Good report at my pulmonologist
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
United States
April 24, 2013 3:18pm CST
So I went to my appointment this afternoon. It was my 3 month appointment. I had to have another pulmonary function test ( PFT) and it was better than it has been in a long time. I don't have to go back now until 6 months. So my next appointment is October 21st. He did get on me for not keeping my CPAP on for at least 4 hours a night. He said sometimes I only wore it for 2 hours. He said when I do take it off to be sure to put my oxygen on, which I don't always do. He said I must do this because I am at high risk of having heart failure or a heart attack by not having the oxygen on when the CPAP is off.
I told him I have to order some more cannulas for my oxygen because all I have now are the ones for my portable oxygen. He gave me one out of his office until I can order some from my home health care company.
I lost 7 pounds since my last visit, which I knew I had lost anyway by my own scales. Overall, I am pleased with the visit, and that I only need to take the nebulizer as needed now. I used to have to take that twice daily. I still need to take my Advair puffer twice daily. It's a steroid inhaler. I have to rinse my mouth out after puffing with that.
I'm really happy that I don't need to take those breathing treatments regularly now.
Your thoughts?
4 people like this
13 responses
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
26 Apr 13
Oh okay. I would never keep my weight straight. Lol. So does weight go by kilos and stones?
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
25 Apr 13
Thank you Wolfie. I never understood the stone. It's 15 pounds?
I hope to have 20 off by the time I go back at least. He wants me to stay active. I told him what I do and he was happy with that.
@AmbiePam (92667)
• United States
26 Apr 13
That is great! If you keep losing weight you might not even need the CPAP machine eventually. That is what happened with my mom years ago. Once she lost some weight the problem she had been having while sleeping at night went away. As did any snoring! lol
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
26 Apr 13
I hope so, but I don't see it happening. My pulmonary problem is permanent. Though I am improved I have to use oxygen if I'm not using CPAP. My blood oxygen level falls way below normal when I sleep.
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
25 Apr 13
PQ, you're an inspiration! I so wish my sister would do some of the things you do. She is hugely overweight, has bad knees, is on oxygen and a CPAP at night. She can hardly do anything. I try to encourage her to move around, walk a little, do what she can, but she doesn't seem to be motivated.
Good for you, for taking control of your life.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
25 Apr 13
Thank you Peavy. Some days I can't do much but I make up for it on other days. I have a 'track' in my solarium that I walk. I walk for 1 hour. By evening I hurt but I walk 3 times a week. Plus I go outside and work in the yard.
@artemeis (4194)
• China
26 Apr 13
It is obvious that whatever you are doing is working for you and successfully. So, I think you should continue to observe doing the necessary while at the same time improve your surrounding environment to help you wean away from medicines or apparatus.
It will mean clearing your household for things that might aggravate or cause you to be sick. The other area would be working on your diet to eat the food that will strengthen your body and make your immunity system stronger.
I am sure you will be able to do this and encourage you to keep it up.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
26 Apr 13
I'm lots better than I was. I am trying to watch my diet. I have decreased my meat to only one or two meals a week.
@celticeagle (166854)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Apr 13
So glad to hear that your visit went so well. And that you are continuing to get better all the time. And lost more weight. Good for you! Keep it up.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166854)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Apr 13
And sad to say but you have some things going on that don't help ya much is losing. There is age, medications, etc. But you have gumption too and determination. Which are always a help. You have to keep on keepin' on and slowly it will happen.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
26 Apr 13
I hope to be even better when I go back. It's tough to lose when your body wants to stay the same.
1 person likes this
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
26 Apr 13
hi dearest PQ thats excellent news from you and I am so happy about that. You really got to use your CPAP more. My husband needs to use it even when he only intends to take a nap and not fall asleep for a longer period of time. And he does so without being reminded, Thank God for this.
I am glad you dont have to take all the breathing treatments now and that your next check up is a good while away.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
26 Apr 13
I feel like I'm smothering. It wakes me up. The doc said to make sure the ramp is if. Ir also hurts my face. Doc said its okay if it leaks a little bit. I wore it longer last night nut took it off at 4 am when I couldn't stand it anymore. I couldn't tolerate the BIPAP as well as I do the CPAP. It's still hard for me since I have breathing problems when I sleep. He said the pressure is okay. I made sure the ramp is off last night.
@AJ1952Chats (2332)
• Anderson, Indiana
25 Apr 13
Sounds like wonderful news all the way around!!!
My mom, "adopted" kid brother, and a number of others whom I know and love are going through this kind of thing.
I'll be keeping you in my prayers, love, and positive thoughts right along with them.
It's a good sign that your next appointment won't be until the last part of October.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
25 Apr 13
I'm lots better than I was just 3 months ago. Thanks.
@GardenGerty (160658)
• United States
25 Apr 13
It sounds as if you have some really measurable improvements and that is a really good thing. Keep up the good work.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
25 Apr 13
I think that is wonderful, but do take your cpap you don't want getting a heart attack after you have been improving so much.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
26 Apr 13
I took it off at 4 am and put my oxygen on until 6 this morning when I woke up. I can't tolerate it most nights but some nights I did sleep 7 hours with it. He wants me to get at least 4 hours a night and use oxygen in between. It's really hard for me to keep it on.
@BarBaraPrz (47307)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
24 Apr 13
Sounds like good news to me.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
24 Apr 13
you should be so proud of yourself
you have worked so hard to keep healthy and its finally paying off. i really think the doctors dont seem to realise that the more we depend on oxygen from machines, the more our lungs get lazy. im not saying sometimes we dont need it. lots of times we do but like myself, you have weaned yourself off of it a little at a time. i think it has strengthened our lungs and you have done a great job. much better then i have.@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
25 Apr 13
He said I don't need it when awake anymore unless I'm having problems. He does want me to use it when I take off the CPAP in the night so I don't have a heart attack. My oxygen levels get too low when I sleep but when up I am good.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
24 Apr 13
I am so glad that your medical appointment went so well and also that you have lost weight. Did the doctor put down to the weight loss your improved pulmonary condition? If so then the more weight you lose the more your health will improve. Congratulations.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
24 Apr 13
He said my PFT was better than the last one and that I am better all around than when he last saw me. He told me to keep doing what I'm doing to lose weight.
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
24 Apr 13
Great news all the way around, congratulations! Keep up the good results!
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
24 Apr 13
Thank you! I feel really good about this visit. He said if I need him sooner than 6 months to call. He is so good to me. When I don't have money to pay he let's me slide it and then pay over the phone when I get paid.
