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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Lupus / October 2007Choking problem update
OK, I finally went to the doc today. Had to cause we're not sleeping since it's been happening nightly now; Paul stayed awake last sat (didn't tell me till later) & shook me awake twice because he said I stopped breathing in mid-snore (thank GOD he acclimated to my lumberjack nocturnal noises). It was around 3 am. It's ALWAYS between 2:30 & 3:30 am lately, EVERY nite for the past week. I set my cell phone on vibrate to wake me up at 2:15 tonite. (Hold the jokes please). I'm absolutely terrified to go to sleep. I tried to prop up on a bunch of pillows last nite but that didn't work because I'm used tosleeping curled up like a shrimp. My doc is scheduling a sleep study ASAP & in the meantime gave me samples of Singulair & Proventil. Dunno if it's a combo of apnia (if it's apnia, it's VERY severe, & not only sleep apnia, but waking apnia, which I've discovered does exist) & asthma/post nasal drip. She made me promise to throw away my makeshift emergency trach kit that I have beside my bed, including picture instructions, but I just can't do that. If you've ever choked so badly you needed the heimlich, that's how scary it is. I SOOO do NOT want to sleep away from home; my horses, chicken, dogs, cats, (& of course Paul ;-)...ewwww! Candi Candi, Wow! That is too scary. My mom has sleep apnea and has a machine she uses at night....they are wonderful once you get used to them. The sleep study should just be for the one night. So you won't be away from home, Paul and the animals for too long. It will be worth it if they discover the problem and you get set up with the machine and you can sleep without the problem and the fear of it!!!!! Hang in there. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs, Sherry > OK, I finally went to the doc today. Had to cause we're not sleeping since > it's been happening nightly now; Paul stayed awake last sat (didn't tell [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > cats, (& of course Paul ;-)...ewwww! > Candi oh Candi, I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. I am so glad you got to the doctor. but hon, honestly. when something happens like this it is a good thing you saw the doctor. Sleep apnea is treatable, so get the study and try to relax and sleep. Your family, and all the animals and pets will be FINE with out you there. After all remember, they monitor you and if you stop breathing WHAT A wonderful place to be for them to SEE IT and be there for you!!!! God Bless janers > OK, I finally went to the doc today. Had to cause we're not sleeping since > it's been happening nightly now; Paul stayed awake last sat (didn't tell me [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > (& of course Paul ;-)...ewwww! > Candi Dear Candi, I am so sorry you are still being tortured with this thing. We have already discussed my experience but I have something to add. My daughter is a medic and she told me this week that there is an injection which one can keep on hand to inject one's self when the choking knocks us out. It seems more reasonable than a trach. I apologize for not remembering the name of the stuff but it is late and I am foggy. I will try to remember to ask her tomorrow. The sleep study will reveal much if the doctors will be objective. I hope you get it done soon. God bless. George > OK, I finally went to the doc today. Had to cause we're not sleeping since > it's been happening nightly now; Paul stayed awake last sat (didn't tell me [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > (& of course Paul ;-)...ewwww! > Candi Candi, I just told my wife about my memory lapse and she says it is called an "Epipen". That is phonetic, I have no idea how to spell it. Maybe someone else can shed some light. Hope you get some relief... George George, thanks! I asked my doc about that (it's epinephrine; same thing they give you for severe allergic reactions - bee stings, etc.) but she didn't want me to use it until they know exactly what's wrong. Duh. Candi >> OK, I finally went to the doc today. Had to cause we're not sleeping >> since it's been happening nightly now; Paul stayed awake last sat (didn't [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > George Boy I would be cautious in having an epipen unless a doc told you to do this. Reason is it stimulates the heart is right. WHAT if you are passing out due to irregular heart rhythm, or ventricular tach which is so fast a beat you can not feel it and pass out. They SHOCK you for that. I would think epi would make that much worse. The only way you can tell what the heart is doing is EKG with monitor. But if someone does pass out and NO pulse by all means DO CPR and chest compressions. This passing out is or maybe due to sleep apnea and not the above so ASK a doc about that Pen and only then should someone have one. Some patients have heart block and YES they do have pens but that is because the heart stops beating for them and needs that stimuli. Heart patterns are different for each person depending on reason for it and rhythm hope that helps too janers My sister-in-law has an internal defibrillator along with her pacemaker! Yow! I know that it went off on her at least once. It was very scary for her, I remember that. > Boy I would be cautious in having an epipen unless a doc told you to do > this. