I Was Afraid: A couple of days ago (Monday) while I was at the Naples Zoo, going around in 90+ degree weather, I was sweating and noticing my COPD was acting up. Later in the day it...

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

A couple of days ago (Monday) while I was at the Naples Zoo, going around in 90+ degree weather, I was sweating and noticing my COPD was acting up. Later in the day it seemed to subside.

The next day was in the 90s again and it seemed again I could not catch a breath that was satisfying. I mentioned it to my wife and she said "sit down and enjoy the air conditioning."

Friday was the worst. I could not breath easily and seemed anxious about each breath. I worried constantly about my breathing because I was more or less constantly trying to get a deep breath and it wasn't coming. Sleep was difficult so I went into the living room, turning the A/C down to 73 and sat in the air flow and after a bit, my breathing got a little better so I went to bed. (90s and high humidity in the area continued)

Saturday I sat around; being very anxious about my breathing and weird thoughts ran through my head. Would this be my last day in my dream house here in Paradise? Would I go to a hospital and lay there gasping for that last breath feeling like I was drowning without being in water ? My wife (an RN) checked me out and my oxygen blood level was down to a 91/92 low and she thought she heard some crackling in my lung indicating fluid buildup. More anxiety on that thought. Sat afternoon I went to a 'clinic', not an ER, here in Ft Myers and the doctor recommended something called 'MethylPREDNISolone Tablets, USP 4mg. This stuff is taken in reducing levels, ie., 1st day 6 pills, 2nd day 4 pills, 3rd day 4, 4th day 3, 5th day 2. Well, took all 6 at 3pm and really by 7pm I was feeling better. I also took a pain pill given to me after have a molar pulled on Thursday and was in " I'm OK Mode ."

Today is Sunday and woke up feeling much better and no breathing problems. I'm not going out in the 90 degree weather today as I found out folks with COPD should avoid high temps and humidity or the opposite with cold temps.

Why am I posting this dribble? Because of Satudays thoughts and realizing we all have so much to lose if we depart this earth or cease to exist. I feel better today and want to do everything to extend that feeling. I'm going to concentrate on enjoying my life and what there is left of it at 73. Me and the wife are flying to Belgium Friday to visit our son there on an internship and old friends. (We lived in Belgium for 6 years while in the military). I want to enjoy it and even though I told the wife I was going to take it easy, I'm going to do as much as I can.

Thanks for listening, I feel even better now. Anxiety is a bummer ain't it?

Sarge69

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

Enjoy life and your trip. And thank you for your service to our country and the world.

~Lee

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

I know what you mean Sarge, back in the early 80s while
living in Oklahoma summer time temps were over 100 degrees every day, I developed an irregular heartbeat, one
day I felt like I was going to pass out. I was taken to ER by
a friend, I spent 4 days in the hospital to be told I had to learn to relax (anxiety), it took a couple of years but I got it under control.

sarge69 wrote:

A couple of days ago (Monday) while I was at the Naples Zoo, going around in 90+ degree weather, I was sweating and noticing my COPD was acting up. Later in the day it seemed to subside.

The next day was in the 90s again and it seemed again I could not catch a breath that was satisfying. I mentioned it to my wife and she said "sit down and enjoy the air conditioning."

Friday was the worst. I could not breath easily and seemed anxious about each breath. I worried constantly about my breathing because I was more or less constantly trying to get a deep breath and it wasn't coming. Sleep was difficult so I went into the living room, turning the A/C down to 73 and sat in the air flow and after a bit, my breathing got a little better so I went to bed. (90s and high humidity in the area continued)

Saturday I sat around; being very anxious about my breathing and weird thoughts ran through my head. Would this be my last day in my dream house here in Paradise? Would I go to a hospital and lay there gasping for that last breath feeling like I was drowning without being in water ? My wife (an RN) checked me out and my oxygen blood level was down to a 91/92 low and she thought she heard some crackling in my lung indicating fluid buildup. More anxiety on that thought. Sat afternoon I went to a 'clinic', not an ER, here in Ft Myers and the doctor recommended something called 'MethylPREDNISolone Tablets, USP 4mg. This stuff is taken in reducing levels, ie., 1st day 6 pills, 2nd day 4 pills, 3rd day 4, 4th day 3, 5th day 2. Well, took all 6 at 3pm and really by 7pm I was feeling better. I also took a pain pill given to me after have a molar pulled on Thursday and was in " I'm OK Mode ."

