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Vitamins
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September 23, 2009
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i have never really been a fan of taking prescription medications, srsly i usually cave when i've been fighting something for a long time and can't seem to kick it on my own. or, if whatever i'm experiencing gives me pain of some sort or, if my doctor says it's the only way to cure something...blah blah blah
vitamins do not always require a prescription, i'm not really sure in what case they do it was recommended by my general practitioner, that i start taking fish oils i asked her if there were any side effects and she said, "make sure you get a good brand, or they might give you 'fish burps'." what?! ewwww! seafood makes me gag!
so, she said there was a brand she could prescribe for me, that doesn't have that side effect
and that is why i take Lovaza (pictured above)
next to the bottle of Lovaza, is a bottle of Vitamin D3 1000mg supplements i take 2 of those daily (same with Lovaza) look at the difference in the size of these pills. i have to point out that the Lovaza pills are not a standard size they are literally 1 inch long and the Vitamin D3's are literally 1/4 inch long
it's amazing that the potency of 1000 IU can fit into that tiny little capsule where I stand now: taking these 2 vitamins 2x's daily been feeling very weak and fatigued (extremely, actually) hoping that the Vitamin D supplement helps :-)
we will see
Labels: health, photos, Vitamin D |
| posted by Typette @ 10:28 PM |
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More blood test results
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September 17, 2009
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So about a month ago, i had some blood drawn.
Results were wacky -- like WAY wacky.
Got the blood redrawn and retested since docs gut feeling was telling her they weren't 'my' results.
Got the results back...
All the liver function test stuff was totally normal on the 2nd set. However, the Vitamin D -- was the same.
So, it makes me wonder - is it possible to get only PART of the blood tests results mixed up?? Really?
Or maybe, there is something else going on making my liver function tests fluctuate.
I am getting blood redrawn again in a month to reconfirm whether or not these are accurate results or not.
As far as the Vitamin D is concerned:
The first results say 16.8 (normal is 32-100).
The second results say 14.2
So, my Vitamin D count is getting lower...I'm concerned. I think it's weird b/c I'm in the sun for a minimum of 30mins each day. I had the blood drawn after a 10 day vacation in Hawaii where I was in the sun all the time, and I drink Milk (albeit Lactaid)... with my cereal and an additional cup a day. So why is it my count is low?
Who knows, doc said maybe I'm just not absorbing it properly, so I since my 2nd set of blood tests show that the liver count is normal, I can go ahead and take Vitamin D3 supplements of 1000mg a day. D3 is supposedly the closest to mimicking the vitamin D you would get from being in the sun.
She told me the obvious, that this can have a negative affect on my bones, but also mentioned it could cause fatigue.
TELL ME ABOUT IT!! Okay, so I thought I was just lazy and tired or bored or something...but I guess it makes me feel better to have a logical reasoning to why I'm always tired. I can sleep for 12-14 hours and still be tired, seriously, I could sleep ALL DAY...And, my body is weak lately too... just don't know how long this has been going on for, but at least there is a solution -- supplements. :) Easy Peasy.
My goal is to get my Vitamin D could up to the 50-60 range in a month. The next blood tests will show whether or not I'm absorbing...
That is all -- *pssh*Labels: health, Vitamin D |
| posted by Typette @ 2:19 PM |
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Panicking...
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September 2, 2009
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for reals. I'm so freaked out. I'm having major anxiety over these blood test results, you have NO idea.
If I'm at high risk for a heart attack anxiety is only going to make it worse, which in turns gives me more anxiety just thinking about it.
I REALLY need to change the way I eat, not that I am THAT bad of an eater. Really. I'm like any other normal carb-lover ;)..
I get in at least 3-4 servings of fruit a day via 100% natural fruit drink (BOLTHOUSE), b/c I'm allergic to all fruits in regular raw form. I need to start eating more veggies, I'm conscious of that, and not CORN. I need the GREEN ONES. I don't hate veggies, I can do it! I eat protein (mostly chicken and rarely beef). I WILL NOT EVER add seafood into my diet, and well, I know that is sometimes the BEST thing, but it makes me vomit in my mouth.
I am reading labels. No High Fructose Corn Syrup. No Trans Fats... it is hard to find things, AND, instead of WHITE carbs, I'm switching to multi-grain (though I'm allergic to lots of grains/nuts)... Whatev's.
No processed foods.
