Little tidbits of my life

Another day, another doctor...and a trip!!!

It seems like every post I write lately has been health related...but I wanted to give you my latest update.  The neurologist had wanted me to go to a cardiologist, so I had mentioned that I had a heart procedure done by a rhythm specialist about 11 years ago.  He thought I should go back to him since he is already familiar w/my health history.  SO...I saw my heart doctor last monday and he does think that my weak spells (last about 30 min at a time and generally never have much energy) are related to low blood pressure.  I generally have low BP anyway, so with all the meds I have to take for the fibromyalgia and related pain, it is evidently causing BP to go even lower...BUT he is still ordering echocardiogram and holtor monitor (2 wk) just to cover all scenarios. 

FORTUNATELY, someone here on the blog had suggested this to me a few months ago and I have since then been taking my BP and I did have that to show him to help confirm how low it seems to be running in general  these days and just after the spells. 

This just reminds me AGAIN how greatful I am to my blogging friends I've met here and for your advice and support.  We do all seem to have similar struggles at one time or another and can lean on each other when needed.  God knew we would be like this, now did he not???  I suppose that's why He invented blogging!  lol

NOW...my heart doctor encouraged me to reschedule my dr appointments and take a month off to go see my hubby...he said to just mail the holtor monitor to him when the two weeks were over and he'd call me after he got the results of everything.  Is that a great doctor, or is that a great doctor???  SO  I took his advice and I am going to see hubby this weekend...AND STAY A WHOLE MONTH! 

Have a great day and as always, I look forward to reading your posts!

Health update

Well guys, I haven't blogged in awhile b/c I've just been too tired!  I like to post funny stories and uplifting stories, but have had blog-writer's block of sorts!  lol

I went to the neurologist finally today b/c of chronic migraines and the weak spells I've mentioned in the past that last about 30 min. at a time.  He was a super great doctor, seemed quite thorough.  After looking in my eyes for about 5 minutes, he said he is referring me to a neuro-optomologist.  He also thinks the weak spells is related to a heart problem, so I have to see my heart doctor again.  I had a heart procedure about 11 years ago b/c of PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) that occurred every single heart beat, but that was corrected and I thought the heart trouble was over...but at least he is sending me to the same rhythm specialist that did my procedure before, so that is good.  I am sure that it is not related to the PVCs b/c that had a specific feel that is now absent.  The neurologist did some bloodwork since I stay so fatigued all the time.  He also ordered an MRI of my brain b/c I have never had one done before.  He added two meds for migraines to my current list...topamax and Maxalt MLT. 

So now you know as much as me!  I will continue to update you when I get some answers. 

Thank you so much for your prayers and friendship!

God bless you!

Teresa

Podiatrist visit

At my last rheumatology visit, my rheumy suggested I see a podiatrist and a neurologist.  So at my internist appointment, he agreed with this decision and set up these appointments for me.  The neurologist is because I keep getting migraines almost every single day and I am STILL having the near-fainting, dizzy, weak spells that I've mentioned before...that appointment is coming up in September.

Today, I went to see the podiatrist.  He was a very young doctor and seemed to really know what he was talking about.  His nurse took several x-rays of both feet for him to review.  I am EXTREMELY flat footed and both feet are turning inward so that I am putting ALOT of pressure on my ankle and walking on bones that were not meant to be weight baring bones.  My left leg is also quite crooked from the knee down and is half inch shorter than the left leg.  I have severe pain in my left foot if I walk on it at all.  My right foot hurts, but is quite tolerable compared to the left foot.

SO the podiatrist said I have two options.  The first is to wear an extremely bulky, sweaty, hard plastic brace that will encompass foot, ankle and most of the lower portion of the leg (for both feet).  He said aesthetically it is not pretty...I informed him that since I have had to start using the little motorized carts at Walmart, I quit worrying about what people think.  I had to let go of pride and settle for practical and the least painful route.  HOWEVER, from what I understand this will not correct my problem in anyway, it merely gives my feet the needed support to try to alleviate some of the pain.  He is not sure that this option will even work, though.  The second option is twofold.  One being an extremely invasive surgery involving reconstructing my entire foot and ankle, cutting where necessary and using pins and screws to hold the new position in place...he said this would be the BEST option long-term as it corrects the problem for good...the second option of surgery is to implant some type of little device in my feet that somehow helps support the arch, but is at MOST 70% effective. 

