aspiration pneumonia

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Jeannie

Distinguished member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
222
Reason
Loved one DX
Diagnosis
01/2008
Country
US
State
NJ
City
Vernon
Has anyone here had to deal with aspiration pneumonia? My mil was just taken to the er and the dr.s are saying aspiration pneumonia. They did an x-ray and are taking her to cat scan of her chest to see the severity of it. Her o2 is at 98 but she feels like she can't breath. Thank you for your help
Jeannie
 
Hi Jeannie,

Does your MIL know what it is that she aspirated? and does she know when it happened?

There seems to be quite a difference in severity of this type. It can be very serious, or not so much. I think maybe because of what has entered into the lungs, and the person's level of lung function.

I've had aspiration pneumonia. The first time it was almost like walking pneumonia, I gradually got achy and sick feeling, eventually ran a high fever. I felt like I had something down in my chest and was short of breath. Antibiotics took care if it right away. The second time, I didn't run such a high fever, but it was harder to breathe and harder to get rid of. Both times it was only a tiny amount of fluids that had gotten in there, and it was also not something that had been in my stomach first, which probably helped too. I was not hospitalized either time, and did not have much phlegm from it.

They tell me down at Hopkins that they feel being proactive with anything involving the lungs is the number one way to keep a PAL as healthy as possible.


I hope your MIL does well once they have her on some meds. They will probably give her breathing exercises to do as well.
 
Dear Rose,
Thank you for your reply. They transfered her to another hospital where there is a lung specialist. Her lung function is only 33% (b/c of the als) The dr at the second hospital believes that she is "just having an asthma issue" and he dosne't think it is pneumonia. The lung specialist will let us know tomorrow. The new dr. didn't want her on the bi-pap tonight but she had trouble breathing again and finally after insisting almost, they agreed to put her on it. As far as she can communicate with us she feels like she cant catch her breath.....AHHHHHH
I will update later today after we get back.
Thank you for your care and concern.
In friendship
JEannie
 
"just having an asthma issue"

Really? And he recommends NOT using the Bi-Pap even with 33% capacity? I wonder what her ALS clinic would say? I don't mean to sound cryptic but sometimes the regular Docs just do not have enough experience. JMHO. Cindy
 
Cindy,
I completyly agree with you! I am amazed at Peoples lack of knowledge with ALS. Last night it seemed like they didn't know what to do with her because she can't speak or really write anymore to let us know how she is feeling. I felt like they were just dismissing her because they couldn't understand what she needed. I usually keep my mouth shut but last night I didn't! At least it got her on her bi-pap and they gave her some steroids to open up her lungs. I was pleased this morning that there was a new dr. and nurse and they were much more compasionate with her. They said that they are keeping her on the anitbiotics as she has an infection but they aren't positive it is comming from her lungs. So, after a bunch of tests today, that is where we stand. She is so tierd and I think just worn out.
This disease has been so unforgiving to her.
In friendship
Jeanne
 
Jeannie ... I'm so glad you are there to fight for your mother. Being unable to breathe is horrible, and wears you out. I'm sure she is exhausted. I'm keeping you and her in my prayers ... thank heavens for the compassionate doctor and nurse.

Take care of yourself, too.
 
Thank you for your kind thoughts beth. This has been so difficult. No one deserves this horrible disease.
Have a good holiday, you are a blessing to me.
In friendship
Jeannie
 
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