Am in hospital. It is 4am. Had a fall walking dogs on Tuesday. A&E admission. Bad break of 'ball' left shoulder. I am 'golden patient' for today, which is highest priority. So due for surgery at 7.30 am. However projectile vomited 'coffee' blood yesterday. A lot on two occasions covering bed and staff. Emergency endoscopy and immediate nil by mouth. So quite what today will bring I am not sure. Fingers crossed.
Pretty Scarey: Am in hospital. It is 4am. Had a... - PMRGCAuk
Pretty Scarey
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Marilyn1959
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Oh my goodness I am so sorry. Praying for your health and comfort. That has to be so scary.
Best~
S
Wow that's awful good luck and try to have a happy Christmas, somehow xx
Thinking of you! Hope surgery hors well.
Gosh you must have fallen heavily, I am sorry. Now you will have to take it easy. All best wishes.
Hugs
Praying for you and hoping you get through this with the least amount of turmoil, pain and being afraid of the unknown. Your going to be fine and home quickly. Soft hugs to you!
Oh no you poor darling. I’m sorry sweetheart. You must be terrified and in pain. Poor you. Please try to be strong. Let us know how you get on we are all waiting anxiously xxxxxx
So sorry to hear this, Marilyn. A horrible shock for you out of the blue. Please keep us updated when you can, you'll be in our thoughts Wishing you all the very best for a quick recovery and some answers.
Very best wishes to you that all goes well for you...Kathy x
All good wishes and soft hugs.
We are with you in our thoughts and hope everything will “fall into place” and you are able to cope with the pain etc.
What a thing to happen just before Christmas.😟
On a lighter note (if there is one for you at the moment)😏 - how did the dogs react when you fell?
They stayed by my side till a bystander knocked for my hubby. Bless them.
Oh dear, I can think of lots of expletives but I’ll send 💐💐💐 instead. I hope you get answers and fixes soon.
Hope all goes well, keep us updated.....
Hoping surgery successful and your internals get sorted
Ohhhhhh Marilyn! I am so sorry to hear this!!!! Please le us know how you get on! Fingers crossed here as well. xxx
Hopefully you are in the right place and should get the right treatment straight away. How awful for you though. Falls can be so problematic. Best wishes and the good care of yourself. x
Marilyn, I’m so sorry to read this. Hang on in there, and remember you have a lot of friends out here who are thinking of you and sending all the positive vibes we can. Hugs x
PMRproAmbassador
Oh I'm so sorry - how horrid at any time. This week is very bad timing indeed. I've done the hospitals and xmas mix several times and it doesn't really get better however many times you try it I fear.
Did no-one think to give you "stomach protection" immediately after the accident? It is quite common for gastric problems to occur after such events and it is standard practice here. And coffee-grounds vomits are horrible for everyone concerned.
Hope it all goes well - very gentle virtual hugs coming your way.
They never give you stomach protection in the UK , so if you are not already on the right GI or Antinausea medications or think to ask yourself this vomiting regularly happens ( at least from my experience with many friends and family over the years)
Wonder how much that "saving" costs the NHS? When I broke my leg many years ago I was discharged here with no plaster cast (that was fine, I could move!) but with heparin shots and antibiotics. I called the GP when I finally got home asking for a house visit. Why did I need a visit? I explained and he informed me I needed neither, I could wiggle my toes and that would prevent a clot. Only one clot in that conversation - and I gave him due warning that I would sue him if I did develop a DVT. The hospital promptly put a full length plaster cast (albeit with a knee hinge) which quite effectively stopped me moving much. I was lucky though. But I have read some very interesting papers about what the NHS spends on post-op DVTs.
I expect it is alot .
I would also be interested to see if there are any figures for the amount of people ( like me!) who recurrently get mini clots in their arms after poorly taken blood tests . I only see one Nurse at my practice now , who seems to be the only one to take clotting and differences in people's bleeding and bruising issues into consideration using lower gauge needles and massage on the arm area before taking blood .
I had one blood test recently and had a mini clot in my forearm for two weeks and excessive bruising , what did they do , said oh that's bad , keep an eye on it and gave me a pamphlet.
I relied on my own knowledge and internet research to finally get some relief without the possibility serious implications of it quickly dispersing in my system. Not acceptable.
