HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Friday Afternoon - A scary episode

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/20/2013 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Debated about reporting this, but decided no harm in sharing it  (only here at HW CP).

It was hot here yesterday, close to 90 and very high humidity.  Not a good mix for me on a good day.  I had a legal meeting with my ex-boss and his lawyer at a restaurant downtown Greenville, call it a business lunch.  It was about 6 blocks downhill from where his office building is, and where I parked.  Didn't really want to, but we decided to walk it since there was no chance of getting any closer parking, handicap tag or not.

So we go to lunch, and they insisted on sitting on the outside terrace (overlooks the Reedy River, real pretty).  It was covered, and had multiple ceiling fans, but was still so hot and humid.  Did ok the first hour, though I could feel me overheating fast.  Try to end the meeting, but it drug on for another half hour.  By then I was just besides myself, and so glad when it ended.

So the lawyer heads off in a different direction, and my boss and I head back to my car, now its uphill the six blocks of course.  I could barely walk, so much leg and foot pain in particular, felt like my breathing was getting labored.  We had to keep stopping, every time we passed a telephone poll, I would stop and hold on to it for a few seconds.

Started feeling disorientated, but insisted we continue, as only had about another block and a half to go.  Stopped once more, and that should have been it for me.  But I can be stubborn too.  So I left the safety of the pole and tried to walk some more.

All I remember, was feeling like I was starting to black out.  I put my cane forward on the sidewalk, and lost all feeling, and vauguely remember my cane coming out of my hand hitting the sidewalk.  I started to say something, and next thing I know I was going down fast toward the sidewalk.

The rest of the account is from my ex-boss.  He said all of a sudden, while answering him a question, I started slurring really bad, and as he turned to me  (he was walking just to the left of me), he saw my face beet red and my eyes rolled back and starting to go down.  He said he rushed in, and blocked my body with his body, and went down with me, with me landing on his side.  Basically saved me from a hard fall. 

I literally blacked out from the heat.  Somehow (and I don't remember any of this), he helped me up on my feet and over to a park bench that happened to be in the shade.  When I came to, I was sitting next to him, and he was fanning me with a file folder.  We stayed there about 15 minute until I felt stable.  To be honest, I felt more humiliated and embarrassed than anything else, as down town Greenville is pretty crowded with workers ands tourists alike.

He said I was out for perhaps 15-20 seconds when I came too, and was one click away from calling 911.

When I felt better, we walked the last block, and sat down again for another 15 minutes, during which time, he started my car and got it cooling.  And got me a drink, which I slowly sipped.  I was fine by then, but drained of all energy, and when I felt I was safe, we parted, and I drove slowly home.  He insisted I call him the moment I got in, and I did.  Spent the next 3 hours in bed at home, resting and staying out of the heat.

He felt bad, because I have warned him dozens of time that I can't handle being in the heat, etc.  He promised never to insist that we eat outdoors when its hot.  I still thanked him, because had he not blocked me, would have hit the sidewalk hard and could have been hurt.  Plus strangers would have called 911 and made a big deal out of it.

Plus, I knew inside the danger or overheating while wearing Fentanyl patches, could have had a much worse outcome.  Other than a minor bump above my left eye brow, none the worse for what happened.

Been quite a few years since I have last passed out cold like that from the heat, but I have a long history of it going back to being a kid.  Going to have to be extra careful the rest of the summer here, as next time, there might not be someone handy to help me.

I don't think I am even go to mow anymore alone at home like I do.  If I passed out mowing, I could lay in the yard for hours during day hours and no one would even know.

It was quite an unsettling experience for sure, I still don't feel completely ok over a full day later, feel extra drained and tired.

My wife is angry at him, because he knows my whole medical history inside and out, and why didn't he offer to go get my car and pick me up once he knew I was struggling walking uphill in the heat.  I didn't think of it at the time, and you know us guys, we don't want to look like wimps to another guy, thought I could make it.

David

 

Post Edited (Purgatory) : 7/20/2013 4:47:08 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/20/2013 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Oh gosh David that had to be so scary for you. I know that I am very sensitive to the heat and can't be out in it very long either before feeling like I'm just going to pass out. I am very glad that there was someone there to help you. Sometimes we just push ourselves trying to do all the things that others can do and it's so frustrating when it doesn't work out. I am glad that no serious harm came to you. Try to take it easy when you are outside and don't try to be superman :)

Much love and gentle hugs,
Lynn
Posted 7/20/2013 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
David,

I'm sorry this happened to you. Side note -- not sure why you debated about posting it??