Today is Sunday and woke up feeling much better and no breathing problems. I'm not going out in the 90 degree weather today as I found out folks with COPD should avoid high temps and humidity or the opposite with cold temps.

Why am I posting this dribble? Because of Satudays thoughts and realizing we all have so much to lose if we depart this earth or cease to exist. I feel better today and want to do everything to extend that feeling. I'm going to concentrate on enjoying my life and what there is left of it at 73. Me and the wife are flying to Belgium Friday to visit our son there on an internship and old friends. (We lived in Belgium for 6 years while in the military). I want to enjoy it and even though I told the wife I was going to take it easy, I'm going to do as much as I can.

Thanks for listening, I feel even better now. Anxiety is a bummer ain't it?

Sarge69

A couple of days ago (Monday) while I was at the N... (show quote)

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

sarge69 wrote:

A couple of days ago (Monday) while I was at the Naples Zoo, going around in 90+ degree weather, I was sweating and noticing my COPD was acting up. Later in the day it seemed to subside.

The next day was in the 90s again and it seemed again I could not catch a breath that was satisfying. I mentioned it to my wife and she said "sit down and enjoy the air conditioning."

Friday was the worst. I could not breath easily and seemed anxious about each breath. I worried constantly about my breathing because I was more or less constantly trying to get a deep breath and it wasn't coming. Sleep was difficult so I went into the living room, turning the A/C down to 73 and sat in the air flow and after a bit, my breathing got a little better so I went to bed. (90s and high humidity in the area continued)

Saturday I sat around; being very anxious about my breathing and weird thoughts ran through my head. Would this be my last day in my dream house here in Paradise? Would I go to a hospital and lay there gasping for that last breath feeling like I was drowning without being in water ? My wife (an RN) checked me out and my oxygen blood level was down to a 91/92 low and she thought she heard some crackling in my lung indicating fluid buildup. More anxiety on that thought. Sat afternoon I went to a 'clinic', not an ER, here in Ft Myers and the doctor recommended something called 'MethylPREDNISolone Tablets, USP 4mg. This stuff is taken in reducing levels, ie., 1st day 6 pills, 2nd day 4 pills, 3rd day 4, 4th day 3, 5th day 2. Well, took all 6 at 3pm and really by 7pm I was feeling better. I also took a pain pill given to me after have a molar pulled on Thursday and was in " I'm OK Mode ."

Today is Sunday and woke up feeling much better and no breathing problems. I'm not going out in the 90 degree weather today as I found out folks with COPD should avoid high temps and humidity or the opposite with cold temps.

Why am I posting this dribble? Because of Satudays thoughts and realizing we all have so much to lose if we depart this earth or cease to exist. I feel better today and want to do everything to extend that feeling. I'm going to concentrate on enjoying my life and what there is left of it at 73. Me and the wife are flying to Belgium Friday to visit our son there on an internship and old friends. (We lived in Belgium for 6 years while in the military). I want to enjoy it and even though I told the wife I was going to take it easy, I'm going to do as much as I can.

Thanks for listening, I feel even better now. Anxiety is a bummer ain't it?

Sarge69

A couple of days ago (Monday) while I was at the N... (show quote)

Good Luck.

StrangerHart Loc: Whitetop, VA

Hang tough pard.
We all need to stay packed for "the long trip" but in the meantime, "Keep er 'tween the ditches."