My case is complicated further because of fibromyalgia.  He said he would normally immediately suggest the invasive surgery as the best and most complete remedy given I am only in my mid-30s and the structural damage is already very severe.  HOWEVER because I have severe fibromyalgia, he is worried about what an invasive surgery like this would do to my entire body painwise because of how fibromyalgia tends to react to major surgery. 

I told him I just want to try the braces.  It was an immediate response because my fibromyalgia is SO BAD already and not straightened out yet, so to have it get worse is just unthinkable.  BUT since the braces might not bring enough relief, he suggested we only get one brace at first and for me to just wear my custom orthotic (I already have some that do not help much) on the right foot while I try the brace for the left leg for 6 weeks.  THEN, I will have a follow-up appointment with him and if I still want to stick w/the braces, then he will send me to have the second brace made (for right ft/leg).  He made this decision because the left foot hurts the worst.  SO I made an appointment to have the cast made for the brace and I left.

NOW, I have talked to my hubby about this (my mom took me to the doctor) and he thinks I should go ahead and have the surgery, not prolong it since it is the most complete remedy.  I discussed it further again this evening with hubby and suggested I first get my rheumy's opinion on the matter since he currently treats my fibromyalgia problems.  This might give me a better picture of just what I am facing if I DO have the surgery immediately without trying the brace, first.

I KNOW in my heart I need the invasive surgery.  I have lived with these bad feet my whole life and have noticed how markedly worse they have become in the past 10 years or so, but even more so in the past year.  If I get the braces instead, and then hate them b/c I still have pain, then it will just prolong my trip to WV where my hubby is working.  SO this is also in my mind as I ponder these decisions.

OH YEAH, and I have a bunion...who knew that little bump that is sore every now and then was a BUNION!  In comparison to my other foot pain, that is a piece of cake!  LOL...I was surprised at how HUGE it looked in the x-ray, though!...PLUS the doctor gave me a prescription for the excema on my toe (it is also on both thumbs) that I have NOT been able to get rid of for 5 years now!!!!  He said if this med does not work, he will send me to a DIFFERENT dermatologist than my current one, and recommend a biopsy be done.

Several had asked for an update, so there is half of it.  NOW in a couple weeks, I will let you know what the neurologist tells me. 

Thank you SO MUCH for your continued prayers!

For fibromyalgia sufferers, or family members...

I know it's sometimes difficult to describe fibromyalgia to others, such as family members or friends who want to help us.  I thought the following post might help to show common symptoms for this disorder.

I found a list of fibromyalgia symptoms from www.healingwell.com member Radio...The list is also on Radio's blog located at http://fmsymptoms.blogspot.com/ Thanks Radio!

I've created this list of F.M. Symptoms for those interested or who suffer from the Dis-order.

1. PAIN- in the muscle: often described as aching, burning, throbbing, gnawing, shooting, tingling. Almost always exacerbated by exercise and may or may not be present at rest. Can be migratory and differing from day to day.

2. FATIGUE- From feeling tired to exhausted and requiring rest periods during the day.

3. SLEEP DISTURBANCE- not being able to fall asleep and or able to stay asleep. Unrefreshing sleep patterns " feels like I haven't slept."

4. PARESTHESIA- numbness or tingling. ( non dermatomal)

5. DEPRESSION- most often reactive as with chronic pain condition.

6. ANXIETY- may include panic attacks.

7. PERSONALITY CHANGES- usually a worsening of a previous tendency.

8. MOOD SWINGS

9. SUBJECTIVE SWELLING OF EXTREMITIES- i.e. feels swollen but no-one can find anything.

10. HEADACHES- tension and or migraine.

11. COGNITIVE FUNCTION PROBLEMS: calculation difficulties, memory disturbances, spatial disorientation, difficulty with concentration, short
term memory loss.

