DH hospitalised - can’t breathe properly

[KikiKaty]

Hoping someone with clinical knowledge can help. My DH has been admitted to hospital in a Acute Dependency Unit and put on oxygen because he couldn’t breathe properly. He’s been there almost 48 hours and maybe had a small improvement but not much. I can’t talk to him or visit and I don’t really understand what is going on.

Does anyone have any experience of what this might mean, please? Recovery rate, how long he might be in hospital etc. I appreciate each case is individual but I’m very anxious about this.

TIA

Can you speak to the nurse looking after him? Most critical care nurses are very knowledgeable and will "translate" the hospital speak. Otherwise pals can liaise for you.

Thanks for replying. I did speak to a nurse but I think she didn’t want to dwell on what might or might not happen. I understand that they need to deal with the facts they have today.

I don’t have any friends that can help, unfortunately.

Offering a hand to hold OP, I hope he starts to improve soon. Was it very sudden or had he been unwell?

I think she meant PALS, the patient liaison service.

Hope you get good news soon.

Thanks for your support. He’d been a bit unwell but then the breathing got worse very quickly.

Apologies, I understand about PALS now. I had a look but they’re not open until after Easter.

What were his symptoms in the lead up to being admitted to hospital? Do you have any idea why he’s been admitted? An oxygen requirement could mean any number of things but it really would depend on how your husband has presented and what they’ve found when doing tests. Does he have any previous medical history?

Hi OP. My DH (37,no health problems) was in hospital for a week, a couple of weeks ago. He had low oxygen levels, pneumonia, very high temp and high heart rate. I was very worried and also started a thread on here where I got alot of support. He was entered onto a drug trial (an arthritis drug) and improved quickly after that but don't know if the drug helped or if he would have improved anyway. I expected a long recovery but he got stronger everyday but pretty much back to his usual self. Went back to work last week and playing golf today! As he was in the trial he is back next week for a CT scan and blood tests so that will be interesting. I sympathise with you, it is a worrying time but I am sure he will be doing better soon. My DH was on oxygen too, had steroids, fluids and a few different antibiotics. I hope you are okay

There really isn’t much anyone can say here to reassure you. Assuming he’s had a positive covid test (your post doesn’t say that but am guessing that’s why you’ve posted here) there are several different mechanisms that can make someone short of breath and the interplay between those any any other medical conditions he has are what will make the difference in how ill he is/how long recovery takes etc. There will be people in here who have/know people who’ve recovered quickly, others who’ve needed long stays in intensive care with the full shebang of medical stuff thrown at them and probably the vast majority will be somewhere in between. There’s really no way for us to know which group your husband will be in. Hope that you’re able to speak to the medical team looking after him and they can update you properly.

He's in the right place and the nhs aren't overwhelmed at the moment so should get decent care. It might be like Boris Johnson who was in intensive care for a bit for help with breathing i think but OK now. Fingers crossed op

Yes sorry I meant PALS. Dh had a stay in icu last year (non covid) and the nurses rarely gave more information than the current situation and factual. They would not speculate as to how things may develop as the situation can change suddenly. Is he stable and comfortable? Could he communicate at all, if so can you send him messages. Assuming he has covid and no underlying issues hopefully he will respond to the treatment.

If it's any encouragement - an Acute Dependency Unit (ADU) is not an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) - so that says he's not doing as badly as some patients might be. An ADU is generally for patients who need more care than can be provided on a regular ward - but don't need full Intensive Care.

When to expect improvement will depend on lots of things such as how many days in to the course of the infection he is, and his age.

This must be so worrying OP especially as you can't be there with him.

When you spoke to the nurse did they say when you should call back for an update and did they offer for you to speak with one of the drs treating him? Are you able to speak with your husband?

Before you speak to them next jot down a couple of questions that you want to ask as I know it can be hard to remember everything in the moment. And write down what they say so you can refer back to it. If you don't understand something don't be afraid to say so and ask them to explain it again. Obviously the staff are incredibly busy but they also do understand how worrying it is for loved ones to not be able to be there.

Honestly op it would be wrong for anyone on here to try and tell you about recovery times etc for your husband..you need to ring up and ask to speak to someone who's looking after him. I've had relatives in hospital and intensive care during the pandemic and it's never been an issue getting information over the phone.

I have no medical knowledge but I’m thinking of you both and hoping for happier times for you 🌻

Depends whats wrong. Does he have a chest infection/ pneumonia. Does he have a phuenathorax. What's his rr whats his sats. How is he now he's on o2. Isit covid? Does he have respiratory issues anyways. Is he maintaining his sats on o2. Has he required cpap? Is he able to get rid of co2. Is he on bipap. Need more info. But he is in right place xx

Thanks for all the replies. I know that no one but the doctors and nurses can really tell me what’s going on. It’s just so hard to be patient and wait. I can’t concentrate on anything else. And of course, I want them to say that he’ll be fine and out in 5 days or whatever but I also know that no one knows the answer to that yet.

He’s COVID positive, 55 years old. Pretty fit for a man of his age although a bit overweight. Social smoker. He’s Afro Caribbean and I’d read somewhere that might make him more at risk??

He can’t speak to me but sends me a message now and then. I hadn’t heard from him until almost lunchtime and I was terrified he’d died overnight.

@VaccineYayVaccineNay

Hi OP. My DH (37,no health problems) was in hospital for a week, a couple of weeks ago. He had low oxygen levels, pneumonia, very high temp and high heart rate. I was very worried and also started a thread on here where I got alot of support. He was entered onto a drug trial (an arthritis drug) and improved quickly after that but don't know if the drug helped or if he would have improved anyway. I expected a long recovery but he got stronger everyday but pretty much back to his usual self. Went back to work last week and playing golf today! As he was in the trial he is back next week for a CT scan and blood tests so that will be interesting. I sympathise with you, it is a worrying time but I am sure he will be doing better soon. My DH was on oxygen too, had steroids, fluids and a few different antibiotics. I hope you are okay

I’m so glad your DH is better.

Are you a fan of Casualty christmasfairy?

Good that he has shown some signs of improvement and ‘only’ in ADU. Sending you good luck OP

Hopefully you'll hear some positive news soon OP

Handhold OP. I can’t imagine how stressful it is