tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83202957381531074122024-02-21T00:59:50.693-06:00Lori's StuffRandom thoughts from Lori. Like you really care!Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-16168087313714394322009-10-16T09:34:00.002-05:002009-10-16T09:35:41.304-05:00After sleep studyWell, that was fun. :-)Anyway, they did discover I had a few episodes of "shallow" breathing. Nowhere near the threshold where they test a c-pap machine, though. I also snored some. Doctor still needs to look at results for final diagnosis, then send to neurologist. I got my normal amount of sleep, just not at my normal times. Nice room - even a sleep number bed so it was like being at Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-85703407525552987252009-10-15T10:40:00.002-05:002009-10-15T10:42:17.907-05:00Sleep StudyGuess what! After hearing nothing since my visit to the doctor, the sleep study folks gave me a call today. I will be having my sleep study tonight. I need to be there by 9:30 pm and will be discharged at 6:30 am. I even get a free breakfast. :-)So, after about 8:30 or so tonight, you won't be able to reach me. I'll let y'all know how it goes when I get home in the morning. I'll be going Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-10177381169942646032009-10-06T13:06:00.002-05:002009-10-06T13:07:39.684-05:00New neurologistJust got home from my first visit with the new neurologist. She is going to have me do a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea. She said the sleep apnea can cause headaches. I don't think I do, as I wake up feeling pretty rested and all that jazz. But, she wants to rule it out. So, that will probably take a couple of weeks to authorize, schedule and complete. She also is reviewing Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-77086235658173483072009-09-14T13:11:00.002-05:002009-09-14T13:13:52.059-05:00Another drug failureLatest drug trial did no good, in fact the headache is the worst it's been in a while. Just got home from a doctor's appointment. I'll stop taking the Bystolic and go back to my old beta blocker. At least the headaches remained the same with that one. The Bystolic apparently also drove my high blood pressure down so far it was low! Haven't taken the medicine for hypertension since Friday. MyLori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-62913097636137019092009-08-26T22:54:00.002-05:002009-08-26T22:58:21.825-05:00New drug to tryI went to the doctor today as I was concerned about some swelling in my legs. Looking back at my chart, he saw that I've gained 6 pounds in under 4 weeks. He's having me try a mild diuretic just to see if I'm retaining water for some reason. Bobby and I went out and bought a scale tonight, per doctor's instructions, so I can see if there's a weight loss from the drug. He asked if I felt Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-7272075728087489832009-07-22T12:33:00.002-05:002009-07-22T12:34:35.592-05:00Latest updateI know it's been a while since an update, but nothing has really changed. Headache's still around, still hurts, still no reason why. The trigger-point injections did no good, so canceled my appointment with the physiatrist for any further injections. His only other option was the same thing, but with Botox. Not only is that expensive, I felt that if saline did nothing (if anything, headache Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-85663903555630182242009-06-30T18:09:00.002-05:002009-06-30T18:10:02.707-05:00Trigger-point InjectionsWent back to the physiatrist yesterday for a follow-up. Taking Claritin had no effect whatsoever on the headache. I opted to try the trigger-point injections of saline/novocaine. Three shots on each side of my head (high on temple area, kind of behind ear area and in the neck at the base of the skull) were administered. They didn't hurt very badly, more like a quick sting.I decided to wait Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-42676772643291383462009-06-15T10:59:00.002-05:002009-06-15T11:01:09.151-05:00New doctor's ideasJust got back from my appointment with the physiatrist. No major breakthrough yet. He and the nurse-practitioner both checked my spine for signs of misalignment or whatever, but everything looked fine. Since I've already had all the usual tests he would order, no more tests right now. They had several suggestions, so we're going to try them one at a time.First, I may be allergic to something Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-39097946197869703892009-06-08T14:48:00.002-05:002009-06-08T14:48:54.994-05:00PhysiatristNo, I didn't spell the subject line incorrectly. More on that in a bit.I've continued trying various dosages of the Indomethacin and Gabapentin. They help but don't eradicate the headache pain. I take the Indomethacin at night, so if it makes me sleep it's not an issue. I take the Gabapentin a couple times during the day. It tends to make me somewhat dizzy, but usually it's not awful.June Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-82474972815339720362009-05-20T11:33:00.002-05:002009-05-20T11:34:46.621-05:00Hmmm, what's this drug do?Sorry there haven't been updates lately, but not much has gone on. After using the Indomethacin for several days, I had to stop. Not only was it making me nauseous and that type of thing, it was making me sleep 18 - 24 hours/day (I had to force myself to stay awake longer than 30 minutes at a time). Not very functional. It did work very well. Headache was gone, I just wasn't awake to enjoy Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-31802401291524749112009-04-28T15:35:00.003-05:002009-04-28T15:47:15.899-05:00Current Medication ExperimentWell, it's definitely either black or white. However, it's white with a "but."I started taking the Indomethacin last Thursday evening. By Friday afternoon that headache was 99% gone! Yay! I felt sooooo good. Bobby even told me to quit smiling, he wasn't used to it. However, by Saturday I had a headache again. It was nowhere near the intensity it had been before and the stabbing sensations Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-30893828138029153612009-04-23T21:52:00.003-05:002009-04-23T22:19:47.302-05:00Yet Another Medication To TryWell, I went and hung out with my neurologist again today. After having me describe my headache in detail again and looking through my chart again, he decided it sounded enough like something called a "Sjaastad headache" to try the only diagnostic tool for that type of headache. Oddly, the only way to determine if a headache is of this type is to take a specific non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-77947335941563969852009-04-22T15:12:00.001-05:002009-04-22T15:25:49.720-05:00Well, That