Guest guest Posted June 2, 2010 Report Share Posted June 2, 2010 Dennis, What is your status now? Have you healed from your double bypass? I imagine it takes a long time to heal anytime they have to crack open your chest. Did you go off of the meds that the " rummy " wanted you to? If so, how is your RA doing? I know you've tried before to taper off prednisone without success. I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time. Please give us an update. We care. Sue On May 21, 2010, at 6:21 PM, Dennis W wrote: > > The only thing > the 'Rummy' wants to do is take me off Prednisone and not treat the > RA or > anything associated with it. I don't know why the sudden change in > treatment > but may have to try to find a real Rheumy. Has anyone had experience > with > being told that Sotalol/Betapace is that dangerous? And, who knows > why the > Rheumy would suddenly change to the narrow approach concerning only > Prednisone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2010 Report Share Posted June 3, 2010 Sue, I'm still on the mend, chest-wise. The really bad part of it is my right leg from knee to groin. That's where they put the angio stuff and took the veins from. It turned bright red from the very back around the inside and almost to the middle of the front of my leg and is so sore, I have trouble sitting or walking. The upper part of my chest has lots of muscle bruising but is getting better. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't! LOL Actually, the hardest part of this surgery is the extreme depression I'm trying to cope with. I guess all this and other things have just piled too high and I don't have a shovel... I didn't actually see my Rummy, I saw a new PA with a sharp tongue. She refused to even consider any treatment for my tender elbows or back trouble, only concerned with my stopping Prednisone. I've tried about a dozen times and haven't made it yet, so this try won't be any more successful even though I'm honestly trying. This week I'm calling the Spine & Joint people again to get some shots for all this. Every time so far I've had an appointment with them and ended up in the hospital! Think I should try it again? Dennis in eastexas On Wed, Jun 2, 2010 at 9:42 PM, marysue <marysue@...> wrote: > > > Dennis, > > What is your status now? Have you healed from your double bypass? I > imagine it takes a long time to heal anytime they have to crack open > your chest. > > Did you go off of the meds that the " rummy " wanted you to? If so, how > is your RA doing? I know you've tried before to taper off prednisone > without success. > > I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time. Please give us an > update. We care. > > Sue > > On May 21, 2010, at 6:21 PM, Dennis W wrote: > > > > The only thing > > the 'Rummy' wants to do is take me off Prednisone and not treat the > > RA or > > anything associated with it. I don't know why the sudden change in > > treatment > > but may have to try to find a real Rheumy. Has anyone had experience > > with > > being told that Sotalol/Betapace is that dangerous? And, who knows > > why the > > Rheumy would suddenly change to the narrow approach concerning only > > Prednisone? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2010 Report Share Posted June 4, 2010 Dennis, I'm so very sorry that you've having such a hard time. Open heart surgery is some really serious business. My sister had trouble with her leg after she had her triple by-pass several years ago. I wish you could be successful at tapering off of prednisone. Maybe it's contributing to the trouble you're having with your leg. You never know. My husband was just diagnosed with Bell's palsy this morning, and one of the meds he was prescribed was prednisone. Of course his is the kind where you start off with a lot of pills and gradually reduce the number each day. Depression can certainly go along with major or chronic health problems. You have both, so you got a double whammy. Do whatever you need to do to help that. I do hope that things will start going better for you soon. Do keep us posted on what's going on with you. We do worry when we don't hear from you for a while. Try to hang in there. Sue On Jun 3, 2010, at 11:00 PM, Dennis W wrote: > Sue, I'm still on the mend, chest-wise. The really bad part of it is > my > right leg from knee to groin. That's where they put the angio stuff > and took > the veins from. It turned bright red from the very back around the > inside > and almost to the middle of the front of my leg and is so sore, I have > trouble sitting or walking. The upper part of my chest has lots of > muscle > bruising but is getting better. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't! > LOL > Actually, the hardest part of this surgery is the extreme depression > I'm > trying to cope with. I guess all this and other things have just > piled too > high and I don't have a shovel... > > I didn't actually see my Rummy, I saw a new PA with a sharp tongue. > She > refused to even consider any treatment for my tender elbows or back > trouble, > only concerned with my stopping Prednisone. I've tried about a dozen > times > and haven't made it yet, so this try won't be any more successful even > though I'm honestly trying. This week I'm calling the Spine & Joint > people > again to get some shots for all this. Every time so far I've had an > appointment with them and ended up in the hospital! Think I should > try it > again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2010 Report Share Posted June 4, 2010 Dennis, You don't know me and I don't post often. I have RA and am a nurse. I am not giving you specific medical advice. however, I am surprised your cardiace surgical team did not speak to you about the common side effect of open heart surgery being depression. Generally you get it within six weeks of having the surgery. I was a cardiac care nurse years ago and this was recognized even then. It was something we presurgically prepared patients and their family members for. If your depression is bothering you and I think it is they should be able to medicate you. Sorry if I overstepped my bounds, but I thought it might give you some relief to know this is an expected side effect of open heart surgery. Dale Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2010 Report Share Posted June 11, 2010 I do remember you, Dale Ellen, and you didn't overstep your bounds. It's good info that wasn't brought to light before now. If I had known, maybe it would have been easier for me. My 'Rummy' still doesn't know of my surgery and I'm expecting to look for another one soon. I'm not taking MTX but still am slowly dropping Pred. My urinary tract is back like it was while having Prostate Cancer radiation but it may not be associated with this surgery. I still have lots of pain with my chest and right leg. They are slowly changing but not necessarily getting better. It's funny that the RA isn't getting much worse since I'm not taking those meds now. Dennis in eastexas On Fri, Jun 4, 2010 at 10:06 PM, Dale Ellen Ulrich <deulrich@...> wrote: > > > Dennis, You don't know me and I don't post often. I have RA and am a > nurse. I am not giving you specific medical advice. however, I am > surprised your cardiace surgical team did not speak to you about the common > side effect of open heart surgery being depression. Generally you get it > within six weeks of having the surgery. I was a cardiac care nurse years > ago and this was recognized even then. It was something we presurgically > prepared patients and their family members for. If your depression is > bothering you and I think it is they should be able to medicate you. Sorry > if I overstepped my bounds, but I thought it might give you some relief to > know this is an expected side effect of open heart surgery. > > Dale Ellen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2010 Report Share Posted June 12, 2010 Hi Dennis. I was sorry to read that you aren't feeling too good and having pains. I sure hope you can find something to help you. I am happy you are finding a new Rheumy. I pray it is a great Dr. for you. You have been through too much this year.  Hang in there. Also, did you get your depression meds.? If so, I hope they begin to work soon for you.  I am home in Mass. and it has been rainy, cold, and damp. Needless to say, my feet and ankles are killing me. I leave Tues for home and that is when the sun will be out.  Heidi, I know I am suffering like you this week. It really stinks. I wish I had time for us to meet. My next trip here I hope we can.  Wishing all of us many pain free days ahead.  Hugs,  Barbara > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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