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LuckyCharms

(18,888 posts)
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 10:44 AM Oct 11

Home from the hospital. 7 days I think.

This infection still isn't showing me much mercy, and the hospital visit itself left me with a bit of trauma.

Basically got no sleep for two reasons:

1) Bloodwork seemingly every two hours, or IV change. Could never sleep.

2) Very sick people on my floor.

It's kind of strange that my woman neighbor has basically the same GI symptoms I do, and we are both feeling the same way in that we both feel that there is not actually an infection going on, but something worse that they are not finding, because neither one of us is getting completely cured. She came to visit me twice.

I had a continuous antibiotic IV drip while inpatient. I'm on oral meds now for for 14 days with a different antibiotic. I see an infectious disease doctor next week.

They shot every pain med in the world through my IV, except that I can't take NSAIDS, so they alternated infusions of fentanyl, morphine, plain oxy, and Tylenol.

I had an emotional breakdown in the hospital. The guy next to me in my room was in so much agony that he screamed and cried constantly. They had me as a fall risk, when I was not actually a fall risk, and they had the bed alarm set so sensitive that it would go off even when I sat on the side of the bed to try to use the portable urinal. So every time I had to piss, I had to call a nurse to be escorted to the shitty bathroom shared with the next room.

In the middle of the night, the older man next to me was in so much agony that I got out of bed with all of the bed alarms going off, went to the other side of the curtain, and held his hand and caressed his forehead. Then I went back to bed and sobbed, muffling my crying by sticking my face in the pillow. All this time, every fucking IV alarm, bed alarm, and whatever alarm was going off on the floor in the middle of the night. Grown men and women were crying and screaming in pain. All day, all night. Absolutely HOWLING in pain. It was my definition of being in hell.

While I was having my breakdown, a wonderful travelling nurse came in and sat with me for an hour and held my hand. I told her my life story, and she told me hers. I told her that my realization is that people cannot get true pain relief unless they are actively dying because if you give them enough morphine to kill their pain, they will die. She confirmed this, and said she completely breaks down at home after her shift about twice a week.

I'm starting to come out of my opiate haze at home, but I'm still not good emotionally, and I still have pain. I can't stop crying. I fall asleep when sitting at my computer, and I basically can't do a fucking thing. And it's pissing me off. I'm an active person, and now I either watch reruns on TV land, sit at the computer, or just about fall asleep while standing up.

I hope these oral antibiotics finally knock this out. The hospitalist changed all of my fucking blood pressure meds based on one reading of a very low heart rate. Then he called in a prescription for a different dose of one blood pressure med that was totally different than what he told me to do. I wrote my primary care, who I see next week, and told her that I'm not changing ANY of my meds based on one reading that a hospitalist didn't like after talking to me for 30 seconds. Maybe he should have considered that I had enough opiates in me to knock down a fucking elephant, and that's why my heart rate dropped. I'm monitoring my blood pressure and heart rate at home twice a day since I'm sticking to my current meds, and all is doing ok there so far.

I'm not writing this to get responses, you people have already given me a ton of support, and I appreciate all of you. You helped me get through this, so no reason to keep offering well wishes. You people here are so good.

There are people here who are most likely a lot sicker than me, so please offer them your support, not me. You've given me plenty.

I needed to get this off my chest.

I don't know how you nurses fucking cope. I really don't. You're angels. I couldn't do it. I don't have what it takes to do that job.