Anyway -- I have the same heat intolerance, due to my health issues... and have to make serious adjustments in order to cope with it. It sounds like you need to do the same. While I do understand not wanting to draw attention and ask for special adaptions.... better that than pass out!! Be it that you have a friend/family member/business associate drop you off in front of a restaurant and go park.... or insist that you have to eat inside where you can have air conditioning... or whatever it is -- I would just encourage you to be vocal on what your needs are. No need to feel embarrassed... many people have similar issues.

For me, it's just something that most anyone in my life knows about and is great about helping me with it. I have to make sure I always have access to a air conditioned place to cool off.... always have to have access to fluids... can't walk hardly at all in the heat (so others go get the car, or drop me off, or whatever). If someone "forgets" or doesn't know this about me -- I have to make sure I'm open and speak up about it. I would encourage you to do the same.

No reason to try to look "macho", lol.... it's a health issue.... especially w/ using fentanyl, you have to be very careful and make these adjustments. I know it's frustrating but just part of living w/ these types of issues... learning to be vocal about your needs is a part of "healingwell".

Hopefully w/ rest, fluids and air conditioning - you'll feel better. --Tina
Posted 7/20/2013 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, it was a good wake up call. I had been pushed a few times recently like this, but didn't pass out. Even have had repetitive nightmares about doing exactly what happened Friday.

The 12 blocks of walking (there and back), and all uphill coming back, would have been too much for me on a cool day. I wasn't dehydrated, as I drank at least 4 glasses of water during the lunch meeting itself.

Just sick of having all these new limits on what I can and can't do anymore, its frustrating. My mind still thinks everything is 100% ok, but my body might be at 25% of what it use to be.

My ex-boss always says, that I look so good and normal on the outside and it makes him forget how serious a condition I am in, and that annoys me. If other well meaning people only knew how we were feeling on the inside, they would see a different person. But I guess that can't be helped.

This morning, before it got too hot, I was outside for about 10 minutes, and that was almost too much, so I stopped doing what I was doing before I got into trouble again. Whole episode kind of spooked me, to be honest, not as durable as I thought I was.

david
Posted 7/20/2013 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
For me - I'm actually glad that people can't see how bad I feel on the inside most of the time!

I've accepted that part of living w/ an "invisible illness" is having to speak up to others and not expecting them to know how I'm feeling/doing.

I've gone through periods of time where I'm frustrated too about having to make "adjustments".... however, I watched a video on Facebook not too long ago.... about a guy named Nick Vujicic (he was born w/ no arms and no legs).... and it made me put things in perspective in terms of what one can do, if you make certain adaptions.

Anyway - hope you feel better! --Tina
Posted 7/20/2013 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Very good illustration, Tina. I realize there are many, many, people in far worse situations, and many without half the resources I have at hand. It tends to keep things in check, I think.

david
Posted 7/20/2013 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you're ok. Your wife does have a point and frankly I was wondering the same thing while I was reading your post.

I'm glad you're not going to mow the yard any longer. Because if you were to pass out there and had to lay out in the sun with the heat and humidity, it could be very serious if not deadly. This heat kills. I often think that when you've been around it for a long time that you believe you can handle it. But it doesn't take much for it to handle you.
Posted 7/21/2013 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Yikes...that is definitely scary! It shows us how easy it is that people can accidentally overdoes on opiates!!. Going from 75mcgh to 125mcgh of Fentanyl in just the last few months is a huge jump and your body is actually still getting used to it. Adding in the heat, it literally could kill you.

I'm surprised that they didn't call 911 as most people would if someone actually loses consciousness and without them really knowing what was wrong and caused this...

I agree with Tina and most of the time I don't talk about my health/pain with anyone....but in a situation like this you have to speak up and say it's actually dangerous to sit in the heat as well as ask for that ride as they have no clue on how much medication you are on.

Glad everything is fine now....It's definitely a learning lesson that thankfully didn't cost you your life!

Tina, I just LOVE that story about the man you mentioned....It shows us that there are such brave and joyous people out there who choose to focus on the positive and share with others instead of always finding the negative.

