So, my primary care doc DID call me back, and she said that she wanted my kidney doc to deal with the Bumex issue since she put me on it and would know more about it. I had to call the kidney doc's office 3 times and finally got a call from the doc at about 6pm on Tuesday evening.
Her take on the matter is that there was no way it was the Bumex causing these issues (which seemed to be of no concern to her WHATSOEVER) and she recommended doubling the dose of the Bumex.
Against my better judgment, I did, and things are pretty much the same.
I am in a lot of pain.
My legs (shins/calves/ankles) have been buckling something fierce and causing extreme pain. I have been a bit dizzy fairly frequently.
Despite being told that my potassium levels are fine, the dizziness tends to subside if I eat a banana. I don't know what to think.
I have been pushing and pushing myself to walk/get exercise daily. I tend to walk at least a mile a day. It HURTS. I feel like I will die with every step. I feel like I could fall down at any given moment and not be able to get up. It is so scary.
I am really lost. I wish it would stop.
Showing posts with label medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medicine. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, November 23, 2009
New medicine
As I mentioned in my last post, my PCP put me on another drug to go along with the Lasix.
It is IC Metolazone. It's a 2.5 mg tablet.
I have gone from 250lbs last week to 239lbs today. I really hope it keeps working. I need to lose all this excess fluid.
My PCP also called this morning to check on me, because I guess there are some similarities to Sulfa, which I am allergic to, in the new drug, and she wanted to know if I'd started taking it yet and make sure I am okay. I have been on it for a few days, and don't seem to have any allergy-like symptoms, so that is good.
I know that this can cause a potassium drop, so I am trying to have things high in potassium to avoid that.
I got a letter from the diabetes nurse telling me that my Vitamin D level is very low. (despite the fact that I am on Vitamin D daily) and sent a script for a weekly dose, which is higher.
I am going to call my PCP on that to figure things out.
It is IC Metolazone. It's a 2.5 mg tablet.
I have gone from 250lbs last week to 239lbs today. I really hope it keeps working. I need to lose all this excess fluid.
My PCP also called this morning to check on me, because I guess there are some similarities to Sulfa, which I am allergic to, in the new drug, and she wanted to know if I'd started taking it yet and make sure I am okay. I have been on it for a few days, and don't seem to have any allergy-like symptoms, so that is good.
I know that this can cause a potassium drop, so I am trying to have things high in potassium to avoid that.
I got a letter from the diabetes nurse telling me that my Vitamin D level is very low. (despite the fact that I am on Vitamin D daily) and sent a script for a weekly dose, which is higher.
I am going to call my PCP on that to figure things out.
Friday, November 20, 2009
That didn't take long...
I pretty much called my PCP crying because I am so sick over this whole thing.
I told her that there was no change/I got worse while on the Torsemide. She has said to go back on the Lasix, and is starting me on another diuretic to take WITH it. I don't recall the name, I have to pick it up tomorrow and will start it then.
I was also told to make sure my potassium levels get re-checked next time I go in, to make sure that everything is as it should be in that regard.
She also said that someone should be calling me about getting an echo-cardiogram shortly.
I am having really weird chest pains today.
Very random.
It sporadically feels like someone is stabbing me in the right side of my chest.
It hurts.
I am not doing anything too strenuous today... no idea why this is happening, it started a few hours ago.
I am so sick of this.
I told her that there was no change/I got worse while on the Torsemide. She has said to go back on the Lasix, and is starting me on another diuretic to take WITH it. I don't recall the name, I have to pick it up tomorrow and will start it then.
I was also told to make sure my potassium levels get re-checked next time I go in, to make sure that everything is as it should be in that regard.
She also said that someone should be calling me about getting an echo-cardiogram shortly.
I am having really weird chest pains today.
Very random.
It sporadically feels like someone is stabbing me in the right side of my chest.
It hurts.
I am not doing anything too strenuous today... no idea why this is happening, it started a few hours ago.
