possible embolization UPDATE!

J

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Josh has been coughing up blood off and on since yesterday morning. The largest quantity was 1/2 cup, but in total I would guess it's more than 2 cups.We called the hospital and are headed to the ER. Thankfully his regular doctor is on this weekend.
She mentioned that Josh may require an embolization. I know what it is, but we have no experience with the proceedure or recovery.
Any advice for us? Thanks!
 
J

Jane

Digital opinion leader
Josh has been coughing up blood off and on since yesterday morning. The largest quantity was 1/2 cup, but in total I would guess it's more than 2 cups.We called the hospital and are headed to the ER. Thankfully his regular doctor is on this weekend.
She mentioned that Josh may require an embolization. I know what it is, but we have no experience with the proceedure or recovery.
Any advice for us? Thanks!
 
M

moxie1

Guest
possible embolization?

I've had 3. They were all in the late afternoon, so I had to stay overnight.
The worst part is having to lay flat for several hours (for me 6 hours) afterwards so that your arteryhas a chance to heal. Laying flat was especially hard for me because I was afraid of it triggering a bleed. They don't let youget up to use the bathroom or anything so be prepared to use a bedpan.
The actual procedure is a piece of cake. They lidocaine the area in the groin that they go into. I also got medication to relax me (adivan) and something else tohelp me not to cough. Otherwise I was wide awake. The first time takes quite a while (several hours) because they want to map out the lungs. Afterwards someone spends some time putting pressure on the groin area to help the bleeding stop.
Otherwise, after I did my time laying down, someone checked the area and I wasfree to go. I don't know what your son's blood pressure is like, but mine runs pretty low.After lying down so long after my first embolization, Icame close to passing out because I tried to get up too fast.The other times I had no problems.....probably because I sat up for a few minutes before actually standing.
I don't remember any other recovery issues. They might limit your exercise for a bit, but I don't remember because it has been awhile. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
M

moxie1

Guest
possible embolization?

I've had 3. They were all in the late afternoon, so I had to stay overnight.
The worst part is having to lay flat for several hours (for me 6 hours) afterwards so that your arteryhas a chance to heal. Laying flat was especially hard for me because I was afraid of it triggering a bleed. They don't let youget up to use the bathroom or anything so be prepared to use a bedpan.
The actual procedure is a piece of cake. They lidocaine the area in the groin that they go into. I also got medication to relax me (adivan) and something else tohelp me not to cough. Otherwise I was wide awake. The first time takes quite a while (several hours) because they want to map out the lungs. Afterwards someone spends some time putting pressure on the groin area to help the bleeding stop.
Otherwise, after I did my time laying down, someone checked the area and I wasfree to go. I don't know what your son's blood pressure is like, but mine runs pretty low.After lying down so long after my first embolization, Icame close to passing out because I tried to get up too fast.The other times I had no problems.....probably because I sat up for a few minutes before actually standing.
I don't remember any other recovery issues. They might limit your exercise for a bit, but I don't remember because it has been awhile. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
J

Jane

Digital opinion leader
possible embolization?

Thanks Becki! Josh is in ICU waiting for them to figure out what to do. Their cut-off amount for Emergency embolization is 100ccs. They dont count what happened before he came in. Since he's been here , he's coughed up 37cc. We're still hoping it stops on it's own, but it helps to know what to expect. I appreciate your reply.
Btw the ICU is a first for us. Not what were used to on the regular floor :0
 
J

Jane

Digital opinion leader
possible embolization?

Thanks Becki! Josh is in ICU waiting for them to figure out what to do. Their cut-off amount for Emergency embolization is 100ccs. They dont count what happened before he came in. Since he's been here , he's coughed up 37cc. We're still hoping it stops on it's own, but it helps to know what to expect. I appreciate your reply.
Btw the ICU is a first for us. Not what were used to on the regular floor :0
 
B

beleache

New member
possible embolization?

Hi Jane,
I haven't had any experience w/ embolization (the last bleed I had I think I came close but my dr. held tight to see if it wold stop on its own) I just wanted to say I am thinking about Josh & you .. Please keep us posted..
<3 joni
 
B

beleache

New member
possible embolization?