After surgery all you get is the same pamphlet and the same advice , and they regularly miss DVT in assessment as well . My father eventually died from a undiscovered thrombosis causing his last major heart attack , and that was 35 years ago , you would think things would have come along by now.
I went for a blood test today. It really was like a comedy show. The nurse got a little blood out then it stopped. She then tried my other arm, then the first arm, then my hand, then my forearms. She then called in another nurse to help, who also tried. I have these dots all over, presumably massive bruises soon too. One bruise was a very pretty aquamarine colour, which would look lovely as a dress! I was meant to have two phials of blood, they managed to get just one by emptying the partially filled phials into just one. Goodness knows if it will be accepted as it wasn’t really full. I was hoping to not go to the surgery after Christmas when all the people with bugs decide to visit, I may have to for another go at getting blood out of me.
I know it's ridiculous , and let's not even consider the possible contamination of the sample by putting the two blood samples in one and leaving it open to the air!
Keep an eye on the funny coloured bruise , and very gently do a pinching massage up your arms from the wrist to above the elbow on the inner side of the arm , on both arms a few times in the day or if you feel slightly numb.
Do some gentle rotation movements of your arms and wrists too. The activity and massage helps keep the circulation, prevent clots and reduce the length of bruising.
If you do notice any feeling of loss of circulation , pain or swelling in your arm and discolouration in the vein area but not where the blood was taken to and get it checked.
I usually take garlic capsules that help with the circulation and blood tests too.
Good lord - I hope that wasn't a mix of anticoagulants! They'd have been out on their ear after the 3rd attempt (and that is being generous). It ISN'T rocket science - use your brain!!!!
It must have been the Christmas spirit that made me watch in total disbelief. I am going swimming tomorrow so will look as if I have been in a pub fight.
I know it's great when you have all the bruises and blobs and have to get your body out , I don't even think about it anymore but if my friend sees me before I go in the water and I haven't warned her about a new thing she gets quite a shock.
Keep telling her , ' Don't worry Matey , I might look like Lena Leper but nothing is going drop off today!' 😂😂
Enjoy your swim , have to say the water is one of the only places I feel comfortable or can get some exercise these days , perhaps I am turning into a fish! xx
I love swimming, I did find with the purpura I get, the blood spots, that people kept away from me in the swimming pool which was a plus and gave me more room to splash around.
Yes , it's funny isn't , plus you get ages in the shower on your own afterwards.
I get exercise or movement induced purpura on my legs , pleasant isn't it, like looking like a purple turkey !!
My GI issues cause other skin related things that scare them far more and are the things that shock my friend , she can cope with the ,' patchy , purple people eater'!
Do you put something on your skin to help stop it getting worse or reacting from the water, it can dry you out too?
The swimming is the only exercise I can do without numbness in my legs and arms getting in the way of me being active and really helps the back , hip and neck pain so it's worth it. xx
My purpura look as if I have been fighting with a wild animal lots of small blood blisters. They go away after a week or two though. When I go swimming I count up the number I can see when I get to the end of the pool, an excuse for getting my breath back. Swimming is great as it supports the body for you!
Do you have to float a moment as well before you put your feet on the floor when you take a break, I have to do that now because I do really well until I stand up .
It's one of those dizzy moments that makes me think , Good Grief Woman you're not 50 yet!!
I tend to do backstroke as I had a new hip recently and was told not to do breast stroke. I do float up to the end to turn round! The swimming pool has recently been refurbished and the shallow end now comes up to just below my nose. A friend does aqua aerobics and had to stop as when they said put you feet flat down, she was in danger of drowning.
Oh , gosh , and typical , no one ever seems to take into consideration the purpose of a thing and the people who use it before making so called improvements.
The new Pontio Arts Center in Bangor is totally unfit for disabled access from outside , even if it is alright on the inside.
My friend still hasn't managed the walk from the Carpark at the side of the building and no side entrance next to it you must walk all the way around to the front , and the building is half way up a steep hill with the front entrance looking to the street with three flights of steep stairs from the road , total nightmare for anyone like us with Chronic pain and hip issues but who may not qualify for a blue badge.
To get to my swimming pool after parking you have to walk over a rather bumpy field as they have closed off the original entrance. No steps thank goodness, but very heavy doors and the most ridiculous door knobs that are impossible to open, some young people today even had trouble, they look very modern though. They have built a sort of sunroom overlooking the outside pool which is glorious except they have used tiles that are not non slip on the floor, who designs these things? They have sort of got over it by sticking rugs from Ikea around the place, which works but looks a bit tacky.
