Bad week

[Constance13]

Started feeling cold "inside", which proceeded continuous shaking. Couldn't get warm even with a bathrobe and double duvet over me. Needed to go to the loo - got up and collapsed. Then the difficulties really started. I couldn't get up, husband couldn't move me. We tried to get me to toilet, or at least back to bed. Not possible! Twenty-five minutes later decided to ring 116/117 (equivalent to 111 in England (I believe)! First thing they asked "have you been to a doctor (I'm on the floor remember). It's now 12 noon and the say "it is our lunch break now"!?!

Tried again to get me up. Eventually had to ring for Paramedics. They came within 8 minutes.

Long story short! Paramedics were fantastic - took me to toilet, helped to change my clothes, got me back to bed. Said I should go to hospital (by this time "exhaustion" wasn't in it) I refused (who goes willingly to hospital in these troubled times)?

One week later I'm still in bed but much improved. Kidneys were very painful. I'd fallen on my very arthritic hip so movement was very difficult, but it wasn't broken.

Nothing to do with PMR/GCA but just wanted to report how wonderful the Paramedics were.👏👏👏👏

[SheffieldJane]

Sending gentle hugs. What was it? Kidney infection?Get well soon! 🌷

[Constance13 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Jane. It is a kidney infection, yes,

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Constance13]

My sympathies- I had kidney infection when I was in my early twenties - thought I was going to die! .. bit dramatic but at 2 o clock in the morning you think all sorts of things! And yes, extremely painful 😖

Get better soon. ❤️

[Wcg1 in reply to Constance13]

Take very great care, I had an episode like this a few years ago, a kidney infection which developed into sepsis. Are you on antibiotics? I ended up getting to hospital where I promptly collapsed and ended up in hospital on intravenous antibiotics for a week. I do hope you feel better very soon. 💐

[Constance13 in reply to Wcg1]

I've had sepsis so I was very aware of what I had to look for. I suppose I should have had antibiotics but didn't want to go into hospital. I just upped the Pred for a few days and then "waited to see".

Gradually getting back to normal, thank goodness.

💐

[MrsNails]

Oh Constance, have you been in touch with your GP? Are you feeling any better?

Sending Love & Hugs 💐

Angela xx

Have you had a Covid Test?

[Constance13 in reply to MrsNails]

Feeling much better now Angela, thank you. To both questions 'no'. Doctor doesn't do house calls at the moment. Wouldn't be well enough to go for a Covoid Test. Husband looking after me much more than the help I would get in hospital.

[MrsNails in reply to Constance13]

Glad you are feeling better 🙏🏼 sounds like a nasty bug or virus.

Continue to get well

Keep Safe Both of You 🙏🏼

Angela xx

[Constance13 in reply to MrsNails]

No - it was definitely a kidney attack. I've landed up in hospital three times already over the last five years) so I know the drill and just 'couldn't' go through with it at the moment.😏

[MrsNails in reply to Constance13]

I can imagine, keep safe & well xx

[Dambusters in reply to Constance13]

I feel so lucky. When I was really ill, the doctor came out looking like a spaceman....but that was before we went into Tier 3.I do hope you're better soon.

[Constance13 in reply to Dambusters]

Thanks Dambusters. Sometime this drafted disease (Covoid) will be over. I think we have learned a lot about behaviour (good and bad). I hope we will be wiser and more understanding in future.

[123-go]

You poor soul! What a horrible experience! If the kidney pain returns, hopefully not, do seek advice.Paramedics are wonderful; I haven't had any personal experience but others close to me have and give them high praise.

[Rose54]

hope you are feeling better

[Constance13 in reply to Rose54]

Thank you! I'll get there. 😊 🤶

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I know, got a tame one - but naughty Constance is going to get a telling off from me again: FIRST call in a situation like that is 112. I'm younger and fitter than you two and I couldn't get anyone up from the floor on my own. Messing about for that long could have been the difference between HAVING to go to hospital once they arrived.

Your GP is a bit pathetic - ours has been doing house calls for those that need it all along and OH has had a couple of hospital trips in the last month, one just a visit, then an out-patient procedure a few days later and then a couple of days inside.

