Hi friends.
Just curious if anyone has had a problem being admitted to the hospital with breathing problems? It seems like here in the U.S. (at least in Louisiana) it's just not going to happen...even if you're gasping for air. I'm so serious. What the heck is wrong with people? I had gone to three different hospitals a few months back, and they all sent me home. I could NOT breathe. So much for healthcare!
No but I had gone to a pulmonary Dr. His staff checked my O2 level and it was 54. They gave me oxygen treatment and said I should order some. I was told to come back in a month. The same afternoon my niece had changed my appointment with my primary Dr. I told his PA about my O2 level. She said if it's that low she was calling 911 EMS came and rushed me to hospital. Besides low O2 I also had pneumonia and other health problems. I am now on oxygen 24/7. My primary Drs PA called the original pulmonary Dr and lashed out at him. She then went through her files to see if any of her patients used that Dr. if they did she then called them to recommend using another pulmonary Dr. Now that's efficient
Thats wonderful not to many docs out there like that. Thank God you had appt with gp
My pulmonary doctor has told me he doesn't want me in the hospital as there are too many germs and that is what copd patients need to avoid. It's a bad place for us. Did they do any x-rays to rule things out for you?
Yes they did an x-rays, but I honestly felt I needed to be admitted.
I had O2 treatment every 4 hrs,pneumonia, 2 nodules on my thyroid. Multiple other things. I had sonograms of feet and thyroid. My feet had been so swollen. I had EKG CT tons of blood test and misc other test
I actually have had the opposite. I had not yet been diagnosed but was having an exacerbation. I had been coughing really hard - drowning in my own fluids and I went to my doctor to get antibiotics and steroids (past treatment that works). They checked my oxygen sat level and looked at me and said "We can't treat you today. You need to go straight to the emergency room." Which I did - I was there 12 hours in the ER receiving breathing treatments and breathing oxygen. They ordered home oxygen for me and I went home to accept delivery. They wanted me to stay but I really believed the meds I got would work. Two weeks later, still very sick I was rushed to the ER and admitted. I stayed 2 weeks and went home well but exhausted. Eight weeks of being sick and not walking or exercising at all, I was so weak I could barely do a thing. I received wonderful care but then once home I was unable to do anything but rest. I don't have the income to get the help I needed then. Medicare will offer home visits from an RN, physical therapy and even speech therapy (breathing) but for the ordinary things like help with cooking or helping to clean up after 8 weeks of being sick - it took me months to recover. I have only my small social security check to live on but it is too much to get any kind of help from an aide. Folks poor enough to qualify for Medicaid, get all the help they need. That was really hard. After I got well, they did all the lung function tests and I was diagnosed with Stage II COPD. Now, I have a pulmonologist and when I feel like I am coming down with a cold or other changes that affect by breathing or my lungs, I get to my doctor withing 2 days, go on steroids and so far, have not had another exacerbation in 15 months now! Yay! I am on oxygen anytime I am up moving about other than short walks around the house and I sleep with it. I feel great! The most important things we can do are eat healthy, get good sleep, exercise and have a doctor we trust and at the first sign of trouble - get there!
DeanneQ, My husband and I are both disabled and "living" on SSD (me due to lung cancer, him because of over 6 cervical surgeries), we are both on Medicare. If we were not married, we would be able to get more help. If I knew then what I know now, never would have gotten married.
Medicare sucks!
I pay out each month a total of $320 a month for my Medicare and supplemental coverage. I could pay less but then I would have more bills than I could pay for. So I bite the bullet and pay for peace of mind. If I am scared about what it will cost - I won't go and my health matters. I have help from HUD to pay my rent (30% of income), so my insurance costs more than my rent. However, by having this coverage I do get excellent care for any doctor who accepts Medicare assignment. I wish they would allow more visits to pulmonary rehab.
We are very lucky, our income is low enough that Medicaid pays our part B premiums (saving us $216), and we get extra help to help pay for our HMO and prescriptions (we have Independent Health). But we still had to go with the lower premium higher copay plan, can't afford to shell out $154 a month). I looked into using straight Medicare with a supplemental plan, but the only one available in my state is the one through AARP. That plan is $189 per month per person. So, we bite the bullet, pay the higher copay for specialists, and only go when absolutely necessary.
My insurance had physical therapist come to my home for 13 treatment. Maximum allowed
I agree, the heath care system in America is very broken. I hope you did get the help you needed.
Every time I go to ER with breathing problems they always want to keep me.
I'm in Erie Pennsylvania and if you say you can't breeze they take your right in and keep given your medicine until you can breeze then they let you go home I don't go to the hospital now so much and I can't breathe very well at all but I'm on oxygen 24 seven I take my medicine and when I start having trouble I sit and do my deep breathing through my nose in through my nose and out through my mouth through pursed lips and after a time that seems to help but there's not much more the hospital can do once you're in the end stages
I don't know why they have such an uncaring attitude. I have excellent insurance.
Try meditation and deep breathing exercises. I know the apps are on the IPhone. One is calm and the other is headspace
Just try it, you may like it and it may help relax you. 🏊🏽😊
bless you, friend. that's scary.
Ive been in the hospital 8 days now. I have COPD, Asthma, and a chest infection. I came here i couldnt breath at all. I had numerous episodes of not being anle to catch my breath almost passed out a few times bc i panic. This is new to me. I also live in an apt bldgn that is RIDDLED with mold out in the hall due to multiple floods that landlord just says will dry (23 floods in 6 yrs) no windows no light. Dark closed hall..perfect for mold. Everytime i go through to leave i get outside and im gasping to breath. My oxygen level on oxygen is 92 at rest...without its 89..so 88 being the cutoff they wont send me home on oxygen a week or so until i get through the infection. Theyre releasing me today im terrified. I know my bodym i need oxygen when i loise breath but bc im 1 # away its a no. I habe good ins too so wth
If you value your health do what you can to MOVE! You will ever get healthy breathing mold. Some people can take it but not those of us with lung problems. Good luck
Horrible COPD weekend
Depression and cOPD
hiatus hernia 
Help, think my 'moderate COPD' diagnosis is wrong!
