I was diagnosed with Coronary Artery disease, High Blood Pressure, osteoarthritis, and Carple Tunnel in 2015, I was already on treatment of Gabapentin and Tramadol for Neuropathic Pain but 3 months ago I had a confirmed diagnosis of Emphysema (work related as never smoked) and yet more scans and tests are being done as now my spo2 is dropping anywhere down to 75 on the oximeter and my heart rate is being increased up to 140bpm or more when the sat's drop.
I have recently been in much more pain from the Neuropathic problems so I have been changed from Gabapentin to pregabalin but have been told it can increase your weight, I gained some weight with the Gabapentin to which I lost but could not face another increase in weight as I move much slower now and with heart problems I do not need a weight gain as the Heart is already under enough pressure, as now they think there could be 2 more heart problems, one being a possible hole in the heart, the other being possible fluid so would need to be drained scans tomorrow.
Just as you think you are on top of it in your mind something throws a spanner in the works and my mind goes all over the place, good job I don't Google it all,hate to think what it would say lol.
Just hope people get help with coming to terms with different things medically and are not left in the dark, I have to say my Cardiologists and Respiratory Specialist communicate with each other and include my GP, which helps me tremendously. I have to give praise to them all for all they do and in trying to help me to understand it all, unfortunately I take a while to understand it all which is not their fault.
I do hope Pete and you are able to keep your chin up, I only wish I knew back in my younger years what I know now, having and working in stables and with crops is not the way to go, clogs your lungs and narrows arteries, like with all the smoke after burning of the stubble, I would definitely not have stood so close getting the massive amounts of it in my face, but can not change what was !! Only the what is Wight hope for it not to get to much worse.
With such a lot of problems I'm not surprised you feel overwhelmed. It's good that the consultants and your gp are working together. Hopefully you'll get some more answers after your scans and tests.
Weight gain because of medication and difficulty exercising is a problem a lot of us face. (On steroids I went from 11 stone to 16 stone - back to 11 stone)
Have you been to pulmonary rehab? The exercises there are well chosen, supervised and introduced at an easy level then gradually increased. If you have not been ask your doctor if you can be referred.
Ask about seeing a dietitian too.
Meanwhile just keep doing what you can and hard though it is try to avoid too many processed or fatty foods.
I am not able to do the rehab until the tests are complete, but I had not even thought about a Dietitian that would be excellent moving forward to keep me on a good eating regime and get advice on shat I eat now.
I know eating habits are the main cause of weight issues but they need to be monitored so the tablets will not I hope make an extreme impact.
It does seem that if you get one health condition then more do get added over time. It is hard to get your head around it all, and all the different meds that you have to take for them all as well. Mine have come after not having to see any doctor at all for over 50 years, (although my emphysema must have been there unnoticed for many years). I have multiple conditions too and somehow I have coped mentally with each new disastrous diagnosis, I cannot advise on how I have coped, other than accepting them for what they are. What I can say is that I have got used to living with them, which in reality is all you can do, it is the medical profession's job to actually deal with them.
I do use a meds tracker app on my phone that tells me what to take, the dosage and sounds an alarm when it is time to take them. Invaluable in that I do not have to remember it all, even when busy at work, I have never missed taking a dose because of it.
As well as emphysema, I also have coronary artery disease, peripheral cardiovascular disease, hypertension and more recently lung cancer. I do not expect it to stop there either.
I have already bought a Cadex watch, my worry of remembering to take meds has been taken care of, the watch also has my data on it ie Name, DoB, Emergency Contact, Doctor, allergies, Medical Conditions and Medications, it I have to say is really good (not cheap) would not be without it and the Emergency services know what they are about.
Great stuff, the watch. I have a tap2tag wristband that basically does the same thing with all my medical data, contact numbers etc. Gives me that added confidence when I am out and about on my own, which I do a lot of.
Hello Ronnie, it is fair to say you have your fair share of life's awful diseases and coping with it all is mind blowing, but the brutal truth in all of this is you have to, or go under my friend and none of us or your family and friends want to see that. What I have learnt most of all since being on this site is your not alone or unique with your health worries. We are all in the same boat. So just take it one step at a time and any time your stressed, don't know which way to turn then get it off your chest to us, it really helps Ronnie. Please take care of yourself and keep us in the loop ✋️🙂
Thankyou so much, I will keep you all in the loop on test results.
I must admit I feel a bit more positive knowing I have this site to talk over any issues, even if it might from time to time feel like I am on my own, this site has proven that is certainly not the case. X
I understand what you mean. "Just when you think you are in top of it" . Definitely sounds very familiar to me. Every one has given excellent advice. I just want to say, you are not alone. Please do come and share with us when you feel you need to. Always a sympathetic eat and kindly advice.
Take care and take things a day at a time, a step at a time.
Ronnie I enjoyed reading your post. Thank you for sharing the challenges and many concerns that come with newly diagnosed health problems.
I originally posted my asthma issues. And I have learned from so many of you,... I live in Florida and no, it hasn’t been paradise. I am allergic to their constant fawn and flora, what do you know! But it’s under control.
You seem to have a great medical team, and they communicate with each other. Stay on top of your health eating right and exercise what they recommend for you to stay active.
However, not only do we have to face the health challenges, but also the new meds, so many meds set us back.... last Spring I was like a zombie with all they had me on. Well, ‘Spring is here again they say, ‘ not in Florida, here is ongoing! I take my Asmanex everyday everyday! And when the rainy season comes, oh, I just stay indoors in more ways than one!
bronchiectasis, awaiting heart bypass , carpul tunnel in both hands, 2 cancer scares, arthritis, knee op and still in pain, back and hip pains.
Went in for tests before knee op to see if ok for anaesthetic, and the CT scan found a 11mm lump in my breast and bronchiectasis, and that I needed a 3x heart bypass. Already had a heart attack previously as 41.
My drs confire with each other as well makes it so much easier to ask questions one will have a answer ....I inly Google definitions because sometimes people use different terminology for the same thing I also hace coronary artery disease copd and such had corpal tunnel suegery years ago we have alot in common minus the while in heart so far but have hypertension...yes when ever i goto Drs rwady to ask they throw something new at me then it becomes a jungle in my mind for a few days good luck with your test
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
It only took my practice 8 years to concur! 
Banging my head against a brick wall. Grrrrrr
Have we all gone back to the playground 
Letting My Heart Rule My Head...
Any info on a bulla on the lung would be appreciated!!