I am so sick of this.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Brief update
I never heard back about the MRSA swab, so I can only assume that either it wasn't MRSA, or the blood that they swabbed did not have anything in it (they weren't able to get any of the pus type stuff out of the mess on my back/neck/shoulders).
I have finished the Clindamycin and some of the rash does seem to have gone away, so that is good.
I saw the endocrinologist and she seems very nice.
She lowered my dose of Lantus by 10 untits and put me on plain Humalog as opposed to the 75/25 mix, and I am now taking that a few times a day. (with meals)
I have lost between 7-10lbs on the Lasix so far, so here's hoping that it continues to work...
I did see my old new PCP on Monday, so that was good, despite there being a crazy crowd at the office. She said that the bloodwork the endo took showed that my vitamin D was low, so she prescribed vitamin D, and she re-tested the Potassium level because Lasix can make thise levels low and I'd only just begun when I saw the endo. We shall see.
I am still swollen, still in pain, but I am still plugging along hoping, and searching for answers.
I have finished the Clindamycin and some of the rash does seem to have gone away, so that is good.
I saw the endocrinologist and she seems very nice.
She lowered my dose of Lantus by 10 untits and put me on plain Humalog as opposed to the 75/25 mix, and I am now taking that a few times a day. (with meals)
I have lost between 7-10lbs on the Lasix so far, so here's hoping that it continues to work...
I did see my old new PCP on Monday, so that was good, despite there being a crazy crowd at the office. She said that the bloodwork the endo took showed that my vitamin D was low, so she prescribed vitamin D, and she re-tested the Potassium level because Lasix can make thise levels low and I'd only just begun when I saw the endo. We shall see.
I am still swollen, still in pain, but I am still plugging along hoping, and searching for answers.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
I don't even know what to say.
I was diagnosed over the phone by some "renal fellow" with Lupus a couple of weeks ago (oh, and this was five minute before going on stage for a final dress rehearsal- nice huh?) After many back and forth phone calls, I spoke to my actual renal specialist who said that I do still have a positive ANA, but that it was not a Lupus diagnosis.
She'd tested for many things, and after having me off of the Actos and the Diovan for a month or so, there was protein and blood in the urine (24 hour) and it was still there when she tested it when I had an office visit on the 5th of May. I had more blood work done, including a repeat of the ANA and I have to go back next week for another urine test.
She did tell me to go back on the Diovan and Actos to see if that would remove the protein from the urine, as this is a sign of diabetic kidney failure, apparently. Great.
She wants me to see an Endocrinologist, and since being seen (in renal) on the 5th I have not heard from them or been able to get through to get an appointment.
I did try to get one schedule while I was there, as the doctor said that he secretaries were SUPPOSED to do that, but they are actually all very rude, nasty women and just said "they'll call you!" and shoved me out the door almost literally.
I have been very, very swollen and in a lot of pain.
I have maintained at about 248lbs for a while now, but that is still terrible and painful and the breathing has been not so great too.
I need a DIAGNOSIS, not treatment of symptoms. I have had little to no treatment anyway, but the treatment I have had has done nothing. I need real help, and I do not know where to turn.
She'd tested for many things, and after having me off of the Actos and the Diovan for a month or so, there was protein and blood in the urine (24 hour) and it was still there when she tested it when I had an office visit on the 5th of May. I had more blood work done, including a repeat of the ANA and I have to go back next week for another urine test.
She did tell me to go back on the Diovan and Actos to see if that would remove the protein from the urine, as this is a sign of diabetic kidney failure, apparently. Great.
She wants me to see an Endocrinologist, and since being seen (in renal) on the 5th I have not heard from them or been able to get through to get an appointment.
I did try to get one schedule while I was there, as the doctor said that he secretaries were SUPPOSED to do that, but they are actually all very rude, nasty women and just said "they'll call you!" and shoved me out the door almost literally.
I have been very, very swollen and in a lot of pain.
I have maintained at about 248lbs for a while now, but that is still terrible and painful and the breathing has been not so great too.
