He started his B12 shots last Monday. He has to have one a week for four weeks and then one a month for the time being.

I talked to him a little while ago. He didn't even mention the shot. My sister told me anout it. She said she could tell it was very painful for him.

Oh and he's starting to throw his pills out again instead of taking them. And then he says he took them. R says he's getting harder to handle. He's getting more agitated and she is too. I know the doctor there took him off many of the meds he was on. I wonder (but forgot to ask) if he's still on the Zoloft or not.

R wanted the responsibility (and dad's money). She got it. It's her problem now. I don't mean to sound cruel and uncaring. But she thought she'd do much better than I did with dad. I guess she's leaning the hard way that no matter how well you care for him, the outcome will still be essentially the same.

As for me, I went to see another doctor today. My brochitis has been upgraded from acute to chronic. Great. No chance of never having it again.

I called my doctor (or should I say now former) last night to get a change in anti-b's. He said I should go to the ER because he can't prescribe meds over the phone. BALONEY!!!! I told him I couldn't afford to go to the ER because I have no insurance. He basically said "Oh well. There's nothing I can do." BTW, I saw him 9 days ago for this.

So today I went to my old doctor's office because they have a Quick Care Dept where you can be seen without an appt. It only costed me $109 rather than the $800+ they charge for the ER. The doctor I saw was GREAT! He rx'd Tequin (anti-b which he gave me free samples), Tessalon Perles (for daytime cough) and Histinex HC cough syrup with codeine for night time coughing. The other doctor never even rx'd anything for me for this ungodly coughing/hacking/barking I have. BTW, you all understand me better than anyone else right now because I cannot speak. A month of this horrible coughing has left me without a voice. :(

I hope this second round of anti-b's does the trick. I'd hate to think I'd never have my wonderful shower singing voice again.... :eek:

My hubby thinks it's an improvement..... :)

But it IS much quieter here....... :D........except for the coughing. UGGGHHHH!!!

Love, Barb

So glad you saw a different doctor who was kind enough to give samples. We've had the Perles for cough and they work wonders. Glad you have some. Hope they work as well for you.

Interesting that your sister is learning all that is involved with your father's care and that after a while, no matter what you do, the downhill slide continues. I have to say, no duh! Did I hear an AMEN???! Like she :p had some magic that you didn't, Barb. It still amazes me that some folks that they can do better in the face of AD. Bless their hearts and your experienced heart, too. Time will teach your sister as it taught all of us. Sigh! :rolleyes:

I'm so glad that you don't have your father to deal with since you've been so sick. Bless your heart and the rest of you, too. BE WELL!!! Stay cozy while it's cold, have some chicken soup, and take your medicines while you enjoy the peace.

Blessings, Barbara :)

Dear Barb,

thanks for the news about your dad. I was wondering how you are doing.

Chronic doesn't mean it will never go away. It will. It only means you get it repeatedly and even THAT is not written in stone. Do what you can to build up your natural immunity. Fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise, Thinking positive thoughts. Drinking a lot of water. Hot tea with honey is good too. Get plenty of sleep. You will beat off this bronchitis!

I am glad your sister has kept your dad this long and not sent hm back to you when she realized how hard he is. My sis never kept Mom there for more than a 2 or 3 week visit, which is why she never admitted "there was anything wrong with her." Even then she had her husband taking Mom for long walks so she could have some undisturbed time alone, and later had Mom's earphones on so she would stop talking .

Is there any way you can get into a health insurance program? How is it in IL, isn't there some kind of cheap health insurance for people on low salaries? There is in NY. The ER is the most expensive way to get medical care - better stick to your new (old) doctor from now on. When I was not insured (before I thankfully got old enough for Medicare) my doctor would routinely give me samples because she knew the position I was in. That helped a lot. Since you are too young for Medicare, you could possibly look up insurance on the Internet to see what it costs. Consider the one ER visit compared to a monthly payment .. it may insure you for a year. Is there any chance you could become a full time employee at one job instead of two PT jobs so you can get benefits? I worry about you! As a fellow (ex) caregiver, I know what it can do to our health ...

