Hi Sarah and Samantha,
Thanks
Possible TMI alert.
It's not pleasant, that I can assure you. Got woke up at 4am by leg cramps, got out of bed to stretch to the muscles and walk off the cramps. While I was up, I made coffee, used the bathroom and then went back to bed, to try to get some more sleep. No such luck, it seems that I couldn't get enough air, no matter what position I tried. Sitting up was the least problematic. Next hour and a half the breathing kept getting worse. Showered, WORSE. Thought about driving my self to the ER, decided that's not a good idea.
Dressed, except for shirt, called 911 and waited for EMT's (5 minutes.) No improvement. EMT's and ambulance arrive. We go through question and answer process, while they hook up the EKG and take vitals, we head outside and get me on the gurney, then loaded into the ambulance. Before we get rolling, the paramedic starts me on albuterol. Good stuff that, had me breathing almost normal within 10 minutes.
Paramedic re-hooks the EKG, then inserts an IV and draws blood, this guy is good with a needle, he got it on the first try, in a moving vehicle. I've had phlebotomists who couldn't find a vein and/or stuck me several times, sitting still in an office.
911 called 'til arrival at ER, about 30 minutes. Like I said breathing almost normal within 10 minutes, the drive time to the hospital. See previous post. Another EKG, more blood, urine, another albuterol treatment, etc., etc. 2 X-rays, 1 high and 1 low, they may have noticed an anomaly on the upper one involving my lower ribs, busted 9 of them a few years ago. 2 hours before they would me have any water!
Exertion, minimal. Age, I'll be 59 on the 18th. Cause, not PM, I've been off it for a month. I'll bet it's the smoking! Coming later this year, it'll be 40 years.
Note to self and everyone else, if you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke don't start. I wish I never had.
Now if I can just quit.
BigDave
Thanks
Possible TMI alert.
It's not pleasant, that I can assure you. Got woke up at 4am by leg cramps, got out of bed to stretch to the muscles and walk off the cramps. While I was up, I made coffee, used the bathroom and then went back to bed, to try to get some more sleep. No such luck, it seems that I couldn't get enough air, no matter what position I tried. Sitting up was the least problematic. Next hour and a half the breathing kept getting worse. Showered, WORSE. Thought about driving my self to the ER, decided that's not a good idea.
Dressed, except for shirt, called 911 and waited for EMT's (5 minutes.) No improvement. EMT's and ambulance arrive. We go through question and answer process, while they hook up the EKG and take vitals, we head outside and get me on the gurney, then loaded into the ambulance. Before we get rolling, the paramedic starts me on albuterol. Good stuff that, had me breathing almost normal within 10 minutes.
Paramedic re-hooks the EKG, then inserts an IV and draws blood, this guy is good with a needle, he got it on the first try, in a moving vehicle. I've had phlebotomists who couldn't find a vein and/or stuck me several times, sitting still in an office.
911 called 'til arrival at ER, about 30 minutes. Like I said breathing almost normal within 10 minutes, the drive time to the hospital. See previous post. Another EKG, more blood, urine, another albuterol treatment, etc., etc. 2 X-rays, 1 high and 1 low, they may have noticed an anomaly on the upper one involving my lower ribs, busted 9 of them a few years ago. 2 hours before they would me have any water!
Exertion, minimal. Age, I'll be 59 on the 18th. Cause, not PM, I've been off it for a month. I'll bet it's the smoking! Coming later this year, it'll be 40 years.
Note to self and everyone else, if you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke don't start. I wish I never had.
Now if I can just quit.
BigDave