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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Spriggy on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:00
I have no clue which section I should write this so I'm sure Dr. Bob will redirect it if this isn't the place.
I just got a call that my dad is in the ER getting a spinal tap right now.
A few weird stuff:1) Hospice came out (they come each day) and couldn't wake him up.
2) While on his oxygen (he has COPD), his oxygen was 78%
3) He was having seizures (which he's never had before)
4) his temp was 104.6My dad is not an old man (his body might as well be). He actually is only 43 years old (yes, he was 15 when I was born).
He has the following:1) Bipolar
2) diabetes (type 2)
3) Heart disease (pacemaker) - 3 heart attacks
4) COPD (emphysema- smoked for 30 years)
5) Chronic Hepatitis C
6) Degenerative disc disease- which has required a dilaudid pump in his spineYEs, this is all true and even when I write it all out, almost seems unbelievable that somebody so young could possibly have all the above. But, my dad (mostly because his BP was untreated for so long) had a history of abusing his body through drugs, poor diet, no sleep, and cigarettes.
So... the Hospice nurses seem to be concerned that either could be a problem with this pain pump (it got "refilled two days ago)
Or
they are saying possibly Meningitis??
Does anybody have a clue about any of this??
Exactly what will a spinal tap show them? and would meningitis cause seizures??
Posted by Spriggy on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:00
In reply to Pain pumps?? where do I post this??, posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 17:20:00
Oh and the question I was wondering is could it possible that when they were refilling his pain pump, it is leaking or causing an infection of some sorts?I spoke with him yesterday and he felt fine.
I'm trying to figure out if I need to get on a plane and head to Alabama or not.
With knowing so little, I am trying to just be patient but it's hard when you are 2,000 miles away when all this is happening.
And yes, this is some of the problem with my current state of anxiety.
Posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:00
In reply to Re: Pain pumps?? where do I post this??, posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 17:23:30
It doesn't sound good Spriggy. The spinal tap will tell if there is an infection in the meninges of the brain=Spinal meningitis. With all of his problems, I would suggest you call the hospital, speak with the nurses caring for him and ask them his condition. You may very well have to take that plane ride. I hope that is not the case. Try and stay calm Spriggy. Remember we're your friends. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Spriggy on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:00
In reply to Re: Pain pumps?? where do I post this?? » Spriggy, posted by Phillipa on March 4, 2005, at 17:55:29
Thanks Phillippa,
I am still waiting. If i haven't heard in another hour, I will call the hospital.
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:00
In reply to Pain pumps?? where do I post this??, posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 17:20:00
> I have no clue which section I should write this so I'm sure Dr. Bob will redirect it if this isn't the place.
>
> I just got a call that my dad is in the ER getting a spinal tap right now.
>
> A few weird stuff:
>
> 1) Hospice came out (they come each day) and couldn't wake him up.
> 2) While on his oxygen (he has COPD), his oxygen was 78%
> 3) He was having seizures (which he's never had before)
> 4) his temp was 104.6
>
> My dad is not an old man (his body might as well be). He actually is only 43 years old (yes, he was 15 when I was born).
>
> He has the following:
>
> 1) Bipolar
> 2) diabetes (type 2)
> 3) Heart disease (pacemaker) - 3 heart attacks
> 4) COPD (emphysema- smoked for 30 years)
> 5) Chronic Hepatitis C
> 6) Degenerative disc disease- which has required a dilaudid pump in his spine
>
> YEs, this is all true and even when I write it all out, almost seems unbelievable that somebody so young could possibly have all the above. But, my dad (mostly because his BP was untreated for so long) had a history of abusing his body through drugs, poor diet, no sleep, and cigarettes.
>
> So... the Hospice nurses seem to be concerned that either could be a problem with this pain pump (it got "refilled two days ago)
>
> Or
>
> they are saying possibly Meningitis??
>
>
> Does anybody have a clue about any of this??
> Exactly what will a spinal tap show them? and would meningitis cause seizures??The pain pump could have led to a blood infection (called septicemia), via the small incision in the skin. Or, he could have developed meningitis by another route. The temperature alone could have led to seizures, but meningitis could cause seizures too (it usually does involve a high fever, though).