Yes , yet again looks over purpose .
It's all very well creating a great looking building and giving the appearance that you have got modern but when the aesthetics are put over how it practically used by people and it isn't really fit for purpose they should be taught a lesson and we should bulldoze it and make them start again.
There are plenty of modern and amazing looking buildings that get it right , local planners should search them out and follow their example.
Oh piggy that’s a terrible experience. I’ve never heard of that before!!!!!
Oh how dreadful. I’ve already had a blood thinner shot in my tummy. I hate the way you get treated 😭😭😭😭😭
You are sweet , but I keep myself calm thinking once well I will get my ultimate revenge , and keeping calm through all their nonsense is the key isn't it.
Or I might turn into a fish , of course ( see above comment to Piglette) I nearly said Mermaid , but in my condition that would be stretching it! xx
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer
So sorry, get well soon 💐
So sorry to hear this , gentle Angel hugs to you x
What a nasty experience. Wishing you well.-
Oh dear, so sorry to hear this. Hope the surgery goes well and they sort you out soon. What a time for it to happen but hopefully you'll be home for Christmas.
I'm so sorry. I hope things start to get better for you soon.
Sorry to hear this news particularly at this festive time. Hope surgery goes well. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Valerie
I'm so sorry, what a nasty thing to have happen. Hopefully you are in good hands and will heal quickly and well. Imagine all the good little cells in your body rushing to repair the damage!
I am so sorry to hear this news.
I hope that your surgery is successful on the shoulder and does not cause too much additional PMR pain.
Also hoping that the endoscopy solves those other GI questions.
Please rest and don't be tempted to leave hospital too quickly even though it is Christmas , and we know how they like to try and clear the beds for the silly season.
Make sure you get some time on bed rest and observation there so you can be sure what side effects the fall and surgery may have on your PMR symptoms and they can properly assessed any changes you need to make to your Pred dose and other medications.
Take care , keep warm , as mobile as you can manage and have lots of fluids , fluids and mineral supplements help muscle and tendon recovery. Arnica cream is good to bring out any slow bruising if you are tolerant to it.
Thinking of you and yours and I wish you a happy healthier New Year.
Hi All, thank you for your good wishes. Concerns re vomiting blood have over ridden op on arm. Will have another endoscopy tomorrow and we go from there. After 24hours NIL by mouth it is surprising how tasty plain jacket potatoes with butter is!!! I had trouble getting IV pred as surgeon thought I could go without for a few days!!!! I just got my own prescription pred out. Put it on my side table and said I will take that or your IV version, but whatever, I do it in half an hour. Job done. IV drugs administered. Crisis averted!!!
My boring tuna sandwich failed to arrive at tea time. (Chosen deliberately in case I do have a 'tear in throat'. So after much chasing have a dry cheese sandwich instead. So hungry I will take anything!. X
P'S Christmas day in hospital - do patients get a Christmas Dinner? Just wondering and trying to plan ahead.
When my father was in hospital for Christmas he was given a turkey sandwich and stuffing for lunch along with a jelly for pudding. Both wrapped up in plastic!
Yes they do , as long as you can stomach it!
We took my Nana a Christmas lunch from home when she was in , a big relief too her and it made her feel more comfortable.
Hospital food is terrible . Not necessarily just the cooking , but despite all of the access to dietitians and being OTT on salt , it is the most nutritionally imbalanced diet around and not fit for purpose for any patients with GI , heart or stroke related issues.
The Nurse on one of my visits , initially grumpy with my comment about there being nothing I could eat , said that the diet is created to help build up weak patients after illness.
I pointed out , that surely , building them up with inappropriate , over fat laden food probably wasn't good for the patient in hospital , or helpful in showing them what to eat when they left.
She finally brought me my first meal , all I could have because of my GI issues , a Jacket potato , no butter, low fat alternative written on the menu , as topping choices had been cheese or tuna which had to come with mayo .
Literally , they had put an uncut potato on a plate with nothing , it rolled around pitifully as she handed it over . Dessert , full creamy yoghurt , as that what they do to cut sugar!
She , finally started reading my menu and got the point, even a salad involves less salad and a giant portion of coleslaw!
