What A Month.....

Claude Gallichand · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:34 pm

Great news from you Chet, thank you and good luck.

Claude.

CAFeathers · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:10 pm

Thanks Guys!!!!

I have more or less fired 3 Dr.'s in the last 3 years because they just didn't seem to care. The Team of Dr.'s I have now are always running behind schedule because they do care and take the time needed with each patient. I can handle that because I know they are spending the time with me too!!!
I have known for a number of years that I would eventually need to be on oxygen so I have been mentally prepared. I was hoping for a few more years without, but it is what it is. Simple tasks like getting dressed have me winded and gasping to catch my breath so I know it's time.

CAFeathers · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:18 pm

Rhumba wrote:

Hi Chet, glad to here you are getting positive treatment.
I know what you are going through, I have COPD myself and I know just how disabliling it is. I have to have regular tests myself ( blowing into that machine ) I have three inhalers I need to use everyday, Salbutamol, Tiotropium and Fluticasone Salmeterol.
Sometimes I feel like I need the oxygen myself, I have good days and bad days, at times climbing the stairs can be hard work. I haven't been able to get out and play with bands for a long while now. Just can't carry my gear about.
Anyway on a bright side, my doc is a blues guitarist, yeah, we've actually had little jams in his surgery, so he's kinda sympathetic to my cause but I won't bang on about me.
So I hope things get easier for you now and generally improves your life.
All the best wishes to you.
Rhumba. :wink:

Yeah, it's about time. I just had my meds changed to Spiriva and Ventolin. I was on Advair and Combivent. The Dr.'s wanted me off the Advair as it is steroidal and can cause bronchil (sp) infections.
I know what you mean by good days and bad days, here lately it has been too many bad days for me. Even just getting dressed has been a chore lately.

Good Luck to you too!

CAFeathers · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:22 pm

Rhumba wrote:

Twelvebar wrote:

Start a Punk band, can't think of anything more ballsy than a punk guitarist with an o2 tank strapped to his back.

Hey Chet, I'm up for that if you are. :lol:

Sounds interesting. Have to think of a fitting name though.

cvilleira · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:28 pm

Thats good news Chet!!!! They don't make it easy even when they know what the outcome should be. I am glad for you My Friend!

schnepf13 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:44 pm

Awesome news! Good luck in your ongoing treatment...

rkreisher · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:50 pm

Wow CAFeathers,

I did not realize you have Severe Emphysema. Are you really having a hard time getting oxygen equipment for your condition? I worked for a pulmonologist for a few years and know a test which may get you qualified for 02. I would hope that they have already tried this, but...

Have they tried what is called a Exercise Stress test, also known as a 6 Minute Walk? I used to perform them all the time. What the pumonologist (or his/her nurse) does is connect you to a pulse oximeter. If it has a printer in it is better, but not necessary. The nurse will record for resting 02 reading, then he/she will walk you around the clinic/office for 6 minutes, they need to record the 02 reading every 30 seconds. If at any time your 02 levels fall to 88% or lower (even at rest), you qualify. Now here is the kicker, they have to do another 6 minute walk after they connect you to 02 to show that you would benefit from its use, unless it was at rest. It has to show that your 02 stats stay higher than without the 02. They also have what is called an Overnight Pulse-Oxymetry. They connect you to a pulse-oxymeter and test you through out the night. Same principle applies, if your 02 levels are below 88% at least 5% of the time you would qualify for night time use. Once the equipment is in your house and you need it during the day, I am sure you will do what you need to do.

I know I explained the test in too much detail, but just in case they have not done it, you can show them this thread. These are the Medicare guidelines for requirement for oxygen therapy: 02 Staurations must be less than or = to 88% to qualify for oxygen for lifetime. If your 02 Stautation is 89% you qualify for 02 for 3 months and will need to be retested within 3 months to be certified again. I do not know about California, but if you meet Medicare guideline here in Texas, all other Insurance companies must follow suit.

I hope this helps a little. If I lived closer to California than I do right now, you bet I would love a 02 tank wearing guitarist in my band.

If you already qualified, great.

Spiriva and Ventolin are pretty good, especially if it is emphysema without Asthma properties. I wish you luck in your on-going treatment.

Richard

fhopkins · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:08 pm

I don't know how I missed this thread but you know that we are with you Chet. Glad you found a good doctor,hard to do these days. Hope things get much better for you. Louisiana Mojo your way! :wink:

CAFeathers · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:23 pm

rkreisher wrote:

Wow CAFeathers,

I did not realize you have Severe Emphysema. Are you really having a hard time getting oxygen equipment for your condition? I worked for a pulmonologist for a few years and know a test which may get you qualified for 02. I would hope that they have already tried this, but...

