3.5 years IL Post Opp

[beatthis62]

Hi , i haven't posted in a long while . Its now 3 .5 years since my IL operation and things are fairly settled with the all the usual ups and downs along the way!

Recently though i have been experiencing difficulty sleeping propped up in bed.

I sleep forward facing , i start coughing and get a feeling of shortness of breath and have to move on to my right side. Also sometimes if am sitting at a table and lean forward for a little while, i experience the same problems and i feel a bit of a panic coming on!

Has anybody else had the same experience as this and what might be going on ?

[Mauser1905]

HI,

No news is good news, right? Meaning the functionality is at its best that could be achieved.

Often coughing is normal for patients like us, within reasons.

Leaning forward is body's normal (non-conscious) reaction to the abdomen pain/strain. Have to make conscious effort to keep body posture so as not to lean forward.

With 3.5 years in the log book, I am pretty sure you are taking all sensible care to avoid regurgitation of food by avoiding late eating, too much liquid just before bed, et al.

Simple pop corn or toasted bread slice in the night may help those regurgitation episodes which may cause coughing due to throat irritation. this is again body's defense working to make you do something at that point in time.

Most importantly, suggest to find a pattern in your symptoms, like dates, times, activities, food and drinks, and anxiety raising television/media etc prior to such coughing episodes.

Panic is unhelpful for your symptoms, easier said than done. Document symptoms, find a pattern (as with 3.5 years management experience you are the best judge for your body), speak to your GP, CNS or get a referral to community dietetics if needing hep with your food pattern assessment.

The OOB can be aggravated if the panic kicks in. If you have any smart phone, it should have oximeter sensor. Using an app you can easily check your Blood Oxygen saturation levels. Otherwise you can buy a very easy to use oximeter for £10 onwards from any online retailers or local pharmacies. My SPO2 levels I have noted to drop as low as 89 after meals OOB dumping episodes, consistent pattern. Please document as much symptoms and concerns to be discussed with your GP on a primary care basis.

[beatthis62 in reply to Mauser1905]

Hi thanks for the reply ,all great advice . I will look into oximeter sensor etc and post again in the near future for an update.

[Mauser1905 in reply to beatthis62]

Good stuff, you taken my gibberish positively.

As a first point of contact, please ring your GP; however small concern. Perhaps your bloods due for check up.

[Notknowmuch in reply to Mauser1905]

Hi Mauser1905, I have read comments about eating pop corn to settle coughs. Wouldn’t the husk be a little sharp to swallow? Hence, I have not given popcorn to my husband.

[Mauser1905 in reply to Notknowmuch]

Hi,

If one can swallow toasted bread, pop corn should be ok, technically. I enjoy all those things.

You have to trial and error within reasons, without that you won't find what works or not.

[Notknowmuch]

Congratulations with your success in managing your condition for the 3.5 years after IL surgery!

Hope you are able to get help soon for an excellent outcome. Take care.

[beatthis62 in reply to Notknowmuch]

Thank you

[Molly14]

Hi - I’m 5yrs and take tickle coughing fits which leave me breathless - seems to be my scar tissue up by my throat that gets irritated - also happens if I slip down sleeping - I sleep bolt upright - I take some dry cough syrup at times which helps settle It - all the best