Take care of yourself!

love,

Martha

Did I forget to mention I quit my old job? That would have been too much for me to handle.

Our place is thinking of offering health insurance. It's going to the union soon. But I'm afraid the cost is going to be insanely high even if it's approved. It could be as high as $900/mo for family and $450/mo individual. That's what we've been told.

With my ongoing health issues and my husband's, no insurance company wants to touch us. Hubby has two prothetic hips, sleep apnea and arthritis almost all over his body. I have my thyroid problems, arthritis, cubital tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea and now chronic bronchitis which the doctor said cannot be cured. All they can do is treat the symptoms when they flare up. This is too depressing to go on about and I'm really tired. Not much sleep last night. Hopefully, the codeine will send me into dreamland tonight. :)

Love, Barb

Drink a lot of water while you're one it .. it causes gosh awful constipation ...

Get well soon ...

I believe you can, and will!

Love,

Martha

Personally, I think I like living in Australia. . . healthwise at least ....... as much as our health system is haywire, it's better than what you guys seem to have!!

If we get sick, we can go to the E.R. It doesn't cost us a cent. We may have to wait 6 - 8 hours (or more) to see a doctor .. but we will, and it will be free. Medicines of course, are not free, however, if you are a low income earner or on Centrelink (Social Security) benefits, you have a healthcare card, and that entitles you to cheaper medicines (under $10 per script) ........ sometimes, we can find a local GP who will "bulk bill" the government on our behalf, they usually only do it if you have this health care card .....

Health care can be bought through 'agencies', and it costs an arm and a leg for a family, but no more than $200 a month .. and I am being VERY generous .. you can tailor your healthcare fund too .. and agree to pay an excess per annum if required, and that makes your monthly 'donation' (LOL) cheaper.

And as for Nursing Homes, well it was costing my FIL a MAXIMUM of $657 a month to have 24/7 nursing, 3 square meals, snacks, laundry and personal care. He would never pay anymore, even owning his own home and car. MIL pays the same and now she's inherited the lot, she still won't pay anymore.

I'll stop whinging about our Hospitals !! LOL

Hugs
Sally
(Who recommends honey in a lemon tea ,sipped regularly)

And have you been checked for asthma? That's also a horrible non-stop cough ....

Sally, the last time I went to the ER for myself, I waited there for 18 hours! And I had insurance then.....

I would LOVE to have some sort of universal coverage in this country. But I'm afraid the power that be in control at this present time wants nothing to do with that.

Land of the free.....Home of the brave.....but if you get sick, don't come here without gobs of insurance or tons of money.......You'll be S. O. L......

Ok. Off my soapbox now.

Still feel horrible. Still coughing like crazy. Running a little fever today and little sleep. Martha, you are SO RIGHT! I went from diahrea to constipation in a finger snap! I've been drinking lots of water, hot tea, apple juice and Gatoraide. Orange juice is too acidy for my system just now.

I'm sleeping in a recliner now because I choke when I lay flat. Any suggestions on what might help me sleep? Codeine isn't even helping. :confused:

Love, Barb

Hi Barb,
Ugh.........that is so awful. I have chronic bronchitis and I tell ya........there is nothing like being sick and not getting sleep, either. You just never feel better.

I have one of those pillows, hmmmm just realized that I don't know what they're called. But they have those arms on them. I put that in the bed first, then a couple pillows behind me. It puts you in a sitting-up position, but at least you're in bed and it's easier to rest.

Tylenol PM helps me the most. Codeine always gave me a dry cough that felt like I was choking and whizzing. I just couldn't use it.

The absolute worst is when the coughing goes on for so long that your ligaments around your rib cage become inflamed. My doc says it's worse than a broken rib. If you get that, use ice!!! NOT a heating pad. I've done that and it's horrible.

Yep, you need some gooooooood rest. It's miserable when you can't sleep for coughing. The worst!

Also, anything with guafinesen will clear up the cough, too. I have some prescription pills but I think it's also in Mucinex. You can also buy cough medicines over the counter, read the ingredients, look for the most guafinisen you can get.

Thinking about ya!

