I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Spouses and Caregivers => Topic started by: ODAT on September 04, 2008, 11:17:46 AM

Title: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: ODAT on September 04, 2008, 11:17:46 AM
Mom has not been feeling well since Friday 8/29. Not eating or drinking much. Feeling nauseous and dry heaving. Took her in yesterday around 2pm since her hemocratrit doc said she thinks mom is dehydrated. PCP said if you do take her in it would be for 24 hour iv fluid. They have been giving her meds for nausea and today she was sleeping or sleepy the whole time I was there. Nurse said it makes you sleepy. Her numbers are the same, nothing alarming. Last night the ER doc said he didn’t want to give her too much fluid because her kidneys won’t flush it out. I said, ‘then why did her primary tell us that she was to be on 24 iv fluid?’ oh, he did? then we will give her a slow drip. geez. I thought you only had to limit fluids when you were on dialysis not before. I’ll let you know how things go.

They gave her a shot of heprin today. I said they do that on top of the Plavix? Nurse said they do it any time patient is immobile for long periods.
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: okarol on September 04, 2008, 12:17:14 PM

So sorry about mom - I hope she gets better soon.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: G-Ma on September 04, 2008, 12:46:56 PM
Hope mom feels better soon.
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: Joe Paul on September 04, 2008, 12:57:43 PM
 I hope your Mom gets to feeling better soon too.
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: paris on September 04, 2008, 01:45:56 PM
Your Mom has really had a tough time lately.  I hope things start getting better for her.  Hang in there. :grouphug;
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: Sunny on September 04, 2008, 02:55:55 PM
This must be very difficult for your Mom. I hope she feels better soon.
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: monrein on September 04, 2008, 03:01:35 PM
Thinking of your Mom and hope she feels better soon.
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: del on September 04, 2008, 04:36:43 PM
Hope your mom feels better soon too.  :flower;
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: Sluff on September 04, 2008, 07:38:45 PM
Give her an extra hug from all of us here at IHD.  :grouphug; Hope she feels better soon.
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: Marley on September 04, 2008, 09:32:26 PM
So sorry Mom is feeling so lousy, dry heaves are the worst!  Hope she's feeling better soon.

Marley
 :guitar:
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: thegrammalady on September 04, 2008, 10:11:12 PM
here's hoping all is better and soon.   :flower;
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: Mimi on September 04, 2008, 10:40:05 PM
Prayers are being said for Mom.  Keep us up to date.

Love, Mimi
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again
Post by: ODAT on September 05, 2008, 07:39:36 PM
Before mom went into the hospital she was supposed to get an arensp shot. Her hemocratit was 31. She got 24 hours of iv fluids. This morning we were expecting her to go home. Her hemo went down to 24. They did a gasteroscopy. They called me in when the procedure was done. The nurse said to me 'it's a good thing she had this done.' She was smiling when she said it then she just walked away. I overheard another nurse on the phone to the EOU telling mom's nurse the results. Mind you, I was still waiting for the doctor. I hear 'abnormal,' 'lesion,' 'cauterize.' Finally she got off the phone and came over and showed us the pictures. Mom had a dieulafoy's lesion (DL) and a blood clot in her small intestine. The clot was removed and the lesion cauterized to stop the bleeding. It was also injected with medicine. There are three symptoms of DL, vomiting blood, black tarry stool (mom had), and dizziness and lightheadedness (mom had). They were going to give mom vertigo medicine. When the doctor finally came to talk to us, I said "I don't think mom should start the vertigo medicine they were going to perscribe before this procedure. She should see if it was the DL since it causes dizziness and lightheadedness." He agreed. They kept her another night (third night) to watch her levels. It was 28 around 8pm. They may give her blood transfusion. She seemed better and more talkative tonight, but still dizzy and not hungry. Good thing because she is on liquid diet to give her intestines a rest.

"Dieulafoy's lesion is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and is potentially life threatening. Dieulafoy lesions are submucosal arterioles which can rupture and cause massive bleeding.1 These lesions usually become evident in older patients in which possible arteriolar damage leads to rupture and bleeding. Management of Dieulafoy lesions depends somewhat on the location of the bleeding site. Lesions within the reach of the endoscope can often be managed by clipping, banding cautery or injection therapy."

