asperation pneumonia

[meg321]

My pneumonia has returned, i am not quite sure what I am asking but I know the asperation pneumonia is from the MS and just wondering if I can get more information from someone....

possibly someone else has this issue..

meg

[meg321]

Thanks sweetie !! I don't really have a GI Dr but my MS dr's office is helping, and i saw someone when I was in the hosp. and they sent home some instructions with me.  With my cog issues I had tokeep reading them over and over.

I know what to eat and how but I am sticking to certain foods right now until I see the Swallowing Clinic and I am better,

Lu, when you say it lingers for several months, how do you know when and what you can do, so as not to get sick again?  Somehow I didnt get that right..

I want watching my eating habits very well either...I was trying though.  I have learned more this time.   But I got up yesterday to do some bedding and some other things and my breathing got really bad and its still bad today.So I am not doing anything but the bathroom and my meds.
My new nurse practioner from the MS clinic at UCSF is a God-send, its very hard to talk to my Dr, she is way too busy.

My local internist is no help at all...i mean NONE !  But there are no really fgood Drs here or I would change.

hugs, meg

[Lulu54]

Meg, you're just not catching a break with this pneumonia.  Perhaps you hadn't cleared it completely from the first time?  Aspiration pneumonia can take a long time to clear - my husband had his linger several months before it finally cleared.

The wedge for the bed is a good idea.  Your GI doctor should have a number of tips on how to handle the acid reflux - including dietary changes and habits.

Hopefully you will get some relief soon.

hugs, Lulu

PS you talk just the right amount ....  :-)

[meg321]

Darn, erased my message by accident...actually I did find out that my pneumonia was caused by my swallowing while I was in the hospital before.  They sent me home with some guidelines which I tried to following but I eveidently didnt do enough.  

I saw and talked to saw so many Drs and nurses while there....but my mind just gets bogged down with so much information plus I was sick.

But to my MS clinic at UCSF and I have an appt with Voice & Swallowing Clinic on 8/16, hopefully I will get better by then.

I am doing much better now but my local Dr, is good for nothing...I had to find out all of this without him..I went to my old Dr. last time and he put me in the hospital and got some answers for me.

Actually i knew that i had a swallowing problem, which was all I knew, and I couldnt get him to do much about my acid reflux and hiatal hernia.   I told him what worked and he wouldnt give it to me.  My old Dr. prescribed it for me, no problem.  I would fire him but there is noone good Drs here anyway.

Thanks for all yor responses and I am doing things better now..changed my diet, lying on my 12 pillows and I ordered a wedge for my bed.

I talk too much....

meg

[addicted2harleys]

Oh, yeah...forgot.  The sleeping propped up most definitely helps.  Stuff pillows or blankets behind you or even under your matress atbthe head.  Both ways work.  Recliners are great ideas, too.  

And deep coughing.  I know this one ***** and HURTS.  but, you have to cough.  :(

Addi

[addicted2harleys]

Meg-

You really need to be in the care of a good respiratory care physician.  Has anyone ever showed you any deep breathing exercises?  These are used as prevention...not treatment.   But, they are very important.  

Speech therapy is where you should be going, if the aspiration is due to swallowing issues.  Have you ever seen one?   There are tests than can be run, through them, to see if your aspiration is due to swallowing issues you may not even be aware of having.  

Have your local pill doctor give you a couple of referrals, instead of pills, Hun.  One for a pulmonologist and one for speech therapy.  

So sorry you are going through this again, so soon.  Maybe you never actually recovered from the last one completely...I seem to remember it just happening in the near past.  

Hugs,
Addi

[COBOB]

In MS, Aspiration Pneumonia can be related to issues with swallowing or gastric reflux.  Stomach contents and saliva can cause problems in the lungs.

Sometime occupational and speech therapists can help with swallowing issues.  I have no idea whether sleeping upright on pillows or a recliner works.  It seems to help reflux patients keep the stomach contents down.  I suspect that it may help with the drainage of saliva.  

Let us know what you find out.

Bob

[meg321]

thanks girls, at least I got a reponse....and thanks for the bump...someone must know something.

I was in better care the first time, in my opinion.  At least I foud out what is causing it.  So i am able to help myself a little this time. I am back to my local doc now and he makes me nervous.
He gives me a pill,..

and I go about working on what i know I can do and setting up appts to help me do that.  I have a nurse practioner now who really working with me, she is from my MS Dr's office at UCSF..finally have a good connection with someone who gets right back to me.

Hugs, meg

[Guitar_grrrl]

Dang, Meg!!  You've had an awful year!  I hate that you're going through this.  Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery.  (((Meg)))  Unfortunately I have no answers for you...

[sllowe]

Hi Meg,

I'm sorry you've got this yet again. Are you in good care?

Giving this a healthy bump for those who may experience it, or are versed in it.

(((Hugs))
shell