BTW - I was wondering where you were, I had noticed you were rather quiet ...

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Last sentence! I thought you would - and I fully accepted/awaited my usual telling off as far as doctors/hospitals are concerned.😂😂💥

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

But I really am totally serious - please promise it will be 112 immediately next time. And if 116/7 REALLY answered like that - I'd be putting in a complaint.

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

They really did!! David was furious.I've ordered a Johaniter Notfall Armband. They will look after us in future.

It was the 'hospital' I was afraid of - that's why I didn't want D to ring them!!

Thanks for your care. 👏🤶

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Just asked D if he wanted a roll with lunch. He answered "no leave it till nearer teatime"!!! I thought he'd lost the plot somehow - until I fell in myself.

Really - at his age!?!🎅🏼

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to Constance13]

'Tis the season...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Apparently never too old ...

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to Constance13]

For some reason, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree has been worming my ear all afternoon having read this....

[yogabonnie]

so sorry you went through this! Bravo Paramedics.

[Kendrew in reply to yogabonnie]

HI YOGABONNIE. Just thought I'd catch you as I saw you here! I've sent you a couple of private messages and wondered if you'd received them as they seem to keep disappearing into the ether!! Initially they're visible as being sent and then I can't find any trace of them!! Most strange! Everyone else .......please forgive me for hijacking this post!

[yogabonnie in reply to Kendrew]

HI. I did see them and answered! these chats are bizarre. and Yes ANYONE who wants to join is welcome!! you can give them the link or have them email or message me! I think one person did. And I emailed! thanks

[Kendrew in reply to yogabonnie]

Oh dear. Not sure what's going wrong as I didn't receive any replies. No worries. Looking forward to seeing you again Thursday. These sessions have been brilliant. Thankyou so much. Xxxx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kendrew]

Report the problem to HU.

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

Done.........automated message came back saying either messages not recognised so probably in my spam folder (they weren't!) or they've been blocked. Another member had similar issue whilst trying to message yogabonnie so maybe problem is yogabonnie's end.

[Longtimer]

Oh dear, what a dreadful response you got, a complaint is needed!Glad though that you have it sorted and at least know what is wrong.....hope you feel better soon.....🙏

[Suffolklady]

Get better soon 💕

[Marilyn1959]

Hope you improve soon. Thinking of you and sending virtual hugs. Xx

[Kaaswinkel72]

Send them a donation with your thank you card. They usually don t get those nice thank u... only human!!

[greengages]

Hope you are feeling better very soon. Prone to kidney infections most of my adult life so my heart goes out to you. They are the thing I dread coming down with the most. Sending hugs, stay warm and safe xx

[Constance13 in reply to greengages]

Thanks greengages.💐 Even worse for me this time as I am having bowel difficulties too - pain all the way!😏Must keep my pecker up though - there are so many far worse than me around.

[greengages in reply to Constance13]

Double whammy just what you don’t need! I hope you pick up soon and are able to enjoy xmas. Take care, I hope the pain eases soon x

[York54]

Hope you are feeling better Constance, take care xx❤️

[Kendrew]

What a dreadful situation to have experienced. Very pleased you're on the mend........Oh!!!!......and your husband's 'cheeky quip' really made me lol too....and reminded me so much of something my husband might say! It's good to laugh.

[prunus]

Very very sorry to hear of your troubles. It is not possible not to have problems at our age and we are older than you. I had to call the paramedics out on one occasion when my OH had sat on the edge of the bath and slid backwards into the bath. Neither of us could do anything. They came with an ingenious device which they managed to get under him and then kept pumping air into it so he slowly rose up. I found it amusing but very clever. We've had the paramedics out more than once with the lockdown to him but he too has turned down going to hospital in the present circumstances. Hope you're well on the way to recovery now.

[Constance13 in reply to prunus]

The joys of getting old??? One doesn't realise how very dedicated most of the paramedics are until something so trivial as picking someone off the floor (out of the bath) just help with a smile. They have seen sooo much, a lot of dreadful things and they don' turn their noses up at helping in small ways.👏👏👏👏👏

[prunus in reply to Constance13]

Couldn't agree more because by comparison a couple of years ago one came when he was on the floor in the bathroom and almost immediately diagnosed sepsis and it was. On that occasion I had called out the emergency doctor on the two previous days and all they had done was change his antibiotics! He was immediately taken to hospital by the paras needless to say.