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > hope that helps too > janers I know what you mean... my BIL had one in his chest and it went off several times during 'exertion'.... like bringing up down riggers on a boat fishing, and/or prawn traps.... and other stuff, so I heard <g>.... not a fun time for him or wife!... it would jolt him hard and keep the ticker ticking!!..... it worked wonders and he'd have died without it; in fact he did 3 times on the way to the hospital, air lifted to get the thing put in!!... but then he survived almost 8 years past it and then died of lung cancer.... just 3 months from dx to death!! a virulent strain of it and so harsh on his system.... he just dwindled from a 'big man' to a very scrawny looking guy... thankfully it WAS quick!! hmmm.... and there are times I think I have it bad ?? Just have to remember others!!  Signaturehugs, Shelagh http://clik.to/lupus My sister-in-law has an internal defibrillator along with her pacemaker! Yow! I know that it went off on her at least once. It was very scary for her, I remember that. Wait! I haven't passed out yet! It's 'just' that my airway is COMPLETELY obstructed & my lips turn blue while I'm on my hands & knees desperately trying to relax my throat muscles enough to be able to gasp. I've had an EKG & 24 hr monitor. Granted, it was 20 years ago. It showed mitral valve prolapse. I really don't think this is my heart - it's, I think, a combination of allergies/asthma and sleep AND wake apnia, which has everybody stumped. All I know is Paul's standing there with the phone poised to dial while he asks me if he should call 911 yet. So far, I've been able to do hand signals while I'm trying desperately to at least gasp, but he knows if I point to my throat, I'm going out. Nite nite! Puts a new spin on sign language, doesn't it? Man, Mair, that defribillator & pacemaker would be terrifying too! It's like, you think, OK, it's checkout time now. This is kinda sick, but if I don't answer mail for a while, Paul's email is rattman@neo.rr.com. Candi > My sister-in-law has an internal defibrillator along with her pacemaker! > Yow! I know that it went off on her at least once. It was very scary for [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] >> hope that helps too >> janers I wasn't implying your heart was going at all Candi! ..... just simply relating to what Mair said generally speaking is all; not pointed at you or your previous posts. I doubt very much that your heart is involved in fact.... I would bet it is more likely a sleep apnea and/or a gastro-reflex problem of some other kind... ...very unlikely your heart at all what with the symptoms you presented to us. I think the heart got involved with the pen and the epipen because of the potential black outs and epinephrine is good to jolt anyone awake lol... but I never once thought of your heart being the 'culprit'..... don't think any of us did really. Good luck with it all and don't take the discussion personally ... just talk is all it was on my part! and so sorry if I freaked you and/or worried you.... no intention that way at all !!!! Signaturehugs, Shelagh http://clik.to/lupus Wait! I haven't passed out yet! It's 'just' that my airway is COMPLETELY obstructed & my lips turn blue while I'm on my hands & knees desperately trying to relax my throat muscles enough to be able to gasp. I've had an EKG & 24 hr monitor. Granted, it was 20 years ago. It showed mitral valve prolapse. I really don't think this is my heart - it's, I think, a combination of allergies/asthma and sleep AND wake apnia, which has everybody stumped. All I know is Paul's standing there with the phone poised to dial while he asks me if he should call 911 yet. So far, I've been able to do hand signals while I'm trying desperately to at least gasp, but he knows if I point to my throat, I'm going out. Nite nite! Puts a new spin on sign language, doesn't it? Man, Mair, that defribillator & pacemaker would be terrifying too! It's like, you think, OK, it's checkout time now. This is kinda sick, but if I don't answer mail for a while, Paul's email is rattman@neo.rr.com. Candi "Mair" <no-spam-baby@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:X3MTi.12180$4V6.3841@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net... > My sister-in-law has an internal defibrillator along with her pacemaker! > Yow! I know that it went off on her at least once. It was very scary for > her, I remember that. > > "janers" <rojakort@bright.net> wrote in message > news:k6Gdnb1-z5YcHoLanZ2dnUVZ_tqtnZ2d@bright.net... >> Boy I would be cautious in having an epipen unless a doc told you to do >> this. >> >> Reason is it stimulates the heart is right. WHAT if you are passing out >> due to irregular heart >> rhythm, or ventricular tach which is so fast a beat you can not feel it >> and pass out. They SHOCK you >> for that. I would think epi would make that much worse. >> The only way you can tell what the heart is doing is EKG with monitor. >> But if someone does pass >> out and NO pulse by all means DO CPR and chest compressions. >> >> This passing out is or maybe due to sleep apnea and not the above so ASK >> a doc about that Pen and >> only then should someone have one. >> >> Some patients have heart block and YES they do have pens but that is >> because the heart stops beating >> for them and needs that stimuli. Heart patterns are different for each >> person depending on reason >> for