I need a DIAGNOSIS, not treatment of symptoms. I have had little to no treatment anyway, but the treatment I have had has done nothing. I need real help, and I do not know where to turn.
Friday, March 20, 2009
I am so confused.
As previously noted, the allergist had his secretary call to cancel my appointment for today, even though I bent over backwards to make sure he had everything he "needs" after he threw me out without running the tests LAST WEEK when he was supposed to do them.
I showed up today and simply greeted the secretary politely and quietly and said that I wanted all of the records that I had brought in returned to me right then and there, and also the records of the tests he had done, since he had outright refused to tell me the results when they came in while I was in the office a week ago. (He actually claimed that they were not there, but I know that they were because my PCP said they were and teh secretary told me that those were what she brought in while I was in there.)
She said that she was told that all of the results were "normal" (mind you, I had to wait for these records to be faxed over because supposedly when they arrive (even though I had requested them the week before- copies for myself, that is) the doctor scans them into a computer and shreds the paper. Okay, except why didn't he just mail me the paper copy since I wanted them anyway?
Anyway, the results show a few flags for abnormality:
White Blood Count 11.1 Normal is 4.0-11.0 so that is not TOO bad and is certainly lower than I have been... but it is still flagged.
MPV is flagged because it is 12.2 and normal is 9.6-12.0, Carbon Dioxide is 32, normal is 20-31.
Total Bilirubin is 0.2 and normal is 0.3-1.2
Three things that stand out as BIG TIME NOT NORMAL are:
1~ Complement 3, Serum- 169- normal is 79-152
2~ My sedimentation rate is 47, and normal is 0-20.
3~ Anti Nuclear Antibody test was POSITIVE.
These are all a pretty big deal, from what I gather, and not only was I not contacted with the information, I was outright lied to in being told it was not there AND I was refused treatment due to a lack of paperwork that had nothing to do with the tests that (still) need to be done.
Now, moving on to the kidney doctor, I went on March 11th for an appointment, and the doctor said to come off of the Bumex. She said (in front of my mother) that if I was on diuretics that I "would wind up on dialysis and die" so I need to stop immediately. I'd already taken the Bumex for the day, so I stopped the next day. She also said that she wants me to see a colleague of hers at a major hospital and that it is urgent that I do so, but that I need to get some testing done, so she took blood and urine tests and said to come back in a week.
My WBC was 11.3- normal according to this one is 10.3- either way, still high.
Osmolality urine listed at 362 with normal being 500-800.
Now, she didn't mention anything about this to me, she just handed me my results after a very brief appointment in which she poked my ankles a little (without taking off my shoes or socks) and noted that it put me in agony, she noted that I gained weight and swelling while off the diuretic and suggested I go back on one, to which my boyfriend replied "but won't she wind up on dialysis and die from that?" and she said "Well that is why I really don't want her on them.."
but she just said she did... but now she doesn't... but she does... but she won't give me a prescription, and so I remain on nothing.
She had her secretary give me the number for her colleague and I called to try to make an appointment and was told that I couldn't have an appointment til May. I explained that my doctor considered this urgent due to the extremity of the situation and I really couldn't wait that long and that I have records and such and was not even allowed to take the May appointment as a holding spot for just in case, I was told to have the records faxed. I called my nephrologists' office and told them what was going on, I was told that they would call over and get things straightened out and call me back, but of course, I did not get a call and now it is 9pm on a Friday and I will have to wait til Monday.
I showed up today and simply greeted the secretary politely and quietly and said that I wanted all of the records that I had brought in returned to me right then and there, and also the records of the tests he had done, since he had outright refused to tell me the results when they came in while I was in the office a week ago. (He actually claimed that they were not there, but I know that they were because my PCP said they were and teh secretary told me that those were what she brought in while I was in there.)
She said that she was told that all of the results were "normal" (mind you, I had to wait for these records to be faxed over because supposedly when they arrive (even though I had requested them the week before- copies for myself, that is) the doctor scans them into a computer and shreds the paper. Okay, except why didn't he just mail me the paper copy since I wanted them anyway?
