How to lose 5kg (11lb) in 24 hrs.

[Johnem]

That is how much weight in body fluid that I have just lost virtually overnight due to a diarrhoea bug. This was followed by excruciatingly painful stomach gas ejections (or farting as the NHS Site calls it.) I honestly can't understand how the porcelain remained intact, I could swear that one blast lifted me a couple of inches off the seat. The runs went on and on all night and half the next day and two days of gas eruptions followed, not that one knew for a fact that it would be just gas, nor was it. My nether region was in tatters and thank heavens for Vaseline intensive care with aloe vera .

Now I knew that I was carrying a lot of oedema as a recent echocardiogram has confirmed advanced heart failure and my left leg was almost 50% larger than my right with massive stomach bloating, this despite 80 mg a day of furosemide, naturally I have discontinued that for a while as need to replace fluid just now. However, the irony doesn't escape me as despite all the pain and misery, ( it's not easy trying to scuttle to the bathroom whilst attached to an oxygen line, treading on it and nearly tearing my ears off, whilst carrying a bucket in case of vomiting occurring, as my stomach was dramatically convulsing ) the fact is that just for the moment, all the oedema and bloating has gone and apart from a few ominous rumbles, I am much more comfortable than I was before the virus, big price to pay, but as they say, no pain, no gain, every cloud and all that.

The heart failure...mainly left side has apparently now placed me in final stage COPD as my doctor gently put it and he has personally taken over my treatment and says his job is to keep me comfortable and alive as long as possible...prognosis two years, which is better than I expected.

Just had to do another moon walk to the loo, it isn't giving up easy.

[Pentreath Volunteer]

Oh John, that is a seriously awful way to lose the weight. Take things gently to recover. So pleased to hear that your GP will be taking good care of you.

[Johnem in reply to Pentreath]

Thanks you are of course right, I was trying to make light of it, but it is still having a go and it is bad, on a par with dysentery which I caught when stationed at Christmas Island so many years ago.

[Pentreath Volunteer in reply to Johnem]

Oh I can imagine - I had amoebic dysentery when I was in Nigeria.

[sassy59]

Ouch Johnem, how awful for you. I hope things improve soon and you and the loo survive.

You take care and nice to hear your GP will be taking care of you. Xxxxx

[Johnem in reply to sassy59]

Thanks sassy.

[mrsmummy]

Do be careful what you use on your sore bottom. Vaseline is a no-no with oxygen because of fire risk. Get well soon.

[Johnem in reply to mrsmummy]

Understood, thanks.

Mind you, there are no naked flames, although it does feel on fire.

[hypercat54]

Hi diarrhoea is awful isn't it and I am so glad you are feeling a bit better not withstanding your latest dash! There are a number on here given x number of years but who have defied the doctors and still are. While there is life there is hope. x

[Johnem in reply to hypercat54]

Many thanks.

[helingmic]

Oh John, this is guts rending. I hope it eases soon. I'm glad you have such a good GP. I'm glad the oedemas have gone down too. I qixh you a better health soon. You may not be able to do any now, but after you have recovered from this terrible wash out, you could envisage some gentle exercises, especially sitting exercise. \of course, I wouldn't want to force you into anything,and your GP is the first person to whom you can ask if you can do some exercises. he might even refer you to pulmonary rehabilitation to maintain your current functions. . All the healing best, Mic

[Johnem in reply to helingmic]

Hi mic, thanks for the kind words. My heart ejection fraction is at 33 percent which is quite limiting, but I

now have a physio and she says a good idea is to save energy to do the daily things that I like best, so I do a very slow resting walk to feed a pair of mating swans when I am up to it. I have fed them for 17yrs and it's a lovely peaceful place. It takes about 90mins nowadays, but I love it.

[helingmic in reply to Johnem]

Well done John. That's the spirit.

I haven't got your difficulty, but I was 30% lung function in 2010. I went to the gym with my oxygen bottle. I gradually got better over 4 years up to 40% now. But I think mine was easier than yours. keep feeding those lovely swans. All the very best, Mic

[Johnem in reply to helingmic]

Well done Mic. Nothing is easy and it's always best to work at it. Five years ago I was 52% Fev1 and walked at least 4 miles a day with the dogs, now it's 37 or 34, can't remember which and the chronic shortness of breath developed mainly over the last year has wiped me out and I now struggle to walk approx 650 metres to the swans, takes me a good 30 mins with my godsend portable oxygen concentrator, then 30 mins feeding all my little friends that have found out that free scoff is to be had from a trusted source, especially in winter, then head back. I can only just manage to wash my face without oxygen...showering is better, I can wear it in there. I'm overdue a full function test, but I keep having non infection type flare ups and have to cancel due to rescue prednisolone...no doubt heart contributes as it is a fight between the two for oxygen. I must admit to being stunned to find out that my heart is only pumping out 33% blood, has a very thin RH upper cavity and is leaky.