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 7/20/2013 7:02:37 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/21/2013 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Never a dull moment:)
I glad that everything ended up ok.
You need to take care of you!
Posted 7/21/2013 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
mercy - I will still have to mow, what I am saying is that I won't be mowing alone during the day when my wife and most of my neighbors are away at work. Pretty empty around here. We can't afford to farm out the yard work at this point. Just have to be more careful.

SB - my ex boss was very aware of my situation, but tends to be on the selfish side. he knows I am on fentanyl patches, and I have told him endless times that it could be dangerous in the heat. he's been involved with my prostate cancer/CP journey since the day I was diagnosed in 2008.

He's a person that hates a/c. Complains all the time about being cold in his office, when I think its hot in there. Always turning down the a/c in my car when we go places. So we are opposites.

It's mostly my fault, I knew even walking that far was going to be an issue, and I told him, but he was right that there was no way to park any closer than my car was already at. Should have insisted that he walk back, pick up my car, and come and pick me up.

But again, there are times you just want to forget about your medical woes and just live. I get sick of worrying about my every step sometimes, just want to be normal again.

Just thankful he was there to blunt my fall, and to assist me. I bounced back pretty fast, and didn't feel a need to make a big production out of it by calling 911 and run up the expenses of a ER visit. I was plenty hydrated at the time.

Could have been worse, just need to be more careful next time out, and be more forceful with him when its hot out. I think he felt terrible enough as it was, he realized that his insistence is what put me in that situation.

david
Posted 7/21/2013 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
So glad you are OK !!!

Please, please ( hmm how I do I say this kindly?? ) do not make excuses for your xboss.. he knows your med conditions & why you should not get overheated.. he has been by your side thru your issues but seems like he does not take some things seriously.

If
IF there is a next time he should drive, drop you off at the door, pick you up, sit where ever YOU choose and pay you a consulting fee!!

I think your wife has every right to be angry.

Sigh..I understand why you suck it up & do stuff that you know you should not.. I too want to act normal - to BE normal.

Normal like everyone else. But I 'pay' dearly when I do!

For instance, I am still constantly getting questioned re: why I do not go sit outside in these 90° temps -" it's nice out there".. I quit offering explanations a couple of years ago..
they know what meds I take ( for safety sake) &
have Internet access (if they have any questions)

Take care of yourself !!
Posted 7/21/2013 11:18 AM (GMT 0)
Shame on you David! ! That was a very dangerous lunch and if I was your wife I would definitely put you in the dog house, endangered your life like that after you more or less battled cancer and are surviving! !

Did want to add have you checked all your meds for sun warning? Something every one here needs to take a moment and do. Drugdigest.com has a easy drug interaction tool.

As for mowing the yard David have you tried to find one of the local resources that provide this service free for elderly and disabled? Many cities have them and they serve a dual purpose. Some count it as community service for troubled and at risk teens and many church youth programs participate to give teens a sense of charity that costs no more than an hour of their time. They do all kinds of yard work and home repair and upkeep.

Next time pick a place that doesn't have outdoor seating.

Hope your feeling better.
Posted 7/21/2013 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
David I am so glad you are alright! You need a new boss :) lol This is not the first time he has been inconsiderate of you. I would say your medical condition, but he is inconsiderate or your time and talents also. He seems to take advantage of you. I may have read the situation wrong as you don't post the times he is kind and considerate.:)
Knowing his history you will need to vocally advocate for yourself more vigerousely!
I'm A girl I don't get the male macho deal, but have seen the results of it for years. I have two sons and a husband. They all get the mal macho thing:)

I'm glad your OK I hope I haven't offended you, I don't mind if I have offended your bossl !ol
Lesley
Posted 7/21/2013 12:09 PM (GMT 0)
On the subjest heat; what do think about the effect of the heat and my poison mess rash? I don't want to steal your thread, but I just noticed it is cool here this morning and I went out to get the paper and didn't come in itching. Many of the areas aren,t even red or swollen today. Am I making aconnection that is just a coincidence? Is it possible that it has just run it's course and is improving on its own? Just something I noticed. What are your thoughts?
David; if I am stealing your thread let me know and I will move this to a new thread.
Lesley
Posted 7/21/2013 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Lesley have you checked all your meds for a heat or sun interaction? Wouldn't it be something to find that explained it after all you've been through with it?

