Ok, the news.....there isn't any. Everything's the same. I slept a LOT yesterday, headache was bad most of the time I was awake. For excitement, I've been saving my pee to take in to the lab today. About another hour and I'll be done. Sure hope they find what they're looking for!
No big plans or anything. Just the trip to drop off the pee and I'll be back home.
Right now, the headache is present, but it's not as painful as yesterday. I just hope it stays that way.
If/when I hear anything, I'll pass it on!
13 February 2009
12 February 2009
Pain
Ouch. I got sleep, but woke up to a monster-size headache. Going to be a muted tv day for me! But to cheer me up, I get to collect my pee today......it just doesn't get any better, does it?
That's it for now.
That's it for now.
11 February 2009
CT scan
Hello, again!
Well, I'm all done with the CT scan and it only took 1 hour longer than it should have! Last night, I drank a bottle of the barium-banana drink as instructed. When I got to the hospital for the test, they questioned the abdomen/chest CT, as they normally would include the pelvis with the abdomen. They called my doctor and were told to do the scan as they would normally proceed. So.....that meant I needed to drink another barium-banana drink and then WAIT for an hour for it to get through my system. Oh, goody.
So, I drank another bottle of the stuff and sat around and suffered through Regis & Kelly on the tv in the waiting room. Finally, they came and got me for the scan. Hallelujah!
As we're walking to the room, the lab tech says that the person doing the CT scan is very picky - she'll want me to drink more of the barium-banana stuff. Yup, she was right. After they got the IV in place, I got to drink some more stuff. Thankfully, I didn't have to drink another whole bottle, just about half of one. That way, there was more of the barium in the upper part of my system during the CT scan.
So, they ran me back and forth through the machine, then injected a dye into the IV so they could get a scan with the contrast dye. The dye isn't really a problem, except that when it moves through the bloodstream, you get a sensation like you need to urinate. Very weird feeling, but it doesn't last very long. So, back & forth I went again, and we were all done.
Headache, of course, was with me throughout. It really didn't like Regis' voice, either. I stopped and got some breakfast on the way home, as I was starving! (Did I mention I couldn't eat anything after midnight?) The barium-banana stuff was not suitable substitute for breakfast, that's for sure!
Oh....and the barium-banana stuff may make me have loose white bowel movements today as my system eliminates it. At least I have something to look forward to!
On my way out of the hospital, I went by the lab to pick up the jug for the 24-hour urine collection I need to do so they can do the test for the stuff the adrenal glands secretes. I'll start that tomorrow, then take it to the lab on Friday. That will be fun, don't you think? And I get to store it in the fridge - - -even better! (Bobby - don't drink from the orange pitcher.......)
So, all my excitement for the day is done. US-Mexico World Cup Qualifier game is on tonight, so my evening's excitement is scheduled, too.
Well, I'm all done with the CT scan and it only took 1 hour longer than it should have! Last night, I drank a bottle of the barium-banana drink as instructed. When I got to the hospital for the test, they questioned the abdomen/chest CT, as they normally would include the pelvis with the abdomen. They called my doctor and were told to do the scan as they would normally proceed. So.....that meant I needed to drink another barium-banana drink and then WAIT for an hour for it to get through my system. Oh, goody.
So, I drank another bottle of the stuff and sat around and suffered through Regis & Kelly on the tv in the waiting room. Finally, they came and got me for the scan. Hallelujah!
As we're walking to the room, the lab tech says that the person doing the CT scan is very picky - she'll want me to drink more of the barium-banana stuff. Yup, she was right. After they got the IV in place, I got to drink some more stuff. Thankfully, I didn't have to drink another whole bottle, just about half of one. That way, there was more of the barium in the upper part of my system during the CT scan.
So, they ran me back and forth through the machine, then injected a dye into the IV so they could get a scan with the contrast dye. The dye isn't really a problem, except that when it moves through the bloodstream, you get a sensation like you need to urinate. Very weird feeling, but it doesn't last very long. So, back & forth I went again, and we were all done.
Headache, of course, was with me throughout. It really didn't like Regis' voice, either. I stopped and got some breakfast on the way home, as I was starving! (Did I mention I couldn't eat anything after midnight?) The barium-banana stuff was not suitable substitute for breakfast, that's for sure!
Oh....and the barium-banana stuff may make me have loose white bowel movements today as my system eliminates it. At least I have something to look forward to!
