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Original poster

Asking for a handhold - DH in ICU

988 replies

peachgreen · 04/09/2020 10:56

DH was taken into hospital last night with breathing difficulties. It was pretty minor, the paramedics weren't even going to take him in but we insisted. He's now in an induced coma on a ventilator. He's had 2 negative Covid tests so they don't think it's that but they don't know what it is.

I'm falling apart. He's my whole life. We have a 2 year old who is a complete Daddy's girl. I need him so much. I can't even be with him now because of COVID.

OP posts:
slightchill · 07/09/2020 18:34

bisoprolol is the work of the devil IMO

Sorry for thread hi-jack but do you mind me asking why you say that Alternative Perspective?

I am taking a low dose for palpitations/minor arrhythmia that they couldn't find the cause of and I've found it to be fairly helpful with that but I have put on weight and feel more tired with it. I have an excellent cardiologist so wouldn't do anything without their advice, I am just interested to know!

Peachtree that's good news about your DH and good luck with the tests! Sometimes Mumsnet is just the place to post when you want objective support and aren't ready to share with immediate family. Flowers

CustardySergeant · 07/09/2020 18:57

Oh dear. I take bisoprolol, so I'm wondering why doctors prescribe it if it's "the work of the devil".

Murinae · 07/09/2020 18:57

I take bisoprolol too and find it fine. Apart from a drippy nose i don’t have many/any side effects.

Strawberrycreamsundae · 07/09/2020 18:59

I’m on bisoprolol too, it’s keeping me alive and I’m unaware of any side effects!

AlternativePerspective · 07/09/2020 19:10

apologies, I didn’t mean to cause alarm.

Bisoprolol can cause extreme fatigue, tbh when I was on a low (2.5mg) dose I was fine with it. But I was put up to 10MG and it was awful.

I’ve since had interventions etc and am no longer on it at all.

Again, apologies for causing any kind of alarm, it can just be a difficult side effect.

Having said that I also take a drug called amnioderone the side effect can be damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs, but the benefit outweighs the risk in that it keeps my AF at bay.

So as with many drugs it is a bit like swings and roundabouts.

slightchill · 07/09/2020 19:14

Thanks Alternative Perspective!

petalpower · 07/09/2020 19:17

My GP said that lots of people experience fatigue with Bisoprolol for a couple of weeks but it then tails off, it just didn’t for me and I felt dreadful. Nebivolol suits me much better.

Original poster
peachgreen · 07/09/2020 19:56

This is all really useful information, thank you all. DH really hated causing a fuss so I'll definitely need to advocate for him if the side effects of his medications are unbearable - knowing there are different options will be really helpful. And excellent to know about heart function because I absolutely would have panicked!

OP posts:
WiseUpJanetWeiss · 08/09/2020 09:50

Hope the night passed uneventfully.

On the question of being on Mumsnet at a time like this, I can confirm that another internet forum got me through the days before and after my DH’s surgeries. They were with me for the 8 hours he was in theatre the first time, badgering me to for goodness sake drink some lucozade at least and talked me down from the terror and despair of the next few nights. I will always be grateful to them.

Houseplantmad · 08/09/2020 10:01

I was hospitalised in July with a type of heart failure - function was 20% but it's back to normal now although I will take some weeks to recover fully. My prognosis is very good which is amazing considering how poorly I was.
I'm dosed uo with all sorts of meds which make me tired and can't return to work until next month but just wanted to let you know that things can get a lot better quite quickly. Thinking of you and your DH at such a worrying time.

Original poster
peachgreen · 08/09/2020 13:03

Thank you so much @Houseplantmad, that's so reassuring and I'm so glad you're on the mend. His long term prognosis being positive would be the cherry on the cake but we shall see.

OP posts:
Original poster
peachgreen · 08/09/2020 13:04

@WiseUpJanetWeiss night was good thank you, he had a sleeping pill which really helped as he feels so much more restored this morning. Off oxygen altogether now - amazing.

OP posts:
giletrouge · 08/09/2020 13:38

It's looking good for him, isn't it peachgreen? Smile

Original poster
peachgreen · 08/09/2020 14:56

In the short term definitely - considering we were told we may lose him on Friday it's been amazing.

OP posts:
forgetthehousework · 08/09/2020 15:32

This is so good to hear.

akerman · 08/09/2020 18:07

Great news, peach!

cakeandchampagne · 08/09/2020 18:14

Things are going so much better in such a short period of time!
Flowers

Brenna24 · 08/09/2020 18:36

That's fantastic news. I hope that things keep improving.

Original poster
peachgreen · 08/09/2020 21:47

Thank you all so much. I couldn't reply to everything but all your replies meant so much to me and brought so much comfort. No massive changes today but he's still doing well and we're just waiting for that cardiology bed so they can get going with the proper investigations.

Was in out of hours with DD tonight as she's had an allergic reaction to some baby wipes at nursery. It's now impossible to change her nappy without resorting to holding her down which is awful. And means she can't go to nursery as they're not taking care of it carefully enough so I don't get any break. Just hoping she heals quickly with the steroid cream they've given us and that her fear of nappy changes fades quickly so it's a bit easier for me.

OP posts:
petalpower · 09/09/2020 07:12

No changes and being stable is a good thing peachgreen. Hope your daughter feels better soon, what a time you’ve had this week. Hope you’ve got lots of RL support and are taking care of yourself.

Brenna24 · 09/09/2020 21:15

Oh goodness. Just what you need. I hope that she forgets quickly.

akerman · 09/09/2020 21:28

Oh God - your poor girl and poor you. Hope it clears up really quickly xx

Wallywobbles · 09/09/2020 22:26

How olds DD? If she's over 18 months this might be the ideal time to take the next step. DD2 went no nappies at 18 months. Her choice.

Original poster
peachgreen · 09/09/2020 22:45

@wallywobbles she's 2.5 and we were just starting the process after getting over 6 months of withholding issues (she was constipated once and it gave her the fear so she got into a cycle of withholding / sore bum etc) but she's so scared of being without a nappy now (because she associates it with pain) I don't think it would work. I did think the same thing and tried to give her nappy free time this evening but she was hysterical and trying to put on her own nappy the whole time.

Feeling a bit down tonight. DH has been moved to cardio which is brilliant but he says an ICD has been mentioned and that makes me nervous that the damage is substantial and we're already at the place where we're talking about surgical treatment. I'm still so grateful to have him back but I'd really got my hopes up that this would be medication only for now and surgery would be years down the line.

OP posts:
TrickyD · 09/09/2020 23:36

ICDs are used to treat various heart problems. Probably quite a lot of MN people have them, like me. Mine is a pacemaker correcting a very low heartbeat. Very simple procedure to insert it, all under a local anaesthetic with a sedating addition. It works like magic and apart from giving me a lumpy bit of chest, I wouldn’t know it was there.
I would sooner have my little chunk of metal silently pulsing than have to remember to take medicine for ever.
If that’s the treatment recommended for your DH, honestly, Peach, don’t worry about it.

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