Thursday, January 22, 2015

Update on DH...

Regular readers would know that DH collapsed on Boxing Day and ended up in hospital with a suspected heart attack. The angiogram showed no blockages or damage to the heart which was wonderful news. The cardiologist introduced some new medications and increased the dose of another med that DH was already taking. For a few weeks DH was unwell, possibly due to his body getting used to the new meds, but he has since recovered well and has even been given the ok by the doctors to work on the state election here in Queensland.(DH is the returning officer for one of the electoral districts; a part time  position every 3 years and involves about 5 weeks of work)

It seems that uncontrolled Diabetes 2 is the likely culprit for DH's collapse. So now appointments are being organised for him to see a Diabetes Educator, an Exercise Physiologist and a nutritionist. More importantly he has found a new GP, as his former GP of over 30 years had not considered the high sugar levels for the last 5 years to be be indicative that more investigations were needed. While we wait for those appointments, I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject and it's so scientific how these nutritionists etc work out what the suitable foods are...and the combination of foods is important too. We don't know yet whether DH will take tablets to help the pancreas to 'do its job'. 

Another problem that DH has had, is stopping breathing during the night. There have been a few times when I've become quite worried and shaken him awake during the night when his breathing has stopped. Sleep apnoea has been implicated in various health conditions including heart disease and obesity. So DH went on a 'sleepover' last Saturday night at a 'Sleep Centre', so the doctors could find out what was going on.
Thinking that I might want to write a post about his 'sleepover', DH got some photos for me...

All wired up...

We got the report today...despite all those wires etc, DH fell asleep in 10 minutes and slept for just over 6 hours. As expected, he had a number of times during the night when he stopped breathing...often 58 secs and frequently. He definitely has sleep apnoea and the report recommends a number of things including a CPAP machine. He has a follow up appointment with a sleep specialist doctor, in mid February. 
So by collapsing on Boxing Day, we have become aware of a number of issues that were not being addressed. He would have just gone on blissfully unaware that all was not right...how lucky are we then? 

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19 comments:

  1. FlowerLady LorraineJanuary 22, 2015 at 3:30 AM

    Glad to hear your husband is doing better. I believe my husband had sleep apnea too. His brother has it and wears the CPAP machine at night. I have a blogging friend who wears one too.

    Have a good day ~ FlowerLady

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  2. duchess_declutterJanuary 22, 2015 at 4:47 AM

    Well he sounds sorted Maria! Glad to hear he is coping so well with it all.

    Hopefully the CPAP machine will help. My DH has been diagnosed with s.apnoea too but is still deciding on which way to go.

    I hope your DH has a good GP now, it's terrible to think what concerns just slip by without being actioned.
    cheers Wendy

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  3. DorothyJanuary 22, 2015 at 4:54 AM

    You're doing all the right things Maria and DH. Once the diabetes is under control and he is used to his sleep machine, you'll both feel very much better. My DD has a CPAP and she loves it. Reckons she hasn't slept as well since she was a baby !!! xox

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  4. Denice BarkerJanuary 22, 2015 at 5:17 AM

    Many friends of ours have the machine and say it changed their lives. His collapse just about saved his life!

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  5. JaniceJanuary 22, 2015 at 5:26 AM

    I'm so glad things are getting sorted Maria. Please give DH our love Jx

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  6. MariaJanuary 22, 2015 at 6:19 AM

    Nice to read that your DH is getting all his health issues sorted.

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  7. CynthiaJanuary 22, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Good to know what is going on so you can deal with it and not have another surprise along the way. Your DH is a good sport to share his photos!

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  8. Christine MJanuary 22, 2015 at 12:14 PM

    Glad to hear he is feeling better and everything is getting under control. It was probably a blessing in disguise when he collapsed as you wouldn't have known about the other things. Take care. Christine

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2015 at 12:50 PM

    Hi Maria I am glad your hubby is on the road to recovery,you are very blessed that these problems are now found ,take care xx

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  10. angelaJanuary 22, 2015 at 1:32 PM

    Very happy to hear he is doing well and that they are testing to get to the bottom of everything. Once you know what the issues are. You can work on them xx

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  11. Sue (this n that)January 22, 2015 at 2:27 PM

    Really good to know how well DH is doing.
    Isn't he a darling... taking photos because he knew you'd like to use them on your blog!
    The way one thing reveals another is quite amazing at times. It's really good that he has a new GP who'll be more attuned to his health too.
    Big hugs to you both and may this year be a very happy and healthy one :D)xx

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  12. NanetteJanuary 22, 2015 at 6:03 PM

    All good news Maria.....you can relax now :)

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  13. UnknownJanuary 23, 2015 at 1:03 AM

    Oh My... some doctors just take on too many patients and they seem to be rushed whenever you see them. Thus... the 'slack' way DH has been treated. I have blood tests done every three months although they recommend six monthly checks. Including all the others i see regularly during the year, I'm kept on the hop. The sleep apnoea will have had an impact on his diabetes too. Great that it is getting sorted. Have you had a look at the Diabetic Living magazines? Better Homes and Gardens have brought it out.
    There's some great advise and recipes in there.

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  14. DebJanuary 23, 2015 at 1:24 AM

    How wonderful for you and your husband Maria that these things have been found and you have now been given the opportunity to change lifestyle for his diabetes and use the CPAP for his apnoea. Things could have been so much worse.

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  15. Peg - Happy In QuiltingJanuary 23, 2015 at 3:34 AM

    Glad your DH is better and I do hope all goes well xx

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  16. SusanJanuary 23, 2015 at 5:06 AM

    I don't know how DH got any sleep with all those wires on him.
    I saw a new thing n TV the other week?? - a gadget you put in your mouth instead of the machine - with its noise, taking it everywhere etc - sounded like a good alternative if it does the same thing.
    Im sure he will get better everyday with a bit of encouragement.
    He is such a good student though to know you would do a post...

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2015 at 10:06 AM

    Hi Maria. Thank you for the update. Pleased that you and DH are getting these health issues sorted.

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  18. DeeJanuary 25, 2015 at 8:16 PM

    It is good to hear that you and your DH have found out about the other health issues before anything major happened.
    I was diagnosed with Type 2 2 years ago. I knew that there was always a risk of having it as it is on both sides of the family.
    I found it easy to change my lifestyle and so far am able to avoid any medication

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  19. VireyaJanuary 27, 2015 at 3:51 AM

    I'm just catching up with a few blogs after being away from the computer for a few days. Glad to hear that everything is being taken care of - we've had a few similar issues of doctors missing important symptoms in family members recently. Sad to see it is a common problem!

    All the best to you both!

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