1. < Intensive Care (ICU)

PICS.. Six E.R.s in one year.

Posted by rubbob1 @rubbob1, Jan 19, 2019

I am 86 years, a DAV. In local E.R.s six time in 2018 ---4/2/2018 Left medium Inguinal Hernia, Dr. pushed it in. Discharged.. See surgeon, who is on vacation. No suggestions!.---4/10/2018 Same issue. Inguinal Hernia- 8-9 Worsens, into lower bowel & scrotum. E.R. for Surgery, Successful.. No follow ups .--- E.R. 6/11/2018, 1:30 am Bursa left hip and thigh muscles spasm, pain 8-9 Morphine and xrays. No hip joint issues. See provider?? Bursa and leg muscles hurt when I lay on them at nite. 5-7
---E.R.10/26/2018-- Diverticulitis. See Med. provider. E.R. Given Magnesium Silicate. Heavy BM. -- 11/16/2018 E.R. Sigmoid Diverticulitis. Severe pain 6-8. Heavy Laxatives, Morphine & Fentinol, for 3 days. Released 11/18/2018. See med. provider.? LOST 30 lbs. in 5 months. Muscle loss and pain in arms and legs. Little sleep. Pain in old surgeries now. Both shoulders,hands, knees and back. Can't sleep in any position except back for a short time, back hurt. 4-6.. The heavier I sleep the greater the pain if I change position in my sleep!
Waking every few moments!! Anxiety, racing mind, depression, and some suicidal thoughts. Had small stroke 5 yrs ago. Wife had small stroke 12/20/2017. Lots of Stress!
Have no idea who to see for what. ---My med. provider scripts antidepressants. No direction. Says I'm 86 and no suggestions.!
---Digestive specialist say no treatment for diverticulitis only diet. No Followups from any providers! ---V.A. Dr. suggests body and muscles reacting to weight loss 30 lbs in 5 months and nutritional loss. No suggestions!! I've been on the internet for some months, LOOKING! "Read article from May Clinic on PICS". Makes more sense than anything. NEED GUIDANCE BADLY! Are there Medical providers for Post-Intensive Care Syndromes. Near me? Dayton, Ohio. My meds. now are Tramadol 10 mg 1/8/hrs, Robaxin 750 mg, 2/24 hrs. Tylenol 650 mg 2/8 hrs, losaritan 10 mg /day. Vitamins, Magnesium, fish oil, B complex, multivitamins. They help some during waking hours. No follow ups any where. Hospitals seem that I'm looking for Opioids I think!. Just relief and sleep. Robert

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 19, 2019

@rubbob1

I am so sorry to hear of the lack of help you have received after so many trips to the ER. You must be very frustrated as well as distressed.
I can understand the matter of diet for diverticulitis, I have that as well and diet is the way to control that. As I'm not familiar with all of the meds you are taking, I'm wondering if you are taking an antidepressant for the anxiety and the pain? There are some antidepressants that work quite well for pain, sleep issues as well as anxiety. Have you asked about a trying something like that?

Have there been any orders for physical therapy to help with some of the muscle spasms?

I do believe that you need to request more help. Consider making a list of these problems and ask about specific treatment(s). Our veterans need to be treated with more diligence. Do your best to be an advocate for yourself in these areas. If you need assistance, can you take a family member or friend with you to help you speak on your behalf?

Will you post again and let me know what progress you are making with your medical providers?

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 20, 2019

Hello @rubbob1, I am truly sorry to hear about your health struggles. I can't imagine how difficult it is to have to deal with what you have been going through. I have a friend that was diagnosed years ago with diverticulitis and I know how he struggled. He did have to change his eating habits dramatically. Have your doctors given you any diet related suggestions?

I see that @ethanmcconkey gave you a link with details of foods to avoid as you live with diverticulitis in your Digestive Health discussion:
-- https://www.healthline.com/health/diverticulitis-diet-list-of-foods-to-avoid#foods-to-avoid

Mayo Clinic has some information on a diverticulitis diet in their Healthy Lifestyle pages here:
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/diverticulitis-diet/art-20048499

You also mentioned having a lot of stress. I imagine that does not help you and makes things worse. When I get stressed I try to get my mind to thinking about other things. One of the best resources I've found for "relaxing" my mind is a website with a lot of short videos to help you focus on positive thoughts and thinking.
https://www.resilientoption.com/
You mentioned that you are looking for Post Intensive Care Syndromes Treatment near you. You may be interested in the following Mayo Clinic Newsfeed Page where you will find many PICS treatment and support related articles.

Pages > Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) > Newsfeed
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/pics/

Have you asked your VA doctor if they know of any PICS support groups in the area?

Hoping you find some answers that help soon...

REPLY
1 reply
rubbob1 | @rubbob1 | Jan 21, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @rubbob1, I am truly sorry to hear about your health struggles. I can't imagine how..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @rubbob1, I am truly sorry to hear about your health struggles. I can't imagine how difficult it is to have to deal with what you have been going through. I have a friend that was diagnosed years ago with diverticulitis and I know how he struggled. He did have to change his eating habits dramatically. Have your doctors given you any diet related suggestions?

