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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 41. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on January 4, 2018, at 12:55:07
My appendix ruptured and I went into septic shock. The pain was intense. Emergency surgery took 3.5 hours. Afterwards, I spent several days on a ventilator in critical condition. Not fun. It was not clear whether or not I would survive. I am happy to still be here. Unfortunately, my psych meds got screwed up. This is a big setback. I am still not taking the minimum effective dosage of Parnate, which, for me, is 80 mg/day. The depression is not crushing, thank God, but I look forward to having the dosage of Parnate increased as of tomorrow. I am currently in a rehab facility. I am recovering strength and stamina, but I still have to learn how to balance and walk. I can't believe how debilitated I am. Still, they think that I should fully recover. :-)
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2018, at 17:25:33
In reply to Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by SLS on January 4, 2018, at 12:55:07
Scott I am so very sorry and know how scary this has been for you and continues to be so. I don't know how they just stopped your meds for the surgery. But how could you take a pill if on a ventilator of course you couldn't. I don't have any advise for you exept to get well. Love Phillipa
Posted by baseball55 on January 4, 2018, at 18:23:22
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though. » SLS, posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2018, at 17:25:33
So sorry to hear about your ordeal. I'm happy, though, to know that they expect a full recovery. Get all the help you can in rehab and keep us posted on how you are doing! With love.
Posted by Lamdage22 on January 5, 2018, at 4:28:43
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by baseball55 on January 4, 2018, at 18:23:22
Hey Scott,
i hope you get well soon. So how does it feel to just not get your meds? I imagine not good.
Posted by jane d on January 5, 2018, at 4:42:28
In reply to Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by SLS on January 4, 2018, at 12:55:07
Glad you are recovering. Hope you feel better soon.
Jane
Posted by linkadge on January 5, 2018, at 8:18:09
In reply to Feel better » SLS, posted by jane d on January 5, 2018, at 4:42:28
Hey, SLS, thanks for letting us know. Best wishes in your recovery. We're just glad you're alive.
I guess your 2017 went out with a bang.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on January 5, 2018, at 13:51:44
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by Lamdage22 on January 5, 2018, at 4:28:43
> Hey Scott,
>
> i hope you get well soon. So how does it feel to just not get your meds? I imagine not good.I have no recollection of what happened immediately after the surgery. At some point, my medication was reinstated by the hospital with the exception of Parnate. I had to insist that they speak to my psychiatrist about this. The hospital relented, but they allowed me only 20 mg/day. I had been taking 80 mg/day. Now that I am at a separate rehab facility, I am able to interact more closely with the staff here. They communicated with my doctor and agreed to return my Parnate dosage to 80 mg/day using a titration schedule. I deteriorated quite a bit, even at 40 mg/day. Today is my first day at 80 mg/day. I look forward to getting some relief. At least I know that 80 mg/day is the lowest effective dosage.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on January 5, 2018, at 14:00:57
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though. » SLS, posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2018, at 17:25:33
> Scott I am so very sorry and know how scary this has been for you and continues to be so. I don't know how they just stopped your meds for the surgery. But how could you take a pill if on a ventilator of course you couldn't. I don't have any advise for you exept to get well. Love Phillipa
It was quite some time before it was revealed to me how sick I was and that I had been in critical condition. I was able to squeeze some information out of the nursing staff. When I heard the word, "peritonitis", I knew it was something serious. I had no idea that I almost died from septic shock. Anyway, I was able to walk on my own for awhile today. My balance is getting better. Stamina and leg muscle strength are also issues. I can't believe how debilitated I became. With work, I should be able to fully recover.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on January 5, 2018, at 17:05:40
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though. » Phillipa, posted by SLS on January 5, 2018, at 14:00:57
Was there a pain med they were concerned would interact with the parnate?
Linkadge
Posted by rjlockhart37 on January 5, 2018, at 17:16:03
In reply to Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by SLS on January 4, 2018, at 12:55:07
Posted by Phillipa on January 5, 2018, at 17:55:50
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though. » Phillipa, posted by SLS on January 5, 2018, at 14:00:57
Scott, so glad the RN's let you know the seriousness of your condition. I imagine they waited till they felt or you kept questioning tham as to what was wrong and how it happened. I know without a doubt that you will regain your strength as you are a fighter. Thankfully, Phillipa
Posted by baseball55 on January 5, 2018, at 18:21:27
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though. » SLS, posted by Phillipa on January 5, 2018, at 17:55:50
Strange they didn't want to tell you how sick you had been. I had a very severe double pneumonia several years ago and they were very honest about the danger I was in.
I had (elective) surgery last year and the anesthesiologist scheduled for the surgery told me I needed to be off parnate for two weeks or he would not use general anesthesia. The surgery got moved up by a week, and I told the (new) anesthesiologist I was only off parnate for a week. He just waved his hands and said the first guy was ridiculous. There was no need to go off parnate at all. I think a lot of anesthesiologists just see "drug-interactions" and freak. And docs see "no demerol, no tramodol, drug interactions" - and freak, rather than educate themselves.
