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Old 07-08-2010, 09:59 AM
AnnieB3 AnnieB3 is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,306
15 yr Member
AnnieB3 AnnieB3 is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,306
15 yr Member
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Well, to be fair, doctors don't have a lot of time to talk about things.

Have they even thought to culture the sputum he is coughing up, to make sure they are targeting the bacteria with the right antibiotic? MRSA is common in hospitals and that antibiotic (yes, that's the correct name) won't cover it. Make absolutely sure he never gets Ketek (telithromycin)!!! Quinolones can be bad too. What he is on is a combo-antibiotic.

They may not have more than Jevity, but I thought it might be worthwhile to find out. Those of use with autoimmune diseases can sometimes be more sensitive to things like inflammatory foods.

It's a double-edged sword, the sedating drugs and getting a good night's sleep versus no drugs, not getting enough sleep which can make MG worse too. Sleep is absolutely necessary for people with MG. Maybe they can give the smallest dose possible. Young people, older people and those of us who have illnesses like MG can be more sensitive to higher doses of meds. Just a thought.

Do the doctors know about those shaking episodes? I would ask them what it could be. Epilepsy? Drug effects? Not enough oxygen? There are so many reasons and I'm not a doctor, so talk to them about that.

I can't say whether trach surgery is a good or bad thing. I can tell you that anyone with MG who has surgery will often get worse. They give more drugs, like morphine, which can make MG so much worse. After I had morphine, I had moderately severe restrictive breathing. I know a trach helped my Dad (who didn't have MG) but it's such an individual thing. There's also an increased risk for ongoing infection with a trach. It requires lots of upkeep, which is one more stressor for the body.

There are a lot of great people here. Keep asking questions. I hope others like Teresa chime in. It's so difficult having a parent in such tough shape. And you want to make the best decisions but, like you said, doctors don't often feel the need to talk to the family about what they are doing. You really have to be an advocate for your Dad, which it sounds like you are, along with your half-sister. Hang in there. I hope you can all work as a team to help your Dad.

Annie
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