I see that @ethanmcconkey gave you a link with details of foods to avoid as you live with diverticulitis in your Digestive Health discussion:
-- https://www.healthline.com/health/diverticulitis-diet-list-of-foods-to-avoid#foods-to-avoid

Mayo Clinic has some information on a diverticulitis diet in their Healthy Lifestyle pages here:
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/diverticulitis-diet/art-20048499

You also mentioned having a lot of stress. I imagine that does not help you and makes things worse. When I get stressed I try to get my mind to thinking about other things. One of the best resources I've found for "relaxing" my mind is a website with a lot of short videos to help you focus on positive thoughts and thinking.
https://www.resilientoption.com/
You mentioned that you are looking for Post Intensive Care Syndromes Treatment near you. You may be interested in the following Mayo Clinic Newsfeed Page where you will find many PICS treatment and support related articles.

Pages > Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) > Newsfeed
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/pics/

Have you asked your VA doctor if they know of any PICS support groups in the area?

Hoping you find some answers that help soon...

Jump to this post

Mind races uncontrollable 24 hrs. Very negative scary thoughts, if you know what I mean..E.R.s treats you for comfort and puts you on the street. "Go see your provider"...? Dr. gave me a lite tranquilizer, mentioned my age, 86, shrugged and released me. Useles s! No diet recommended. Just go back to usual one. At ropes end...Tying a knot and hanging on! One night at a time.. Dr.s are controlled buy Government. rulings. If I go back to E.R...go see your Medical Provider?? Who ever that may be. Mine does not recommend anyone! None do...I have to decide who to go to and I'm not that educated in that direction.. My nights are terrible....NIGHTMARES!!

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 21, 2019
In reply to @rubbob1 "Mind races uncontrollable 24 hrs. Very negative scary thoughts, if you know what I mean..E.R.s treats..." + (show)
@rubbob1

Mind races uncontrollable 24 hrs. Very negative scary thoughts, if you know what I mean..E.R.s treats you for comfort and puts you on the street. "Go see your provider"...? Dr. gave me a lite tranquilizer, mentioned my age, 86, shrugged and released me. Useles s! No diet recommended. Just go back to usual one. At ropes end...Tying a knot and hanging on! One night at a time.. Dr.s are controlled buy Government. rulings. If I go back to E.R...go see your Medical Provider?? Who ever that may be. Mine does not recommend anyone! None do...I have to decide who to go to and I'm not that educated in that direction.. My nights are terrible....NIGHTMARES!!

Jump to this post

@rubbob1, do you have any family or children you can contact? You mentioned earlier about being treated at a VA facility. Are you able to contact the VA and ask for help?

REPLY
rubbob1 | @rubbob1 | Feb 20, 2019

Remember, one night, Black cloud of Pain.... Ended up in ICU. Apparent OD. No memory of this. Ended up in a Health care unit in another city. Two weeks of rest. Sent home with my meds changed...Resting now and trying to not sweat the small stuff. Saw my cardioligist, Med. provider, appointment with pain specialist in 3 weeks, and maybe a psycholigist... "No great concerns there"...Kids great with care of wife. She's 87.... Resting now...Back to square one... Trying to cope..At my age 86 and with the system the way it is...I feel alone and waiting...I keep hearing that "Every thing will be fine" as I keep being told...Follow up nurse is scheuled. THANKS...One day at a time...

REPLY
2 replies
Annie Johnson | @andreab | Mar 5, 2019
In reply to @rubbob1 "Remember, one night, Black cloud of Pain.... Ended up in ICU. Apparent OD. No memory of..." + (show)
@rubbob1

Remember, one night, Black cloud of Pain.... Ended up in ICU. Apparent OD. No memory of this. Ended up in a Health care unit in another city. Two weeks of rest. Sent home with my meds changed...Resting now and trying to not sweat the small stuff. Saw my cardioligist, Med. provider, appointment with pain specialist in 3 weeks, and maybe a psycholigist... "No great concerns there"...Kids great with care of wife. She's 87.... Resting now...Back to square one... Trying to cope..At my age 86 and with the system the way it is...I feel alone and waiting...I keep hearing that "Every thing will be fine" as I keep being told...Follow up nurse is scheuled. THANKS...One day at a time...

Jump to this post

Hello @rubbob1 - just checking in to see how you are doing today?

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 14, 2019
In reply to @rubbob1 "Remember, one night, Black cloud of Pain.... Ended up in ICU. Apparent OD. No memory of..." + (show)
@rubbob1

Remember, one night, Black cloud of Pain.... Ended up in ICU. Apparent OD. No memory of this. Ended up in a Health care unit in another city. Two weeks of rest. Sent home with my meds changed...Resting now and trying to not sweat the small stuff. Saw my cardioligist, Med. provider, appointment with pain specialist in 3 weeks, and maybe a psycholigist... "No great concerns there"...Kids great with care of wife. She's 87.... Resting now...Back to square one... Trying to cope..At my age 86 and with the system the way it is...I feel alone and waiting...I keep hearing that "Every thing will be fine" as I keep being told...Follow up nurse is scheuled. THANKS...One day at a time...

Jump to this post

Hi @rubbob1, how did your appointment go with the follow-up nurse? Have you seen the pain specialist yet?

REPLY
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