Just tested positive

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Rule Number 32
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In reply to bay fan • 9:11a, 9/25/21
AG
Bay,

That's not exactly what I meant. I was released from the hospital after being there 7 days with literally NO plan other than come back to the emergency room if I feel bad. I've been home 3 days now and I still feel bad and will for a while. What concerned me was the doctors at the hospital had said to call with any questions, and literally zero of them have returned calls. I know they are all swamped and I don't necessarily blame them, but when I'm trying to decide if I need to return to the hospital because I wasn't even given any type of criteria I need to watch for, I would appreciate it if they could take a couple of minutes to answer that type of question.

The PCP issue is a difficult one to solve. With urgent care so easy nowadays, I haven't had a PCP ever (I'm 38). We also literally are in the process of moving, so even if I did have a PCP I wouldn't have one where I am now. Every single doctor we have called is not taking new patients right now. We got lucky and finally found a new doctor that seems great and I'm going to see her Monday. I think someone else on this thread was also saying they couldn't get a return to work notice because they couldn't find a PCP to see them.

Again, these are crazy times and I know everyone is swamped so I don't want to seem like I'm just griping about it. I was just shocked at the lack of any kind of after care after 7 days in the hospital.
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htxag09
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9:16a, 9/25/21
AG
Another takeaway from this thread: get a pcp. I'd wager 80+% of my friends don't have one. They just use an urgent care, like you said. I'm 34, most of these people are around that same age.

This is one of the exact reasons I have one. That, and I think it's about more than just getting a script when you're sick. Yearly physicals, building trust, knowing my history and seeing trends in my numbers vs just putting it up against benchmarks, etc.
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Rule Number 32
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9:20a, 9/25/21
AG
HTX - yeah that's exactly my point. Urgent care is so easy, and I always wondered why people would wait days to go to the doctor (PCP) rather than just drop into an urgent care. Even wait times are easier, and it's often chair. But now I know, and I plan to invest some good time with my new doctor so hopefully in the future this kind of thing doesn't happen to me
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GeographyAg
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9:40a, 9/25/21
AG
We use Kelsey-Seybold and have a PCP, but when he's not available there are several others to choose from, and they can all see the records of previous visits, which helps with consistency a bit. As you get older it gets even more important to have a relationship with a doctor and to be able to get in to see one asap when you need him.
If I’m posting, it’s actually Mrs GeographyAg.
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Cepe
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In reply to GeographyAg • 10:04a, 9/25/21
AG
GeographyAg said:
We use Kelsey-Seybold and have a PCP, but when he's not available there are several others to choose from, and they can all see the records of previous visits, which helps with consistency a bit. As you get older it gets even more important to have a relationship with a doctor and to be able to get in to see one asap when you need him.
Also, if they are set up with MyChart you can send questions through that system. Someone seems to always be monitoring it and my family has had good luck with it, usually the PCP responding themselves.

Not all use it properly, but a lot in the bigger systems (Memorial Herman, Methodist, etc) do.

It's nice to have it available. . .
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GeographyAg
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In reply to Cepe • 10:34a, 9/25/21
AG
Cepe said:
GeographyAg said:
We use Kelsey-Seybold and have a PCP, but when he's not available there are several others to choose from, and they can all see the records of previous visits, which helps with consistency a bit. As you get older it gets even more important to have a relationship with a doctor and to be able to get in to see one asap when you need him.
Also, if they are set up with MyChart you can send questions through that system. Someone seems to always be monitoring it and my family has had good luck with it, usually the PCP responding themselves.

Not all use it properly, but a lot in the bigger systems (Memorial Herman, Methodist, etc) do.

It's nice to have it available. . .
Yes. I love the MyChart system. They've always been very responsive to me, and you can easily get a referral to a specialist in their system if you need one.

I'm sure other systems have that too. I do some medical stuff through Methodist Hospital and they've got a similar setup.
If I’m posting, it’s actually Mrs GeographyAg.
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bay fan
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In reply to Rule Number 32 • 10:27p, 9/25/21
S
Rule Number 32 said:
HTX - yeah that's exactly my point. Urgent care is so easy, and I always wondered why people would wait days to go to the doctor (PCP) rather than just drop into an urgent care. Even wait times are easier, and it's often chair. But now I know, and I plan to invest some good time with my new doctor so hopefully in the future this kind of thing doesn't happen to me
Good! Having a trusting relationship with a pcp is an important part of medical care.
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Rule Number 32
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10:36a, 9/26/21
AG
The last day I have felt very short of breath. I feel like a couple days ago I was able to walk around and not lose quite as much, but yesterday and this morning just standing or walking a little really has me winded.

I have been actually sleeping though which is nice! I've been having some crazy dreams though.

