triggered everything else. One of the reasons we changed doctors was because the original doctor didn't even know that the potassium was too low until my husband was already at the hospital ready for surgery. It was the anethesiologist who refused to put him under. He's off of the lasix now but the new doctor changed his blood pressure meds and I think that's what caused it to drop too low. Until I talk to the doctor today I'm also assuming that that's what caused the change in his EKG. I don't know what the EKG showed exactly except that the doctor said it could delay the surgery. The doctor we're seeing today is the one that will explain it to us and decide.
These doctors have put us through hell. They keep throwing meds at the symptoms and not staying on top of what they're doing to his system. They don't seem to realize how much pain he's in and this wait and see what happens attitude is infuriating. Luckily I'm in just the mood to tell them that today. I've just had it up to my eyeballs with their b.s. He's in worse shape now than he was when all of this started and that's ridiculous. Sorry for venting I'm just totally fed up.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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barrybarris
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posted on October 26, 2000 06:58:47 AM new
mybiddness,
All I can offer is a smile...
Barry (my best wished to you and hubby) Barris
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mybiddness
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posted on October 26, 2000 07:22:57 AM new
Here's a smile right back at ya!
THANKS!
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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snowyegret
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posted on October 26, 2000 08:12:09 AM new
my biddness, you might also want to write down any questions you can think of, and write down your doc's answers. That way, you won't forget to ask something, and you'll have the answers for later(the medical speak itself can be overwhelming).
If you want very specific info on your husband's meds, Find out if your local library has a Physician's Desk Reference, commonly called the PDR. Check out his meds for the side effects and interactions. Look specifically for hypotension(low blood pressure), hypokalemia(low potassium level), and EKG(or ECG) abnormalities(irregular heart beat).
Hope this helps!
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krs
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posted on October 26, 2000 08:50:25 AM new
One of those pill bottles wouldn't happen to say "Furosemide" on it, would it?
PDRs are nice to have and you can buy one in many book stores, but type 'physician's desk reference' into yahoo search and you'll have a choice of them. Find one with a search engine included, then sit down with all those nice drug bottles and read about the various interactions.
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snowyegret
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posted on October 26, 2000 09:06:13 AM new
krs, furosemide is lasix.
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mybiddness
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posted on October 26, 2000 09:11:40 AM new
Excellent ideas. I've been trying to find a way to arm myself with information before the appointment. Unfortunately I don't know what the EKG showed specifically so I didn't know how to research it. But, if I at least know what the possible reactions are with the different meds I can be somewhat knowledgeable going in. I don't know about forosimide - he doesn't have a bottle of it but it might be a generic name for something else? Thanks - at least now I know where to go dig up some more info.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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snowyegret
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posted on October 26, 2000 09:33:12 AM new
my biddness, here's a page with the names and definitions of arrythmias.
http://lab.caw.fsu.edu/~barrager/cardiac/
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calamity49
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posted on October 26, 2000 09:43:09 AM new
Mybid,
Haven't been on here lately but have been thinking about you all.
Give 'em Hell, gal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seroiusly, I hope everything is cleared up this afternoon.
Calamity
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krs
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posted on October 26, 2000 09:52:52 AM new
snowyegret,
I know, but they have quite a few forms, or packaging, of it all of which come back to furosemide. They can change a medication but still be giving the same thing.
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yuper592
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posted on October 26, 2000 04:47:46 PM new
I'm sure that you've already been to the doctor and have your answers at this hour, but in the future if you need info such as side effects of a medication, www.rx.com is a great website. They have every drug under the sun listed.
Hope you received good news today
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snowyegret
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posted on October 26, 2000 05:13:57 PM new
krs, you're right. Especially when changing docs.
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mybiddness
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posted on October 26, 2000 06:09:14 PM new
I'm so happy I'm bouncing off the walls! The surgeon says that the EKG machine kicked it out as abnormal but he looked at it today and IT IS NORMAL!!!!!!!!! What a relief. Everything else looked great. He had a normal potassium level and the doctor had him back off on the new blood pressure med and it's already back to normal. I'm so relieved! We even found out today that the Lipitor has lowered his cholesterol to 186.
The surgery was moved up to 7:30 a.m. -which means we have to be there at 5:30. I'm a little nervous of course, but not nearly as much as I was.
Thanks for all the info on the drug sites. They've changed his meds so much lately that I wasn't sure what they were doing anymore and reading the pages really helped answer some questions.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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lotsafuzz
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posted on October 26, 2000 06:12:57 PM new
Wonderful news!
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barrybarris
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posted on October 26, 2000 06:19:01 PM new
More smiles...
Barry (......) Barris
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snowyegret
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posted on October 26, 2000 06:56:42 PM new
 for the good news. Here's
hoping for a speedy recovery!
Edited coz I just can't spell today
[ edited by snowyegret on Oct 26, 2000 06:57 PM ]
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calamity49
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posted on October 27, 2000 09:40:44 AM new
Mybid,
By now the operation is over and I hope everything is going well.
My thoughts are with you today.
Take care,
Calamity
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chococake
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posted on October 27, 2000 10:02:56 AM new
My thoughts are with you and your husband today, and I hope the surgery went well. Let us know when you have a chance.
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mybiddness
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posted on October 27, 2000 03:34:28 PM new
Thanks for the well wishes. Just wanted to pop in a minute and say that the surgery went well. It's so nice to finally have it behind us. Now, we've just gotta let time get him back on his feet. - In the meanwhile, he's made a new friend - Darvacet!
I really appreciate all the help and support!
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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chococake
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posted on October 27, 2000 07:22:30 PM new
Oh, that's great news. Now hoping for a speedy recovery. Friends are nice, mine is named Vicodin.
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ktsclutter
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posted on October 27, 2000 09:47:48 PM new
I am so happy for you, mybiddness! After having just spend twelve hours waiting for my own husband to come out of surgery and the recovery room today, I certainly can empathis with the down on doctors feelings.
Best of luck, and all my prayers for a speedy recovery.
[ edited by ktsclutter on Oct 27, 2000 09:48 PM ]
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Julesy
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posted on October 27, 2000 10:47:11 PM new
Hi Mybidness --
Glad your hubby is okay. Did he have his gallbladder removed...and if so, was it via a laporoscopy(sp?) ? I only ask because Mr.Julesy had his gallbladder removed at the beginning of September, and his recovery was very, very speedy.
Sorry about the vague doctor stuff...it's annoying as hell that for the most part, they don't give straightforward answers, or they give answer's in doctor-speak. I found myself doing a lot of research when my hubby was in the hospital, and printed stuff out for him so he would know what to expect health-wise.
Best wishes to you and your family...I hope your hubby feel's better soon.
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mybiddness
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posted on October 28, 2000 09:10:46 AM new
Hi Julsey That's so encouraging to hear of Mr. Julsey speedy recovery. Mr. Mybiddness (I love that) had laser surgery - they said he should be somewhat back on his feet within just a few days and depending on his reaction to all the drugs should feel back to normal within just a few weeks. Gotta love modern medicine.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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