On my way out of the hospital, I went by the lab to pick up the jug for the 24-hour urine collection I need to do so they can do the test for the stuff the adrenal glands secretes. I'll start that tomorrow, then take it to the lab on Friday. That will be fun, don't you think? And I get to store it in the fridge - - -even better! (Bobby - don't drink from the orange pitcher.......)
So, all my excitement for the day is done. US-Mexico World Cup Qualifier game is on tonight, so my evening's excitement is scheduled, too.
Early report
I go in for my CT scan in about an hour, so I'll update when I return. Right now, head hurts, I don't like it, and I'm ready for it to be gone. You know, the usual.
10 February 2009
Test scheduled
I go in for the abdomen & chest CT Wednesday morning. I have to go by there today to pick up the barium because I apparently need to drink it at some point before I go in for the scan. I'll go do that later this morning. That will probably be my excitement for the day! I just hope this scan helps to diagnose the problem. I am soooooooooooo tired of this. I'm even more tired of this stupid headache.
Did anyone else feel like your home was going to blow away last night? It was awfully windy and noisy last night. Just all kinds of odd, loud sounds late in the night...as if my head didn't already hurt! I thought I'd wake up this morning in Munchkinland or something.
No other activity here. I'll let y'all know if anything exciting happens.
Did anyone else feel like your home was going to blow away last night? It was awfully windy and noisy last night. Just all kinds of odd, loud sounds late in the night...as if my head didn't already hurt! I thought I'd wake up this morning in Munchkinland or something.
No other activity here. I'll let y'all know if anything exciting happens.
09 February 2009
Neurologist #2
I just got back from my visit to the new neurologist. Vastly different visit than with the first one! He looked through all the health questionnaire stuff I had filled out, asked some questions about things he read and things he noticed about me. He looked at the CT scan (and explained them!) and the MRI test (in another room on the computer, as that test was on a CD). He said the "spots" were very non-specific and he thinks the radiologist had "over read" them a bit.
However, after asking me to clarify some of my responses to the health questions, he said that he was wondering if most/all of my health problems could be related to some sort of problem with the adrenal gland! He said it's rare, but something going wrong with the adrenal gland could cause:
Headache
High blood pressure
Nosebleeds
Flushing (of the face)
Dizziness
Asthma
Oh my God! Could it really be that all this stuff I've been dealing with (some of them for years) could all boil down to one problem?!?! Well, we're going to find out. I go back and see him in 2 weeks. Between now and then I'll have a CT scan of my chest & abdomen and some kind of 24-hour urine collection test to check for adrenaline levels. Right now, I'm going to do some research about the adrenal gland to educate myself. At least I feel like this neurologist cares about what's causing the pain. Much better feeling than the first one.
Please pray that an answer is discovered from these tests.
However, after asking me to clarify some of my responses to the health questions, he said that he was wondering if most/all of my health problems could be related to some sort of problem with the adrenal gland! He said it's rare, but something going wrong with the adrenal gland could cause:
Headache
High blood pressure
Nosebleeds
Flushing (of the face)
Dizziness
Asthma
Oh my God! Could it really be that all this stuff I've been dealing with (some of them for years) could all boil down to one problem?!?! Well, we're going to find out. I go back and see him in 2 weeks. Between now and then I'll have a CT scan of my chest & abdomen and some kind of 24-hour urine collection test to check for adrenaline levels. Right now, I'm going to do some research about the adrenal gland to educate myself. At least I feel like this neurologist cares about what's causing the pain. Much better feeling than the first one.
Please pray that an answer is discovered from these tests.
08 February 2009
I'm full
Well, Bobby got me up and moving so we could go eat at BD's. We've discovered if we get there right after they open there generally is no line. That way we get in and out quickly - especially good with my headache as BD's is not a quiet place. We both are stuffed and ready to just sit and watch Daytona Qualifying, so that's what we're doing.
Headache's still intense and I'm also lightheaded again. Sure am glad I'm seeing a new doctor tomorrow!
Headache's still intense and I'm also lightheaded again. Sure am glad I'm seeing a new doctor tomorrow!
07 February 2009
Ow
Well, I got lots of sleep again, but only because when I would sit up my head would hurt and I would feel dizzy. So, I would lay back down. I'm up now, showered, and in pain. Nothing else is going on. Just waiting for Monday...it's not too far now.
06 February 2009
Red Friday
Wear Red for Women's Heart Health
Yup, I'm actually wearing red while I sit around the house. At least I can participate in something!