This new way of life is starting today, b/c I don't feel like dying anytime soon.
FinLabels: health |
| posted by Typette @ 2:51 PM |
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Saw my GP...
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September 1, 2009
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and she checked me all out. Blood pressure 110/60 -- not HIGH.
Good.
No temp.
Good.
No abdominal pain or swelling of the liver noted.
Good.
She has worked through all my lung issues and know's my entire medical history. She said that my blood work from a year ago showed no signs for concern, everything was within normal range.
With liver function test levels off as much as they were -- i should either be close to an alcoholic or be hopped up tylenol the past 2 years straight. I don't drink, so, no.
She also said that with all these numbers so off the charts, I should be experience SOME symptoms. But, I'm not experiencing anything out of the ordinary.
She said her gut feeling is telling her that these numbers are wrong, and possibly they mixed mine up with someone else's. It just doesn't make sense to her. Unless I'm an anomaly. Which seems to be the case most times.
She's redoing all my bloodwork to compare. See if these really are MY results.
If these really are MY results, then the next step is to get an ultrasound of the liver.
If the numbers don't match up the 2nd time around, i will be getting a 3rd round of blood tests to confirm. 2 out of 3 -- then my other docs office, that took the blood, will be getting a very fierce call from me.
In the meantime, I will be acting as if these numbers are truly me. And I will NOT be taking vitamin D supplements until the Liver thing is figured out first. I will be avoiding trans fatty foods (as much as I can), I will be taking Fish Oils (prescription ones so I don't end up with Fish Burps EWWWWWWWWW), and I will not be taking ANY meds (except inhaler for asthma and some Tums for GERD symptoms.). I will not be drinking ANY alcohol. My girlfriend is having a wine tasting party and I told my doc, she said 1 glass of wine would be like drinking 3 glasses with these liver numbers... She said I could have one if I REALLY want to, but I will definitely NOT.
My C-Reactive Protein, Cardiac is too high. I asked my GP if I was at risk for a heart attack with those numbers and she said yes. Great. No one in my family (under the age of 85) has had a heart attack. And my family has no history of liver problems either.
I am hoping this was all just a mixup. Seriously... or if it wasn't, I hope it's just a gallbladder problem.
I am going to try and get my blood redrawn this week at a different facility than the first that did it.
Fingers crossed.
On a side note, I finally learned what is wrong with my damn feet/heels. I have Plantar Fasciitis which I got ever since I started pet sitting and walking in flat sneakers or slip-ons all day. It's friggen annoying, but totally fixable. Gotta get a shoe with a heel, YAY!
(I <3 Wearing Heels)
P.S. - EVERYONE SHOULD ALWAYS get a 2nd opinion with potentially serious health conditions or when your gut tells you something just isn't right. I see multiple doctors in the same practice/office and I don't care if word gets around. It's interesting how much each doctors view differs from the next. Oh, and also, researching things on the internet should not make your doctors not take you seriously. You are concerned and want to learn, they should be offering up all the info they have...Labels: health |
| posted by Typette @ 11:12 PM |
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Liver Function Test Results - what the hell
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So, I went to the doc about 2 weeks ago for a complete workup.
Everything looked great or completely horrible.
My liver function tests came back with these results:
AST (SGOT) = 142
ALT (SGPT) = 216
The problem with these numbers, is that they are SUPER high. The normal range is between 0-40. What is going on.
Also, my Vitamin D is really low:
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy = 16.8
normal Vitamin D count is 32-100, just a tad low there, eh?
Recent studies consider the lower the limit of 32.0 to be a threshold for optimal health. Hollis BW. J Nutr. 2005 Feb;135(2):317-22
Hmmm, let's see what else.
Oh Yeah!
My C-Reactive Protein count is super HIGH!. Yippeeee!!!
C-Reactive Protein, Cardiac = 19.07
Normal levels are 0.0-3.0
There was a comment in my chart: Relative Risk for Future Cardiovascular Event
Oh great.
I 'feel fine', as usual. My numbers have never been off in the past with the whole lung issue thing. Just all of a sudden.
I am due for my annual lung checkup, but alas, I have yet to make that appointment. The trek to NYC is not something I look forward to. Especially since the appts generally run about 6 hrs for a complete workup and scans. I always end up in rush hour traffic. On the streets or on the subways, it's bad either way.