Anyway, the results show a few flags for abnormality:
White Blood Count 11.1 Normal is 4.0-11.0 so that is not TOO bad and is certainly lower than I have been... but it is still flagged.
MPV is flagged because it is 12.2 and normal is 9.6-12.0, Carbon Dioxide is 32, normal is 20-31.
Total Bilirubin is 0.2 and normal is 0.3-1.2
Three things that stand out as BIG TIME NOT NORMAL are:
1~ Complement 3, Serum- 169- normal is 79-152
2~ My sedimentation rate is 47, and normal is 0-20.
3~ Anti Nuclear Antibody test was POSITIVE.
These are all a pretty big deal, from what I gather, and not only was I not contacted with the information, I was outright lied to in being told it was not there AND I was refused treatment due to a lack of paperwork that had nothing to do with the tests that (still) need to be done.
Now, moving on to the kidney doctor, I went on March 11th for an appointment, and the doctor said to come off of the Bumex. She said (in front of my mother) that if I was on diuretics that I "would wind up on dialysis and die" so I need to stop immediately. I'd already taken the Bumex for the day, so I stopped the next day. She also said that she wants me to see a colleague of hers at a major hospital and that it is urgent that I do so, but that I need to get some testing done, so she took blood and urine tests and said to come back in a week.
My WBC was 11.3- normal according to this one is 10.3- either way, still high.
Osmolality urine listed at 362 with normal being 500-800.
Now, she didn't mention anything about this to me, she just handed me my results after a very brief appointment in which she poked my ankles a little (without taking off my shoes or socks) and noted that it put me in agony, she noted that I gained weight and swelling while off the diuretic and suggested I go back on one, to which my boyfriend replied "but won't she wind up on dialysis and die from that?" and she said "Well that is why I really don't want her on them.."
but she just said she did... but now she doesn't... but she does... but she won't give me a prescription, and so I remain on nothing.
She had her secretary give me the number for her colleague and I called to try to make an appointment and was told that I couldn't have an appointment til May. I explained that my doctor considered this urgent due to the extremity of the situation and I really couldn't wait that long and that I have records and such and was not even allowed to take the May appointment as a holding spot for just in case, I was told to have the records faxed. I called my nephrologists' office and told them what was going on, I was told that they would call over and get things straightened out and call me back, but of course, I did not get a call and now it is 9pm on a Friday and I will have to wait til Monday.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Hmmm...
Okay, so I guess I should do a medicine update since it has changed a bit.
I went off the Maxzide and was put back on Lasix then I was taken off of those and but on Bumex after I'd been given Lasix by IV several times a day while I was in the hospital, but not discharged with anything...
Now the kidney doctor does not want me on any diuretics because she says that she has seen too may patients start on them as young as me and wind up n dialysis and doe because of it, so she sent me for the aforementioned tests and x-rays and wants me to return next week and she wants me to go see one of her colleagues and a major hospital.
My PCP seems a little miffed because he thinks I will be upset with him when I swell up again and have no diuretic to counteract it- but they aren't DOING anything, so what it the point? I mean, I was on the Bumex a couple of weeks ago when I went to the ER after gaining 10 pounds in 2 hours, so really... I'm mad that I am swollen, and scared... but I swelled up on May 9th, 2008, out of the blue before I ever met this doctor.
The PCP did say that I had a positive ANA a few times so that I might have lupus, but I have no idea.. I have heard that before. I don't know what to think. I need to ask around and find out what I need to do to get an answer on that one.
Tomorrow, I am having the scratch tests at the allergist office, and hopefully after that, I will be able to take my Zyrtec, because the last time I took it was last Friday morning and I am itchy as anything night now!!!
Anyway, the current meds:
Lantus
Humalog 75/25 (though I have lowered the dosage)
Topamax
Levoxyl
Diovan
Zyrtec (except for this week because of the allergy test)
Albuterol (as needed)
Ranitadine (as needed)
I think that is everything.