12. FREQUENT UNUSUAL NIGHTMARES- or being unable to dream.

13. DYSTONIA- stiff muscles due to involuntary contracture. Difficulty in moving tongue to speak.

14. FREQUENTLY SAYING WRONG WORDS

15. BURNING SENSATIONS

16. LIGHT HEADEDNESS- "Fibro Fog", spaced out, cloudy.

17. MORNING STIFFNESS

18. EASY BRUISING

19. MILD BUTTERFLY RASH- (LUPUS TYPE) May be photo sensitive.

20. NEUROGENIC INFLAMMATION- rashes, may be severe itching. NI causes the symptoms and signs of Dermatographia.

21. DISEQUILIBRIUM- Vertigo

22. MUSCLE WEAKNESS- variable with no "objective" abnormality to formal testing.

23. SCIATICA- like pain

24. PHOTOPHOBIA- Intolerance of bright lights.

25. ALTERATION OF TASTE, SMELL and HEARING.

26. LOW FREQUENCY, SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS.

27. DECRESED PAINFUL SOUND THRESHOLD.

28. TINNITUS- ringing in the ears.

29. OCCASIONAL EXAGGERATED NYSTAGMUS- involuntary rapid movementof the eye ball.

30. CHANGES IN VISUAL ACUITY- impaired function of the smooth muscle used for focus as well as skeletal muscles for tracking.

31. INTOLERANCE OF ALCOHOL

32. ENHANCEMENT OF MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS

33. INTOLERANCE OF PREVIOUSLY TOLERATED MEDICATIONS

34. WEIGHT CHANGES- usually gained due to the lack of exercise through pain and or tricyclic antidepressants

35. RESTLESS LEGS

36. HEIGHTENED AWARENESS- of symptoms of HYPOGLYCEMIA 9 when blood sugar falls)

37. POSSIBLE CARBOHYDRATE INTOLERANCE

38. SYMPTOMS OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (I.B.S.)

39. HEARTBURN- secondary to I.B.S.

40. SUB-NORMAL TEMPERATURE

41. NIGHT SWEATS.

42. SENSITIVE TO TEMPERATURE EXTREMES

43. HEART PALPITATIONS

44. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

45. HEART MURMUR-Mitral Valve Prolapse appears to be more symptomatic in FM than normal.

46. IMPOTENCE- reactive and occasionally.

47. SEVERE PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

48. FREQUENT VAGINAL YEAST INFECTIONS.

49. MUSCLE SPASM- twitching.

50. NON-CARDIAC CHEST PAIN- which may simulate cardiac disorder.

51. PELVIC PAIN.

52. ABDOMINAL WALL PAIN.

53. DRY EYES AND MOUTH.

54. TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER- usually due to abnormal muscle tone.

55. RAYNAUD'S- like symptoms.

56. CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME-possible related condition.

57. HAIR LOSS-secondary to psychological stress from FM.

58. VULVODYNIA- Vulvar discomfort or pain, burning, stinging and irritation.

59. PLANTAR ARCH-or heel pain. Exacerbated in FM.

This list of symptoms has been correlated by the Arthritis Foundation S.A.

Sleep-a-thon

I feel like I could take 1st place in a "sleep-a-thon" these days!  The local strawberries are in, so my mom came over saturday and we canned about 24 pints of strawberry jam.  We had such a great time together, but we were both tuckered out!  I went to sleep by 9:30 pm saturday, then just barely got up in time to go to sunday school sunday morning...then after church, I heated leftovers for lunch, then went back to bed till 10 pm!!!  THEN I slept from 4 am to 4 pm today...and as if that weren't enough, I took a nap again from 5:30 pm to about 7:30 pm.  The rain finally hit and somehow that made me able to get up.  I have not yet figured out how fibromyalgia and barometric pressure are related, but nonetheless, they love to bombard me like this!  It's been a painful evening, but now at 2 am, I'm feeling much better and rested!