I go to see my GP about these blood test results that are wacky tomorrow afternoon. She is very concerned with the liver counts. Says she knows I get vitamin D, however, she doesn't want to add more just yet, b/c it's a fat soluble vitamin and can do harm, depending on what's wrong. So, one thing at a time.
She thinks, MAYBE, it's related to Gall Stones or something b/c the C-Reactive Protein means there's inflammation 'somewhere' in the body.
Alas, I shall share the results with the world again. I love being a medical mystery *sigh*.Labels: health, Vitamin D |
| posted by Typette @ 1:21 AM |
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A Happy Heart...
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January 19, 2008
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I started wearing a loop recorder for my heart about a week ago.
I am wearing it b/c I started getting palpitations about a month ago that became more and more frequent. Docs think it's either b/c of anemia (b/c I changed my diet to vegetarian) or could be hormones or could be any other number of things.
I don't get pain when I have the palps. but I can't breathe when they happen...and it's just kinda annoying.
I wear the recorder with electodes under my right collar bone and one under my left breast.
They are wired to a looping recorder that constantly records 1 minute and then re-records over it...
When I have a palpitation I push a button on the recorder so that it records 1 minute before pushing the button and 40 seconds after. After recording, I call a number and transmit the reading through the phone. It's strange... somehow it sends an EKG through the phone that can be read on the other end...
Interesante...really it is.
Anyway, this is similar to the Holter Monitor which is worn for 24 hours, but Holter Monitors are good for people who have their symptoms daily so that it is almost guaranteed that they will be able to record their symptoms within the 24 hour timeframe... The benefit to the Looping monitor that I wear, is that since I do not have my symptoms everyday, I can wear it for longer than 24 hours, upping my chances of being able to catch and record my symptoms when they happen.
The downside to the Looping recorder is that I have to wear it for 30 days, and I am allergic to the electrode pads sticky stuff. They supplied me with hypoallergenic ones as well, but I am also allergic to those.
They are shipping me out some pediatric pads so I can try them out... It's soo itchy and painful. I get welts after taking the pads off, and they get itchy and start to blister. Above is a picture of one of the welts that has reduced significantly (is no longer raised) and it's funny, b/c it looks like a smiley face.
I guess I have a happy heart - :)Labels: health, heart, photos, thoughts |
| posted by Typette @ 4:37 PM |
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Ow.
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September 11, 2007
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I'm really feeling the joy of all that is Fibromyalgia tonight.
I don't understand, I have yet to figure out a pattern to the pains I get.
I used to keep a log. What day it was, what time, what the weather was like, what part of my body was hurting, how long it hurt etc...
No pattern.
Sometimes I would ache a day before a storm, and some days I wouldn't. Sometimes I wouldn't get any aches until after a storm, and sometimes I wouldn't get any pain at all.
Sometimes when it's a beautiful perfect day, I ache.
I believe it has something to do with a change in barometric pressure, for better or for worse. Whenever theres a big change (i.e. bad weather to good or vice versa).
For years I thought I had RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis)...and so I was told by ppl for so long. But after many blood tests, the RA factor was low. There was no test actually proving to me that I had it. Finally, my wonderful, out of the box thinking doctor referred me to a Rheumatologist. Seems like common sense, but I had no clue what was wrong with me.
I had this tender points test given to me, and I was tender in 15 of the 18 points. It was really strange, b/c when the doc would push on those points it hurt really bad. Like someone digging their finger into a pressure point on your body. After lifting his hand from the tender point I would have a lingering feeling as if he was poking a bruise. I thought this was normal and that everyone felt those pains. I was wrong.
Anyway. I have learned to manage and deal with the pain. It can be debilitating at times, but I take pain meds (such as Tylenol etc...) to help and heat always works really well for me.
When it's really bad, I prefer to sleep through the pain so I don't have to deal with it, so I pop some Tylenol PM or Flexiril and out I go.
My fibromyalgia keeps me up most nights. I never really get a good nights sleep. I am out for at least 8 hrs each time. But according to a sleep test I took, I get less than 30mins of TOTAL cummulative REM sleep. Ah well - I'm alive and still kickin'.
I can deal.
I think the whole point of writing this was to express how happy I am that Tylenol PM was invented. I just popped a few and can't wait to get to sleep.
