Hello all.
Some things are progressing nicely. The CPM machine flexes my knee to 85 degrees, I can move easily with the walker, and most days the knee is behaving as well as I could have hoped up to now.
I see my surgeon Monday to have the dressing changed and get the first professional verdict on my recovery.
Other things suck.
When I use the CPM machine, phlegm starts to collect in my chest ad I have to cough it out. I also wake up coughing when I take a nap, usually less than an hour of sleep at a time.
Sleeping always means naps. That got old real quick.
I have been good in taking all my medications. I was really glad to finish my blood thinner injections, and tomorrow I will finish my antibiotics. And I appreciate the pain killers prescribed by my doc.
But put them all together in addition to my blood pressure meds I was already on, and you get a steady experience of nausea, constipation and dulled senses at various inconvenient times. Those have gradually improved, but not completely.
Then there was yesterday's panic attack. During a CPM session my chest tightened and I could not get enough air. I turned off the machine, got up and found my way into the living room, where I coughed mucus for about 15 minutes.
I just plain felt like I could not breathe.
Later on, I felt better but was still weak, and realized I had a panic attack. I was very tired and knew I needed to get sleep, but had to fight off the possibility that if I fell asleep I would not wake up.
Fun times!
So here's my question. Have any of you experienced side effects like these, and how do you handle them?
Thanks
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier