Hospital discharged me on Thanksgiving Evening.
Wow, what a exacerbation! My feet and ankles had doubled up on the swelling so I thought I should sit around for a while. Every time I stood up my breathing would quicken to a point where I would have to sit and practice every skill I was taught to ease my breathing. Nothing worked and by late afternoon I was loosing this one. My wife called 911 and I was off in a transport to my local hospital. Two days in ICU and 2 1/2 in a private room. I went in at 236 lbs and discharged at 119 lbs. just five days later. I don't remember the first couple of days but I woke up to several needle marks in both arms and I am still weaker than a kitten. This was the first one since I was diagnosed with stage 3 COPD. Now I need to put together a chart of things to watch for and start keeping track of all my vitals. Should things start to go South for more than 2 days I will notify my local Doctor for help. If it continues I will check in with the lung docs and cardiologist for help. No more of that hospital life for me....
I am 78 years old and stage 3 COPD, you think I would have known better.
Wow,
. That was a ton of water weight. That must have been really hard on your heart and lungs. I'm glad you are home now and doing much better. How scary. Even when you know what to look for, it can be easy to dismiss symptoms as something that will soon improve instead of calling the doctor, especially if they come on gradually. Defintely don't beat yourself up for not knowing better. You're only human and you are not alone. Warmly, Lori (Team Member) OH, I am 219 not 119. About 17 lbs. of water weight. I must say, for a little while I am feeling much better. I do see the ankles starting to get bigger again but I start seeing all my docs in the morning for after hospitalization visits in hopes to get a program started.
Phew! You had me scared for a bit there. I'd never heard of anyone surviving more than 100 pounds of water weight. 😀 I hope your appointments go well and that they get the water weight gain under control. Keep us updated , if you don't mind. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member) 
Hi! I'm sorry your first exacerbation was so intense and severe. Glad you pulled through and have a solid action plan for the future. Of course, more importantly we hope you never need it! How did your doctor visits go? -Melissa, team member
So far so good, I got a bi pap from the lung docs on order. He is worried about the CHF that is also my constant worry. I have had a few heart attacks in the past and you never no when they are going to pop up.
BiPAP can be very helpful for people who need extra support. It might take some time to adjust to using it, but be patient with yourself. It will benefit you in the long run. Give us a shout if you need any tips! -Melissa, team member
I got a Luisa machine. I sleep 9 hours last night undisturbed. I know my cat jumps down to get a drink or go potty a few times at night but it never woke me up. Awesome!!! I hope you felt great when you woke up this morning! Your cat is adorable, by the way. -Melissa, team member
