CF Happens

Here’s a quick update about today. I’ll update later with more specifics, when I’m feeling better and not so worn out from the day’s events.

This morning my husband had to take me to the ER because I was very short of breath and my oxygen saturation (O2 sat) was pretty low on my home oximeter (mid to upper 80s). We got to the ER around 8:40am. They got me back quickly and got things going…a big treatment of albuterol over an hour, 2 dose of 40mg IV solumedrol (steroids) a few hours apart, oxygen initially at 3L.

They did the normal ER testing like nasal swab or all the viruses, EKG, regular labs, blood cultures, UA (urine analysis), etc. I had a chest X-ray in the ER room. Later, I went for a chest CT with contrast.

Long story made very short…I tested positive for parainfluenza. Parainfluenza is a respiratory virus. It pretty much kicked a pretty bad asthma attack this morning. There’s nothing special to treat parainfluenza, it just has to run its course. Yes, I had the flu shot. Parainfluenza is not covered with the flu shot.

The chest CT showed splotches of pneumonia. Typical CF type stuff. They changed me to Zosyn IV antibiotic every 6 hours while inpatient because Zerbaxa is very expensive and the hospital doesn’t keep it in stock. We will stay with the higher dose steroids until further notice then drop the dose as needed.

Ok, that’s all I’ve got for tonight. I’m very worn out from today. Talking takes too much lung power, so I most likely won’t answer the phone if you were to call. I need to take it easy. I’m in the hospital until further notice.

Until next time…