I think that in a perfect NHS world, COPD patients should be given regular heart scans once at the severe stage, but unfortunately, the poor old NHS is stretched to breaking with lack of just about everything and I think that they do a fantastic job given the resources that they do have. It grieves me greatly to hear certain people who do nothing but complain about it because they are at the back of the queue with a snotty nose.

Well done again, keep it up and sorry about the little rant.

[helingmic in reply to Johnem]

John, thanks for the little "rant"! keep doing it. since I had a concentrator, I know what a godsend they are. I hope you have a review soon and that you get better too. All the best,Mic

[Caspiana]

Hello Johnem .

I am terribly sorry to hear you are so poorly at the moment. For now, please just focus on getting past this very uncomfortable bug. Take everything easy, and when things calm down, I hope you can get lots of healing sleep.

Sending you lots of love.

Cas xx 🌹

[Johnem in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks Cas, you are a very kind person and always helpful.

[Karenblue]

Hi I was in hopsital for 3 weeks copd stage 4 wen I come home I felt better but on niv machine at nite took a lot to get used to it but getting there I had a left swollen foot n leg wen I came out was on water tablets same as u flus but after 3 weeks my. Left leg had swollen more n my belly went dr up my med for 2 week now he sending my for a ultra scan y I don’t no I just got to wait for a phone call to let me no wen he said he booked it quick so wont wait long it’s so painful y do u think I got a scan thanks

[Karenblue in reply to Karenblue]

Also put on 2 stone

[Johnem in reply to Karenblue]

He is doing the right thing, lungs and heart have relationship in COPD

Very best wishes Karen.

[Hacienda]

Oh John, I feel for you, Sore Bum must be so painful, The positive is that You have been told 2 years by your lovely Consultant, and your weight loss must help you. Now, you can plan your days after you have recovered from this awful Bug. I wish you Luck and my Heartfelt Good Wishes for your Future. PS: I know about the " Oxygen Cable" more than once had it tripping me up dashing to the Loo. Love n Hugs, Carolina XXX

[Johnem in reply to Hacienda]

Many thanks to you.

[Shirleyj]

Oh john, that sounds awful, hope your tummy settles down soon, nothing worse than those griping stomach pains.

You take care x🌝🌝

[Johnem in reply to Shirleyj]

Thanks for that Shirley.

[Susan1200]

Hi John , it's horrible what you have,I had that once , mostly the whole day,I wish you a speedy recovery 🌹 take care .

[Johnem in reply to Susan1200]

Many thanks Susan.

[soulsaver]

I could do with losing 10lbs... but that's a method on which I'll pass..

...although I have tried the 'dubious take-away' diet a few times - felt like I'd sat on an IED.

Hope you get over it soon.

PS I know it's not funny really, but the post made me laugh, thnx.

[Johnem in reply to soulsaver]

Yeah, it was a funny post from you. Used to be from a 'bad pint' in my younger days and of course it was always funny if it was someone else.

Tatters I tell you, tatters.

[Alfiebax2]

Your post was really humorous to us I daresay , but not poor you with all those symptoms .Hope you pick up soon from this awful bug .As regards your doctor's remark bout you only have approx 2 years left as he said he will try to keep you comfortable but my friend if that is the case have the best last year's of your life .Enjoy whatever time you have and I hope you have longer . I don't know how old you are not that it makes a difference when you get a diagnosis like that .I'm wishing from the bottom of my heart you have a longer time with us and relatively pain free ..

Love Babs🤞♥️♥️

[Johnem in reply to Alfiebax2]

How lovely, thank you so very much Babs.

PS It was meant to raise a little smile, including the irony of the 'trots' doing a window rattling, painful, but far better job than 80mg furosemide daily. No point in life without a laugh.

I don't mind saying that I am 80 yrs old with a wife 7 yrs younger, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, two dogs and two cats, so my life has been a full one in many ways from being a bombed out kiddy in WW2 to seeing the amazing progress of to-day, so no complaints from me.

[Alfiebax2 in reply to Johnem]

Well my brave soldier I wish you many more but go easy on the sore bums 😁👍😁♥️♥️

[pixiewixie]

Ah Johnem what an amazing, special person you are. I hope that your poor old bumbles eases & that the scoots & rumbles cease! What a way to loose excess fluid, I think I will stick with my Lasix! However you sound so accepting & appreciative of the life you have lived. I hope that however long the rest of your life is in the time factor, that always the quality & fullness of it will be the main factor. Take care, X Pixiewixie

[Johnem]

That is so kind and I really appreciate it.