Now Sarge...that's "D" for ditches!

cheineck Loc: Hobe Sound, FL

Sarge... I have COPD also (and just recovered from stage 4 lung cancer). It's no fun is it? Watch how often you take the prednisone. It's a great drug but the side effects over time are not so good. I go to pulmonary rehab twice a week and walk, inside the house with A/C and a portable oxygen generator for 20 minutes each day. It all does seem to help. Find a really good pulmonologist! Good luck my friend!

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

sarge69 wrote:

A couple of days ago (Monday) while I was at the Naples Zoo, going around in 90+ degree weather, I was sweating and noticing my COPD was acting up. Later in the day it seemed to subside.

The next day was in the 90s again and it seemed again I could not catch a breath that was satisfying. I mentioned it to my wife and she said "sit down and enjoy the air conditioning."

Friday was the worst. I could not breath easily and seemed anxious about each breath. I worried constantly about my breathing because I was more or less constantly trying to get a deep breath and it wasn't coming. Sleep was difficult so I went into the living room, turning the A/C down to 73 and sat in the air flow and after a bit, my breathing got a little better so I went to bed. (90s and high humidity in the area continued)

Saturday I sat around; being very anxious about my breathing and weird thoughts ran through my head. Would this be my last day in my dream house here in Paradise? Would I go to a hospital and lay there gasping for that last breath feeling like I was drowning without being in water ? My wife (an RN) checked me out and my oxygen blood level was down to a 91/92 low and she thought she heard some crackling in my lung indicating fluid buildup. More anxiety on that thought. Sat afternoon I went to a 'clinic', not an ER, here in Ft Myers and the doctor recommended something called 'MethylPREDNISolone Tablets, USP 4mg. This stuff is taken in reducing levels, ie., 1st day 6 pills, 2nd day 4 pills, 3rd day 4, 4th day 3, 5th day 2. Well, took all 6 at 3pm and really by 7pm I was feeling better. I also took a pain pill given to me after have a molar pulled on Thursday and was in " I'm OK Mode ."

Today is Sunday and woke up feeling much better and no breathing problems. I'm not going out in the 90 degree weather today as I found out folks with COPD should avoid high temps and humidity or the opposite with cold temps.

Why am I posting this dribble? Because of Satudays thoughts and realizing we all have so much to lose if we depart this earth or cease to exist. I feel better today and want to do everything to extend that feeling. I'm going to concentrate on enjoying my life and what there is left of it at 73. Me and the wife are flying to Belgium Friday to visit our son there on an internship and old friends. (We lived in Belgium for 6 years while in the military). I want to enjoy it and even though I told the wife I was going to take it easy, I'm going to do as much as I can.

Thanks for listening, I feel even better now. Anxiety is a bummer ain't it?

Sarge69

A couple of days ago (Monday) while I was at the N... (show quote)

Sarge, do it, but don't over do it, we need you, BTW I don't do well in the heat and humidity either and I don't have COPD or any other diagnosed problem in that area, take care, Bob.

Bob Smith Loc: Banjarmasin

God gave you a little tap on the shoulder as a reminder of how good life is, and in doing so you gave us all a little heads up thanks for the post Sarge

toma1940 Loc: Silicon Valley, CA

I also have COPD and understand your pain & concern. Enjoy your trip, your son and you are lucky to have a wife/nurse caring for you.

sarge69 wrote:

A couple of days ago (Monday) while I was at the Naples Zoo, going around in 90+ degree weather, I was sweating and noticing my COPD was acting up. Later in the day it seemed to subside.

The next day was in the 90s again and it seemed again I could not catch a breath that was satisfying. I mentioned it to my wife and she said "sit down and enjoy the air conditioning."