Thank you so much! A friend of mine told me about Mucinex yesterday. I've never tried it but will if this doesn't start clearing up soon. I'm vomitting some blood now. That just started a little while ago. That really worries me. I think they'll be another trip to the doctor tomorrow. Most definitely no work. I drive a school bus. Not a good idea to do that while on codeine and little sleep.

Got word from R that her house is going to be foreclosed on March 13th (dad's birthday and one day before my sister's birthday). I feel bad for her but at the same time, I hope she doesn't send dad back here just yet. I can't take care of my husband or son or even myself fully right now. There's no way I can care for him. I just can't physically or mentally handle that right now. I did good today by doing three loads of laundry. That's the most I've accomplished in more than a week. Thank goodness for my son doing more than his fair share of work. And for my dh for making those extra trips to the store and for listening to me whining and making all sorts of strange noises......

Love, a very sick and tired Barb

Oh Barb, I feel so bad for you. I hope you can get some rest and start getting well soon. Do call the doctor about the blood.. maybe even call the on-call person tonight. I don't know what all can cause that - but I wouldn't want to ignore it for any length of time. Hugs, N2E

Hi Barb,

Lots of coughing can cause a little blood to come up just from the irritation, but you should call the doctor today and let him/her know. If lots of blood comes up, head for the ER.

I surely hope you feel better soon.

This is brief 'cause I'm sick, too. Just sore throat, fever and aches, but it's an effort to sit here.

Germ-free hugs - Barbara

Oh my, Barbara! I hope you're feeling better soon. I slept some last night and just woke up from a nap in which I dared to actually lay down. Now there's some improvement! :)

I still have a horrific headache so off I go to rest some more.

Love, Barb

I took Niquilt last night before bed and slept well. The fever is going up again as the day progresses. Bother!

Cheers that you could lie down to sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be well!

Non-germy hugs - Barbara :)

Well, I finished the Tequin (anti-b's) yesterday. My voice is still hoarse and I woke up with a sore throat, a low grade fever, wheezing and some chest pain this morning. I guess it's off to the doctor again Monday. :(

I still have this horrendous cough although not quite as often as before.

How are you Barbara? I hope you're doing better than I am.

And it's COLD here today!!!! 7 degrees at noon! Wind chill 15 below 0!!! BRRRRR!!!!!!

I'm bundled up nice and toasty warm in the house. :)

Love, Barb

We have the cold wave too .. it was -3 this morning when I drove home from my daughter's house. For those of you on Celsius, that is -19.4 degrees! Today my kids and grandkids are near Chicago (Antioch) visiting his sister for her twins' birthday ...coldest time to go there! Lots of road accidents. Get well and stay well, you two Barbaras!

M

Hi all -

Yeah! No fever since Thursday night - to almost 102*F. then. I felt kinda bad on Sunday, rotten on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Felt okay on Wednesday and thought I was over it, but not quite. The fever Thursday was an unwelcome surprise. Think I can say I'm over it, but I took the flu shot in October, so need to find the complaint dept. about why I got it anyway!! ;)

We're down to 18*F tonight, so plan to stay inside and not go find an accident to get into, as my uncle used to say!! Martha, hope your family got home safely.

Barb, will your sister really lose her house? Will your father return to your house? :eek: I hope not and hope not!

Group hug (all wearing masks to be safe from germs, of course!)!! Barbara :)

Well ladies. I went to a THIRD doctor today. He's my old doctor from a few years ago. He put me on another (my third) anti-b called Omnicef (300mgs twice daily). I never heard of that but he said it's in the penicillin group. He also told me to take Mucinex.

I'm off work today for President's Day so I'm taking it easy. Yesterday, I had to take the high school Poms to their tryouts for finals. They came within 7/10's of 1 point from being able to go to finals. I worked over 13 hours. Luckily, 12 of that was sitting in the teacher's lounge waiting for them.

Anyway, my sister isn't saying anything else about her house. She did say she's coming here in June. I think she's tired of dad being there. I won't mind having him home for the summer. I won't be working so he won't be alone. But he needs to be somewhere where he won't ever be alone. So that means he'll be my shadow all summer long.

Love, Barb