Re: CT scan

[Guest guest]

I was also wondering if any of you go thru stomach problems such as acid reflux and other digestive problems? My doctor has put me on ranitadine 600mg for my stomach ailments. It really doesnt do much good when i get a killer case of indigestion. But better than nothing. Its funny but I find a good ole glass of seven up or even baking soda seems to work the best. But thankfully I dont have too many flare ups of this.

Morning nyzki

I have terrible acid reflux or GERD or whatever you choose to call it .. I'm using Nexium, which, btw, works wonderfully at controlling my acid reflux attacks ( so painful ). NOt to mention Nexium also helps in repairing damage done by the acid that has seeped up my esophogus due to the reflux.

I also have some terrible bouts with IBS. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Painful..very painful abdominal pain ..my IBS is accompanied by diarreha. Its awful for me.

I have a script for that too. Dicyclamine <and I know I probably spelled that wrong> ..it's 3 am and the med isnt here next to me..but this med is safe..very safe..it's an anti spasm med for the tummy and my gawd. . when I start to feel those gas twinges, I know what I'm in for. I immediately go for this med and it sure helps me.

Sandie

Never Look Down on SomeoneUnless You're Willing to Help Them UpIt's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money Finance.

[Guest guest]

Hi Nyzki,I do know exactly what you are going through, as would many others. The nature of infx does vary w bronch, some don’t have fevers, I don’t any more, but I still get infx. I know the fevers/chills are exhausting, seem never-ending. I chipped teeth from shivering so hard in the rigor stage – and only last year started to have them fixed up again.I know it may seem strange, but while you’re in the HOT phase drink hot water, as hot as you would for tea or coffee. While cold, there’s not much you can do, that’s when your temp is highest. Take your temp while you’re hot, not shivering then add several more degrees, that will give you an indication of your temp at its peak. It is your body’s natural way of combating infx, but unfortunately w bronch, it will only return again esp if not treated w abx, the infx will go from acute to chronic. The fevers we have are referred to as ‘acute on chronic infx’. I know this doesn’t change anything, but I have found somehow, that the more I understand, the less fearful about these things that happen...If you’re going through sweats at night put a towel under you and one on top – it will save you a lot of effort having to wash bedding more often. I used to soak everything, and still kept going to work b/c was afraid I’d lose my job. Being on a pension now at least I don’t have that anxiety – the limited income also means a lot less stress in other ways!I know what you mean about the CT scans too, I found it really hard - don’t know if it was psychological, I went through much worse stuff as a kid and teenager, maybe it was a kind of reminder?? I felt awful afterward, really wobbly and teary. (My initial dx, 18y old was a bronchogram, the dye is injected directly into the lungs via the throat, w an enormous needle, you can’t cough, anything...even w a local anaesthetic it was pure agony and took ages. They only did one lung, I just couldn’t cope with doing the other.) But, it’s not so much whether you have an abnormal scan, it’s better they know exactly what is happening. When I had one, I’d had repeated infx about every month for 7-8 months, and the decade b4 that never really well... Would have abx, feel a bit better, but never really well. The CT showed I had a cyst in the middle lobe of R lung – which meant that likely oral abx were not killing off all the infx in the cyst, so best treatment was IV. That was may 05, and have been MUCH better since, even tho I still have infx, no fevers, they’re not as severe or as long-drawn out. So the scan can be really good in being able to pinpoint just what is happening (ord x-ray doesn’t) so you can have really specific treatment instead of try this, try that, and more and more.For abdo stuff – often caused by all the abx, yes, you’re right, the bicarb soda is good, and if you can find a good mega-probiotic, it may help too. For me it certainly turned things around after 3 decades of poor digestion etc... And try not to eat late at night, have time to digest first ( I eat best before 6pm, 7pm latest). I know it may mean awkward changes if you eat w others, but you do come first in this kind of situation. Better to eat small meals frequently than large meals once/day.Phew, this turned into an epistle, hope some of it’s useful... Having had this my whole life, just makes me wish,,, could do something, you know? Even if there’s no cure it is the kind of disease which has remission, you can have a run of really good years. Often there’s a phase of slow increase, then gets more acute, you have to find some help, you start to understand the illness, you eventually narrow down the treatment most suitable for YOU (remember, bronch is VERY VARIABLE, so what works for any one individual may not work for you, but there will be someone who has had some of what you experience and can help. Our hearts go out to you, rest, you WILL feel better!Gotta go now!Hugsjoy

For those of us with Chronic Illness it's amazing how well we begin to know our bodies and recognize symptoms and what to do about them.

The blessing that accompanies the curse..so bittersweet.

Joy..that bronchogram sounds HORRID! I will never get that done . I don't care HOW effective it is at finding answers to treat something. They better come up with something else cause all I can say is ' oh hell no, not me ' ..