I went off the Maxzide and was put back on Lasix then I was taken off of those and but on Bumex after I'd been given Lasix by IV several times a day while I was in the hospital, but not discharged with anything...
Now the kidney doctor does not want me on any diuretics because she says that she has seen too may patients start on them as young as me and wind up n dialysis and doe because of it, so she sent me for the aforementioned tests and x-rays and wants me to return next week and she wants me to go see one of her colleagues and a major hospital.
My PCP seems a little miffed because he thinks I will be upset with him when I swell up again and have no diuretic to counteract it- but they aren't DOING anything, so what it the point? I mean, I was on the Bumex a couple of weeks ago when I went to the ER after gaining 10 pounds in 2 hours, so really... I'm mad that I am swollen, and scared... but I swelled up on May 9th, 2008, out of the blue before I ever met this doctor.
The PCP did say that I had a positive ANA a few times so that I might have lupus, but I have no idea.. I have heard that before. I don't know what to think. I need to ask around and find out what I need to do to get an answer on that one.
Tomorrow, I am having the scratch tests at the allergist office, and hopefully after that, I will be able to take my Zyrtec, because the last time I took it was last Friday morning and I am itchy as anything night now!!!
Anyway, the current meds:
Lantus
Humalog 75/25 (though I have lowered the dosage)
Topamax
Levoxyl
Diovan
Zyrtec (except for this week because of the allergy test)
Albuterol (as needed)
Ranitadine (as needed)
I think that is everything.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
More...
So continuing on...
When this all began, I went to one ER and was told that it was in my head, given an ativan and sent on my way. Two days later, I was taken to a different ER, more blood was taken and oxygen was given but I was told that I was not going to die that very night, so I had to go.
I was seen at a hematologist's office, but was seen only by a nurse practitioner, never actually seen by the hematologist. Many blood tests were done.
Many outside tests were ordered:
Stress echo- I was told this was normal, even though I felt like I was going to die.
Abdominal CT- normal
Bilateral leg ultrasound- normal
Abdominal MRI- a hepatic adenoma was found- a (at that time) benign) tumor that was presumably caused by LoEstrin24. This was told to me on July 28th, 2008 and I was told to come off of the pill immediately and that the MRI would be repeated after a brief time off of the hormones. As of this date, I can't get anyone to order the repeat of the MRI.
Pelvic Ultrasound- normal
The nurse practitioner put me on Lisinopril.
I have seen my gyn and been cleared of anything on his end.
My first "new" Primary Care Physician told me that he would not be my doctor because I have too many previous diagnosis. This was before I even swelled up. I got a new PCP and he ran a bunch of blood tests and sent me to a kidney specialist.
I had a terrible cough that would not go away, and the PCP determined (after months of antibiotics) that it was the Lisinopril causing an upper respiratory infection. I was taken off of it and eventually, the cough got a bit better. I still have left-over effects from it.
The kidney specialist first said (without doing ANYTHING, I kid you not) that there is nothing wrong and sent me home. Then she called and said that there was protein in a previous urine (not done in her office, because again, she did NOTHING) so I needed to come back to do a 24 hour urine. I did that, and she decided that being on Lasix and Triemterene was dehydrating me, so I needed to come off of it. She also said that my potassium was low.
My PCP put me back on the Triemterene, but on a lower level- Maxzide, which I am on now. I was off and on the Lasix a couple of times too. Nothing has actually shown any results, diuretic-wise though.
I have gotten weaker and weaker and my mobility has gotten severey impaired. I still have no answers. I will write more later. I am too tired.
When this all began, I went to one ER and was told that it was in my head, given an ativan and sent on my way. Two days later, I was taken to a different ER, more blood was taken and oxygen was given but I was told that I was not going to die that very night, so I had to go.
I was seen at a hematologist's office, but was seen only by a nurse practitioner, never actually seen by the hematologist. Many blood tests were done.
Many outside tests were ordered:
Stress echo- I was told this was normal, even though I felt like I was going to die.