Have they tried what is called a Exercise Stress test, also known as a 6 Minute Walk? I used to perform them all the time. What the pumonologist (or his/her nurse) does is connect you to a pulse oximeter. If it has a printer in it is better, but not necessary. The nurse will record for resting 02 reading, then he/she will walk you around the clinic/office for 6 minutes, they need to record the 02 reading every 30 seconds. If at any time your 02 levels fall to 88% or lower (even at rest), you qualify. Now here is the kicker, they have to do another 6 minute walk after they connect you to 02 to show that you would benefit from its use, unless it was at rest. It has to show that your 02 stats stay higher than without the 02. They also have what is called an Overnight Pulse-Oxymetry. They connect you to a pulse-oxymeter and test you through out the night. Same principle applies, if your 02 levels are below 88% at least 5% of the time you would qualify for night time use. Once the equipment is in your house and you need it during the day, I am sure you will do what you need to do.

I know I explained the test in too much detail, but just in case they have not done it, you can show them this thread. These are the Medicare guidelines for requirement for oxygen therapy: 02 Staurations must be less than or = to 88% to qualify for oxygen for lifetime. If your 02 Stautation is 89% you qualify for 02 for 3 months and will need to be retested within 3 months to be certified again. I do not know about California, but if you meet Medicare guideline here in Texas, all other Insurance companies must follow suit.

I hope this helps a little. If I lived closer to California than I do right now, you bet I would love a 02 tank wearing guitarist in my band.

If you already qualified, great.

Spiriva and Ventolin are pretty good, especially if it is emphysema without Asthma properties. I wish you luck in your on-going treatment.

Richard

I did the 6 minute walk a couple of weeks ago and my 02 levels fell into the mid 80's. Next Friday (the 10th) I do it again with 02. I have the overnight test coming up as soon as my insurance company approves it.
I would be interested in hearing more if you would be willing to contact me privately.

rkreisher · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:31 pm

CAFeathers wrote:

rkreisher wrote:

Wow CAFeathers,

I did not realize you have Severe Emphysema. Are you really having a hard time getting oxygen equipment for your condition? I worked for a pulmonologist for a few years and know a test which may get you qualified for 02. I would hope that they have already tried this, but...

Have they tried what is called a Exercise Stress test, also known as a 6 Minute Walk? I used to perform them all the time. What the pumonologist (or his/her nurse) does is connect you to a pulse oximeter. If it has a printer in it is better, but not necessary. The nurse will record for resting 02 reading, then he/she will walk you around the clinic/office for 6 minutes, they need to record the 02 reading every 30 seconds. If at any time your 02 levels fall to 88% or lower (even at rest), you qualify. Now here is the kicker, they have to do another 6 minute walk after they connect you to 02 to show that you would benefit from its use, unless it was at rest. It has to show that your 02 stats stay higher than without the 02. They also have what is called an Overnight Pulse-Oxymetry. They connect you to a pulse-oxymeter and test you through out the night. Same principle applies, if your 02 levels are below 88% at least 5% of the time you would qualify for night time use. Once the equipment is in your house and you need it during the day, I am sure you will do what you need to do.

I know I explained the test in too much detail, but just in case they have not done it, you can show them this thread. These are the Medicare guidelines for requirement for oxygen therapy: 02 Staurations must be less than or = to 88% to qualify for oxygen for lifetime. If your 02 Stautation is 89% you qualify for 02 for 3 months and will need to be retested within 3 months to be certified again. I do not know about California, but if you meet Medicare guideline here in Texas, all other Insurance companies must follow suit.

I hope this helps a little. If I lived closer to California than I do right now, you bet I would love a 02 tank wearing guitarist in my band.

If you already qualified, great.

Spiriva and Ventolin are pretty good, especially if it is emphysema without Asthma properties. I wish you luck in your on-going treatment.

Richard

I did the 6 minute walk a couple of weeks ago and my 02 levels fell into the mid 80's. Next Friday (the 10th) I do it again with 02. I have the overnight test coming up as soon as my insurance company approves it.
I would be interested in hearing more if you would be willing to contact me privately.

I just sent you an e-mail to your G-mail account, please let me know if you got it.

CAFeathers · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 8:59 pm

rkreisher wrote:

CAFeathers wrote:

rkreisher wrote:

Wow CAFeathers,

I did not realize you have Severe Emphysema. Are you really having a hard time getting oxygen equipment for your condition? I worked for a pulmonologist for a few years and know a test which may get you qualified for 02. I would hope that they have already tried this, but...

