OT: Mike & I have Pneumonia!

Dori,

I haven't been on the forum long enough to get to know you. However, this weekend almost 100 men will be gathered for a religious retreat, and I will be sure to put in a prayer card for you and Mike. So, in the mountains of Colorado, both your names will resound on high.

You both rest well, and hand this over to God.

Pat

Dori, I do hope Mike's congestion begins to clear so he can begin to use his cpap again. There's nothing ideal about this situation, but it sounds like Mike's doctors are trying to do the best they can at the moment. I had a friend who couldn't use her cpap and the doctors put her on oxygen. Now, we know even the oxygen can't get through if there's an obstruction. But if the obstruction is preceded by a hypopnea, which seems to be common, his oxygen up until the time of obstruction should be better maintained, thus giving him more time before it drops too low with an obstruction, plus the recovery should be quicker after events. I'm guessing they are monitoring his oxygen level, right? Ask them if it is being maintained at a safe level. Maybe that could help you not worry about it as much. Hugs to you.

It is really difficult using cpap when you have a bad cold and I am sure it must be near impossible with pneumonia. I really doubt if he would be able to use it even if you were able to be there with him all night.

Dori - none of us are in a position to really advise you at this time. With the oxygen, I think he will be okay not on his cpap until things clear up more for him. Using his cpap seems impossible right now.

As long as you keep reminding the doctors of his sleep apnea that is all you can do for now.

You and Mike are in my thoughts and prayers. This is a very rough time for you both. Try not to worry too much.

Prayers for you Dori and Mike. May God hold you in His hands as you go through this.
I wish you both better days ahead.

Karen

Maybe a stupid question, but is he being monitored by a pulse ox? Maybe that will at least sure he's sufficiently ozxygenated. Perhaps you can ask for the previous night's SP02 readings?

Dori,

If they are keeping him adequately oxygenated, that will help. I would trust the Dr. for now, when he gets a bit better, he can resume CPAP. You need to rest too, even during the worst of it, I know how hard it is to rest, and I am not dealing with pneumonia. I've been doing the rehab dance with my MIL since Dec 29 & know quite a bit more about rehab's now than I ever wanted too. If a Dr. says don't worry about the CPAP, the RN's will take that as "I don't have to do that" so when you do get ready to have him back on CPAP make sure the Dr. writes an order for them to resume it, they won't do it just by you telling them.

Hang in there, I know it's rough now, but it will get better as he recovers. I'm praying for you both.

Jen

I'd probably want to make sure his O2 levels were being monitored around the clock with alarm. I'd also want all shifts to be aware of his apnea.

If they can keep his sats up with the supplemental oxygen I wouldn't be worried. He might be a little less rested without the CPAP but if his O2 levels are ok I wouldn't think he'd be in any danger (as long as the doctor is on board)....

Really good advice about the the 02 monitoring with alarm. I imagine they'd have such devices in a rehab. I know they do finger pulse ox during rehab sessions but I'm not sure every shift knows about his apnea or monitors him very much, there's been so much else going on with him that I probably haven't stayed on top of the apnea issue loud enough. I'm now realizing that his sleepiness all day is probably due to his apnea events at night so it's a catch-22. So more work for me tomorrow. I have to strike the right balance between being knowledgeable but "pleasant" and being insistent which isn't always easy, depending on who I'm dealing with. Actually it's the most exhausting part of my day there. It really is doing the "rehab dance"! Thanks to all for thinking for me, I'm on overload right now. Looking forward to Sat when my Colorado daughter and granddaughter will arrive to spend a few days. If anyone can get things done it's my daughter(The Lawyer)! Talk about a dog with a bone, that's her!