Off I go.Labels: fibromyalgia, health, thoughts |
| posted by Typette @ 11:01 PM |
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CT Lung Biopsy
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February 23, 2007
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This past wednesday (21st), I had my CT Lung biopsy. I got myself so worked up for this and was scared that if it was ANYTHING like the bone marrow biopsy, I would probably faint. They told me I had to stay awake during the procedure b/c I had to follow certain breathing instructions so my Gen. Pract. doc prescribed me some sedatives to take some of the anxiety away. I think it helped....
I got this biopsy done at NY Presbyterian and the appt was for 8 am, which means we had to leave our house no later than 6 am to make it there on time.
The radiologist was the one performing the biopsy because they had to use a CT scanner to pinpoint the right area to go in and he is the one who can read the CT scan real well..
It was a tough procedure in that I had to lay completely still in one position for 1 hour straight. One little movement and they would have to start all over from scratch. I tried my best to lay still, but since they went in through my back, I had to lay on my stomach, and any woman will tell you, it's not comfortable when you have a 'chest'... It was very hard to breath.
They injected lidocaine into my back to numb the area where the needle was going in... The MOST pain during the procedure I felt was when they injected that. It was a pinch and some burning. Not much... He must've injected me a total of 6 times during the procedure...GOOD THING.
Anyway, the doc told me that people usually do not complain of any pain from this procedure, but in some rare cases some patients feel pain in the front of their chest, and that's because the nerves wrap around from the back to the front...even though there's nothing wrong there, it still hurts. (if that makes sense)
Anyway, go figure, I had that pain, and it happened during the last 20 minutes while I was laying on the CT Table. It was quite unbearable. I'd say pain was a 9 out of 10... if it was a 10 I would've passed out completely. Knowing I had to stay completely still or go through another hour of pain, I tried my best to just try and breath through out.
Through out the test they did CT scans to make sure the needle was in place and to make sure my lung did not collapse.
They wound up having to go back in a second time, which my doc said is the average for this procedure...to make sure they have enough sample to biopsy.
Afterwards, I continued to have pain everytime I breathed in or out, it was horrible, and I was getting cold sweats and felt like i was going to pass out. I couldn't cry b/c when I tried a little the pain intensified.
After about an hour or 2 in the recovery area along with some tylenol, the pain started to fade away. Then they took another XRay to check again to make sure the lung had not collapsed.
They told me the feeling I had was the same feeling as a collapsed lung and they were concerned, but the x-rays and CT scans showed that everything was okay. I was happy to hear that, and figured I could handle the pain knowing there was nothing seriously wrong to be causing the pain. Just my damn ol' sensitivity.
When I left the hospital, the pain was about a 6 out of 10.
The following day, I was back at work, pain at a 2 out of 10...
I was shocked and amazed at how well the procedure actually went considering all my worry.
I think I have more 'pain' with procedures just because I have Fibromyalgia...
NY Presbyterian has some really good doctors and I DO trust them... it just sucks that they are so far away from me...
I should find out the results of the biopsy Monday.
(They biopsied the infiltrate fluid, they did not take a piece of my lung)...Labels: health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 8:49 PM |
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It's late & I'm still awake.
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January 29, 2007
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It's been awhile since I've stayed up past midnight. Usually, Mike and I are asleep by 10pmish..
Maybe since Mike is away for the week, I feel like rebelling? Nahhh..
I caught up on some much needed sleep this weekend, and got to have my dog with me to keep me company. He's such a great companion.
2 more days alone, and then I'm off to Savannah. I checked the weather yesterday and today and so far, it looks like there's going to be some rainy weather most of the days I'll be there.
I'm not going to get bummed out though...there are lots of things I've planned to do that are mostly indoors ;)
Anyway... I'm nervous as hell to find out the results from my latest pulmonary appt that I had on Thursday.
The last test I had done was a bone marrow biopsy in November and those results came back negative.
This past Thursday I had a follow-up CT scan of the chest done. The lymphnodes on my lung haven't changed much but the infiltrate has gotten bigger. I retook the PFT (pulmonary function test) and my results (usually being borderline normal) are now above normal. GOOD NEWS!!!
I also had some blood tests done. I'm not sure what tests exactly were done (i should ask more questions when I'm there)...but I think they are repeats of things that were done in the past, plus some.
My pulmonologist was a little concerned with the infiltrate getting larger, since I had a broncoscopy at the end of last year to flush it out. The results from whatever fluid was taken during that procedure...came back negative as well... Not exactly sure what they were testing for though. I guess just any sort of abnormality.