Have they tried what is called a Exercise Stress test, also known as a 6 Minute Walk? I used to perform them all the time. What the pumonologist (or his/her nurse) does is connect you to a pulse oximeter. If it has a printer in it is better, but not necessary. The nurse will record for resting 02 reading, then he/she will walk you around the clinic/office for 6 minutes, they need to record the 02 reading every 30 seconds. If at any time your 02 levels fall to 88% or lower (even at rest), you qualify. Now here is the kicker, they have to do another 6 minute walk after they connect you to 02 to show that you would benefit from its use, unless it was at rest. It has to show that your 02 stats stay higher than without the 02. They also have what is called an Overnight Pulse-Oxymetry. They connect you to a pulse-oxymeter and test you through out the night. Same principle applies, if your 02 levels are below 88% at least 5% of the time you would qualify for night time use. Once the equipment is in your house and you need it during the day, I am sure you will do what you need to do.

I know I explained the test in too much detail, but just in case they have not done it, you can show them this thread. These are the Medicare guidelines for requirement for oxygen therapy: 02 Staurations must be less than or = to 88% to qualify for oxygen for lifetime. If your 02 Stautation is 89% you qualify for 02 for 3 months and will need to be retested within 3 months to be certified again. I do not know about California, but if you meet Medicare guideline here in Texas, all other Insurance companies must follow suit.

I hope this helps a little. If I lived closer to California than I do right now, you bet I would love a 02 tank wearing guitarist in my band.

If you already qualified, great.

Spiriva and Ventolin are pretty good, especially if it is emphysema without Asthma properties. I wish you luck in your on-going treatment.

Richard

I did the 6 minute walk a couple of weeks ago and my 02 levels fell into the mid 80's. Next Friday (the 10th) I do it again with 02. I have the overnight test coming up as soon as my insurance company approves it.
I would be interested in hearing more if you would be willing to contact me privately.

I just sent you an e-mail to your G-mail account, please let me know if you got it.

Yes, I did Thanks.

CAFeathers · **Posted:** Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:45 pm

I did my 2 minute walk with oxygen today. The results were great. My 02 levels on my previous walk without oxygen were down in the mid 80's, today's walk with oxygen the levels were in the mid/upper 90's.
Now I have to wait for my next appointment to see what happens next.

BTW: The past week or so has been fabulous. My new inhalers have finally kicked in.

rkreisher · **Posted:** Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:32 pm

CAFeathers wrote:

I did my 2 minute walk with oxygen today. The results were great. My 02 levels on my previous walk without oxygen were down in the mid 80's, today's walk with oxygen the levels were in the mid/upper 90's.
Now I have to wait for my next appointment to see what happens next.

BTW: The past week or so has been fabulous. My new inhalers have finally kicked in.

Great news. That's were we like to see them, 95% and above are the best levels.

RK

CAFeathers · **Posted:** Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:35 pm

rkreisher wrote:

CAFeathers wrote:

I did my 2 minute walk with oxygen today. The results were great. My 02 levels on my previous walk without oxygen were down in the mid 80's, today's walk with oxygen the levels were in the mid/upper 90's.
Now I have to wait for my next appointment to see what happens next.

BTW: The past week or so has been fabulous. My new inhalers have finally kicked in.

Great news. That's were we like to see them, 95% and above are the best levels.

RK

I'm extremely pleased with the test results!!!

straycat113 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 11, 2009 1:43 pm

Thats great Chet glad to hear you hooked up with a doc who cares. It is a shame these days as you can walk in half dieing and until you hand over your coverage you get no help at all just sickens me. On the bright side a lot of guys wail nicely on a stool like Johnny.A for instance.

	Page 2 of 3	[ 36 posts ]	Go to page Previous 1, 2, 3 Next
Go to page Previous 1, 2, 3 Next

	Page 2 of 3	[ 36 posts ]	Go to page Previous 1, 2, 3 Next
Go to page Previous 1, 2, 3 Next

Andorra	EN	ES	FR
Belgium	EN	DE	FR
Croatia	EN
Czech Republic	EN
Estonia	EN
France	EN	FR
Germany	EN	DE
Italy	EN	IT
Latvia	EN
Lithuania	EN
Malta	EN
Netherlands	EN
Poland	EN
Romania	EN
Slovakia	EN
Sweden	EN
United Kingdom	EN

Austria	EN	DE
Bulgaria	EN
Cyprus	EN
Denmark	EN
Finland	EN
Greece	EN
Hungary	EN
Ireland	EN
Liechtenstein	EN	DE
Luxembourg	EN	DE	FR
Monaco	EN	FR
Norway	EN
Portugal	EN
Slovenia	EN
Spain	EN	ES
Switzerland	EN	DE	FR	IT

Mod Shop

Custom Shop

What A Month.....

Who is online