How are you doing today?

@Gordon I'm sorry to hear that. 😟 Would you like to share more? We're here to listen.

@Somya.P Thanks for asking, but its a long story. Was in the Hospital for a few days in December, went to see a new Pulmonologist at a COPD clinic in February, and started having breathing problems again in March. Had to wait on an ordered CT Scan due to the $50 co-pay but finally had it done today. Now just waiting on the results. Have antibiotics and prednisone on hand, but can't take them until after Thursday when I have an RF Ablation procedure on my spine for the arthritis. (They will cancel it if I am taking any of that, also have to hold off on the Diabetes meds for 24 hours prior to the procedure.)

That is the short version...but breathing is better since yesterday, I was able to get more expectorant to take and help it move. Hopefully the CT results will not show anything too severe. On oxygen 24/7 since December and check the saturation levels often. If it goes below 80% its back to the ER for me...

Again, thanks for asking...

@Somya.P Good Morning Somya. Following is my update after several months of battles with COPD and other issues. It was also posted on the FaceBook COPD support pages:

Having been diagnosed with COPD and Emphysema for over 20 years when my right lung collapsed and put me in the hospital for 8 days, with oxygen, morphine drip, and heavy antibiotics and steroids, I quit smoking, after 40 years of the habit. Ten years later I had my first exacerbation which put me in the hospital for another 4 days. I have been on supplemental oxygen only at nighttime until my most recent exacerbation last December. This once again landed me in the hospital for 3 or 4 days and I have been on supplemental oxygen around the clock ever since. Add to the mix, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and put on the Bi-Pap about 4 years ago. My Cardiologist also diagnosed me with Diastolic Heart Failure but was never very concerned about it. This brought me to prescriptions for Diuretics which my Kidney Doctor reduced because of my Stage 2 Kidney Failure. Then last year, my lower legs and feet swelled up with fluids and I went to Lymphatic therapy and massage for a month or so and increased the prescribed Diuretics. For as long as they were wrapped, the swelling went down, and I dropped about 30 pounds of water weight during the process. My doctors would never tell me if this was Edema or Lymphedema in the legs. The CT scan reports of my chest from December mentioned mild Plural Effusion (fluid around the lungs) as well as Pericardial Effusion (fluid around the heart). I had an MRI of my Thoracic area recently for arthritis in the spine that reported the Plural Effusion to the right lung had increased from mild to moderate. During any activity the SOB has increased since December and became severe over the last few months. A year or so ago I was able to walk a ¼ mile to the mailbox and back without too much SOB. Now I must crank up the supplemental O2 just to walk to the kitchen. Now on 2 to 4 liters of O2 when sitting idle just to keep the O2 above 90%. Going out to run errands is set up to 6 liters to keep me from being too severe with SOB. The worst part of the SOB is getting in and out of the car. The worst part of having supplemental O2 24/7 is trying to take a shower. I had my appointment with the Pulmonologist yesterday. The walk test was miserable, for the first time in 10 or 20 years with COPD I rolled the supplemental O2 along with me on the test. Started at 2 liters and ended up at 6 liters when finished and completely out of breath. After examining me and the collective results, the Pulmonologist ordered the ultrasound of the heart and lungs to be done immediately. This is scheduled for Monday morning and will verify the level of fluid and determine the approval for the next step in removing it. Once approved, I will then have Pericardiocentesis. This involves inserting a needle into the pericardial space to drain excess fluid. Hopefully, the need for 6 liters of oxygen will be reduced as will the SOB upon exertion. It has been a while since I posted anything here in this group, but I read all new posts daily to keep up with everyone here. I wanted to post my journey to illustrate that simple edema in the lower legs and feet may not be simple at all. One thing leads to another, and several different disciplines can be involved. For me it has been the Pulmonologist, Cardiologist and Nephrologist all having a part in the diagnosis and treatment of what initially showed up as simple edema. Now I sit and wait for the next testing and results, and likely procedures to help bring the O2 saturation levels back up to tolerable.

Thanks for listening and be well everyone!

So I wanted to continue on with my long story with an update from last week.

The Pulmonologist called me that afternoon to review the results of the ultrasound. Actual measured liquid is 420 ml in the left lung (0.887 pint) and 585 ml in the right lung (1.236 pint). He initially wanted me to go to the ER to have it drained but agreed on scheduling me with the specialist to drain it. Next will need to call and schedule an appointment with the referred doctor. I Already started clearing my schedule of other less urgent procedures...So, by Wednesday the 13th, unable to breathe very well I ended up going to the ER. After x-rays and other testing, they admitted me for more testing and ultimate fluid removal from the right lung. The 585 ml in the right lung ended up as 1.1 liters (1,100 ml) of fluid when pumped out. With additional diuretics, steroids and antibiotics the 420 ml on the left shrunk down to around 100 ml so they decided to continue to treat with the additional diuretics and send me home on Friday the 15th. The fluid was not actually inside my lungs but on the outside pleural space. A small amount of fluid is normally there to aid in breathing as a lubricant for the movement of the lungs expanding and contracting during breathing. That excess liter of fluid put enormous pressure on the lung causing a partial collapse of the lower lobe of the right lung and therefore the SOB. On the plus side, being in the hospital for 3 days, they ran several tests on my heart and lungs and took volumes of blood to test, and I dropped about 10 pounds. Kind of like having a 3-day physical exam. Being a former smoker of over 40 years, several doctors, and multiple prescription medications I cannot complain. With each new prescription or condition, I try to research them to find out as much as possible, and to be informed when discussing with the doctors. Kind of like being back in school but without the pop quizzes on Fridays…

@DianeMiller I understand. It can really be tough to stay hydrated, especially while working (I'm guilty of it too 😓). Perhaps scheduling short breaks or keeping a water bottle nearby could help?
Take care.

@ChrisJ That's amazing to hear! Finding the balance between the two is key. 😌

Hi @SimeonHeaney,

Your message radiates such warmth and gratitude! Coming home to a space filled with love is one of life’s simple but powerful joys. Thank you for sharing this. 😊

Take care,
Somya from the Carenity Team 🌼

Hi @LindaN,

Thank you for sharing how you’re feeling. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate and are feeling mixed emotions. While it’s wonderful they’re there to help, it can still be a struggle to maintain a sense of personal space. Is there anything you’ve found helpful in balancing this setup? Like setting aside “you” time or specific routines to keep things comfortable?

Take care,
Somya from the Carenity Team 🌼

@Somya.P Doing well. I had such an exceptional weekend and that always helps a lot!!!!

Hi @MarcBehAnalyst,

That’s fantastic to hear! 😊 A great weekend can make such a difference to start the week off right. Anything particular that made it so enjoyable? We'd love to know more!

Take care,
Somya from the Carenity Team 🌼