Doug's heart

[momof6kids]

Doug has been having some heart problems again and has been going to the Dr's for the last couple of weeks, failing every test they have given him.

He has tested positive for sleep apnea, now has to wear the dreaded machine, ;D which is making for many sleepless nights at our house.

During the thalium stress test he was doing fine, no problems, and the technician after 10 minutes, asked the doctor could he end the test and the doctor said no, I have a feeling something is about to happen. Sure enough, 30 seconds later, Doug's pulse jumped to 220, and it took them 30 minutes to get it under control. The doctor said he could teach a full semester course on the different kinds of arrhythmia that his heart went through. Two new medications after that visit.

After the lastest appt. the Dr scheduled a catherization procedure for Fri morning at Robert Wood Johnson. Depending on how it goes, whether they have to put a stent in or not, we may not be able to make the meeting.

If we are not there, and we are still hoping we will be, is there anyone who could pick up everything I was supposed to (Mine, Malulu, danthemannj, and Deadcpu) and I will get it from you? Preferably close to Bridgewater. ;D

Thanks, Erna

 

[Brian]

Sorry to hear that Erna, I hope everything works out ok for you guys! If you want, I can pick up your stuff for you, as long as it will all fit in my car.

**Edit

I have to check out how big the thing I'm picking up for Mike Napoli is first! Almost forgot I'm getting something for him too!

 

[Phyl]

Ugh! Sorry to hear he keeps failing tests (tell him to study harder next time)! Good luck at the procedure on Friday. I hope it all goes well for him and you guys are able to make the meeting--mostly because that would mean things are going well.

Not to worry if you're not there, we'll move your pile northwards.

I've got my fingers crossed that you get used to the quiet purr of the machine sooner rather than later. As I've said before, I miss the noise if it isn't on!

I'll keep you both in my prayers.

 

[momof6kids]

Ugh! Sorry to hear he keeps failing tests (tell him to study harder next time)! Good luck at the procedure on Friday. I hope it all goes well for him and you guys are able to make the meeting--mostly because that would mean things are going well.

Not to worry if you're not there, we'll move your pile northwards.

I've got my fingers crossed that you get used to the quiet purr of the machine sooner rather than later. As I've said before, I miss the noise if it isn't on!

I'll keep you both in my prayers.

The purr actually is quiet, but my husband's breathing isn't.

He sounds like Darth Vadar.

And if he opens his mouth, there is a loud whoosing sound.

Maybe he just needs to get used to breathing with it on. Or maybe the machine needs to be adjusted to a lower level. The first 20 minutes, it is on a lower level and isn't a problem, but after that it automatically kicks up to level 13 and then the noise begins. Friends have told us that it takes 1 - 2 years to adjust to sleeping with it. Though, my one friend sleeps in her daughter's room (daughter is away at college) because she couldn't sleep.

 

[magic]

Erna

Is Doug able to sleep with it? If he is that's 3/4 of the battle. I also was diagnosted with apnea, tried the machine but couldn't get used to it. I was getting more sleep without it. Hang in there. My prayers are with you.

Bob

 

[JohnS_323]

Erna, I'm a mask wearer and SWEAR BY IT! It took me a good six months to get completely used to it but now I couldn't imagine life without it. If I'm sleeping over somewhere, even just for one night, it comes with me.

I think it's actually helped out with a lot of other problems I was having too. Like, I used to wake up with horrible acid reflux - to the point where Phyl was thinking I was having a heart attack. After about 1 year on CPAP I never had a problem again, and I eat some wickedly hot foods. The biggest improvement has been in my quality of sleep. I used to need 8 to 10 hours a night and then was still tired all day long, often taking a nap sometime duing the day. Now, I get about 4 to 5 hours a night and am good all day long. Phyl will say I still need a nap around 7 but that's only because it's bedtime for the kids and they're generally watching something *exciting* on Disney while they're getting ready, which puts me out like a light!

Anyway, sorry to be a little long winded, but try to get Doug to stick with it. His overall health and quality of life will be much better in the long run.

 

[momof6kids]

Bob, No, neither of us are sleeping with it. :'( Last night, my one daughter asked me if I wanted to have a sleepover in her room. But, I know that I will have to get used to this.

John, we know that he will feel a lot better with the machine once he gets used to it. The doctors are very clear about that. And he didn't have any Afib yesterday after wearing the machine. So we know he needs this.

Time and patience are what we need right now. And it is hard to be patient when you are tired. vicious cycle :

 

[Hawkeye]

He sounds like Darth Vadar.

