Back in the hospital

[vtwhip]

Hubby is back in the hospital 11 days after leaving. He has fluid in the lungs, which may be pneumonia. Cat scan also shows fluid around the heart, and the doctors say that happens after surgery. Has anyone else had this experience? We're feeling frustrated because he was moved from his primary care doctor over to the surgical team and no one has really sat down to explain exactly what's going on since going in last night.

 

[Cooker]

Hubby is back in the hospital 11 days after leaving. He has fluid in the lungs, which may be pneumonia. Cat scan also shows fluid around the heart, and the doctors say that happens after surgery. Has anyone else had this experience? We're feeling frustrated because he was moved from his primary care doctor over to the surgical team and no one has really sat down to explain exactly what's going on since going in last night.

I did not have fluid in the lungs but I had it around the heart ... I think both are fairly common ... Prayers coming his way.

 

[THigginsVT]

Sheri

Just read your post. Good luck with his fluid control. I had a lot of fluid also - about 20 lbs - after surgery.

Put me on a LASIX drip for couple of days and that worked for me. Praying all goes well. Tom

 

[Nancy]

Those kinds of fluid problems are quite common. I am sure his surgeon will get it straightened out fast.

If you want to know what is going on, you have to be there when the doctors make rounds in the hospital, and then you can talk with them and get answers. It may mean that you have to be there very early in the morning, like around 7AM, and you may have to wait around until they arrive. But it is worth the wait to get the information you want.

You also have the right to page any of his doctors if they are in the hospital and request that they speak with you when they are available, if your husband has made the proper arrangements to allow you to speak with his doctors on his behalf.

Sometimes, the head nurse will fill you in too.

 

[zipper2]

So sorry to hear this, good thoughts and prayers

for both of you and please keep us updated

when able (WE ARE WORRY WARTS)


zipper2 (DEB)

 

[WayneGM]

I had fluid around the heart as have many other VR members. I was told by my doc that it wasn't that common but from all the experiences I've read around here I'd say it is. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[Superbob]

Sending best thoughts and prayers. From reading here for nearly four years, I'd say this is a common problem, and it's good his docs are on top of it, and will get it resolved.

 

[Mary]

Please let us know when you hear something from whomever's in charge of his case.

 

[Freddie]

Sorry to hear this and I hope it clears up real soon - as I have never experienced this during my recovery.

Prayers going your way.

 

[Bridgette]

When I had pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart) the doctor told me that it affects about one in ten thousand, so wasn't that common.
But a lot of people on this site seem to have had it.

 

[RobinH]

Same thing happened to me. I was back in the hospital two weeks after discharge due to pericaridal effusion and pleural effusion. They drained the fluid around my heart and it never came back. I had multiple lung taps for the pleural effusion (not fun!) but eventually the problem went away after the doctor put me on steriods (medrol pack) for two weeks. All of my post-op complications were gone by 7 weeks. I'm 4 months post-op now and feeling great! Don't worry too much...your hubby will be fine.

 

[skeptic49]

Hoping your husband's fluid problem resolves soon.

Best wishes,

JIm

 

[hensylee]

hoping for a good and quick resolution to the fluid. Best wishes and prayers. blessins............

 

[MikeHeim]

I had fluid in the lungs at the time of my discharge, and it cleared up after awhile w/o intervention.

 

[WilliamJE]

I had pneumonia about two days after surgery. Good luck and God bless.

 

[vtwhip]

Hubby was released today from the hospital. The doctors today said that it wan't pneumonia, but Dressler's Syndrome along with excess fluid in his lungs. I was just reading the thread on Dressler's and it doesn't sound like something that passes quickly.

 

[THigginsVT]

So many things... I will also read up on Dressler's. Tell Bill to hang in there.This too shall pass. Sorry for his complications.

Glad he is home. Tom

 

[Phyllis]

Glad it was not pneumonia and I hope that his recovery is complete. For those not in the know, here is a definition from Mayo Clinic on Dressler's
Definition

Dressler's syndrome is a complication that can occur following a heart attack or heart surgery. It occurs when the sac that surrounds your heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed. An immune system reaction is thought to be responsible for Dressler's syndrome, which usually develops several weeks or months after heart tissue injury.

Dressler's syndrome causes fever and chest pain, which can feel like another heart attack. Also referred to as post-pericardiotomy and post-myocardial infarction syndrome, Dressler's syndrome is treated with medications that reduce inflammation.

With recent improvements in the medical treatment of heart attack, Dressler's syndrome is far less common than it used to be. However, once you've had the condition, it may recur, so it's important to be on the lookout for any symptoms of Dressler's syndrome if you've had a heart attack, heart surgery or other heart injury.