On a different visit , the Male Nurse , from overseas ( thank goodness for immigration into NHS jobs! ) , was so angry he went down to the kitchen and made me a salad himself. Wonderful , I cried , I had been quarantined from surgical infection and had only eaten an apple in two days!
Roast dinners and custard based puddings! Bacon and slimy crust topped eggs! Mayo smothered sandwiches , even the ice cream is full fat , sugar fuelled cinema junk!
The ward I am often on is for people with GI , liver and gallbladder issues , all virtually no fat diets , and the nurses wonder why all the patients repeatedly get dinner then eat half and get bad symptoms again.
The Nurse in question finally understood why , on the whole , when I am in hospital ,I take my own food and snacks and the OH brings in a salad or other healthy soup or stew kept hitting a flask while I am there. It's survival !
If your visitors can manage it ask them to bring you things and have a mini cool box or bag to keep it cool , sandwiches , salads , soup in a flask , fresh fruit , rice cakes , nice bread , healthy nibbles and dried fruits and cereal bars and also yoghurt , low fat, sugar rice pudding pots or jelly to eat while you chat. Lots of mineral or bottled tap water instead of the Luke warm stuff in a jug .
A Gingerbread and Turkey sandwiches from home will do you more good than the awful hospital fayre and make you feel more homely too.
Take care and I hope you get better soon.
And well done for standing your ground on getting your Pred sorted , they are all so ignorant about the impact of not taking your PMR meds regularly on the wards, if possible ask if your Rheumy has been informed and ask if it will be possible for them to come down to visit you to discuss if you might need any changes or advice to do with your PMR and Meds because of this fall and its side effects.
Hi, hope you get better soon, and I also want to say thanks to all the migrant doctors and nurses, when my Dad was really sick and couldn't explain because of dementia it was a chinese doctor and a congolese male nurse who spent ages working out his problems, previously his English GP said to me after getting frustrated that he couldn't say where he hurt " this is hopeless" and just referred him to hospital!!
The best , most considerate and sensitive care I have received over the years has consistently been from doctors from overseas , it's the British ones that seem to be the most closed minded and callous.
Most of my issues in getting a diagnosis seem to stem from the differences in treatment and tests chosen by doctors with vastly different attitudes and training . And I am still not totally sorted out because of it.
Often one doctor from overseas will look intensively , decide on tests and possible diagnosis then another one steps in and shuts down what the overseas doctor chose to do.
My recent experience in opthamology case in point , Sudanese locum found uvietis , treated it , had other issues went back in , British registrar treated Me like dirt for wearing my sunglasses then considered putting something in my eyes without proper testing.
Stopped by the Nurse , who took me to one side , told me to go home , said I had episcleritis and should take photos when I got home to prove it.
This Clinical inconsistency blights all of our experiences in Health Care , it is worrying that there is such a wide gap between the type of care overseas doctors are taught to give as standard and the standard care British doctors are trained to give.
Awh Marilyn
What a nasty break, hope they are keeping you well medicated for the pain. I’m a bit behind reading due to my eye issues, hope they get to the bottom of the vomiting & coffee ground!
Good Luck with your Surgery if you have’nt had it yet.
All The Very Best 🙏🏼
MrsN 🌺🌺🌺
How are you doing today Marilyn? Thinking of you xxx
So sorry. Hope you soon get clear diagnosis and are put on the road to recovery.
So sorry Marilyn - you could have done without this. Hope surgery goes well. Take care. Post when you can - we are all routing for you. Much love xx
I hope your stomach soon settles from the shock of the fall and the surgeon can do the repair job asap. Meanwhile, I hope you are as comfortable as possible.
Thinking of you. x
Sorry to read of your plight. Get well soon. You have a grandchild waiting for you!
I certainly have kariols16!
Had a second endoscopy today. They want to be certain about what they are dealing with with the stomach issues before doing op, since to vomit suddenly during op could be life threatening.
An orthopaedic shoulder specialist is working next week so looking likely op will go ahead Christmas, providing stomach issues are dealt with. Alternatively they are considering sending me home and my returning for op after Christmas. As far as I am concerned I am not prepared to go hone in my current state, which is the same state I was admitted in five days ago! ,I am not bothered it is Christmas, just need quick access to painkillers!
I missed this! Oh Marilyn! I couldn’t feel more sorry for you. Heal well sweetheart. ❤️
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