Thank you for all your well-wishes. I will let mom know that people she hasn't ever met, or "talked" to care about her. You're making me cry. take care I'll keep you posted on what tomorrow brings.
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: pelagia on September 05, 2008, 07:57:31 PM
 :grouphug; for you and  :grouphug; for your mom
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: okarol on September 05, 2008, 08:20:04 PM

I hope she gets better and feels good soon. Take care ODAT - here's a big hug for you!  :big hug:
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: twirl on September 05, 2008, 08:44:42 PM
 :flower; :flower; :flower;
prayers to you and your mom
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: monrein on September 06, 2008, 03:39:49 AM
 :grouphug; for you, your Mom and your sister.
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: Romona on September 06, 2008, 06:25:28 AM
 :grouphug;
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: kitkatz on September 06, 2008, 05:03:54 PM
Your Mama needs  :grouphug; and  :guitar: and  :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower;
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: ODAT on September 06, 2008, 05:35:38 PM
Mom smiled and said thanks to you guys. I gave her your hugs. Took her home at 3pm today. They gave us a discharge care sheet and it said peptic ulcer. I said is that the same thing? The nurse said yes. I ain't no doctor, but I am not a dummy either. I looked at the symptoms and treatment and it was way different than the sheet the doctor who performed the procedure gave me on the dieulafoy lesion. Needless to say, sis is writing up a letter to get clearer answers.

Mom is feeling better. Still shaky and not eating a whole lot. hope you all are doing okay.
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: ODAT on September 08, 2008, 10:46:23 AM
Today mom went to get her arensp shot. Cathy callled me and told me that she was at 28 (was 27 yesterday). They are going to give her a unit of blood tomorrow. TODAY they are giving her more iv fluids because she is still dehydrated. AND they are giving her an iv of a med that will coat her stomach so she will feel like eating. The office said they couldn't understand why the hospital didn't give her the stomach med. I knew she wasn't right still when I brought her home. She had a few sips of tea and a cracker before she said she had to lie down.
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: Joe Paul on September 08, 2008, 11:32:33 AM
Great your mom is home. I hope you find out exactly whats going on  :thumbup;
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: 2_DallasCowboys on September 09, 2008, 09:55:03 AM
Hi,
Sorry I missed this thread.  I hope your Mom
continues to feel better each day! 
Please let all know how she is doing :flower;

Anne
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: pelagia on September 09, 2008, 11:27:40 AM
She must be happy to be home and to have such wonderful, caring, daughters.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: Mom is in hospital again - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine -
Post by: ODAT on September 09, 2008, 11:54:41 AM
Mom is feeling the same if not worse then when she went to the hospital last week. We are waiting for the doctor to call so she can be admitted and not have to go through Emergency. She had a unit of blood today. Not eating, shaky, labored breathing - not even doing anything, no appetite, and her stomach feels raw. I have no clue and apparently neither do the doctors. Hope this time they can help her.
Title: Re: Mom is GOING BACK TO hospital - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: okarol on September 09, 2008, 02:56:15 PM
 :grouphug; Thinking of you and mom.
Title: Re: Mom is GOING BACK TO hospital - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: thegrammalady on September 09, 2008, 02:57:35 PM
 :grouphug; here's hoping they find out what's wrong and fix it.
Title: Re: Mom is GOING BACK TO hospital - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: paris on September 09, 2008, 03:51:53 PM
Odat, I am sure you are all exhausted and full of worry.  I do hope this time they figure it out. Your Mom must be so frustrated and it is hard to keep fighting when you feel so horrible.  I'll say prayers for all of.  Please let us know what they decide.   :grouphug;
Title: Re: Mom is GOING BACK TO hospital - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: willieandwinnie on September 09, 2008, 03:58:19 PM
ODAT  :cuddle;  :grouphug; thinking about you and your Mom.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Mom is GOING BACK TO hospital - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: lola on September 09, 2008, 05:10:10 PM
 :grouphug; :grouphug;
Title: Re: Mom is GOING BACK TO hospital - found a Dieulafoy's lesion in intestine
Post by: ODAT on September 10, 2008, 08:30:24 AM
Took mom to emergency at 4:30 pm yesterday. Her primary finally called me as we were pulling into emergency. Her other doc that monitors her blood said mom wasn't stable enough to go through admission.