Didn't WorkOk, the great Prednisone/Topamax experiments did not work.While taking the Prednisone, it seemed the headaches were slightly less severe, but it was such a slight difference I think it was more hope than actuality. Darn.As for the Topamax, it may eventually have been able to help me. However, by the time I was up to 4 pills/night (total of 200 mg), the side effects were too much too take. I Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-89721087692050292322009-04-15T12:54:00.002-05:002009-04-15T12:56:54.839-05:00Nothing to Worry AboutJust a quick note to let you know the mammogram confirmed my doctor's supposition - nothing to worry about. The lump is just some kind of normal breast tissue lump, not even a cyst! My guess is that 30 or so years of wearing underwire bras forced some of that tissue to just reorganize itself. ;-)The full report will, of course, be sent to my doctor, but I can't imagine it's going to contain Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-16391716825833689522009-04-15T01:02:00.002-05:002009-04-15T01:04:18.471-05:00Latest Doctor Visit - Part 2Ok, this is proof I truly have bad headaches and am not fully functional...After all the headache discussion, there was actually a second part to my doctor visit Tuesday. Joy of joys, on Sunday night, I had noticed I had a rather large lump in my left breast. Oh, goody. It's on the underside, just above the underwire area in my bra, in an area where I would notice it if it had been there very Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-23678033424568942102009-04-14T17:11:00.002-05:002009-04-14T17:13:46.442-05:00Latest Doctor VisitHurray! Got my first long-term disability check from the insurance company yesterday. Feels much better to have that money in the bank and know we can pay rent and eat and all that jazz. And, apparently, since it's insurance payments and I paid the premiums myself (not paid by the company I worked for), it's apparently tax-free. :-) I think I just got a raise! The best part is the approval Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-6663227511072656252009-04-08T10:26:00.002-05:002009-04-08T10:27:17.173-05:00Long Term Disability Approved!Hallelujah! I got a call from the insurance company today to let me know my long term disability claim was approved. That takes some stress away, let me tell you. Since I'm still without a diagnosis, it's approved through June. If I'm still not working then, there will be more paperwork and stuff to complete. I would also be required to apply for Social Security Disability at that time. I Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-91006631908732448872009-04-07T14:20:00.003-05:002009-04-07T14:54:20.110-05:00Patience, patience!Apparently, teaching patience is one of the insurance company's tenets. Even though my doctor faxed everything they needed last Wednesday (for the second time), the paperwork was just submitted for approval today! So, it will probably be Thursday before I find out whether or not I will have any income. As if I was not already stressed enough. I just hope it is approved - not only for the money Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-12141110322593959142009-04-06T06:31:00.002-05:002009-04-06T06:31:54.786-05:00OwOw, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow...'Nuff said.No word on anything else right now.Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-75610545283290811412009-04-01T11:36:00.002-05:002009-04-01T12:27:40.290-05:00General UpdateI went to my primary care doc today. I'll tell what we discussed/did after I summarize what's been going on.The endocrinologist wanted me to wean off Zoloft and try Pristiq, thinking Zoloft may be causing symptoms. However, I am having difficulty slowing/stopping Zoloft. I mean, I take an anti-depressant for a reason! My attitude, appetite and sleep were all being affected, not to mention theLori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-89885328471035146502009-03-30T14:17:00.002-05:002009-03-30T14:24:46.358-05:00One test resultJust got a call from the hematologist/oncologist about my results on the serotonin level blood test. Of course, the level is normal. What a surprise. He's out of ideas right now as far as other things to test/check. His nurse said, "You're a mystery!" Now, as much as I enjoy mysteries, I am NOT enjoying being one!Still waiting for return call from endocrinologist about estrogen level blood Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-6619152790622445992009-03-23T14:54:00.002-05:002009-03-23T15:04:20.290-05:00Endocrinologist followupAnother day, another non-answer.The free cortisol in the urine test was well within normal range. Cushing's can be cyclical, but the doctor did not seem concerned about an adrenal problem at this point. He said the lobular appearance of the adrenal gland, based on the size, is just a lumpy bit of fat. There's no reason to do anything about it unless it grows to larger than 4 cm (it's 1 cm now). Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-70369784416512234762009-03-18T14:40:00.002-05:002009-03-18T14:54:39.047-05:00Call back from hematologistHe said he'd call me by Monday, but didn't call until today. He wants me to get a blood test to check my serotonin levels, to go along with the cortisol urine test already at the lab. I'll go by his office and pick up the order tomorrow and go get blood drawn. He spoke with the endocrinologist, who looked through the tests and found where a urine test had been done which would have included Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-80000495329137656022009-03-13T10:16:00.002-05:002009-03-13T10:25:43.346-05:00Another day in paradiseIt's now been 24+ hours with no sleep except for a 2-hour (or so) nap yesterday afternoon. I'm a little tired now, but I have no idea when I'll doze off...I was close to sleeping about 4 a.m. but never managed to actually fall asleep. I'm sure exhaustion will begin to set in soon, so I'm hoping I'll get at least a nap in this afternoon.Nothing is going on. I haven't heard from any doctors. WeLori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320295738153107412.post-31891479140193517202009-03-12T11:34:00.002-05:002009-03-12T11:39:28.135-05:00Nothing going onI just wanted to pop in and let everyone know that I still know nothing. I didn't go to sleep until about 3:30 this morning, but I stayed in bed until 11:00. I woke up repeatedly but just kept going back to sleep. I don't feel very rested, though. And, of course, the headache is still there. No other news.Lori (Girl.Kid.63@gmail.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17459525938713477225noreply@blogger.com0