Anyway... My pulm told me they need to be more aggressive now, b/c there is something wrong, we just don't know what and we need to find out. So that day, I went and got a PET Scan done to see if the infiltrate area is 'active'. It was an interesting procedure. They had these nice little private rooms with leather lazy boy recliners, a flat screen wall mounted tv and a remote... I guess they provide these rooms b/c the prep time for these test is kind of long ... (1-2 hours).
I had to drink this huge waterbottle full of Barium (eck - 'cause it was warm) and then they injected me with a radioactive sugar. The scan itself too about 30 minutes. They did the scan from the hips up.
I finally finished all my testing late that night ... having started at 9am after a 1.5 hr commute there and home.
Anyway - I still have to clean up the place before I leave, and still have to pack.
Babysitting my niece tomorrow night so I wonder where I will find the time.
Peace...Labels: health, thoughts, trips |
| posted by Typette @ 12:30 AM |
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some updates
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January 19, 2007
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So, we're going to Italy in April. The money for the trip is due in February. Ugh.
I still have to get a passport, since I've never had one before.
I should really get on that, I think haha.
Mike and I are going to Italy with the Italian/American Club. We don't belong to it, but some relatives of him do and when we found out about their trip to Italy, we couldn't pass it up!
I'm excited, I've never been out of the country before. I guess I'm a little nervous because of that too.
It finally snowed, If you can really even call it that. There's a dusting on our cars this morning. I'm surprised seeing as it's still in the 40's.
I decided to start up sax lessons again, and I'm going to try this music school around the corner from my house. My first lesson is on Saturday morning. I wonder if it'll be good. I think they think I'm a beginner, but I've played sax since I was 10 years old...(16 yrs total I guess that would mean), but I haven't performed in about 6 years... AHHH!
Mike starts his voice lessons tonight. He is going to be instructed by a Vocal Teacher from Princeton University. (was one of his Christmas gifts from me).
Finally got a response back from my Pulmonologist's fellow. We've been communicating via email for over a month, which started back when I asked -- what's the next step.
Each email she told me how she either couldn't get in touch with the Doc, or he hasn't been able to respond yet. I didn't think it would be that hard to say... "No next step" or "come in for follow up".
Anyway, I got frustrated and let her know. She responded saying that my Doc wants me to come in for Follow ups and repeat lab tests and CT scans. I wonder if the lymphnodes have changed at all.
Still having nightsweats (less frequently though), having dry cough (could be related to onset of chronic sinusitis), ear infections, sore throat etc...
Seeing an ENT to get allergy tested, hopefully that's all it is.
Got paid today - YAY!... It's a hefty check this week, b/c I forgot to hand in my time sheet for the week of christmas and didn't get that in my last paycheck. AHH
I love Affinity FCU as a bank. It's so much better than Commerce, seeing as Commerce likes to charge ppl for random things.
Gotta leave for work, not looking forward to the snowy car I'm going to have to clean off.Labels: health, money, music, thoughts |
| posted by Typette @ 7:41 AM |
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my medical story -- is somewhere else now
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November 13, 2006
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To follow my medical updates, please visit this site : http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jbug
I will post all my medical info there going forward, and leave this blog to my regular ramblings, since I haven't been doing much of that lately...Labels: health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 12:03 AM |
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bone marrow biopsy - Part II
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November 7, 2006
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Was rescheduled to have the biospy today. It was not fun. Extremely painful.
For anyone interested in what happens read ahead, (otherwise skip to the next paragraph). For most they go in through the hip bone. I had to lie on my side in fetal position. They prepped the area (back left hip near the spine) and injected lidocaine (like novacaine) then injected a larger needle close to the bone with some sort of numbing stuff. That was painful enough for me to believe they were performing the biopsy...but it wasn't HA. There was an assistant with my doc who held my legs so I didn't move them, then they stick the needle in through all the skin and try to manually push it through the skin. Then out comes the little hammer, and they start hammering the needle into my bone. When he 'thinks' he's in, he puts this syringe type thing on the end of the needle and starts to suction out. The pain goes all the way down my leg and I felt a sucking feeling as they aspirated (take marrow from the bone). When they pull the needle out, it has a piece of bone in it alone with some marrow... That is what they use to biopsy and do cultures on.