Hope everyone else's recovery takes a big step forward today!
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Jbob04
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In reply to Rule Number 32 • 11:07a, 9/26/21
AG
Glad you are finally getting some rest! You will have some days where you feel like you get winded easier. Sounds like your recovery is going well. Stay with it and keep getting up and moving.
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curry97
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In reply to Rule Number 32 • 11:31a, 9/26/21
AG
There will be days like that. I have been out of the hospital almost 3 weeks and I still have days like that. Plus it depends on how much I have exerted myself also. I was always able to do more from lunch on before getting SOB. My mornings were the worst part of the day. Keep working at it, you will get there. What was your oxygen level when you were SOB?
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Rex Racer
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11:33a, 9/26/21
AG
My wife and I just walked 1.25 miles for the first time since we got sick. We went a bit slower than we used to, but that was a major accomplishment for us!

Still praying for you, 32. I had up days and down days in the beginning, but week to week, I could see improvement. You will get there!
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Rule Number 32
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11:42a, 9/26/21
AG
Oxygen has been holding pretty well around 92 with 4L all day, but the second I start moving it dips to upper 80s. Getting up and walking any distance im in the lower 80s pretty quickly and needing to rest. I know my lungs are still a mess and it will take time. I really appreciate the responses this morning.

Going to the doctor first thing tomorrow morning and it will be good to get to ask some questions.
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Jbob04
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In reply to Rex Racer • 12:05p, 9/26/21
AG
Rex Racer said:
My wife and I just walked 1.25 miles for the first time since we got sick. We went a bit slower than we used to, but that was a major accomplishment for us!

Still praying for you, 32. I had up days and down days in the beginning, but week to week, I could see improvement. You will get there!

Awesome Rex! My son and I walked just over a mile this morning. Our pace was around 22 minutes per mile. Last week I was around 26 minutes per mile. Like you, I can really tell week to week my progress. Continued prayers for everyone recovering from this mess.
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curry97
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12:17p, 9/26/21
AG
Awesome Rex and Jbob. My wife and I walk a mile every night, then when we get to the house we walk up and down our driveway (my drive is at a 20 degree angle). I don't get SOB until we are walking the driveway. I started riding my stationary bike this week, completed 15, 25, 20 minutes before getting tired.

32: continue to exercise your lungs using a spirometer. Also, get on your stomach to incorporate the lower part of your lungs. Did they send you home on steroids to help your breathing?
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Jbob04
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In reply to curry97 • 12:39p, 9/26/21
AG
Awesome curry! Glad you are doing well. I just bought a spirometer, is there any certain exercises I should be doing with it? Never used one before
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Rule Number 32
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12:42p, 9/26/21
AG
Yeah I was on steroids a few days but took my last one yesterday. Great to see everyone's progress.
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curry97
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In reply to Jbob04 • 1:29p, 9/26/21
AG
The spirometer is used to encourage deep breathing, lung expansion, and mucus clearance, which allows people to retrain their lungs to take slower and fuller breaths and optimize ventilation.

So the unit that you have more than likely addresses inhaled lung volume. Make you sure that you have emptied your lungs of as much air as possible, then inhale slowly using the mouthpiece of the spirometer. If it has an indicator gauge on the side of the volume tube, make sure to keep the indicator piece within the range noted. It also has a goal marker that you can set on the volume tube, but I use it to count my reps. That is pretty much all that you can do with it.
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Jbob04
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In reply to curry97 • 1:42p, 9/26/21
AG
Thanks Curry
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MiMi
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In reply to Jbob04 • 2:30p, 9/27/21
S
RN 32 has not checked in since yesterday. His Dr's appt was this morning. I hope all is well.
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Rule Number 32
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2:53p, 9/27/21
AG
Thank you for the concern! I went to the doctor this morning and everything seems to be doing ok. They want to do another cat scan to make sure all pneumonia is gone, but said my lungs sounded healthy. So I'm scheduled to get a CS next Monday.

Still VERY winded after basically any movement. I was definitely hoping to have more progress by this point, but I am happy that the doctor thinks I am progressing, even if slower than I wanted.

Edit: oops wrong emoji there
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GeographyAg
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In reply to Rule Number 32 • 3:02p, 9/27/21
AG
Rule Number 32 said:
Thank you for the concern! I went to the doctor this morning and everything seems to be doing ok. They want to do another cat scan to make sure all pneumonia is gone, but said my lungs sounded healthy. So I'm scheduled to get a CS next Monday.

Still VERY winded after basically any movement. I was definitely hoping to have more progress by this point, but I am happy that the doctor thinks I am progressing, even if slower than I wanted.

Edit: oops wrong emoji there
Glad to hear you're doing better! You scared me with the red face there.
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Rex Racer
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In reply to Rule Number 32 • 3:22p, 9/27/21
AG
Rule Number 32 said:
Thank you for the concern! I went to the doctor this morning and everything seems to be doing ok. They want to do another cat scan to make sure all pneumonia is gone, but said my lungs sounded healthy. So I'm scheduled to get a CS next Monday.

Still VERY winded after basically any movement. I was definitely hoping to have more progress by this point, but I am happy that the doctor thinks I am progressing, even if slower than I wanted.

Edit: oops wrong emoji there
Glad to hear the good report. I am 25 days out from when I was released from the hospital, and I still get winded (compared to normal). It is getting better, but it's a slow process. This will require much patience, I'm afraid.
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Rule Number 32
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7:59a, 9/28/21
AG
Morning check in time. Had wild dreams all night that my decisions were affecting the rest of humanity and putting us all into some sort of time loop - so that was fun.