Hugs

Sandie

Never Look Down on SomeoneUnless You're Willing to Help Them UpIt's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money Finance.

[Guest guest]

Hi Nyzki,

I do know exactly what you are going through, as would many others. The nature of infx does vary w bronch, some don’t have fevers, I don’t any more, but I still get infx. I know the fevers/chills are exhausting, seem never-ending. I chipped teeth from shivering so hard in the rigor stage – and only last year started to have them fixed up again.

I know it may seem strange, but while you’re in the HOT phase drink hot water, as hot as you would for tea or coffee. While cold, there’s not much you can do, that’s when your temp is highest. Take your temp while you’re hot, not shivering then add several more degrees, that will give you an indication of your temp at its peak. It is your body’s natural way of combating infx, but unfortunately w bronch, it will only return again esp if not treated w abx, the infx will go from acute to chronic. The fevers we have are referred to as ‘acute on chronic infx’.

I know this doesn’t change anything, but I have found somehow, that the more I understand, the less fearful about these things that happen...

If you’re going through sweats at night put a towel under you and one on top – it will save you a lot of effort having to wash bedding more often. I used to soak everything, and still kept going to work b/c was afraid I’d lose my job. Being on a pension now at least I don’t have that anxiety – the limited income also means a lot less stress in other ways!

I know what you mean about the CT scans too, I found it really hard - don’t know if it was psychological, I went through much worse stuff as a kid and teenager, maybe it was a kind of reminder?? I felt awful afterward, really wobbly and teary. (My initial dx, 18y old was a bronchogram, the dye is injected directly into the lungs via the throat, w an enormous needle, you can’t cough, anything...even w a local anaesthetic it was pure agony and took ages. They only did one lung, I just couldn’t cope with doing the other.)

But, it’s not so much whether you have an abnormal scan, it’s better they know exactly what is happening. When I had one, I’d had repeated infx about every month for 7-8 months, and the decade b4 that never really well... Would have abx, feel a bit better, but never really well. The CT showed I had a cyst in the middle lobe of R lung – which meant that likely oral abx were not killing off all the infx in the cyst, so best treatment was IV. That was may 05, and have been MUCH better since, even tho I still have infx, no fevers, they’re not as severe or as long-drawn out. So the scan can be really good in being able to pinpoint just what is happening (ord x-ray doesn’t) so you can have really specific treatment instead of try this, try that, and more and more.

For abdo stuff – often caused by all the abx, yes, you’re right, the bicarb soda is good, and if you can find a good mega-probiotic, it may help too. For me it certainly turned things around after 3 decades of poor digestion etc... And try not to eat late at night, have time to digest first ( I eat best before 6pm, 7pm latest). I know it may mean awkward changes if you eat w others, but you do come first in this kind of situation. Better to eat small meals frequently than large meals once/day.

Phew, this turned into an epistle, hope some of it’s useful... Having had this my whole life, just makes me wish,,, could do something, you know? Even if there’s no cure it is the kind of disease which has remission, you can have a run of really good years. Often there’s a phase of slow increase, then gets more acute, you have to find some help, you start to understand the illness, you eventually narrow down the treatment most suitable for YOU (remember, bronch is VERY VARIABLE, so what works for any one individual may not work for you, but there will be someone who has had some of what you experience and can help. Our hearts go out to you, rest, you WILL feel better!

Gotta go now!

Hugs

joy

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandie,

No worries! the CT scan has taken place of the bronchogram/bronchoscopy. That was back in the bad old days, 1970. No tlc much then either, it was done in outpatients, afterwards, up you get and on your way; with a four yrs younger sister embarrassed at my distress and tears to look after me – aahh, anything is easier than that!

I guess I wanted Nzyki to know that a scan was for the good, better to really know what and how infx are happening and have pinpoint treatment rather than haphazard guesswork – we have that far too much w bronchiectasis as it is!!

Hope you caught up on your late night up, 3am – I have nights like that often too, but on a pension the beauty is you don’t have to get up early the next day and ‘perform’. If you can’t do things, mostly don’t have to, except for appts.

I just finished 15 months of dental work - a bridge & a number of crowns... Been a trying process at times (late repair of cleft palate left lots dental probs, badly crooked etc, can’t have dentures... ) Thankfully all this paid for by our health care, impossible for me to afford and no insurance would anywhere near cover it – so I feel like celebrating, and the sun is out after days and days of torrential rain,

I hear the daffodils and blossoms are starting in your part of the world – brings back lovely memories, when I lived in cool/temp climates, not the tropics. We’re now going into autumn (down south), here, just a return to “perfect one day, paradise the next!” as the saying goes here...

Love you all,

joy