After my surgery, once the morphine wore off, i get depressed like I hadn't been in a long time. They put me back on parnate at the rehab and I was okay within 48 hours. Hopefully you will recover soon, both psychologically and physically.
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 5, 2018, at 20:28:57
In reply to Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by SLS on January 4, 2018, at 12:55:07
so sorry about this, sls.
Posted by SLS on January 6, 2018, at 11:45:50
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by linkadge on January 5, 2018, at 17:05:40
> Was there a pain med they were concerned would interact with the parnate?
>
> LinkadgeAbout the only thing I did right was to provide the doctors with a list of medications I was taking, including a list of common pain medications that were dangerous to use. They ended up using hydromorphone (Dilaudid). I found it to be more effective than morphine. I would not venture to try tramadol.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on January 6, 2018, at 15:07:20
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by baseball55 on January 5, 2018, at 18:21:27
MAOIs are risky with certain painkillers as some of them act as serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on January 6, 2018, at 17:20:58
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by linkadge on January 6, 2018, at 15:07:20
Hence the no tramadol as it does interact with serotonin. Phillipa
Posted by PeterMartin on January 7, 2018, at 3:48:47
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by baseball55 on January 4, 2018, at 18:23:22
Wow that's crazy! Definitely noticed you weren't around / missed your posts. As bad as how what you're going through sounds like I'm glad it wasn't mental health related (final).
Posted by SLS on January 7, 2018, at 13:02:46
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by PeterMartin on January 7, 2018, at 3:48:47
> Wow that's crazy! Definitely noticed you weren't around / missed your posts. As bad as how what you're going through sounds like I'm glad it wasn't mental health related (final).
Thanks. I'm still working towards remission of bipolar depression. I haven't given up. Unfortunately, the disruption of my treatment regime resulted in a partial relapse. I was getting so close!
- Scott
Posted by Hugh on January 7, 2018, at 15:44:46
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though. » PeterMartin, posted by SLS on January 7, 2018, at 13:02:46
I'm sorry to hear that, Scott. What a close call!
Posted by Lamdage22 on January 8, 2018, at 9:02:13
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by PeterMartin on January 7, 2018, at 3:48:47
I have my meds listed in my wallet in the hopes that this wont happen to me. I need to update it though. I am changing dosages regularly.
Posted by Lamdage22 on January 8, 2018, at 9:30:35
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by Lamdage22 on January 8, 2018, at 9:02:13
I wonder what they will do with odd dosages. Right now i am even though. So when will you be able to go home?
Posted by SLS on January 8, 2018, at 10:14:31
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by Lamdage22 on January 8, 2018, at 9:30:35
> I wonder what they will do with odd dosages. Right now i am even though. So when will you be able to go home?
Tentatively, we are looking at this Thursday. I think that's pushing it a bit, though. I am making gains with balance and walking. My legs are weak, but I think they are strong enough for me to climb the stairs necessary to go home. I can't complain. I am grateful to be alive and have four functional limbs.
Thanks for asking.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2018, at 10:39:16
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though. » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on January 8, 2018, at 10:14:31
Pt at home to keep working with the strength in your legs. Do you have someone to help you at home?Phillipa
Posted by Lamdage22 on January 8, 2018, at 11:29:00
In reply to Re: Not fun. That's okay, though. » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on January 8, 2018, at 10:14:31
It is good that you are grateful and it accentuates your will to live. Keep it up:)
Posted by SLS on January 9, 2018, at 19:51:31
In reply to Not fun. That's okay, though., posted by SLS on January 4, 2018, at 12:55:07
> My appendix ruptured and I went into septic shock. The pain was intense. Emergency surgery took 3.5 hours. Afterwards, I spent several days on a ventilator in critical condition. Not fun. It was not clear whether or not I would survive. I am happy to still be here. Unfortunately, my psych meds got screwed up. This is a big setback. I am still not taking the minimum effective dosage of Parnate, which, for me, is 80 mg/day. The depression is not crushing, thank God, but I look forward to having the dosage of Parnate increased as of tomorrow. I am currently in a rehab facility. I am recovering strength and stamina, but I still have to learn how to balance and walk. I can't believe how debilitated I am. Still, they think that I should fully recover. :-)
After two weeks of physical therapy at the rehab center, I'm just about ready to be discharged. I will be having a team meeting tomorrow afternoon to discuss my progress and readiness to go home and return to my usual activities. I have some trepidations, but the physical therapists assure me that I am ready to leave. I have been asking to do extra "stand ups" that I perform more like a squat. This one exercise has probably helped me more than any other in preparing me to climb up and down the flight of stairs leading to my apartment.
I have suffered a set-back in my treatment of bipolar depression. I was taken off of Parnate at the hospital, and I began to relapse. It took quite a bit of convincing the doctors at the hospital and rehab center to consult with my psychiatrist and agree to bring the dosage of Parnate back up to 80 mg/day using a gradual titration schedule. I have been at 80 mg/day for only 5 days, but I am experiencing a mild improvement. Despite this, I have begun to lose my optimism. I hope I still have some fight left in me. I would like to return to work and feel like I have rejoined mainstream society. It would be nice to meet new people and have some fun.
- Scott
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