Hoping that today I'm able to walk at least a little without panicking. I know when I start walking I start to breathe much more shallow, so I'm going to do some standing and stretching exercises today to work my lungs and breathing a little. Also going to hit the Spiro thing a lot today
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McKinney Ag
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8:04a, 9/28/21
AG
Prayers for a good day 32.

Pretty crazy what our brains are capable of conjuring up! Hopefully you make the progress you are looking for and also get some restful naps in.
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curry97
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8:15a, 9/28/21
AG
Keep up the hard work, you will get there. Find some patience. I began to get impatient with my progress during my second week home because it was moving too slowly. It is a long process of recovery.

Please make sure to keep an eye on your o2 levels during activity so you know if you are becoming hypoxic. Sometimes you might be having SOB upon exertion. Also, take breaks between tasks to give yourself recovery time. Don't overexert yourself to the point where you can't make it to the bathroom.

Continued prayers for you sir.
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t - cam
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8:28a, 9/28/21
AG
How are you other guys doing back home?
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Rex Racer
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In reply to t - cam • 8:49a, 9/28/21
AG
t - cam said:
How are you other guys doing back home?
I am doing well. Showers still get me out of breath a bit, but they are much easier now than they were. And my wife and I are walking daily for 1.25 miles. We go slowly so as not to get me too out of breath. I am still coughing some. I'm using a nebulizer 4 times a day with albuterol to try to loosen things up. I don't know if it's actually helping or not, but I figure it can't hurt.

It seems the lowest my O2 saturation gets when I am really winded is in the upper 80s, so I just rest for a few seconds and it is back in the 90s.

Overall, I am happy with my progress. But I am sure ready to be back to normal. I need to stop coughing so I can get a dang haircut!
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Jbob04
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In reply to t - cam • 8:56a, 9/28/21
AG
t - cam said:
How are you other guys doing back home?

I am doing well also. My activity level has really increased this past week. Walking daily and playing baseball and football with my son. My cough has improved dramatically. I still cough in the mornings some but by afternoon I'm good for the rest of the day. I'm thankful for the progress I've made but I'm ready to be back full speed. I'm ready to get back to the gym and be able to run again. This is certainly a long slow recovery on the lungs. I'm going to get my first haircut tomorrow! I don't remember the last time it was cut and it is out of control. I keep a short haircut and this long hair is driving me crazy. Continued prayers for everyone who is still recovering from this.
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Rule Number 32
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9:18a, 9/28/21
AG
I keep a very close eye on my o2 levels. I'm not sure if mine is mental or what, but literally just standing up, I dip down to the mid 80s and my breathing gets very difficult. if walking I'm in the low 80s and needing a break pretty quickly. When I am at rest, I sit around 93 most of the time while on my 4L oxygen. I really am tired of not being able to do anything at all for myself.

Did anyone else start to struggle like immediately upon standing up?
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Jbob04
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In reply to Rule Number 32 • 9:24a, 9/28/21
AG
My first couple of weeks out of the hospital was a struggle. I would get winded upon standing up but I made myself walk up and down the hallway every hour on the hour. It sucks getting winded and it's an uneasy feeling but you have to work your lungs to get them better. The hospital also told me to keep moving to prevent from getting blood clots along with a baby aspirin daily. Hang in there and keep working, it will get better.

My doctor told me to figure one week for every day you were in the hospital for your recovery as a rough rule of thumb. It is a slow process for sure.
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Rule Number 32
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9:48a, 9/28/21
AG
Thank you jbob. that's encouraging.

I've figured out that getting my lungs in the vertical position vs horizontal just makes it much harder to get any kind of breath. So I'm going to set an alarm to at least get up and walk a little like you did to get them working. The last few days I've literally laid in my chair with lungs horizontal with very few exceptions.
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Rex Racer
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In reply to Jbob04 • 10:14a, 9/28/21
AG
The doctor told me that, too. And I was in for 16 days. Freaked me out. But I think I am ahead of that pace. We'll see.
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Jbob04
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In reply to Rex Racer • 10:34a, 9/28/21
AG
I think you are well ahead of that too Rex. You are doing great since you are walking over a mile at a time.
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curry97
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In reply to t - cam • 7:34p, 9/28/21
AG
Doing pretty well. I see improvements almost daily with things that I am able to do without getting tired or SOB. The thing that does wear me out is stairs. Went up in the attic yesterday to get some stuff down. Had to take a couple of rest breaks. Returned to work yesterday, even had to change a flat tire today on my brand new work car. Damn screw!

Glad to hear everyone else is getting better.

32: as Jbob stated, you have to work your lungs to get them better.
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Mark Fairchild
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11:32p, 9/28/21
AG
The best part of this post is the camaraderie you have with one another. It's funny how God works that out, isn't it? So thankful to read that you are all improving and playing it forward. God bless you all, and continued good health!
Gig'em, Ole Army Class of '70
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