Friday was the worst. I could not breath easily and seemed anxious about each breath. I worried constantly about my breathing because I was more or less constantly trying to get a deep breath and it wasn't coming. Sleep was difficult so I went into the living room, turning the A/C down to 73 and sat in the air flow and after a bit, my breathing got a little better so I went to bed. (90s and high humidity in the area continued)

Saturday I sat around; being very anxious about my breathing and weird thoughts ran through my head. Would this be my last day in my dream house here in Paradise? Would I go to a hospital and lay there gasping for that last breath feeling like I was drowning without being in water ? My wife (an RN) checked me out and my oxygen blood level was down to a 91/92 low and she thought she heard some crackling in my lung indicating fluid buildup. More anxiety on that thought. Sat afternoon I went to a 'clinic', not an ER, here in Ft Myers and the doctor recommended something called 'MethylPREDNISolone Tablets, USP 4mg. This stuff is taken in reducing levels, ie., 1st day 6 pills, 2nd day 4 pills, 3rd day 4, 4th day 3, 5th day 2. Well, took all 6 at 3pm and really by 7pm I was feeling better. I also took a pain pill given to me after have a molar pulled on Thursday and was in " I'm OK Mode ."

Today is Sunday and woke up feeling much better and no breathing problems. I'm not going out in the 90 degree weather today as I found out folks with COPD should avoid high temps and humidity or the opposite with cold temps.

Why am I posting this dribble? Because of Satudays thoughts and realizing we all have so much to lose if we depart this earth or cease to exist. I feel better today and want to do everything to extend that feeling. I'm going to concentrate on enjoying my life and what there is left of it at 73. Me and the wife are flying to Belgium Friday to visit our son there on an internship and old friends. (We lived in Belgium for 6 years while in the military). I want to enjoy it and even though I told the wife I was going to take it easy, I'm going to do as much as I can.

Thanks for listening, I feel even better now. Anxiety is a bummer ain't it?

Sarge69

A couple of days ago (Monday) while I was at the N... (show quote)

Sendai5355 Loc: On the banks of the Pedernales River, Texas

I have COPD too and the humidity seems to make it worse at times. Prednisone does help but it will have you up at 2 am cleaning the house. Do you use a Combivent Respimat? Also ask your doctor about Xolair injections. They are very expensive but they have been a life saver for me. Medicare covers mine. Take care.

cday Loc: North Carolina

You sound like my husband's latest adventure. He went to the ER last Wednesday (24 June) with right leg/arm/chest pain, rapid and shallow respiration. He was evaluated and immediately put on IV meds (Cardizem, Heperin, etc...), lab/blood work, etc...He obviously didn't feel well...they also did an ultrasound, EKG, and got him stable enough to do a CT...long story short...he was placed in ICU, then on Thursday moved to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte in their Medical ICU unit....blood clots both lungs, fluid in right lung, elevated blood sugar, significant blood clot hear his heart. He was sent to CMC to possibly have a procedure that couldn't be done at our hospital at home, nor at Baptist or Frye (kind of surprising Baptist doesn't do this particular procedure...a Trellis proced...I think...) They decided not to do the clot buster due to significant side effects and the data is still out on it (clot buster meds/procdure being considered)....Jack was moved to a room on the thoracic/cardio floor, a huge stepdown...he's doing insulin to bring the blood sugar down (was 146 this morning from the intial 493 last Wednesday)....things are greatly looking up and as soon as the docs figure out some pieces he should hopefully be going home soon (a few days or so)...will be doing insulin (already given himself his injections) and a blood thinner..and will be out of work for a month at least due to his career in law enforcement...so, what I will will offend but I don't really care....God's hand has been all over this, putting people and things in place before we got where we needed to be. I am concerned, yes, but not worried...I can only attribute it to "the peace that surpasses all understanding" as stated in the New Testament. I honestly don't know how those who don't believe deal with life's craziness, emergencies, and life threatening situations. This could have ended badly; deadly in fact. Jack could have dropped dead and been dead before he hit the floor...There's a reason for this; not sure what and I may never know; maybe it will benefit someone somewhere else. He's had a fabulous team of doctors, nurses, lab techs, EKG/CT/ultrasound/ etc techs and staff....I even got to watch a thorcentesis being done to draw fluid off his right lung (400 mls...no wonder he was struggling to breath...) so all that being said, he is mending, insane humor has returned and all is well..and hopefully he can go home soon..otherwise I will be the one on the psych floor!! haha..So, you take care of you and listen to the wife...if Jack has listened to me and gone to the ER last Monday instead of Wednesday, he'd have been closer to being better...but all things come together as God dictates....happy MOnday...(I think it is...)