The entire US has been in a heat wave with temperatures above normal this month.
Posted 7/21/2013 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
st looked up every med I take and 4 out of 5 report some level of photosensitivity! Some have lower percentages 10% some had higher, the highest was 47% of the people taking it reported photosensitivity. I'm not sure if the meds compound and I become like super photosensitive or not, but thei seems to be a real side affect. I can take this piece of information with me to the dermatoloist.
Lesley
Posted 7/21/2013 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Only my Fentanyl has such serious heat warnings, and I am and was aware of that, but you can't stay entirely out of the heat and sun living in SC in the summer time, as much as I hate the heat.

That Friday episode was just the perfect storm in the making, with the long walk both ways, sitting extra long in the heat, etc.

As far as my ex-boss goes, he is still a friend of mine at the personal level. But he's rich, he and his wife both come from wealthy families, and they are not accustomed to normal everyday problems such as the rest of us, lol. And he's very healthy for someone that is 49 years old. He lives in a million dollar plus house and has a hard time relating to us "poor" folks.

Aside from that, even after I lost my job and then was diagnosed with PC, of his own free will, he paid all my BCBS premiums for six months so that I wouldn't have a gap in my insurance. He was under no obligation to do so. For 5 years now, I have been his legal confidant in his very major lawsuit against one of the largest banks in the country. To make a long story short, the bank did things to his former company in violation of the Patriot's Act that put him out of business. There is a lot of money on the table.

We are months away now from a settlement. I usually see him 2x a week, sometimes 3, for 2-3 hours at the time, and sit in on a lot of legal meetings for him. Why? Because when he wins (and he will), depending on the settlement, I will get anywhere from 250K to 1.5 Million dollars out of the deal for helping him. So I have a motivation, and too much time put into this to walk away from it.

He is aware of my condition, probably more than anyone outside my immediate family, but he gets over zealous at times, and I try to suck it up and do the best I can to help. The courts have been pretty accommodating to me over the years, when I had to give 10 hours of depositions, they did the unthinkable and split it into 3 sessions, so that I didn't feel too strained or stressed.

When this settles, I am out of the consulting biz. As far as my yard, this will probably be my last season of doing it myself. We are trying to figure out a better plan for the future. I hated yard work even when I was healthy, I find no enjoyment in it, lol. Wish someone would invent grass that only grew evenly to 2" high.

david
Posted 7/21/2013 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
maybe replace your grass with artifical turf, some of that stuff looks almost real...lol...
Anyways, so glad your doing better, but do be more cautious in the future...had me scared.
I always get those remarks your too young to have RA...people just do not realize all that I've been thru
just sometimes hate getting those remarks, your too young or you look good, why do you need a cane...are people really that insensitive, but I guess they are...Usually when I'm out and get asked questions, I just say I have RA and knee problems, it's easier to just say that, then they understand...
On a good day for me I will not park in handicapped spaces but for bad days I need too...My handicapped car tag is good until 2015 then it'll need to get replaced with a new one, doctor wrote it for longer but it must be a State thing...
Many Prayers to you David and I sure hope you'll be smarter so this will not happen again, no more scares...well wishes...
Posted 7/21/2013 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
David, I'm so sorry to hear what happened. Glad you're okay.

Your ex-boss should of be more aware and be looking out for you. Even though you look good on the outside, you said he's been through part of the journey with you.
Nevertheless, I'm glad that he saw in time to breaks you from falling hard.

I'm glad you're okay now.

Take Care

UA
Posted 7/21/2013 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
thanks, chart and UA.

I have a perm. tag on my car, and placard in my wife's truck, which I rarely ever drive. It's a state thing, I believe its either every 5 or 7 years here you have to get a doctor to renew it, in SC, it's crazy, I actually had to have a prescription from my doctor as part of the original paperwork.

I also found out, again, not sure if its just in SC, that I can park in any parking space for as long as I want, even park all day in a 30 minute space if needed. I got that right from a parking meter person. I never knew that before.

Some places are better than others about providing spaces, in Charleston, they have so few handicap spots to begin with. With our Super Wal-Mart, they have tons of spaces, but at our brand new Sam's Club, they didn't plan for many, and parking there close by is virtually impossible most days.