DoriC wrote:Really good advice about the the 02 monitoring with alarm. I imagine they'd have such devices in a rehab. I know they do finger pulse ox during rehab sessions but I'm not sure every shift knows about his apnea or monitors him very much, there's been so much else going on with him that I probably haven't stayed on top of the apnea issue loud enough. I'm now realizing that his sleepiness all day is probably due to his apnea events at night so it's a catch-22. So more work for me tomorrow. I have to strike the right balance between being knowledgeable but "pleasant" and being insistent which isn't always easy, depending on who I'm dealing with. Actually it's the most exhausting part of my day there. It really is doing the "rehab dance"! Thanks to all for thinking for me, I'm on overload right now. Looking forward to Sat when my Colorado daughter and granddaughter will arrive to spend a few days. If anyone can get things done it's my daughter(The Lawyer)! Talk about a dog with a bone, that's her!

I'm continuing to pray for you and your husband, Mike. I hope you are feeling much better and are getting enough rest so that your strength returns and you can take care of both of you. So glad you're daughter and granddaughter are coming to help!

jaye8898 wrote:

DoriC wrote:Really good advice about the the 02 monitoring with alarm. I imagine they'd have such devices in a rehab. I know they do finger pulse ox during rehab sessions but I'm not sure every shift knows about his apnea or monitors him very much, there's been so much else going on with him that I probably haven't stayed on top of the apnea issue loud enough. I'm now realizing that his sleepiness all day is probably due to his apnea events at night so it's a catch-22. So more work for me tomorrow. I have to strike the right balance between being knowledgeable but "pleasant" and being insistent which isn't always easy, depending on who I'm dealing with. Actually it's the most exhausting part of my day there. It really is doing the "rehab dance"! Thanks to all for thinking for me, I'm on overload right now. Looking forward to Sat when my Colorado daughter and granddaughter will arrive to spend a few days. If anyone can get things done it's my daughter(The Lawyer)! Talk about a dog with a bone, that's her!

I'm continuing to pray for you and your husband, Mike. I hope you are feeling much better and are getting enough rest so that your strength returns and you can take care of both of you. So glad you're daughter and granddaughter are coming to help!

Ummm....I don't know how to tell you this but i think that your main problem seems to be that you are a zombie - sorry to be the one to have to inform you.

DoriC wrote:Really good advice about the the 02 monitoring with alarm. I imagine they'd have such devices in a rehab. I know they do finger pulse ox during rehab sessions but I'm not sure every shift knows about his apnea or monitors him very much, there's been so much else going on with him that I probably haven't stayed on top of the apnea issue loud enough. I'm now realizing that his sleepiness all day is probably due to his apnea events at night so it's a catch-22. So more work for me tomorrow. I have to strike the right balance between being knowledgeable but "pleasant" and being insistent which isn't always easy, depending on who I'm dealing with. Actually it's the most exhausting part of my day there. It really is doing the "rehab dance"! Thanks to all for thinking for me, I'm on overload right now. Looking forward to Sat when my Colorado daughter and granddaughter will arrive to spend a few days. If anyone can get things done it's my daughter(The Lawyer)! Talk about a dog with a bone, that's her!

Dear Dori, I'm so hoping that everything goes well for you and Mike in the next few days/weeks. While i don't know the particulars of this case, figure that all of treating sleep apnea is pretty recent and my guess is that a few days without it won't hurt him much - in most cases the damage seems to be done by long periods of time without any treatment - also, is it possible to keep him proped up and on his side when he sleeps? I haven't been able to use the cpap for psychological reasons for the last 17 days and given that i'm at best getting maybe 2 hours of sleep a night - i have no plans to start until i feel a bit better -

good luck and best wishes ( truly) john

DoriC, all my best wishes and thoughts go out to you & Mike

johnthomasmacdonald wrote:
Ummm....I don't know how to tell you this but i think that your main problem seems to be that you are a zombie - sorry to be the one to have to inform you.

hmmm......yes, John, I am aware of my condition...how do you think I got this way? Years of untreated OSA....that's how!!!!

Dori,

Glad your daughter & granddaughter are coming. As you are obviously learning, 'you catch more flies with honey' applies when a loved one is in the rehab. Although you need them to listen to you, the method is key to IF they listen. I've found that complimenting the good helps later when I have to bring to their attention to a problem.

I hope your girls visit this weekend helps you. I'm still praying for you & Mike. Get some rest.

Jen