Abdominal CT- normal
Bilateral leg ultrasound- normal
Abdominal MRI- a hepatic adenoma was found- a (at that time) benign) tumor that was presumably caused by LoEstrin24. This was told to me on July 28th, 2008 and I was told to come off of the pill immediately and that the MRI would be repeated after a brief time off of the hormones. As of this date, I can't get anyone to order the repeat of the MRI.
Pelvic Ultrasound- normal
The nurse practitioner put me on Lisinopril.
I have seen my gyn and been cleared of anything on his end.
My first "new" Primary Care Physician told me that he would not be my doctor because I have too many previous diagnosis. This was before I even swelled up. I got a new PCP and he ran a bunch of blood tests and sent me to a kidney specialist.
I had a terrible cough that would not go away, and the PCP determined (after months of antibiotics) that it was the Lisinopril causing an upper respiratory infection. I was taken off of it and eventually, the cough got a bit better. I still have left-over effects from it.
The kidney specialist first said (without doing ANYTHING, I kid you not) that there is nothing wrong and sent me home. Then she called and said that there was protein in a previous urine (not done in her office, because again, she did NOTHING) so I needed to come back to do a 24 hour urine. I did that, and she decided that being on Lasix and Triemterene was dehydrating me, so I needed to come off of it. She also said that my potassium was low.
My PCP put me back on the Triemterene, but on a lower level- Maxzide, which I am on now. I was off and on the Lasix a couple of times too. Nothing has actually shown any results, diuretic-wise though.
I have gotten weaker and weaker and my mobility has gotten severey impaired. I still have no answers. I will write more later. I am too tired.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Welcome!
I guess I should start with the basics.
I am looking for answers in a world where I can not seem to find any.
It seems that I have too many medical issues at once to get anyone to take me seriously.
I am a 29 year old female.
I h ave Type I (juvenile onset) diabetes and have been insulin dependent since childhood.
The word "brittle" has been used to describe me, and I have struggled with controlling my sugars, but I do the best that I can. My last GH A1c was 10.2, which although still high, was an improvement from my "normal" range of 13-14.
I was improving.
I have fibromyalgia, which was diagnosed in 1999. It has been treated only with a very small dose of Topamax for the past three or four years.
I have asthma, which tends to be triggered by extreme heat or cold, humidity, and wind.
I have hypothyroidism.
My cholesterol is apparently borderline high. I was on Lipitor for a while several years ago, but got debilitating back pain from it and was taken off of it.
I currently take:
Lantus (insulin)
Humalog 75/25 (insulin)
Topamax
Levoxyl
Maxzide
Zyrtec
Albuterol as needed
Ranitidine as needed
In early May, I started swelling up for no known reason. I was walking around all day long in a size 14 jeans. I came home and was going to watch movies with my boyfriend. It was a rainy day, and we were staying in, so I changed into my pajamas. I went to put my feet up on his lap, and we both realized very quickly that something was wrong. I was swollen like a balloon.
When we went to lay down, he noted that my breathing sounded funny. He said it sounded like "pop rocks" or like "wringing out a wet sponge" and the swelling was just terrible.
I went to put my jeans back on. No luck. I tried a size larger and so forth... got to the one pair of size 18s (with a lot of stretch to them- more like a 20) that I had and just barely got them on. When we finally got to the hospital, I weighed in at 30lbs heavier than I had been that morning.
I was hyperventilating pretty badly and they didn't even give me oxygen. They took some blood, gave me an ativan, told me it was IN MY HEAD and sent us on our way.
2 days later, I was still no better, and about 20lbs heavier still. We went to a different hospital. They gave me oxygen and took more blood and said they didn't know what was wrong, but mentioned that the previous hospital had mentioned that I have lupus, which they certainly didn't tell ME... so I freaked out. Then they basically said since I wasn't going to die that very night (that is what they said, actually) then there was nothing they could do and I had to go.
No answers as to why I put on 30lbs in 3 hours and 50lbs in 2 days. Great.