I'm sorry, but you're dealing with dangerous infection here, either way. It could be life-threatening.
I'll be praying for you both.
Lar
Posted by Chris O on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:00
In reply to Re: Pain pumps?? where do I post this??, posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 18:28:49
Spriggy:
We've shared a bit on these boards. My prayers are with you. I'm so sorry to hear about this situation. Hopefully, all will work out for the best.
Sincerely,
Chris
Posted by Phil on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:00
In reply to Pain pumps?? where do I post this??, posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 17:20:00
Spriggy, I haven't 'met' you yet but wanted to let you know that you and your father are in my prayers as well. I wish the best for you both.
Phil
Posted by Spriggy on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:00
In reply to My prayers are with you » Spriggy, posted by Chris O on March 4, 2005, at 19:36:53
They are admitting him into ICU but his spinal tap came back fine.They are going to be watching him closely through the night and ruling out other stuff.
He did wake up an hour ago and says he doesn't feel too bad. So I figure that's a good sign.
Thanks for all your prayers and support.
Posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:01
In reply to Re: Pain pumps?? where do I post this?? » Spriggy, posted by Phil on March 4, 2005, at 20:57:16
Boy, You're Father must be some fighter! He has so many things medically wrong with him it's a miracle. Maybe things are looking up for you Spriggy. Maybe it's a sign that you should take your medication tonight, as you had planned. I know your Faith is strong, and you are strong as well. If your Father can, you can too. Keep me Posted. And sleep well, and I pray your Father is even better tomorrow. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by lunesta on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:01
In reply to update and thanks to you all, posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 20:57:21
People who tend to have lots of chronic diseases have onething in common and that is that there immune system is not working correctly. the immune system is life literally.
i suffer similar problems at 22. my immune system is malfunctioning.
=(
Posted by jodigirl on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:01
In reply to update and thanks to you all, posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 20:57:21
Your dad, you, your family and your friends continue to be in prayers. ( I am from NC. They build us tough in the south!! lol) Seriously, please be especially gentle, kind and patient with yourself these days. There are people taking care of him. And certainly he needs you. But he needs you to take care of yourself so that you can be at your best for him. Do something good for yourself today. ;-)
Posted by celticmom on March 5, 2005, at 8:56:01
In reply to Pain pumps?? where do I post this??, posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 17:20:00
Spriggy - I hope you are all right. I just want to let you know that while meningitis could be the cause of his current condition, it doesn't necessarily mean it is. I think doing a tap to rule it out is pretty standard. When my DS was born very premature he was in the nicu for 12 weeks. Any time he ran a fever they would tap him to make sure it wasn't meningitis. It usually turned out to be a bacterial infection.
BTW - I think a high fever alone can cause seizures (especially in someone who is compromised). And many other things can cause a high fever. Flu, pneumonia etc.
Your dad does sound like he is in bad shape regardless, but hopefully with proper medical attention he will recover from this. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Let us know how he is doing!
Posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2005, at 15:19:26
In reply to Re: Pain pumps?? where do I post this??, posted by celticmom on March 5, 2005, at 8:49:56
Spriggy, Is your Dad okay? Are you still at home? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by lara53 on March 5, 2005, at 21:39:56
In reply to Pain pumps?? where do I post this??, posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 17:20:00
just sending you some hugs and prayers;i do hope all will be well with your dad.
Posted by Spriggy on March 6, 2005, at 18:39:32
In reply to Re: Pain pumps?? where do I post this??, posted by lara53 on March 5, 2005, at 21:39:56
Thank you all.
I wanted to update.
They ended up moving him to ICU. He woke up vomitting and vomitted profusely (Bile) for a day and a half.
They said his bowels and intestines had become paralyzed from the infection.
The doctor said it was kind of a spiral; infection plus diabetes shutting down the intestines, etc..
He is now on some type of medication they gave chemo patients to stop the vomitting- and even WITH that, he is still vomitting every few hours.
BUT, he was talking when I called to check earlier and sounded pretty okay.
My dad is a fighter. We laugh and call him "lazarus" because he has literally been on his death bed about 20 times in the past 4 years.
It was not meningitis by the way. They are still trying to figure out what the infectino is.
His temp is at 102 right now..
So I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.
This is the end of the thread.
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