My doc said my bones were thick -- so it was harder to hammer the needle into the bone...The procedure is easier for older people (though still painful) because their bone is more brittle and weak. The younger, the harder.
It was a bad experience...because I have Fibromyalgia and experience pain on a different level than most. To top it off, after going through the entire procedure, my doc says he didn't get enough 'stuff' because of my sensitivity, so I have to get it done AGAIN, but at a hospital with Anesthesia. (sometime this month I believe)
This is the never ending Bone Marrow Saga...LOL -- I think I am going to stop sending out these emails now...It's getting redundant --
Hope all is well with everyone...
Looking forward to this being over and enjoying the holidays to come.Labels: health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 6:25 PM |
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bone marrow biopsy - scheduled for today. UGH
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November 2, 2006
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I went to my hematologist today for a bone marrow biopsy.
Waited in the waiting room for about an hour, then they brought me into a room and prepped me for the biopsy, I signed some crazy papers and they told me about what was going to happen. I waited in the room for at least another hour and eventually in came the doctor....
Long story short --- the doc wanted to do more tests than my pulmologist had requested, but they didn't have the 'tools' they needed for those other tests. So. After a total of 2 hours stressing about the friggen test, I'm told that they had decided they were not going to perform the procedure today, and instead I have to come back on Tuesday.
Tired as hell -- that's about all..
Till next time -Labels: health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 8:49 PM |
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update
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October 22, 2006
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Last wednesday I had a bronchoscopy. It was not a very fun experience. It was definitely something I don't want to ever go through again. I was sedated, but not put completely under, so I got to 'experience' everything UGH. They flushed out an infiltrate in my lower right lung. The doctors also took a piece of lung tissue to do a biopsy on, while they were in there.
Was a little woozy after the procedure, but no complications YAY
I have to wait a few weeks (i'm assuming) for the results.
They are testing for traces of cancer (lymphoma) and Tuberculosis (TB) and the TB test can take up to 6 weeks to get back. I'm not sure what else they are testing for.
I have to get a bone marrow biopsy done. I'm not looking forward to it, especially since everyone I talk to who has experience it or has known someone who has experienced it has told me that it's extremely painful. I figured as much, but having validation is really freaking me out. I'm having major anxiety now!!
They have to stick a needle through your bone and all they do is numb the outer skin!! AHHHH!!!
okay...well that's my med update.
Watching America's Next Top Model now...peace.Labels: health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 9:49 PM |
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saw the hematologist today
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September 14, 2006
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Basically told me that there's not much he can do right now until the next CT Scan.
I figured as much, but it's good to make him familiar with me now, in case I need him in the future.
His biggest concerns were my Night Sweats and Dry Cough, since my last chest X-ray showed lymphnode increase in size in the middle of my chest.
I thought the Night Sweats could be a common sign of many different diseases and illnesses, he says it's more common with Lymphoma and especially since I have these lymphnode increase things in my chest and abdomen, he is very concerned. The other 'red flag' for him is my Dry Cough. He says if there is a lymphnode in the middle of my chest (which there are many normally) and it has increased in size, then it could be pushing on one of my brochial airway things...causing me to cough. Coughing, he says, is a good thing. Coughing helps to open the passage way, but could be a sign of lymphoma.
He says that since I just recently had a Chest CT Scan, that I should wait another 3 months. If it is lymphoma...it will not grow THAT much in 6 weeks (which is when I am having my next Chest CT Scan)... most likely the CT scan will show little or no progress, and I will be monitored 3 months after that.
It's an on-going diagnoses...fun times!
My hematologist tells me not to worry, but don't ignore anything.Labels: health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 3:07 PM |
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new doctor...
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July 28, 2006
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New Doctor...
It's so hard to find a really good specialist these days.
I guess I say 'these days', because they are the days when I need to seek one out.
Pulmonology is an important field. Dude, if all I had was a little cold, I'd go to any doctor just to get some meds. But when it comes to problems with an organ, the lungs for that matter, or even the heart, I don't want any bullshit from a cocky ass doctor.
I wrote a review of my doctor online, if you want a guy who is cocky, and basically tells you to shut your pie hole while you're explaining your symptoms so that he can say NO NO NO NO!!! and tell you you're WRONG about what you're feeling, and then he goes on to tell you what symptoms you really have (none of which you actually) have, then go to my doctor. If you are from NJ and want to avoid this doctor, send me an E-Mail, and I'll give you his name.