37 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Home from the hospital. 7 days I think. (Original Post) LuckyCharms Oct 11 OP
Glad you're home. Being home always helped me after a hospital stay. Solly Mack Oct 11 #1
Vent away, I'm listening whether you want me to or not. badhair77 Oct 11 #2
Hugs Ruby Zee Oct 11 #3
Glad you are home, LuckyCharms. We missed you. debm55 Oct 11 #4
Sending you hugs. MLAA Oct 11 #5
Good you're home XanaDUer2 Oct 11 #6
Love, healing, strength, patience to you and your wife. quaint Oct 11 #7
I agree... littlemissmartypants Oct 11 #8
Glad you're back Mr. Charms. OAITW r.2.0 Oct 11 #9
I have absolutely never had a positive experience in a hospital Diamond_Dog Oct 11 #10
Sending lots of hugs and good vibes. LoisB Oct 11 #11
Help for the infection Nigrum Cattus Oct 11 #12
I am so relieved that you are home and alive Tumbulu Oct 11 #13
This help? I hope so! KS Toronado Oct 11 #14
Glad you're out of that! What's common between you and the neighbor? Food? Water? Fungi? Pesticide? Hermit-The-Prog Oct 11 #15
no get well wishes... markie Oct 11 #16
Oh dear heart, I am so sorry you've been through this... Hekate Oct 11 #17
It really does sound like hell cate94 Oct 11 #18
I have not had a good experience with a hospitalist yet Kali Oct 11 #19
I hope you get better soon! iscooterliberally Oct 11 #20
Nurses are great people. barbtries Oct 11 #21
Glad to hear you're home! CaptainTruth Oct 11 #22
Great to her you are home darkstar Oct 11 #23
Glad you are out Old Crank Oct 11 #24
I'm very sorry you're going through this, but of you, I know you have one magnificent property that heals. NNadir Oct 11 #25
I'm so sorry for all you're going through. StarryNite Oct 11 #26
Hospitals are lousy places to try to rest Warpy Oct 11 #27
What a helluva ordeal!! Glad you're outta that hellhole. slumcamper Oct 11 #28
Right now, take care of yourself Marthe48 Oct 11 #29
yikes. MissB Oct 11 #30
7 Days of absolute hell! Niagara Oct 11 #31
Happy you're home and good to see you here. mountain grammy Oct 11 #32
I'm counting on those antibiotics True Dough Oct 12 #33
I am glad you are home, and hope that your doctors will figure out how to make you well bring to an end your pain. HeartsCanHope Oct 12 #34
gi issues r so draining. mopinko Oct 12 #35
Good luck to serious diminishment, or complete cure for your conditions Lucky Charms, and mopinko electric_blue68 Oct 12 #36
I am glad to hear you are home. OldBaldy1701E Oct 12 #37

badhair77

(4,590 posts)
2. Vent away, I'm listening whether you want me to or not.
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 10:54 AM
Oct 11

I’m also sending good thoughts. Here’s hoping your primary care doctor can straighten out the meds situation. I understand your frustration. Please keep us updated.

MLAA

(18,575 posts)
5. Sending you hugs.
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 11:05 AM
Oct 11

Here’s a thought since you have questions about whether you’ve been correctly diagnosed. It’s a blood test that gets sent off to a private company. It checks for a huge list of cancers. It isn’t cheap at nearly $1000 and insurance won’t cover it. My primary Dr had a brochure in his examine room. I asked him about he said he did recently. Blood gets drawn locally and the tubes put in a special handling box the company provides. Then you have to take it FedEx. I don’t remember how long it takes since it was a year ago that I did it.

Just a thought ❤️

https://www.galleri.com/patient?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=blood-test-to-detect-cancer&utm_content=patient-non-brand-cancer-test&utm_campaign=galleri-patient-non-brand-tier-1&trafficsheetid=t87736&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAo8ZWGqH0z9wBDMpLV3W2eE5RZNIU&gclid=CjwKCAjwmaO4BhAhEiwA5p4YL-QwBw546ZqPjN2mc_6axmUQQOYIhHd_XaRch9jd6aAw-RYMnYCxpBoCcAgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

littlemissmartypants

(25,318 posts)
8. I agree...
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 11:16 AM
Oct 11

With everything Solly Mack (we have mental telepathy), badhair77, Ruby Zee and debm55 said. MLAA has some great ideas, too.

"Vent away, I'm listening whether you want me to or not and I'm glad you're home. Being home always helped me after a hospital stay and in every way possible."

