Re: Update on my lungs

[Guest guest]

Tell the ER you need a pulmonologist .....your lungs hurt They will give you

the right meds... Good Luck Liz

Re: Update on my lungs

Keilia

Two things here. Go to your PCP and force the issue with them so that they can

get you into see a lung doc like yesterday! Or go to an ER like it or not you

need to push this and now! after many trips to the ER and with the other things

you have wrote about I would if it was me be wanting a ct of my lungs and some

relief from the pain and to make sure there is no fluid build up at all ! I

would also want to know if there is a Pneumonia (spelling) or scarring from it

in the past! Again push the subject and push it hard some times it is what is

needed I am sorry to say. If you live with some one have them also go with you

and in to the doctors or The ER! Have them there when talking to any doctor so

they are there to back you up and add info you may forget also!

You have to some times be pushy as you are your best advocate for your own

health and care and only you know just how it is effecting you making you feel

and so one so get busy gal and take no prisoners your at war for your health so

fight for it and get them to fight with you

Hugs

the redneck

Marty G.

[Guest guest]

The primary documented Still's lung involv1ment in the literature is pleuritis

(aka pleurasy) or inflammation of the pleural tissue which is the space between

the lungs and the body cavity. The pain can be excrutiating. That is a Rheumy

thing to deal with. Although a good primary could treat the symptoms

(prednisone can help that inflammation). The other lung conditions are similar

to those seen as secondary to RA and other connective tissue/autoimmune

diseases. These fall into the category of ILD or Interstitial Lung Diseases.

There is also a rare condition called Macrophage Activation Syndrome.

My Rheumy and my Pulmonologist work hand in hand to deal with the lung

complications in my case.

I agree that the ER should call in a pulmonary consult should you appear in the

ER again. Ask for one.

Tom from PA

ps I made my first ER visit of 2009 this past Sunday for cellulitis in my hand.

IV antibiotic and oral Bactrim and Keflex. Good news is no admission. But I

was hoping to stay away from the place for the whole year, since 2008 sucked so

badly. Stupidly I did delay the ER visit, hoping to set the new personal

record, so it was worse than if I had gone in the day after Christmas.

>

>

> I have been looking everywhere and cannot seem to find any info on what KINDS

of lung involvement there is with still's?

>

[Guest guest]

The ER is NOT an appropriate place to go for pain management. I realize that

you may be in excruiating pain, but most ERs won't do anything for you. I ran

in to this issue last month when I had a REALLY problem, i.e., my morphine pump

ran out and I didn't know it. I laid on a bench in the ER in a fetal position.

Not only did I not get ANYTHING to help me, but the ER doc actually said to me,

" If you don't have a heart attack, broken limb, or gun shot wound, wait until

the next day to see your own doctor. We are not equipped to deal with your sort

of situation. " This from UCLA Medical Center!! Where they had my records on

the COMPUTER right there!!!

Also, so not ever SAY you are having chest pain if you aren't. And if your

chest pain is not a heart attack (i.e., you've got pleurisy and you've had it

before), do not act like you might be having a heart attack if you know that's

not the case. Like the boy who cried wolf, the next time you need the ER, they

won't believe you.

If you truly cannot wait for pain medication, have the ER doc call your regular

doc and discuss it so that you don't look like you're a junkie with drug seeking

behavior as you mentioned.

It's a far better idea to have at home different levels of medication for

break-through pain. My doc let me have a prescription for LIQUID oxycontin

which I can put under my tongue and have in to my system quickly. There are

also Fentanyl lollipops and morphine liquid available. With chronic pain, it's

far better to be prepared for those bad days.

Lastly, in the US, you can't fire someone for being ill. That is unless you are

an " at will " employee (or on probation). You might need to take a week or two

off work to get used to your pain meds. (My ex is a photographer and handles

the machines and chemicals so I understand your concern.)

Good luck with this, but in the future, make yourself prepared. Prepared is

forarmed.