You are so right Paris, frustrated to say it mildly. They did a CT scan last night. CT scan was negative. Primary doc Gupta giving her tranquilizers to help with dizziness. Plavix may be the culprit to symptoms. She's been off it for a few days and they will not give it to her anymore. Dr. Matthews (heart) will be seeing her today. She is still in ER - no open room yet. They will put her in cardiac unit because of her low heart rate and high blood pressure. She will be in for a few days. They are supposed to call me when they take her for the scopes. She has to have a more thorough check because they tested her stool yesterday and there is still blood. Heart rate is low (45 - 54) and blood pressure is high (in the 200's - got up to 275/102 yesterday they put on a nitro patch).
 
A bit of good news, mom's creatine is 2.6! That is down from 3.1. Hopefully it
keeps going down.
 
Will update again after scope results.
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: ODAT on September 10, 2008, 09:00:03 AM
Got a call from sis. They think it is Plavix causing all this. The blood doc took her off it a few days ago and they will not have her take it again. Here is a laundry list of the side effects people have experienced and mom has them all!

Dizziness, nausea, fatigue, can't concentrate, internal bleeding / dieulafoy's lesion, low hemoglobin.

unbelievable.
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: paris on September 10, 2008, 09:32:44 AM
Your Mom got all the side effects!  Please tell her we are saying lots of prayers for some relief for all she is going through.  She must be really tough!  Keep us updated on her heart and blood pressure.  Hugs for all of you  :grouphug;
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: ODAT on September 10, 2008, 10:48:12 AM
Thanks for the hugs. Just left her and she looked and felt a bit better. They are continuing the nitrate patch until her blood pressure gets lower. up around 170/90. She felt hungry - that's good. What can you do about a medicine that can kill you? If we didn't take her in and she continued taking it, who knows what would have happened.
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: Joe Paul on September 10, 2008, 11:30:25 AM
Doctors and pills, it makes you wonder sometime  ???  I hope she continues to feel better, good luck!!
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: okarol on September 10, 2008, 11:51:04 AM


As they say, it either cures ya or kills ya. Sheesh, so glad they figured out what it was! Poor mom, give her a big hug from me please!  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: Lori1851 on September 10, 2008, 04:18:57 PM
Glad to hear your mom is home. I pray she will continue to improve daily.

 :grouphug;
Lori/Indiana
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: monrein on September 10, 2008, 05:40:02 PM
Incredible what your poor Mom has been through.
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: ODAT on September 10, 2008, 07:52:17 PM
Mom is still in the hospital. She has a heart monitor, cathedar, and the iv in her arm but not hooked up. She's still getting nitro patches. Hopefully tomorrow the GI folks will take her for another scope. They are also doing an echocardiogram of her heart. She is very restless, started on Xanax (sp?) twice a day. talk to you all later.
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: Mimi on September 10, 2008, 08:48:57 PM
So sorry to hear your Mom is going through all of this.  I have heard before that Plavix is
nothing to play around with.  Glad they took her off it.
ell her she is in my prayers.

Love, Mimi
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: ODAT on September 16, 2008, 05:59:11 AM
Mom went home yesterday. I was surprised they sent her home. i thought they'd get more tests done. She is still very dizzy, anxious, stomach doesn't feel right, not eating much (a few nibbles at each mealtime), and very tired. All's she does is sleep. My sister was there when they released her. I saw her last night and brought her three new meds: xanax, pill for diabetic gasterious (to soothe her stomach because diabetics don't always pass food well through their system?), and another blood pressure med (don't remember the name). The pharmacist said all of those meds cause dizziness for a few days until she gets used to them. My younger sister is staying with her. Next week my oldest sister is coming from Florida for a week or two. I just feel real sure that mom will be going back to ER. Hope my feeling is wrong.

I said to the nurse Sunday, 'mom has been on nitro patches since she's been here. Shouldn't you see how she is without them before you send her home?' Nurse said probably and would write a note for PA. Even with the nitro, mom's bp was high. They took it and it was 152/84. An hour later they took it and it was 189/88! Very hard and confusing to make sure the right things happen and mom gets the right meds. She is on so many and most of them cause dizziness and stomach issues.

So many stories about Plavix. Going to look into that more that's for sure.
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: willieandwinnie on September 16, 2008, 06:07:54 AM
:cuddle; ODAT. I'm so sorry your Mom is still having so many problems. Thoughts and prayers for all of you. Keep us posted.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: Mom in hospital - culprit is Plavix! took her off and keeping off
Post by: monrein on September 16, 2008, 09:04:03 AM
 :grouphug;  Thinking of all of you.