We love you, LC. Thank you for continuing to teach us about compassion and humanity with all that involves.

And thanks for your shout out to nurses, too.

Stay encouraged. ❤️ pants

Diamond_Dog

(34,536 posts)
10. I have absolutely never had a positive experience in a hospital
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 12:07 PM
Oct 11

But yours just blows my experiences out of the water. Glad to hear you are recovering at home and I hope things become better very soon. It stinks to be miserable and in pain. I could never be a nurse, either.

Tumbulu

(6,438 posts)
13. I am so relieved that you are home and alive
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 12:22 PM
Oct 11

I was getting so scared not hearing much.

Hoping that whatever this is resolves soon.

Thank you for keeping us updated!

cate94

(2,882 posts)
18. It really does sound like hell
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 01:15 PM
Oct 11

I’m sorry you have been going through this. Despite your own illness, your kindness showed bright with your treatment of the man next to you. Thank you for comforting him.

Hoping you feel better soon!

Kali

(55,711 posts)
19. I have not had a good experience with a hospitalist yet
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 01:17 PM
Oct 11

who ARE these people? in the "old days" your regular doctor did this job. what happened and when did it change? I have had two serious hospitalizations that included dealing with a hospitalist and they fucked shit up both times. not impressed.

iscooterliberally

(3,010 posts)
20. I hope you get better soon!
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 01:17 PM
Oct 11

I was in the hospital a few years ago. I needed to get my gallbladder taken out. I had the surgery done and had to stay over night in the hospital. Most of the floor was empty, but for some reason they decided to put some old man in the same room as me. Every 10 minutes the guy set off some alarm or other. At about 2am he got up and just left the hospital and went home. The police were looking for him and they decided to have a nice long conversation in my room! The next day the doctor gave me shit about not getting out of bed and walking around. I did what the doc needed me to do so he could release me. That meant I had to cut off the opiates earlier than I wanted to, but I wanted to get out of there more than anything else. I know my experience wasn't nearly as bad as yours, but I can relate. Anyway, like I said before, I hope you get better soon!

barbtries

(29,735 posts)
21. Nurses are great people.
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 01:17 PM
Oct 11

I hope these meds kick out what's dogging you.

it sucks being sick, it really does. Did they tell you what bug you have??

darkstar

(5,627 posts)
23. Great to her you are home
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 01:27 PM
Oct 11

Your experience sounds harrowing. Unsurprisingly, you still let your humanity and generous spirit shine through in comforting your neighbor. Hang in there my friend.

Old Crank

(4,583 posts)
24. Glad you are out
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 01:36 PM
Oct 11

even if it is for a while.

Hospitals now get dinged if they let patients fall so they are now overly caustious. That is bad for patients because activity is good for people.

Hope they can sort it out. Hospital stays are not my fave.

NNadir

(34,584 posts)
25. I'm very sorry you're going through this, but of you, I know you have one magnificent property that heals.
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 01:43 PM
Oct 11

It's that fabulous sense of humor you bring here. When it comes back, as surely it will, you will be on your way to full recovery.

Another thing is your intelligence.

Regrettably, the days of simple antibiotic treatments may be coming to an end, mostly because of the abuse of antibiotics where they shouldn't be used. I'm very sorry you're on the front lines, but again, I fully expect and hope you will recovery fully, because of you have the right tools to do so.

StarryNite

(10,774 posts)
26. I'm so sorry for all you're going through.
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 01:44 PM
Oct 11
Maybe they are missing something. Look at Dr. Fauci and his "West Nile Virus Nightmare". I'm not saying that's what you might have but just the fact that sometimes, probably many times things are not what we first think they are. The body is complicated. It seems like there are so many different things out to get us. Hang in there!

Warpy

(113,130 posts)
27. Hospitals are lousy places to try to rest
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 02:12 PM
Oct 11

You want rest, check into a hotel with a good restaurant and room service.