it and rhythm >> >> hope that helps too >> janers >> >> > > Me either, Candi. About your heart. We were just talking about bewildering and anxiety-provoking situations in general, and I always like to tell that a member of my family actually has an implanted defibrillator. Nothing at all to do with you. I think Michael has sleep apnea, if anyone has heard from him. And he had a CPAP machine, and I think there are several others on this newsgroup? Ockham's Razor, you know... the simplest answer is usually the right one. But definitely something to get looked at SOON, for your own peace of mind. Love to you Mair > Wait! I haven't passed out yet! It's 'just' that my airway is COMPLETELY > obstructed & my lips turn blue while I'm on my hands & knees desperately [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] >>> hope that helps too >>> janers Oh, you guys are great. I didn't think what you thought I was thinking. Just wanted to clarify that I didn't think it was my heart. Clear as mud? Anyway, thanks for caring & I'll keep you posted. The doc didn't call today; she said if the sleep study wasn't scheduled by tomorrow to call her. That'll probably take a few weeks to actually do it . . . but last nite was OK, with my cell phone set on vibrate to wake me up at 2:15. But I'm kinda sleepy . . . Mair, how are your feet? Candi > Me either, Candi. About your heart. We were just talking about > bewildering and anxiety-provoking situations in general, and I always like [quoted text clipped - 59 lines] >>>> hope that helps too >>>> janers My feet are much better, Candi; thank you for asking. I had some real pain while I was getting used to the shoe inserts, and those days just happened to coincide with a gem and crystal show that I look forward to every year. So I went, but it was difficult. Dang! I wish that show were this weekend; now I can walk all that I want (that is all that my lupus allows me!). I sure hope that you get this choking thing figured out soon. I feel like I want to come right through this computer screen to be with you and watch you at night to make sure you are okay! Love to you, Mair > Oh, you guys are great. I didn't think what you thought I was thinking. > Just wanted to clarify that I didn't think it was my heart. Clear as mud? [quoted text clipped - 71 lines] >>>>> hope that helps too >>>>> janers I love those gemborees too! And the psychic fairs. Aww, thank you Mair. Candi > My feet are much better, Candi; thank you for asking. I had some real > pain while I was getting used to the shoe inserts, and those days just [quoted text clipped - 86 lines] >>>>>> hope that helps too >>>>>> janers > Boy I would be cautious in having an epipen unless a doc told you to do this. > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > hope that helps too > janers Dear Janers and all, I hope it didn't sound like I was suggesting using this remedy without doctor's approval. I certainly was not! I only stated what my daughter and son in law (paramedics) had suggested was a life saving remedy for the choking due to asthma that I experience. They never offered to provide the pen and frankly I wouldn't know where to get one..... One thing for sure though, I will be checking with my pulmonary guy. This group has been very beneficial to me in the past because others have shared their experiences which seemed to parallel my own situation. When something comes along that is helpful I take it to my doctors for follow up. It is my firm conviction that there is nobody who understands our individual illnesses like we do. Therefore, bringing a little info to the doctor can be very helpful. I am surprised at how often the doctor agrees! This particular case is so similar to mine that it has just jumped at me. As I have stated in the past I went through the sleep study then extensive surgery for apnea but still have all of the same symptoms because it is caused by asthma. Sometimes doctors will insist on looking until they find what they want to find. I am prayerful that Candi gets a good diagnosis and some remedy to her suffering. George Candi Emergency trach kit? OMG! That must be terrifying to think you will need that. I've had a sleep study and it's not bad. In fact, I almost enjoyed it since I was alone. My kids were very young at the time. The room was nice, bed comfortable.... I did end up tangled in the all the wires and getting that stuff out of your hair is not the easiest. I had to be medicated since they wanted me asleep around 10pm. So my doctor gave me Ambien 20mg for the night. The LAUP worked so I wasn't having apnea just no sleep. My daughter has horrible allergies (we have the worst air quality in the nation- lucky us) and takes 3 meds for it- Zyrtec, Singulair and Rhinocort. I take Zyrtec and Rhinocort. The Singulair made all the difference for her. She would choke/cough at night from the post nasal drip. I elevated the head of her bed and that helped some... along with the hepa filter and putting all her bedding in the allergy cases. Good luck! Let us know Nicole Signature3 of every 10 Americans Know Someone With Lupus Help find the cure. www.lupus.org > OK, I finally went to the doc today. Had to cause we're not sleeping since > it's been happening nightly now; Paul stayed awake last sat (didn't tell [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > cats, (& of course Paul ;-)...ewwww! > Candi |
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