I should've gone with my gut, I went to a specialist who worked in the same office as him, he mistreated me when I had issues with my throat which turned out to be tonsillitis, and he made it worse with all these meds he prescribed for me. Oh, and FYI, the current specialist I saw from there (Dr. M) -- gave me way too many meds, for an illness I never really had, and he tells me he wants to give me more!! Even though I'm not sick! WTF PEOPLE?!
Anyway, I've worked with my company for about 4 years, I've always had the PLUS PLAN medical insurance. Never really utilized it to it's full capacity so I decided this past June to switch to the BASIC plan. (does not cover out-of-network doctors)... Go figure, June is when I find out all this stuff about my lung.
My Family Practice Doctor (Ms. S.) told me I have to get another doctor. So, finally we found one that's in network. It's hard to get an appointment with him, and I'm sorta going through an interview process with one of his Fellowes to get in.
He's in NYC, which is kinda a hike for me since I just moved to Central Jersey a few months ago. Hey man, whatever it takes to get good care!
I still have YET to be diagnosed with what they found on my lung, we're going on 2 months and don't even know if it's still growing or not.
I hate Dr. M!!!Labels: health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 8:35 AM |
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another medical update
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July 8, 2006
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These are the meds I started almost 2 weeks ago :
-Floxin (1x day for 8 days)
-Nasonex (2x's twice daily)
-Prednisone 10mg tablets (3x's daily for 4 days, 2x's daily for 4 days, 1x daily for 4 days)
-Advair 250/50 (1x morning, 1x evening)
-Albuterol Inhaler (when needed)
-Flexeril 5mg tablets (1 each evening before bed)
I'm no longer on the Floxin and have 4 days left of the Prednisone (steroid).
I have hot flashes every hour or so, and sweat so bad it's disgusting. It's so bad my calves even sweat!!!! I was also told that because of the steroids I'm taking for Pneumonia (still not confirmed if that's what I have, but being treated for it anyway, I guess to rule it out) - my immune system is slim to none, so I'm more apt to get some kind of illness being on all the meds. Joy! That makes a TON of sense doesn't it?
Before all these meds, the only problem I felt was the trouble breathing due to the fact that I have asthma that is not really under control. Now, my breathing is worse, I cough to catch my breath and I wheeze. Also with the hot flashes I'm going crazy. I also have a constant fever of over 100 degrees. Now, I have a couple thousand (no exaggeration) red dots all over my body that appeared yesterday. It started out only being about 20 or so on my hands and arms, then during work yesterday they just spread like crazy. I went to the doctor and they told me it's viral. you know, 'cause of the lower immune system. There's nothing I can do about it but take more steroids. WTF?!
Sometimes they are itchy, sometimes their not, but they are literally all over my entire body, my face is the least noticeable but everywhere else it's pretty bad. I look like I have COODIES!
I go back to my pulmonologist on tuesday so he can see if my treatment has helped the mass they found on my lung. Probably get one of those broncoscopy thingies, I'm not sure what exactly they are called, but I'm not looking forward to it. Also another CT Scan will be in the works then too.
I went to see a Oral Surgeon about my wisdom teeth, which are confirmed to be very impacted, but he won't do any work on me until my lung is healthy for at least 1 month, and there is no way I can have any type of surgery like that while on steroids, because there is risk of infection that will not heal. Also, I had a bad reaction to Anesthesia when I had my tonsillectomy 3 years ago so I'm one of those high-risk people.
What else is new?! AHHH
that's my update. Frustrated as usual.
Update: Doc now thinks the spots are from an allergic reaction to the steroids, but the Floxin was covering it up, now that I am off the Floxin, the reaction is no longer being hidden... Still not definite yet, waiting for doc to come to conclusion. ARGHLabels: health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 1:06 PM |
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The diagnosis'
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June 25, 2006
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1. I have fibromyalgia. Better than what I thought I had (Rheumatoid Arthritis) since thats what I had as a kid (Juvenile RA). Fibromyalgia is brought on my traumatic events supposedly, emotional, physical etc... Anyway, Was told there is no cure but there is treatment. I've dealt with this my entire life, so no biggie as long as its not life threatening and I have no problem with my joints.