I'm glad 7 days of sleep deprivation got you on the mend.

slumcamper

(1,716 posts)
28. What a helluva ordeal!! Glad you're outta that hellhole.
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 02:21 PM
Oct 11

Welcome back to the world outside those hospital walls, Lucky.

Given the state of things I'm not sure it will offer any relief, or that living hell with another! At least you won't have to share a bathroom with vile bastards who lack any sense of hygienic consideration for others, and your socks won't be wicking up some asshole's piss!

Thanks for sharing the torments you've endured--and best of luck getting answers and a solution to the infection and pain

Marthe48

(18,905 posts)
29. Right now, take care of yourself
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 02:42 PM
Oct 11

It takes special heart to be a nurse, doctor, medical specialist. When they heal someone, that triumph heals them, too, so they can keep going.

Have you and the neighbor been tested for chemical contamination? Tested your water? Anything else you shared in common? Did you get sick at the same time?

Find a spot where you feel comfortable and safe, curl up and rest. Post as much as you want. There's enough love on DU to share with all who need it

MissB

(16,082 posts)
30. yikes.
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 04:07 PM
Oct 11

You got your ass kicked and came out the other side. I'm glad you're still here. I swear, if I see an Earl G sad announcement post about you anytime in the next few years, I'll be pissed at you*. I enjoy your posts too much.



* five year minimum.

Niagara

(9,463 posts)
31. 7 Days of absolute hell!
Fri Oct 11, 2024, 07:20 PM
Oct 11

I'm glad to hear that you're home, Lucky.


Writing is excellent therapy so you keep at it when you need to get something off your chest.


We love you! Life is too short not to tell people that.

True Dough

(20,110 posts)
33. I'm counting on those antibiotics
Sat Oct 12, 2024, 06:40 AM
Oct 12

to knock the hell out of your infection! In the meantime, please be sure to wear your HAZMAT suit when visiting the Lounge!



Welcome back, you little charmer, you!

HeartsCanHope

(727 posts)
34. I am glad you are home, and hope that your doctors will figure out how to make you well bring to an end your pain.
Sat Oct 12, 2024, 07:34 AM
Oct 12

I also want to add my thanks to you for comforting that man in the hospital. I am sending healing vibes to you and will be thinking of you and your wife. I will also be thinking of the people in the hospital and hoping for their healing and comfort. Whenever I've been in the hospital, I have always been amazed at the nursing staff. Nurses are unfailingly cheerful, and willing to do for their patients whatever it takes to make them comfortable. They are truly angels on earth!

mopinko

(71,713 posts)
35. gi issues r so draining.
Sat Oct 12, 2024, 08:49 AM
Oct 12

i've been struggling since april, but esp since july. 3 trips to the er. 2 diff doc visits. been dx'd w- ibs, then diverticulitis, then acute colitis. ab's did nothing. i do seem to have a lesion of some sort, but my main problem is that my gi system doesnt move.
they cant seem to do anything til i get a scope, but i have done the prep twice now, and it failed, and i had to resched. scheduled again on tues. today starts a 4 day prep. clear liquids for 3 days!
last time i contacted them and told them it failed, this time i'm just gonna show up, no matter what.

the part where the prep is supposed to kick in in an hour or 2, but in my case it took 2 days the 1st time and 12 hrs the second ought to b some sort of clue.
i had a scope 3 yrs ago for the same issues and i got 'well, you're old now, shit happens.' (or doesnt)

i dont know if there just arent enough gi docs to go around or what, but apparently 'acute' means u can wait a month to see a gi, another month for a scope, and another month when u hav to resched.
meanwhile, i hurt, bloating, cramps, heartburn. and just bone deep exhaustion. i feel like i'm slowly starving to death.

it's sloooow torture.
i feel ya.

electric_blue68

(17,808 posts)
36. Good luck to serious diminishment, or complete cure for your conditions Lucky Charms, and mopinko
Sat Oct 12, 2024, 05:15 PM
Oct 12

LC what a nasty experience you went through in the hospital!

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