Good afternoon one and all, I trust that everyone is as well as you possibly can be?
As for me? well, I feel that my world is crashing down around me, to be honest as yet again, another stint in our local hospital was required due to the second C.O.P.D exacerbation within four months and while being an inpatient, I had another CT scan with contrast and also an up-to-date Echocardiogram.
Unfortunately, the results were not to our liking and in all honesty, we didn't expect the outcome. With all the other ongoing complexed health issues, we have been informed that I now have an LV dysfunction and LVH and they now tell us that there are now signs of severe emphysema to both upper parts of the lungs of which I am now at "Stage Three" apparently?
Both feet and up to my mid shins, there is a lot of oedema (discolouration of very dark blue/almost black) with blister type bubble effect that has spread faster than anticipation due to blood flow congestion according to my clinician team.
Can anyone advise me on what else I can expect to happen although I don't need to have anything else to happen on top of what I already have?
In truth, I am a little low in mood and frustrated at present because I can't do anything like I used to do because of health complications.
Hello, Geraint, nice to meet you. I'm sorry you're having such a bad time of it. The cardiac conditions you mention, does that amount to heart failure? I'm afraid I know very little about that, and I don't have COPD either, but there are others here who have both, who I'm sure will chip in presently. You could also try the BLF helpline (03000 030 555) or the British Heart Foundation (0300 330 3311.) I just wanted to say "hello"
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Hello, Hanne62. It's a pleasure to meet you also. As far as I am aware, it does sit in that category, unfortunately. It's classed as an enlarged heart as it has to work much harder to pump the blood oxygen to the lungs and other important parts of the body and organs.
Hi Geraint. So sorry that you're feeling very low at the moment. I'm stage 3 emphysema, but at present have very few ill effects. I'm afraid that I don't have any knowledge of your other conditions, but would really hope that your clinical team are working to improve your situation.
Thinking of you and hoping that you will be feeling a little happier very soon.
Hi Geraint, no wonder you are feeling down as it's a lot to take in. We can help a bit but phoning the helpline is a good idea as they can offer more.
Try and stay positive and hope you get all the help you need. Xxxx
In all honesty, I think one of the reasons of being in low, mood is because of my age and knowing what my Mam was going through before her passing. Being in the situation that I am in now, it makes me realise how much pain and suffering my Mam must have been going through at the time! She was only 63 when she passed of which I am sure you will agree with me when I say that it is of no age really? Thank you for your input as its much appreciated.
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I do agree, no age at all (I'm 64). I feel the same at times, Geraint, mostly when I'm lying awake at night feeling depressed. My father died very young, of a lung & heart condition. BUT! bear in mind there've been so many medical advances, new drugs, new treatments, since our parents died. Now you've got a full diagnosis you'll be getting the right treatment & will hopefully start to feel better. Don't despair Geraint. Chat here whenever you feel down, & maybe talk things through with one of the helpline nurses.
Your post took me back Geraint. My husband had exactly those symptoms, the very dark legs with "bubbly" skin, I think it was called cellulitis, and the prognosis was extremely gloomy; however, with the right drugs he improved wonderfully. He was diabetic and along with heart failure used to have to be watchful of that. I had to keep two sizes of all his clothes because he would bloat up with fluid then a week on diuretics and he'd go back to normal - bit of a roller-coaster really. There were times when things looked really black especially when he had a bad diabetic hypo and was "out of it" for four days and once again written off. Once again he bounced back and after four weeks in hospital was home again. Never give up - the drugs must be even more effective now because things move on rapidly so please stay positive, that is more than half the battle.
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