My Medical Comedy
Well, it appears my year-long comedy, I mean odyssey, is over in regard to my health issues. And I am most fortunate this has taken only one year.
I went to my internist last December complaining of severe pain and sensitivity in my left arm as well as extreme fatigue. He sent me to my dermatologist, who said, "Nope, it's not the mole."
Then I went back again to my internist, and he sent me to my gynecologist, who did an ultrasound, and said, "Nope, it's not breast cancer."
Then I went back again in June, this time in severe pain everywhere, and my doctor referred me to a rheumatologist, but he had no spots until October. So, I went home. Then I went back again in August. This time, my doctor noticed my blood pressure in my left arm was 135/95 and on my right it was 110/70 (my normal), and he said, "hmmm." So I went to my pulmonologist for a regular checkup and a lecture on my asthma (having bad asthma problems at the time), and he sent me to find out that I did have sleep apnea.
My internist also sent me to a cardiologist and neurologist, just to be sure. Dad and Mom's cardiologist, Dr. Miller, is a doll (don't faint anyone who's ever seen or heard about me taking him on over my Dad!). He said, "Deep vein study? All clear. EKG, all normal. Blood pressure is a reaction to pain, and you certainly have something wrong with your left arm." Then he did my lipids. He said they were "beautiful" (olive oil, I say!). He also said my good cardiological health was kind of a surprise given Mom and Dad's problems and that he expected to see all seven of us siblings at some point.
Then I saw the sadistic neurologist who discovered I have nerve and muscle damage in my left shoulder and arm. He ordered an MRI. He said my brain was so beautiful, it "looked like it had never been used"; ha ha. BUT my spine was a different story. I have bony spurs in the 6th cervical lumbar (that means neck;I learned something new) and that's causing all the pain and swelling and general crabbiness. I also have arthritis in my spine. The neurologist noted that this could be due to the autoimmune problems. You see it seems my left side ligament that's supposed to protect my spine is weakened. Woo hoo.
In all of this I got to see the rheumatologist who really agressively checked for lupus. Instead it's fibromyalgia. So, I am weak and have pain. Woo hoo. I have some scary medicine to deal with that as needed.
Then I got to go see Dr. Harris, an anesthesiologist, last night. He shot cortisone and pain killer into my 4th, 5th, and 6th cervical lumbar regions. I am at home today (I can't do anything for 24 hours but sit around. Typing is okay. But I will say, I feel like someone hit me with a crowbar in the back of my neck, left side, of course. He said I'd feel that way for about 36 hours, then I'd have lots of relief for our trip to San Diego next week. He even recommended an Italian restaurant in Del Mar we can go to (Idefinor or something like that, Pat wrote it down).
So there you have it. I need to lose weight. But I couldn't because I've had no metabolism, no energy, and no strength for the past 6 months (really longer); all docs were very sympathetic about this and why I've had no luck losing weight up to now. I have to let Pat carry all the heavy things. And I have to slow down. LOL.
So there you have it. I just want you all to know why I haven't been around much and have only answered posts sporadically. I did get cards out to everyone for whom I have an address. If I missed anyone, I am sorry! And I wish I could mail you all a big box of happiness, too!
Love,
J
I went to my internist last December complaining of severe pain and sensitivity in my left arm as well as extreme fatigue. He sent me to my dermatologist, who said, "Nope, it's not the mole."
Then I went back again to my internist, and he sent me to my gynecologist, who did an ultrasound, and said, "Nope, it's not breast cancer."
Then I went back again in June, this time in severe pain everywhere, and my doctor referred me to a rheumatologist, but he had no spots until October. So, I went home. Then I went back again in August. This time, my doctor noticed my blood pressure in my left arm was 135/95 and on my right it was 110/70 (my normal), and he said, "hmmm." So I went to my pulmonologist for a regular checkup and a lecture on my asthma (having bad asthma problems at the time), and he sent me to find out that I did have sleep apnea.
My internist also sent me to a cardiologist and neurologist, just to be sure. Dad and Mom's cardiologist, Dr. Miller, is a doll (don't faint anyone who's ever seen or heard about me taking him on over my Dad!). He said, "Deep vein study? All clear. EKG, all normal. Blood pressure is a reaction to pain, and you certainly have something wrong with your left arm." Then he did my lipids. He said they were "beautiful" (olive oil, I say!). He also said my good cardiological health was kind of a surprise given Mom and Dad's problems and that he expected to see all seven of us siblings at some point.
Then I saw the sadistic neurologist who discovered I have nerve and muscle damage in my left shoulder and arm. He ordered an MRI. He said my brain was so beautiful, it "looked like it had never been used"; ha ha. BUT my spine was a different story. I have bony spurs in the 6th cervical lumbar (that means neck;I learned something new) and that's causing all the pain and swelling and general crabbiness. I also have arthritis in my spine. The neurologist noted that this could be due to the autoimmune problems. You see it seems my left side ligament that's supposed to protect my spine is weakened. Woo hoo.
In all of this I got to see the rheumatologist who really agressively checked for lupus. Instead it's fibromyalgia. So, I am weak and have pain. Woo hoo. I have some scary medicine to deal with that as needed.
Then I got to go see Dr. Harris, an anesthesiologist, last night. He shot cortisone and pain killer into my 4th, 5th, and 6th cervical lumbar regions. I am at home today (I can't do anything for 24 hours but sit around. Typing is okay. But I will say, I feel like someone hit me with a crowbar in the back of my neck, left side, of course. He said I'd feel that way for about 36 hours, then I'd have lots of relief for our trip to San Diego next week. He even recommended an Italian restaurant in Del Mar we can go to (Idefinor or something like that, Pat wrote it down).
So there you have it. I need to lose weight. But I couldn't because I've had no metabolism, no energy, and no strength for the past 6 months (really longer); all docs were very sympathetic about this and why I've had no luck losing weight up to now. I have to let Pat carry all the heavy things. And I have to slow down. LOL.
So there you have it. I just want you all to know why I haven't been around much and have only answered posts sporadically. I did get cards out to everyone for whom I have an address. If I missed anyone, I am sorry! And I wish I could mail you all a big box of happiness, too!
Love,
J