Wellness

[bootsanne]

My husband is 87 but has always looked and acted 15 years younger and has been as strong as an ox.  He got the type fluB twice last year back to back and it took a couple of months for him to get better.  He also have severe spinal stenosis and sciatica and no treatment has helped.

He had cataract surgery on November 26, did very well but complained of feeling lousy a few days later.  I took him to our local Urgent Care on Saturday where after several chest x-rays they said his lungs were clear, just mild bronchitis and sent him home with cough medicine..  He got sicker and 2 days later he fell out of bed and was too weak to get up.  An ambulance took him to the ER where he was admitted with double pneumonia and his a-fib was going nuts.  He spent most of December in and out of the hospital.  He's had 5 CT scans, at least 4 chest x-rays, 3 EKGs and loads of blood work.  All tests come back negative--which is great--but the red blood counts have been low.  7.2 and they should be around 14.  The doctors won't give him a transfusion because they feel it's not low enough.  

Well he's been home for 3 weeks, had home health care and we've followed up with all the doctors, heart, pulmonary, and pcp.  He still feels lousy.  He has zero energy, very lethargic.  He's not on any antibiotics, just his heart meds.  We have 2 more appointments next week.  Have any of you had  or known anyone who had double pneumonia?  I know at his age he's not going to bounce back quickly, but his lack of any energy is problematic.

[Dawnie]

I’m sorry to hear of your hubbys illness.  Maybe he could get a B12 shot?  Poor guy.  Healing prayers for him and you.

[chrystaltree]

Assuming you mean he had pneumonia in both lungs, it's common.  I work in healthcare, I review medical records.  Yes, patients do come down with double pneumonia.  Your husband is 87 and he's been through a lot.  It's going to take him a while to recover and it's not  just because of his age.  Anyone, at any age, who has been through all that he has been through would need time.  From a personal perspective; I was only 21 when I came down with pneumonia after the Hong Kong flu.  My course was similar to your husband's except that I had pneumonia in one lung and was hospitalized for several weeks and slowly began to recover and then I came down with pneumonia in the other lung.  So, a couple more weeks in the hospital.  To make a long story even longer when I got home ;  after all that I had lost 50lbs, I had no muscle mass so I had no physical strength.    I couldn't tolerate solid food.  It took me 3 months to slowly recover from all that.  Another three months to regain the weight I lost and to get back to my usual state of well being.   Like I said I was 21.  Honestly, I would be shocked if your husband wasn't worn out and lethargic.  Work with your doctors ask about his nutritional status.  He might need protein drinks, like Ensure.  

[River Song]

@bootsanne,

I'm shocked your husband's doctors haven't ordered a blood transfusion with a HgB of 7.2.

My husband has leukemia, has labs twice a week, and if his HgB falls below 8, his oncologist orders a blood transfusion (2 units) immediately.

Lethargy and no energy is a sign that your husband needs a transfusion when the HgB is below 8.  Also, if he starts feeling lightheaded and dizzy if he stands quickly from a seated position is another sign he needs a transfusion.  He can fall when dizzy so this is a major concern especially at his age.  Also check for shortness of breath or chest pain.

My husband had pneumonia in December, was in the hospital for a week, given fluids and antibiotics plus a blood transfusion.  It has taken him 4 weeks to recover from the pneumonia at home and is finally feeling more like himself.

ETA:  if your husband is dizzy, short of breath or has chest pains, take him to the ER, like right now, for a blood transfusion.

[henderson]

My 100 yr old mom was admitted to the hospital 2 years ago with pneumonia.  She was on death's door, but made a miraculous recovery.  In fact my sister (who lives near her) called the family for them to say their good bys.  She was on heavy duty oxygen and a caregiver 24/7 for several months.  She is doing fine now except for several falls in her house (she lives alone), but has a caregiver during the days only.  Her cognitive skills are rapidly declining though.  My grandmother lived to be 105 1/2.  It will take time for your husband to recover.

[software]

I had pneumonia once, on one side when I was 60 and it took forever for me to get back to normal.    But I was not retired at the time

Pneumonia is very serious and for someone to announce" lungs clear, everything is OK" is only relative to an x-ray, not an overall diagnosis.   Urgent Care is not primary care.

a 7.2 would be protocol for a cancer patient to have a transfusion but it's almost borderline for someone in relative good health otherwise.    It's a judgment call for your DH.   Find out if there is something else he should be doing in the meantime, he needs to get it up to 8 for sure.

I get anemia often but my  primary doctor gives me the choice to have a transfusion or not.    Sometimes I'm so tired I can't get out of bed--- I opt for the transfusion.    Other times, I'm just tired.    I choose the meds.

3 weeks is too soon to feel GOOD.    Keep a close watch on him and give him time to recover.    

[bootsanne]

@chrystaltree and all others, thanks for the input.  The home nurses all feel his recovery would be faster with a transfusion.  As I said, we see his heart dr and pcp next week and the home nurse will be back Friday.  I'm going to push for a transfusion.  When I had a serious operation almost 3 years ago, after a week home I could barely move from exhaustion.  I was hospitalized with blood clots--I had no pain--and was given a transfusion.  I'm trying to force as much red meat and protein in him, but his appetite isn't great.  I've also had b-12 injections but never noticed any difference.

[Montana]

@bootsanne, I’ve had good results with Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein. It’s a powder that is mixed with a liquid.  I use plain water.  Each serving has 20g of protein.

[Lilysmom]

@bootsanne, I had double pneumonia when I was in my 30’s.  I had a very heavy workload.  At the end of it, I was off work for six weeks.  I was tired all the time.  Recovery was slow and low energy through much of it.  It really can be draining.  I hope your DH recovers soon.  It’s a worry.  Best wishes for both of you.  LM

[Eileen in Virginia]

My 93 year old aunt was taken to the ER with congestive heart failure and pneumonia in mid-October. Prior to this, she was extremely fit and active (although we only live about 5 miles apart, I practically had to make an appointment to visit her). She was in the hospital, then rehab until about Thanksgiving and has had visiting nurses and therapists at home since then. DH and I take her to her doctors appointments. While at an appointment with her PCP, she asked him if she was ever going to recover fully. He said he had every expectation that she would, but it could take as long as a year because she was very, very ill.

We were at her cardiology appointment yesterday. When he told her everything looked good, she asked why she didn’t have any energy. I had a V8 moment and asked her what she usually had for breakfast. Her reply of tea, toast with jam, an occasional egg and sometimes bacon led the doctor and me to realize that she needed more protein, especially in the morning. The foods she was eating would start her off ok, but she’d crash midway through the morning and didn’t have the energy to get lunch. We and others were bringing her dinners, but thought she was handling breakfast and lunch on her own. Could this be part of your husband’s problem? Maybe he’s feeling lethargic and doesn’t want to bother with a full meal, so “small plates” would work better for him. My aunt would eat well if we went out to lunch after an appointment, but wasn’t bothering with anything once she ran out of gas at home. In front of the snowstorm, we stocked her up with the basics, as well as some protein rich foods that she can handle on her own. 

Whatever the cause, I hope your husband has a full recovery. It may take longer than he’d like, but he just has to persevere. Good luck!