My Beginning-of-Year (2022) First Medical Report
So, yesterday I had a visit from my home healthcare RN TIffany, and then this morning I had a TeleHealth visit with my doctor (Dr. Robles). The items of focus are my blood pressure and heart rate, my oxygen and C02 levels, and the sleep study, for which the results came back. Tiffany found that I am a little crackly and displaying some allergy symptoms (it's cedar time in Austin!), my blood pressure is a little high but not excessively so, and my breathing could be better (which, of course, I already knew). I did have an episode of prolonged heart rate elevation last week and have been having some minor ones too. So, the Doc is putting me on a Beta Blocker (?) to see about helping to regulate the heart rate issue. The sleep study has revealed that my 02 levels are dropping into the low 80's and lower when I am sleeping, and my C02 is quite high, all of which is causing me to wake up and not be able to sleep for any length of time over about 2 hours. So, they are going to get me an NIB machine. I have no idea what that is, but I guess I will soon learn. It is also called a non-invasive home ventilator. They said my needs are beyond a bi-pap level. She is also firing off another check on my POC, on which there is still no word. Apparently, this has to do with increased demand caused by the Covid. So, I will just have to wait, and it will be here when it gets here.
This is all not unexpected, but is nonetheless a lot to take in. So, any help to understand some of this stuff would be appreciated. Meanwhile she said that with all this new and more accurate information, it is clear that my COPD is worse than they had thought, so it's time to step up to another level of care, which is what all this new stuff is for. I'd be lying if I said all this is not making me pretty nervous. But I have dishes and laundry to do, so I guess I'll go do that. I need to be busy.
HI
, that is a lot of information to be given so it is understandable to be a little overwhelmed and nervous! The positive is that at least they are monitoring you closely and caught this and have developed a plan on how to help. Hopefully this new machine will help you get some decent sleep! Please keep us updated on how you are doing and know we are here for you whenever you need! All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, team member). 
Hi kloker, and thanks for the update. Glad to hear you have quite a good medical support team. It does sound like they are covering all the bases for you. And, as my colleague,, has articulated, this is a lot of information regarding many and in some cases, complex medical conditions so, it is quite understandable that it is tough to hear it all and understand it all as well.
With all your writings here, I feel we know you quite well and, from my perspective, you are handling all of this both commendably and admirably, too, Keep up the good work!
There are any number of devices/machines available to help manage this condition at home, without having to go to the hospital. Modern day medicine has come a long way! Clearly, when you do finally receive the portable oxygen concentrator, your life and mobile life, should be much improved.
We appreciate you sharing both the oxygen, carbon dioxide and sleep information here with the community. It tells quite the story to the clinician and accounts for the plan to provide you with something more than just supplemental oxygen. The non-invasive (home) ventilator (NIV) is just that - a machine that will assist your breathing (typically at night, but they can be used during the day, too, if indicated). When set up correctly and used properly, the patient's oxygen and carbon dioxide levels should be maintained within acceptable ranges (with less effort from the patient), so that the patient can be more comfortable at night and achieve better sleep patterns. That could (also), make a world of difference in your case.
Keep working with your team, continue doing what you're doing - all this time conversing with you, I am continually impressed by how well you are doing. Your attitude and approach is helping you a great deal, too - that is evident! Keep up the good work, kloker!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)Okay, thanks for all the support, y'all! After 3 days of screwups from my pharmacy I finally got my new med. I took the first one today at lunch. Made me extremely dizzy. Had to lie down. took a nap, slept very well! All afternoon, too. Got up at 8 PM! Just did my night meds including my second dose of the beta blocker (Metoprolol 25mg) for the day. Dizzy again, but not sleepy at the moment, so I am going to eat. My neighbor just brought me some Chile Rellenos and Pozole and beans, so I am going to chow down, dizzy or not, no nausea so far. Just took my evening readings and my BP is down to 136/78/63 and my O2 at 98/63. Not bad. Hopefully the BP will drop a bit more in a couple of days. Heart rate feels steady now, no ramping up and down or pounding. I feel more relaxed, and safer, too. Hands are still shaky but that should pass.
Hi.
I have asked nearly every one of my COPD patients over the years who have this condition, and who use NIV devices, "How do you like your device?" And nearly every one of them testifies to how much they love their devices, and how they couldn't imagine going without them. It often surprises me their positive reviews, as you would think it would be annoying to have such a device over your face -- but quite the contrary. They often insist that such devices are not hard to adjust to, and they help you feel SOOOOO much better during the day that it is worth it right there. So, I am looking forward to hearing your positive review as you adjust to your new device when you do get it. Wishing you all the best. John. copd.net community moderator Thanks, John! Nope - so far I have no info on the machine other than that it was put on order a week ago now. I am assuming it will also be provided by my oxygen provider, who supplies all else, but I don't know that yet. But I will post an update as soon as I know more. From what you all and my doctor are saying I am starting to get somewhat excited. But at the same time, I know there is no point in getting too hyper, as my new POC is now 8 weeks late and there is still no word. Not a good thing to me, as I have always thrived on instant gratification, being the addict that I am! But I have also learned this past year that a lot of change quickly is difficult for me, so it would most likely behoove me to practice patience, something I lack in spades.
Meanwhile, I would certainly appreciate information or reference material about specific machines, their sources, and any experience from members here! YouTube, Google, etc., don't have much.
Hi kloker - hang in there!! There is no question that you are dealing with and managing a great number of important life events and, if you are able to be somewhat patient, that may in fact help you.
Remember the portable oxygen concentrator (POC), which is running late due to outside factors, may increase your ability to get around outside the home environment, I know you are aware of that so, once again, 'patience will be a virtue' (as is said). You will need to ease yourself into the outside world more gradually and let yourself get accustomed to this new aspect of your life.
The non-invasive (home) ventilator (NIV) is just that - a machine that will assist your breathing (typically at night, but they can be used during the day, too, if indicated). When set up correctly and used properly, the patient's oxygen and carbon dioxide levels should be maintained within acceptable ranges (with less effort from the patient), so that the patient can be more comfortable at night and achieve better sleep patterns. That could (also), make a world of difference in your case. As my colleague,, said, once you know the manufacturer and model, either he, I, or someone else may be able to provide more information. They are all pretty similar - just some subtle differences between manufacturers.
Again, kloker, hang in there! You are doing remarkably well, given what is going on all around you.
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