Hi Jane,
I haven't had any experience w/ embolization (the last bleed I had I think I came close but my dr. held tight to see if it wold stop on its own) I just wanted to say I am thinking about Josh & you .. Please keep us posted..
<3 joni
 
L

longroad

New member
possible embolization?

I am an adult male with cf, i have had over 20 embolizations..I would strongly suggest he have the embolization to limit further bleeding....I have also made an association with antibiotis and bleeding..you may want to monitor this and take detailed notes..
goodluck
 
L

longroad

New member
possible embolization?

I am an adult male with cf, i have had over 20 embolizations..I would strongly suggest he have the embolization to limit further bleeding....I have also made an association with antibiotis and bleeding..you may want to monitor this and take detailed notes..
goodluck
 
J

jmiller

New member
possible embolization?

Hi Jane,

What is the update? I have had an embolization once for an emergency hemoptysis (much like your sons) with no complications. I would agree that the most unnerving part is lying flat afterwards since that can be a trigger for me. Please let us know how he is doing!

Prayers!
Jackie
 
J

jmiller

New member
possible embolization?

Hi Jane,

What is the update? I have had an embolization once for an emergency hemoptysis (much like your sons) with no complications. I would agree that the most unnerving part is lying flat afterwards since that can be a trigger for me. Please let us know how he is doing!

Prayers!
Jackie
 
M

moxie1

Guest
possible embolization?

Jane,
I've also been checking several times a day for an update. How is Josh doing......did he have the emoblization?

Becki
 
M

moxie1

Guest
possible embolization?

Jane,
I've also been checking several times a day for an update. How is Josh doing......did he have the emoblization?

Becki
 
J

Jane

Digital opinion leader
possible embolization- UPDATE

Josh had a successful embolization on Monday. Actually they found 3 areas of weakness. He needed general anesthesia and the whole thing took 6 hours (not what I was expecting). He had a great deal of pain in his back and chest afterward and required morphine overnight and on Tuesday. He has since been moved out of ICU and back to the regular floor. He is feeling better today, but will stay in the hospital through the weekend and continue IVs for two weeks at home. It was the right thing to do,of course, but we weren't prepared for the length of the embolization procedure or the pain he felt afterward. Hopefully it will stop any further bleeding for a long time. Thank you for your replies of advice and encouragement. We appreciate the "family" we have here.
 
J

Jane

Digital opinion leader
possible embolization- UPDATE

Josh had a successful embolization on Monday. Actually they found 3 areas of weakness. He needed general anesthesia and the whole thing took 6 hours (not what I was expecting). He had a great deal of pain in his back and chest afterward and required morphine overnight and on Tuesday. He has since been moved out of ICU and back to the regular floor. He is feeling better today, but will stay in the hospital through the weekend and continue IVs for two weeks at home. It was the right thing to do,of course, but we weren't prepared for the length of the embolization procedure or the pain he felt afterward. Hopefully it will stop any further bleeding for a long time. Thank you for your replies of advice and encouragement. We appreciate the "family" we have here.
 
M

moxie1

Guest
possible embolization- UPDATE

Jane,
I was sorelieved to hear your update. I'm glad that he is feeling better and out of ICU.
I want to ask for your forgiveness right now because I feel like from my experience you were lead to believe thatthe embolizationwas no big deal. I'm sorry about that, but it really wasn't a big deal for me. I was truly awake, they never put me in ICU and I didn't have pain or need pain medications afterwards.
Again I apologize that I didn't know that it could possibly be rough for him. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
Becki
 
M

moxie1

Guest
possible embolization- UPDATE

Jane,
I was sorelieved to hear your update. I'm glad that he is feeling better and out of ICU.
I want to ask for your forgiveness right now because I feel like from my experience you were lead to believe thatthe embolizationwas no big deal. I'm sorry about that, but it really wasn't a big deal for me. I was truly awake, they never put me in ICU and I didn't have pain or need pain medications afterwards.
Again I apologize that I didn't know that it could possibly be rough for him. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
Becki
 
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