richosob Loc: Lambertville, MI

cday wrote:

You sound like my husband's latest adventure. He went to the ER last Wednesday (24 June) with right leg/arm/chest pain, rapid and shallow respiration. He was evaluated and immediately put on IV meds (Cardizem, Heperin, etc...), lab/blood work, etc...He obviously didn't feel well...they also did an ultrasound, EKG, and got him stable enough to do a CT...long story short...he was placed in ICU, then on Thursday moved to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte in their Medical ICU unit....blood clots both lungs, fluid in right lung, elevated blood sugar, significant blood clot hear his heart. He was sent to CMC to possibly have a procedure that couldn't be done at our hospital at home, nor at Baptist or Frye (kind of surprising Baptist doesn't do this particular procedure...a Trellis proced...I think...) They decided not to do the clot buster due to significant side effects and the data is still out on it (clot buster meds/procdure being considered)....Jack was moved to a room on the thoracic/cardio floor, a huge stepdown...he's doing insulin to bring the blood sugar down (was 146 this morning from the intial 493 last Wednesday)....things are greatly looking up and as soon as the docs figure out some pieces he should hopefully be going home soon (a few days or so)...will be doing insulin (already given himself his injections) and a blood thinner..and will be out of work for a month at least due to his career in law enforcement...so, what I will will offend but I don't really care....God's hand has been all over this, putting people and things in place before we got where we needed to be. I am concerned, yes, but not worried...I can only attribute it to "the peace that surpasses all understanding" as stated in the New Testament. I honestly don't know how those who don't believe deal with life's craziness, emergencies, and life threatening situations. This could have ended badly; deadly in fact. Jack could have dropped dead and been dead before he hit the floor...There's a reason for this; not sure what and I may never know; maybe it will benefit someone somewhere else. He's had a fabulous team of doctors, nurses, lab techs, EKG/CT/ultrasound/ etc techs and staff....I even got to watch a thorcentesis being done to draw fluid off his right lung (400 mls...no wonder he was struggling to breath...) so all that being said, he is mending, insane humor has returned and all is well..and hopefully he can go home soon..otherwise I will be the one on the psych floor!! haha..So, you take care of you and listen to the wife...if Jack has listened to me and gone to the ER last Monday instead of Wednesday, he'd have been closer to being better...but all things come together as God dictates....happy MOnday...(I think it is...)

You sound like my husband's latest adventure. He w... (show quote)

Glad your husband is getting better and I agree with you as to the handling of life's emergencies.

Rich

cday Loc: North Carolina

Thank you..He is better. One of his med docs was by to discuss upcoming tests, meds, treatments, etc...has a pending EKG (laying flat) to see what the fluid is doing and possibly drawing more off his lung, pending the EKG...the PT will be by to do whatever he/she will be doing....He will be stark raving mad soon if he doesn't get out of here...Jack's managed well so far..but I see it coming....He's really done well considering how this started...I appreciate the comments...Have a good day.

DickC Loc: NE Washington state

Have a safe trip!! :-D

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

The anxiety is often justified. Half the medications I take interfere with my body's ability to cool itself. I can detect changes in humidity my wife doesn't notice for hours. She always thinks I turn the air on too often. So if it isn't age its meds. At least once we know what is going on we are able to deal with it. Good luck and have a safe trip .