[Constance13 in reply to prunus]

And now-a-days if the paramedics come they don't insist on taking you to hospital (as they used to).

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

A positive of Covid I suspect ...

[prunus in reply to Constance13]

No they don't. In fact when they have come they are putting the onus on you far more to make the decision. On one occasion they were in contact with a doctor for ages in their vehicle when my OH had said he wanted to stay at home.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to prunus]

You do have to remember that if he had stayed at home, deteriorated further and died an inquiry would have been held and the paramedic's career would have been on the line. They have a duty of care, like all medical professionals, but they also have strict limits relating to their own capabilities. A paramedic may well be working with a technician who is earning more than them because of length of service - but the paramedic holds the responsibility for any decisions made by the technician. If a paramedic advised me A&E was the best place to be - I'd go with them.

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

I know this was meant for prunus but just wanted to add - the Paramedics asked both me and my OH If we thought going to A & E would be best. We both answered it was entirely our wish to stay where we were. We had been through it all before and told them if there were any difficulties we would get in touch immediately. Lot's of people say this at the moment- and I am sure they made a note "at patient's request".

[prunus in reply to PMRpro]

That is very interesting information. Many thanks for that. I learn as I go with medical information. Are they rolling out Covid 19 vaccine with you? My friend and her husband up in Wellingborough were getting theirs today. We here have heard nothing as yet inspite of my OH in the highly vulnerable group.

[Constance13 in reply to prunus]

I live in Germany and they haven't started vaccinating yet - at least I don't think so. Someone will probably let us know when we are supposed to get the vaccine.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Not approved here yet - next week maybe???????

[prunus in reply to Constance13]

Yes I know you live in Germany that was why I asked you. I see Angela Merkel has done more champing down because of the severe rise in the number of cases.

[Constance13 in reply to prunus]

They have started the vaccinations now.Yes, AM has at last managed to get all the 'states' to listen to her - thank goodness.

[prunus in reply to Constance13]

The problem is more acute for the places where people live in close proximity to one another. Having said that my next door neighbour, who was having carers, died from it in May. My elder son came and told me a colleague's son has tested positive. That was last night. Not very comfortable. It is the first time my OH has not bought me a Birthday Card through it, but I have had a lovely basket of flowers delivered.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to prunus]

Not until mid-January and even then our region gets about 27,000 vaccines for the first batch for half a million people. Not holding my breath! I think the priorities here are care home residents/staff and medical staff.

[prunus in reply to PMRpro]

That is the same as here. I'm wondering if my friend is lucky. My friend's daughter is quite high up in the nursing profession and I think she administered it to them.

[Oumaof2]

Hi Constance, hope you're on the mend... Hats off to all Paramedics, they truly are 'Angels'... Love your and your husband's GSOH🤣🤣. Hope you're up and about soonest 💐

Lena x

[Telian]

Sorry to hear you’re so unwell Constance. I’ve had the same and it does make us more ill as we get older.

Keep the fluids up and contact GP at least to update him.

Thinking of you. 🌹 x

[Constance13 in reply to Telian]

Will be seeing a new doctor on Thursday. Time to have a doctor nearby in future.

[Whitner]

Hi Constance13. I hope you are feeling better soon! I reread above and it appears you are not on an antiobiotic, is that true? Sure seems like that's what you should be doing as well as drinking lots of water. Just my two cents worth.

[MaryA_]

So sorry Constance13, this has happened to me also. Muscles are so weak just cannot get up. Legs seem to just collapse , so now I’m living with Son. Afraid to climb the stairs to bedroom.

[MaryA_ in reply to MaryA_]

My bedroom at my home, theirs is on one level. It’s scary

[Constance13 in reply to MaryA_]

Thanks Mary. I'm improving nicely now, able to walk around the flat and do a little tidying up. Age takes some getting used to!!! 😂👵🏻👵🏻