I want to take this opportunity to say I was proud of my hubby for providing our meals during this "sleep-a-thon" of sorts.  He graciously went to the door to pay for Domino's pizza saturday evening...and then today he DROVE to Pizza Hut and took care of yet another meal because there were no more left overs to be found.  A noble one, indeed!  LOL  For his "great" effort, he has requested yet ANOTHER cheesecake!  I am preparing my ingredients grocery list for him while I blog.

I had planned on writing a blog in honor of military folks for Memorial Day, but I missed my deadline due to the flare up.  I do want to take this opportunity, though to say how thankful I am to all our service men and women who protect us and fight for freedom across the world.  We had an AMAZING service at church yesterday.  A man in our congregation is one of the few veterans left who served in World War II and he shared memories with us relating to how America came together to help each other during WWII, and he also shared of his recent trip sponsored by Boeing to see the WWII Memorial wall in Washington DC.  He just made me feel so proud to even know him.

That's the latest here in my little corner of the world.  I hope you all sleep well!   

Fibromyalgia and my cat Charlie

Okay, I am not sure how many folks on here have fibromyalgia, but I decided to share my FM experiences in hopes I can be of some help to others who suffer from this.  I take Lyrica now to help.  It is the only prescription drug approved for FM pain...the Lyrica helped alot at first, but I think my body builds up an intolerance to it...my dr has increased the dosage twice and each time, I have relief for a couple weeks, then it hits me again.  Well this past week of almost NO pain for 7 days straight was a TRUE BLESSING.  It's the first time I've had this much relief w/o  an increase in lyrica being the cause.  I felt so good that I had really forgotten what a flare up is like until last night...

Well last night, the pain started coming back.  First, it felt like I had spranged my ankle even though I knew I hadn't...then the pain was also in my knee of same leg...I was limping and could hardly move my ankle...I propped it up, but it was just throbbing, just worse by the minute...I took pain med (1st time in 7 days! woohoo), but within an hour, the pain just swept over me in waves, all over, back, shoulders, arms, legs, feet...and even my face...I realized (duh) I was in a fibromyalgia flare up...I just could not get relief...my hubby came in at about 4:30 am (night shift) and I was propped up on the couch just not knowing what to do.  He rubbed my arms for me, which I must say this was very out of the ordinary for him to do this b/c he does NOT give massages, absolutely hates to...but he did it b/c I was so bad.  I was so greatful for his attention to me.  It made me feel good inside.  I told him I guess there was going to be a major storm b/c my storm detector had just started its warning signal...he said it was lightning the whole drive home...Sure enough on the Weather Channel, the barometric pressure was dropping...that seems to be my BIGGEST trigger.  My hubby got my "Bio-Freeze" for me...it is good for sore muscles...you can buy it at any physical therapy office...mostly menthol, so very good product and not damaging in any way.  It is available in a roll-on which I LOVE b/c I can reach areas on my back w/o straining or getting someone else to do it for me...well I was still in awful pain.  I can take up to 2 pain pills, but I already had severe heartburn from the first one I had taken, so I really didnt want to take a 2nd one...so then I remembered I hadnt taken a muscle relaxer in awhile b/c I hadnt been in pain for a week...so I took one of those.  Finally about an hour later I fell asleep and didnt wake up till about 6 pm this evening.  

I had mentioned in earlier blog that my orange tabby cat Charlie is a "cat healer", he senses where the pain is and lays over the worst places...WELL when I woke up, I was on my side and he was stretched out to his full length laying against my entire back!  He is such an amazing cat.  He knew my back hurt!!!  It's almost uncanny, though...LOL.  I know God paved the way for this cat to be in our household b/c He knew I'd need him!

This video is a clip of Charlie not looking too wise!  LOL...DOUBLE CLICK it to view (it is through photobucket.com)...be sure to have your sound on as I added music to it!

RELIEF...the pain has subsided. 

THANKS TO THE LORD!!!!