I went to a hematologist who took a lot of blood, but got no answers. Got a new PCP, who sent me to a kidney specialist, who told me that my kidneys are fine. I got put on Lasix and Maxzide and then taken off of the Lasix and put back on then taken off again being told that it was dehydrating me.
I got debilitating back pain right before Christmas. Out of the clear blue sky. No one could give me answers. Finally, I had the idea to call my PHARMACY and have them run a check on all of my meds. What do you know? Zocor, which I was on for my not-all-that-high-cholesterol, is in the same family as Lipitor was. We don't know for certain that it was the culprit, but I stopped taking it, and eventually, the back pain greatly lessened. Hrmmph.
There is more, but I need to stop for now.
If you have any input at all, please feel free to e-mail me and/or comment here.
If you know who I am, please do not use my name.
I am keeping this a nameless blog.
Thank you.
I am looking for answers in a world where I can not seem to find any.
It seems that I have too many medical issues at once to get anyone to take me seriously.
I am a 29 year old female.
I h ave Type I (juvenile onset) diabetes and have been insulin dependent since childhood.
The word "brittle" has been used to describe me, and I have struggled with controlling my sugars, but I do the best that I can. My last GH A1c was 10.2, which although still high, was an improvement from my "normal" range of 13-14.
I was improving.
I have fibromyalgia, which was diagnosed in 1999. It has been treated only with a very small dose of Topamax for the past three or four years.
I have asthma, which tends to be triggered by extreme heat or cold, humidity, and wind.
I have hypothyroidism.
My cholesterol is apparently borderline high. I was on Lipitor for a while several years ago, but got debilitating back pain from it and was taken off of it.
I currently take:
Lantus (insulin)
Humalog 75/25 (insulin)
Topamax
Levoxyl
Maxzide
Zyrtec
Albuterol as needed
Ranitidine as needed
In early May, I started swelling up for no known reason. I was walking around all day long in a size 14 jeans. I came home and was going to watch movies with my boyfriend. It was a rainy day, and we were staying in, so I changed into my pajamas. I went to put my feet up on his lap, and we both realized very quickly that something was wrong. I was swollen like a balloon.
When we went to lay down, he noted that my breathing sounded funny. He said it sounded like "pop rocks" or like "wringing out a wet sponge" and the swelling was just terrible.
I went to put my jeans back on. No luck. I tried a size larger and so forth... got to the one pair of size 18s (with a lot of stretch to them- more like a 20) that I had and just barely got them on. When we finally got to the hospital, I weighed in at 30lbs heavier than I had been that morning.
I was hyperventilating pretty badly and they didn't even give me oxygen. They took some blood, gave me an ativan, told me it was IN MY HEAD and sent us on our way.
2 days later, I was still no better, and about 20lbs heavier still. We went to a different hospital. They gave me oxygen and took more blood and said they didn't know what was wrong, but mentioned that the previous hospital had mentioned that I have lupus, which they certainly didn't tell ME... so I freaked out. Then they basically said since I wasn't going to die that very night (that is what they said, actually) then there was nothing they could do and I had to go.
No answers as to why I put on 30lbs in 3 hours and 50lbs in 2 days. Great.
I went to a hematologist who took a lot of blood, but got no answers. Got a new PCP, who sent me to a kidney specialist, who told me that my kidneys are fine. I got put on Lasix and Maxzide and then taken off of the Lasix and put back on then taken off again being told that it was dehydrating me.
I got debilitating back pain right before Christmas. Out of the clear blue sky. No one could give me answers. Finally, I had the idea to call my PHARMACY and have them run a check on all of my meds. What do you know? Zocor, which I was on for my not-all-that-high-cholesterol, is in the same family as Lipitor was. We don't know for certain that it was the culprit, but I stopped taking it, and eventually, the back pain greatly lessened. Hrmmph.
There is more, but I need to stop for now.
If you have any input at all, please feel free to e-mail me and/or comment here.
If you know who I am, please do not use my name.
I am keeping this a nameless blog.
Thank you.
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