I always thought James Earl Jones had a great voice.

Oh wait a sec...you're talking about the breathing eh?

Sorry - a moment of levity in a serious thread. Hang in there!

 

[RichT]

Sorry to hear Doug's having problems. With my father having 4 angioplasties and a stint or two, and myself having a couple minor incidents, I understand what your going through. Good luck with everything, we're all pulling for you and your family.

CPAP machine was a Godsend for both me and Dana. I don't snore anymore (or any less without the machine) and I feel much better. Like John, I'm good on less sleep then the 10+ I wanted before. Although I used the mask for several months I don't any longer. I use whats called nasal prongs. Basically, the hose goes right up to my nose where there is an adapter that splits it into two nipples that fit into my nostrils. That's held in place by a clear flexible lanyard, about 1/8" thick that goes around my head. No mask, no big night retainer like straps, no rubber/jelly pads to fall off, etc. The only problem that I'm having is during the night I must open my mouth because lately, I'm waking up in the mornings with a wicked case of cotton mouth (without the Doritos cravings though). Luckily, it's nothing a quick mouthful of water won't fix. He'll get use to it eventually forgetting what it was like without it.

 

[malulu]

Erna,

sorry to hear that... hope you all be doing well...

for the carbon, if no one goes, can Phyl help to keep them @ your house for a few days? i can stop by a evening sometime next week to pick them up.
thx

 

[momof6kids]

Thanks guys for all the support. I'm hoping that we are so exhausted tonight that we just collaspe and fall asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.

 

[ReeferNets]

As long as it fits in my civic and i confirm im def going i will pick up your stuff.


Im in edison so i can def meet up with dan and dave and leave ernas there.

Im gonna talk to the gf tommorow to see what out schedule looks like.

Sorry to hear about your husband and i hope he feels better.

 

[malulu]

Barry,
thx for helping...
(how's the rock?? any pics of your new tank?)

 

[Edwardw771]

sorry to hear about this. My prayers are with you guys. If you didn't find someone already i can get the stuff Saturday and bring up to Bridgewater on Monday as thats where I work. Let me know.

 

[blange3]

Erna and Doug my prayers are with you.

Sounds like the next step in my treatment is a sleep study. I'm two years overdue for my stress test as well, better get a move on. :

 

[Phyl]

Oh... Erna, I thought about something last night. John's machine has two modes, bi-pap and c-pap. Most people prefer bi-pap mode because the force of air flow isn't CONSTANT. I actually prefer c-pap mode because the NOISE is constant, making it more like white noise, and less like darth vadar. We had John's machined switched to c-pap mode after he got this one. His last machine was a c-pap only machine so it was what we got used to.

Just a thought in case the change would be possible for you.

And Bill? I'm just sitting here tapping my toe, Sir. We'll be waiting on an update!

 

[magic]

Erna and Doug my prayers are with you.

Sounds like the next step in my treatment is a sleep study. I'm two years overdue for my stress test as well, better get a move on. :

Bill

Wait to you see what you look like after they wire all the sensors and pull them into a 'ponytail' on top of your head (Kodak Moment!) ;D Good luck

Bob

 

[JohnS_323]

Erna and Doug my prayers are with you.

Sounds like the next step in my treatment is a sleep study. I'm two years overdue for my stress test as well, better get a move on. :

Bill

Wait to you see what you look like after they wire all the sensors and pull them into a 'ponytail' on top of your head (Kodak Moment!) ;D Good luck

Bob

I call it the "Rhastafarian Frankenstein" look.

 

[momof6kids]

"John's machine has two modes, bi-pap and c-pap. Most people prefer bi-pap mode because the force of air flow isn't CONSTANT. I actually prefer c-pap mode because the NOISE is constant, making it more like white noise, and less like darth vadar. We had John's machined switched to c-pap mode after he got this one. His last machine was a c-pap only machine so it was what we got used to."

Not sure what Doug's machine is. I will have him check. I know that it starts at level 3 and jumps to level 13 after 35 minutes. It's when it jumps that he starts having problems.

We have to be at the hospital (Robert Wood Johnson) tomorrow at 5:30am. So we will be up bright and early.

Bill, call and schedule an appointment, at least for the stress test. A very good friend of ours had a heart attack last week. Thank God he is ok. He is Doug's age.

Erna

 

[ReeferNets]

Unfortunately i will not be able to attend the meeting. I got luck and got tickets to the yankees and mets game on saturday.