I sure never thought I would end up with a handicap tag. Took me some getting use to using it.

david
Posted 7/21/2013 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
I just found out I can park for 4hrs in front of a parking meter for free. I just have the placard and the card in my wallet. I'm the most popular person when it comes time for carpooling:)
Posted 7/21/2013 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
same here, rocckyd. family members love it when I drive them somewhere, because they know we can generally park up close. then being a non-drinker, I make the world's best designated driver, lol.

david
Posted 7/21/2013 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm, in California - I can use my disability placard (in front of parking meters) for free, for indefinite time period. (Well, not forever.... but no time limit).

Also can park in a green zone (limited parking time) for indefinite period.

If I'm feeling well... I try not to use.... but definitely use it when I need it! Does make things convenient at times!

--Tina
Posted 7/22/2013 6:21 AM (GMT 0)
David,

I read this post really late on Saturday night or early Sunday morning, whichever, you want to pick. My heart did a total drop when I started reading it. Boy, did you have a close call and I'm VERY happy that you are okay.

I understand your feelings on wanting to suck it up for your ex-boss at times, but you do need to remember to remind him that you need to sit inside and not walk out in the kind of weather you were in. I mean I hate having to carry my oxygen it really makes me look so much older than I am. However, I know if I go out without it I can get into serious issues really quickly. Please, make sure you don't attempt to walk six blocks uphill in high heat and humidity again. I agree with those who have suggested it, have him drop you off and pick you up at the door.

I know on Saturday hubby and I went to Walmart looking for a few items. Well, my hubby detests Walmart but said I'll go in with you, we were looking for alarms to put on the windows in the back of our home. Anyway, he pulled up in front of the store to drop me off, I wasn't paying attention and whacked the door of his sports car. Hubby's sports cars come before me that's for sure. That way I call the sports cars the mistresses. They take up all him time and money.

I was so upset, as I know this is his baby, I refuse to drive the stupid thing cause, it would be me that something would happen to it. Like hitting the post in the parking lot of Saturday. Long story short the pole was made of plastic not cement. Hubby said "BOY ARE YOU LUCKY". I only left a small nick in the paint. Anyway, we go on into the store and it's stifling hot and humid in the store.

I'm guess the combination of the heat and it being really humid in there, and the upset of me whacking his car door and all I was just so upset that as we walked into hardware, I began to feel really off. My ears started ringing, I was sweating, feeling nauseated, I knew I was going to pass out cold right then and there.

Hubby took one look at me and pushed me to the floor, cranked my oxygen up to 5 liters and pushed my head towards the floor. Man, did I feel like an idiot sitting on the floor in Walmart in my clean white shorts, which are now covered in junk from the floors. So, I understand totally how you were feeling about the people in the town seeing you there passed out. I hate being the center of attention at anytime. Wanted to crawl under the shelves in the store LOL.

I've decided I'm going to stick to staying at home while the heat keeps up. I'm not suppose to be in the sun because of my lupus and as the years have gone by I've become really intolerant to sunlight. Please make sure you're careful too, I'm sure many of your medications tell you to avoid direct sunlight, like mine do. Plus with the Fentanyl patch you need to be extra extra careful. I'm so happy that you are alright and I hope you had a good rest of your weekend.

I'll post more later today but for now I'm off to bed in the next 10 minutes.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 7/22/2013 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Barb

It was a scary situation, one I have feared every time we get into hot weather, which can be often here in SC. I don't even go into our Hot Tub for the same reason. I have had repetitive nightmares in recent months about passing out in the street or sidewalks, so its obvious its been on my mind.

Being a guy, got to ask you, what kind of sports car does your husband have? My wife is the same way about driving my Lincoln, she's so afraid of damaging it, she will rarely drive it, which is a shame, because I don't think of it as being my car, and her truck as being her truck. We both own the vehicles equally.

On her recent trip to Charleston, I begged her to take "my" car, its gets better MPG, much safer, and has all the creature comforts. At the last minute, she changed her mind and drove her truck.

Not like anything terrible would happen if she did scratch it, lol. That's what insurance is for, and at the end of the day, it's just a car.

Yes, I will be more careful next time, and less passive if I am asked to do something in the heat that I know I can't handle. It was an unusual set of circumstances that particular day, and I should have trusted my gut feeling and insisted. But things happen.

Hope you have a better day,

David
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12