Notes From A Hospy……..

After the anasthetic wore off there followed the worst twelve hours of my life.

My muscles did not seem to react very well at all and all my MD problems seemed magnified.

Stumbles and falls, breathing problems and large stomach problems. It was a roller-coaster ride. I think part
of it was that normally we are aware of our MD and are focussing on our problems, here I was focussing on the
pain and I was getting the full extent of my MD problems before I regulate them.

Weird, my leg muscles suddenly found they had no memory of how to move backwards and two nurses were
neede to move me round the bedside. For the first time in my life I actually lost consciousness five times (for
ten to twenty secods they said). Afterthat I monopolised the commode and tied it to my bed leg.

All a learning experience but the worst was probably my stomach. The muscles there just seemed to freeze
and allow nothing in. one cup of tea and I could not eat or drink at all. Nurses obviously thought I was just being willful
and stuck to their training that their methods were best. Finally, obviously I ended up on intravenous stuff
and prblem gradually was sorted. For some reason they did not want to give me painkillers and it was four in the
morning before I was given Codeine and then Tramadol.

So, good result in the end, but tricky getting there as they and I had a learning curve on MD aspects in this
environment.

One of the worst reactions I had in hospital was my very interesting “drenching sweats”. Fully
aware we have not identitified this conclusively as an MD trait but it came to the fore as never
before.

Never have I had this sudden and all encompassing rush of total and immediate expending
of large quantities of sweat. It was drenching my nightclother and sadly the sheets. I required
very frequent changed of bed linen and at times was too poorly even to keep stressing to
them that I had not simply “wet the bed”. Embrassing and awkward as usual !

Totally MD was how I in just three days managed to get pressure sores. With my affected arms and
hands i could not push off with normal hand and arm movements and found everything was done
by my elbows. after just 2/3 days these were showing signs of wear and large pain with blotchy, red
sores.

The attitude of staff to me, the weird, abnormal, crusty guy was interesting. As I was being wheeled
out of the operating Theatre,the Chief Anaesthetist for the hospital came up to me and assured me that she had been there
for every single second. During the process I had heard her saying “…..a rare form of a rare disease”. Mind
you I also heard her saying things that were right off the point and incorrect. Could not
believe the number of people there invloved in my care so it was as good as you could expect.

Overall though, especially the last minute decision to keep me awake through the operation does
show and overwhelming lack of specific knowledge and confidence on MD issues. Not
knowing exactly what to do, they sensibly decided to take the course with the fewest risks of all.

@criptic wrote:

….. funny that the sweats popped up again. The more I progress the worst they seem to get – and usually when I’m under the weather and my body is coping with lots of stuff.

………..Would love to know why we get them. )

Thanks your support and input Louise.

Also a blinding question…………”…..why do we get them”.

It is on my list for the next appointment with the Medicos, but at your prompting……WHY WAIT.

After a search it seems people on several forums say that drenching sweats are due to Magnesium deficiency. Revelation and this fits perfectly. the medical definition of Magnesium is …..

“Magnesium is an essential mineral required by the body for maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, keeping a healthy immune system, maintaining heart rhythm, and building strong bones. Magnesium is also involved in at least 300 biochemical reactions in the body. A deficiency in magnesium can lead to muscle spasms, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, migraines, osteoporosis, and cerebral infarction”

I find that he foods that i just cannot eat and avoid like the plague are all high magnesium – nuts, raisins, apricots, prunes etc…….Also three days before going to hospital I stopped my Mineral Supplements for fear of conflicts. The other valid point you raise that it is worse when there is a lot of stuff going on for your body to cope with. I was unable to drink or eat a fraction of what I should have and was incredibly stressed out so there is a perfect logic. in these circumstances for some reason my body suddenly decided to void skin fluids. also explains why it has happened at three medical appointments.

Thanks Louise, I feel this is a valuable step forward.