2. I saw a Pulmonologist today. The radiologist said that pulmonologists read CT Scans differently and maybe they might know what it is. The Pulm. told me he's not sure what it is exactly, but it may be Walking Pneumonia (which is less severe than regular Pneumonia which you are usually hospitalized for). The only symptoms I have is trouble breathing. (Which is just my bad asthma which I got 5 years ago due to 2nd hand smoke), but the doc wants to treat me with all these pneumonia meds anyway. He says to treat it as if it's that first, and then take another CT scan in 2 weeks and see if there is any change. B/C he doesn't want to go straight to a biopsy type thing right away. So basically we are trying to narrow it down. ARGH, in the meantime, this THING is continuously growing larger. He says probably 4-6 weeks for a DECENT diagnoses, so I shouldn't get upset now, there is nothing to do but wait. See what these meds will do for me, and if nothing, next step is the Bronchial Scope where they stick a camera down my throat and take a look at it that way. La dee dah.
So, basically...still don't know what it is, and you can't tell if it's a tumor just by looking at a CT Scan. Can't tell if it's benign or malignant either. JOY!Labels: fibromyalgia, health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 7:45 PM |
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what the heck is it...
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June 23, 2006
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Had my 3rd CT Scan today, of my chest. With and without contrast (iodine injection). The injection was weird, it makes you feel all warm and gives you a major hot flash for a little while. And it feels like you peed in your pants, when really you didn't. The feeling goes away after a few seconds. But it was weird as hell..
The results got back to my doctors office after about 2 hours, b/c there was an abnormality (per previous CT Scans)...
Well, the mass is still there and they don't know what it is... STILL..
I see a pulmonologist now on Tuesday... argh.Labels: health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 7:23 PM |
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a little freaked out...
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June 22, 2006
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A few weeks ago i began having this pain in my Left Abdomen, behind my ribs (or so it felt). So i went to my doctor who had me get a CT Scan (AKA CAT Scan) of my abdomen and pelvis (just in case).
Unfortunately the CT scan was unable to determine the reasoning for the pain I was having on the left side, however it found some other 'problems' that I had no idea were present.
It found a 5.5cm sized density on the RIGHT lung (the lower lobe RLL). 5.5cm's to me is pretty friggen huge. Esepcially it being a random 'density'. Also, the CT found a 1.5 cm sized density near my ovaries. I had no pain there, so what the heck are these things?
I've had ultrasounds in the past because I get ovarian cysts, so I hope that the 1.5cm one they found is just that. And when it finally bursts, I'll be in extreme pain but it will be temporary and I can deal with that.
I'm really concerned about the mass on my lung. My mind has been going crazy thinking of the possibilities. What could it be? Lung Cancer? Maybe just a random tumor that is benign? (i hope)They also found a fluid filled sac in my right lung (middle lobe RML). I'm guessing that is some kind of bronchial issue. Like Bronchitis or something like that. I've had a cough, not very frequent but it is there and hasn't gone away.
I grew up in a house where my parents smoked excessively my entire life. I moved away to college and was okay, but when I came back from college, i couldn't handle the smoke. I had gotten asthma and had been hospitalized for it b/c I was allergic to the smoke. My family continued to smoke in the house despite the affects it was having on me and my younger sister.
They eventually, after MASSIVE amounts of arguments and another trip to the hospital with worse results than previous, decided to keep the smoke contained to one room in the house.
Unfortunalely, 25+ years of smoking in a house leaves its mark, and is almost impossible to get rid of. The furniture, carpets, and even our DOGS smell like smoke. When my mom walks past me, i smell it and it literally makes me cough and choke. It takes my breath away...literally.
This could be the reason for the mass on my lung. In a worst case scenario, that is my conclusion. Lung Cancer due to second-hand smoke. GRRRRRREAT.
I've read online that only 10% of the people who have surgery done to remove the tumor live their lives more than 5 years cancer free and live to be old. The other 90% do not survive for long.
Tomorrow I go for a CT scan of my chest and an ultrasound of the abdomen to see what that other mass is.
I won't find out the results until the middle of next week. I'm not looking forward to waiting.
I got the original CT scans done early last week, and had to wait to hear the results while I was on vacation. Not making my temper very good.
I hope everything is going to be okay... I'm just really nervous and I still don't know what is causing the pain on my LEFT side. All the organs on that side seem to be fine... ughLabels: health, lungs |
| posted by Typette @ 6:24 PM |
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