Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
I was Sleeved 3-15-12 and lost 166 lbs in 9 1/2 months, hitting my goal in late Dec. Starting Jan 18th, I have had pneumonia FOUR times, being hospitalized 3 times for IV antibiotics.
I just got out of the hospital again today after bout #4. The doctors now all think it's a strong possibility that my pneumonia is from aspirating related to my Sleeve. They want me to go back to see my surgeon asap (not at this same hospital). I will do that of course. I was just wondering if by any weird chance this has happened to anyone else?
I will also add that I was put on Nexium about 1-2 months post op. I had several nights where I would wake up choking on stomach acid. The nexium stopped it. But supposedly nexium can increase the chance of pneumonia so they just switched me to pepcid.
So, anyone else or am I some weird freak of Sleeve nature? :)
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
Wow, your weight loss has been GREAT! I dont know how the sleeve would cause aspiration pneumonia, if you swallow something and you choke on it then you can aspirate, but I think you would know it. Good luck!
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
I think they are thinking a slow leak of stomach acid while sleeping, kind of oozing into my r. lung just enough to cause an infection. It made sense when they were explaining it to me.
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
I think the doctor is thinking correctly. Your Head of the bed should be elevated when you lay down also Good Luck
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
donewithdieting
I think the doctor is thinking correctly. Your Head of the bed should be elevated when you lay down also Good Luck
I am getting a pillow wedge, for now sleeping n recliner until it comes in the mail.
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
I'm surprised they haven't given you the pneumonia vaccination. They typically give it to people who gave had it at least twice.
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
The pneumonia vaccine is only for specific types of pneumonia caused by specific bacteria/viruses. It will NOT prevent you from ever getting pneumonia again, especially aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia is a whole other animal. Sounds like the person experiencing this needs to be on proton pump inhibitors ( called PPIs ) every day, not just when she feel symptoms. I hope she has gone back to her surgeon. Sounds like something is causing her reflux and only he can find out what.
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KebfromCincy
The pneumonia vaccine is only for specific types of pneumonia caused by specific bacteria/viruses. It will NOT prevent you from ever getting pneumonia again, especially aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia is a whole other animal. Sounds like the person experiencing this needs to be on proton pump inhibitors ( called PPIs ) every day, not just when she feel symptoms. I hope she has gone back to her surgeon. Sounds like something is causing her reflux and only he can find out what.
Yes, correct thanks! I am now on 40 mg pepcid and just received my wedge pillow from Amazon. I have an appt. scheduled with both my surgeon and my primary md. And stopped snacking at night :rolleyes: Bad habit and I know it certainly didn't help.
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
Wow I just posted this to some fellow sleever friends on fb ... I should copy and paste but I just woke up about 20 min ago choking on what I believed to be acid ..its happened bout 5-6 times since my surgery but today my lung is on fire I was coughing this bitter crap and it was making me gag very bad ...I am a snacker at night as well and only because I work graveyard shifts I am used to eating at crazy times ..ALSO I'm weird about taking medication all the time so I been only taking my omeparazole when I have symptoms ( all bad prob) but I am freaking out about this and wanted to know if I was the only weirdo lol
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
I have been a nurse for 37 years and have had acid reflux for a long time. Both of the drugs that Cattitude and lindseyrose are taking are pretty weak. There are medications out there a lot more effective. Tell your physician that the medicine you are on now is not doing the job and ask for something more powerful. Acid reflux is not something to ignore. It can cause erosions in your esophagus as well as the aspiration pneumonia. Long term acid reflux can lead to cancer. Now I don't think either one of you need to worry about that last one quite yet. But it is very evident that what you are taking is not doing the job. Good luck. Hope you find the answer to this.
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
For the over the counter PPI's you need to take them everyday. Eating right before you go to bed makes the acid worse. I haven't been sleeved yet, but I have had acid reflux for years. I used to wake up choking on my stomach acid almost every night. I intend to keep on taking them, because from the sound of this, getting sleeved won't cure this problem.
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
When I had my surgery they fixed my hiatial hernia and my reflux went away.
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
I had horrible problems with stomach acid. I found that eating anything three or four hours before laying down was a big no no for me. Many times I would wake up in the middle of the night gagging and coughing up stomach acid, even with propping myself up so I wasnt laying flat. I was taking omeprizol, and it just wasnt doing it for me. I spoke with my Dr. and he gave me some really great acid reducers, I love them. Finally when I eat my stomach doesnt churn and I no longer burp acid and I no longer wake up in the middle of the night coughing up acid. Just speak to your Dr. there are some very good drugs out there than can help your problem, they do take two or three days to start working though, just hang in there.
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
Sorry about bumping a 7 month old thread. Since May, and switching to 40 mg Pepcid (prescription) so far I have been okay. HOWEVER, at this very moment my temp is climbing every 20 minutes or so, currently 102.44. I have no chest pain, shortness of breath, no nasal congestion, no sore throat. I did have a flu vaccine a month ago.
So now I am terrified. I am also a nurse and have to be dragged kicking to the hospital. My hands are also numb,, but not cold. This has always been one of the first signs.
SO I'm asking for +++++thoughts and has anyone else has aspiration related to nexium?
Re: Aspiration Pneumonia Related to Sleeve?
Sorry to hear it may be back. I get the reflux at night sometimes as well and have been on prilosec since surgery. I also eat late, which this post may cure because I definitely fear pneumonia of any sort. I hope its a false alarm and it could still be flu despite the flu vaccine. Will say prayers for you.