Gleason 9 update & problem

mrspjd said:

Difficulty breathing is serious and needs attention immediately
djs,

First things first. Focus. It’s best not to put the cart before the horse. Everyone needs to figure out what’s going on right now, then deal with the other stuff (add’l imaging) later, although they may be related. Why doesn’t he want to go to ER—stoic? I hate/fear hospitals as much as the next person, but sometimes you gotta do what you don’t wanna do. And if he doesn’t want to go to the ER/hospital for this, then I would guess he wouldn’t want to go to the hospital/medical center for bone imaging tests either. The doctors need to identify what is causing the symptoms NOW--the fact that he is having difficulty breathing is very serious. Sorry to be blunt, but if he’s having trouble breathing now, he may not be around to undergo PCa bone imaging later. He needs a chest x-ray and blood panel, STAT, and anything else the ER docs indicate, including being admitted for observation overnight. If he still needs an endoscopy, they’ll call in a gastroenterologist to do it in the hospital. I’m not a medical doctor. It’s anyone’s guess what’s going on—asthma, pneumonia, lung issues, mets, infection? Again, focus on getting him through this episode and let’s hope everything else will work out. Good luck.

This is a medical emergency- do not hesitate
I have asthma. I know what it is like to have severe difficulty breathing. DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL 911 (better that than trying to take him yourself- he'll get seen faster in the ER). It doesn't matter if this is related to the PCa at this point. If he is wheezing, coughing or panting HE NEEDS HELP- PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL HELP! I too have not wanted to go to the ER. I fullly understand his position- but breathing difficulties impact your decision making abilities due to limited Oxygen. The EMTs will probably begin a breathing treatment, start him on oxygen, probably give him a steriod shot, start an IV and get him where even more help can be given. He'll need to have blood work (called 'boold gasses')and it is not plesant because they have to draw blood from an artery rather than a vein, but it will help determine if his lungs are working. He'll also need a chest x-ray to determine if there is fluid on is lungs that could lead to (or already is) pneumonia. They will check his peak flow (see how much air he is taking in and moving out) and do some other things. If he should go into respratory crisis he needs to be in a hospital (and it can happen much faster than you think)- not at home waiting for the ambulance. You need to use a bit of tough love right now and get him the help he needs.
Does your insurance provide you with a 24 hour nurse help line you can call (ours does)? If so call them if you want- they will tell you the same thing- get him to mecial help NOW.

Throat
I burned the roof of my mouth about a month ago. Still has not healed. Beginning to believe cancer has spread there. It should have healed by now. Cancer can go wherever it wants. My Onc said he figured my brain was next. Lookslike he was wrong. Can not prove this but going to a doc next week to see. We all have to deal with this as we see it. My throat has started burning and pain is growing, but not too bad. So what to do? Not sure but I have alot of travel plans that I am going to do so will see how it turns out.
I would have it checked out.

Good luck,

Mike

djs123 said:

gleason 9 update, problem throat & breathing
Wanted to update you since today my husband had an endoscopy today. The doctor found that he has mild acid reflux and a small stomach ulcer. He has prescribed prilosec but also ordered a chest x-ray which was done at the hospital an hour later. The xray found 2 small scars on the left lung, which he said is not in itself a reason for worry but ordered a catscan just to be sure.

After all our discussions about acid reflux with the doctor, it appears that acid reflux can manifest itself in many of the symptoms my husband is experiencing, sore and painful throat, chest pain, difficult breathing and much more. Although he doesn't have all the symptoms that generally accompany acid reflux, I understand it can affect different people in different ways and is sometimes quite difficult to diagnose.

The prilosec should start to work within 3 - 4 days so if he starts to feel much better, we'll know. In the meantime he will have the catscan done to double check the lungs.

Mike, I'm concerned about you and confused about your oncologist saying your brain was next, I hope he was joking! My husbands throat burns also, maybe acid reflux is something for you to look into. My understanding is that prilosec or similar product is not harmful to take and if it works, it will be worth a try. Amazing to me that something that sounds so innocuous could be so painful.

Thanks to all who responded, appreciate it.

Prilosec
I am currently on prilosec. The bleeding in mouth does not have much to do with stomach. I have a, sort of hole, in roof of mouth that bleeds. Know this is not good, but I am really tired of doctors cutting on me or radiaring me. I am sure I could light up a small city with all the radiation I have had. It just wears me out. I do want another dr. Cutting on me or radiating me. Just tired of it. Hopefully I will change my mind, but trip comes first.

Mike