Normal (for me) sleep last night, thank God. Headache hasn't changed much since yesterday except to center the most pain right between my eyes. Great.
No other things of importance (or even non-importance) have happened to me. SSDD
I'm just patiently waiting for my appointment with the new neurologist.
Yup, I'm actually wearing red while I sit around the house. At least I can participate in something!
Normal (for me) sleep last night, thank God. Headache hasn't changed much since yesterday except to center the most pain right between my eyes. Great.
No other things of importance (or even non-importance) have happened to me. SSDD
I'm just patiently waiting for my appointment with the new neurologist.
05 February 2009
Up early!
Well, I knew I'd regret all that sleep yesterday...I got about 4 hours of sleep last night and I'm awake already. Oh, well. I'm hoping I'll get a nap later, but I can't fall back asleep right now. The headache is already building, but I'm hoping it's about at it's top pain level because it really hurts already. I really don't need it to get any worse.
Nothing else has gone on here. Just the same ol' routine. It sounds like the weather's going to be nice for a couple days, so we may be able to open doors/windows and enjoy it for a bit. Odd for February, but I'm not complaining! Near 70 degrees for the next few days. Of course, it's going to get cold again after that. Can't have everything.
If I think of anything amazing to tell, I'll be back. Ciao!
Nothing else has gone on here. Just the same ol' routine. It sounds like the weather's going to be nice for a couple days, so we may be able to open doors/windows and enjoy it for a bit. Odd for February, but I'm not complaining! Near 70 degrees for the next few days. Of course, it's going to get cold again after that. Can't have everything.
If I think of anything amazing to tell, I'll be back. Ciao!
04 February 2009
Sleep is good
Wow! I either can't sleep at all or I sleep and sleep and sleep. I finally got out of bed a little before noon today. I feel rested, but a tad disoriented. I'm having lunch now, so getting food in my system I'm sure will set me straight.
The headache was TERRIBLE yesterday. I was literally curled up in the fetal position in the recliner when Bobby got home. I was whiny and gripy, but he made me some dinner and brought it to me. After I ate, I fell into a sound sleep in my chair for several hours and woke up in pain, but not quite as grouchy.
So far, the headache isn't as bad today, but since I've been up such a short time, it's hard to judge. I just hope it doesn't get as bad as yesterday - I hate those days.
Nothing else going on here. I'm off to eat. Bye!
The headache was TERRIBLE yesterday. I was literally curled up in the fetal position in the recliner when Bobby got home. I was whiny and gripy, but he made me some dinner and brought it to me. After I ate, I fell into a sound sleep in my chair for several hours and woke up in pain, but not quite as grouchy.
So far, the headache isn't as bad today, but since I've been up such a short time, it's hard to judge. I just hope it doesn't get as bad as yesterday - I hate those days.
Nothing else going on here. I'm off to eat. Bye!
03 February 2009
Trash Day
I'm sure all of you were wondering when our trash day was! I tried to come up with a moniker for the title, but my brain definitely is not working, so "Trash Day" it is.
The headache's staying pretty intense almost all the time. It's also covering a larger area of my head. It's making it more and more difficult to be nice. Good thing Bobby understands and when I start wincing, he knows it's time to stop conversation for a while. I did manage to do some laundry and a load of dishes yesterday. I also made dinner.....though I was definitely ready to get out of the kitchen when the hamburgers were done. I was sweating and felt not quite light-headed, but like a curtain was slowly being pulled over my mind. My hands were shaking and Bobby made sure I was ok to eat. Less than a week now to the appointment with the new neurologist! Here's hoping I can wait that long and that the pain doesn't keep getting worse.
Well, I better stop now. The headache's already making itself known (like I hadn't noticed). Nothing else going on here.
The headache's staying pretty intense almost all the time. It's also covering a larger area of my head. It's making it more and more difficult to be nice. Good thing Bobby understands and when I start wincing, he knows it's time to stop conversation for a while. I did manage to do some laundry and a load of dishes yesterday. I also made dinner.....though I was definitely ready to get out of the kitchen when the hamburgers were done. I was sweating and felt not quite light-headed, but like a curtain was slowly being pulled over my mind. My hands were shaking and Bobby made sure I was ok to eat. Less than a week now to the appointment with the new neurologist! Here's hoping I can wait that long and that the pain doesn't keep getting worse.
Well, I better stop now. The headache's already making itself known (like I hadn't noticed). Nothing else going on here.
02 February 2009
Groundhog Day
Well, I'm awake after 4 or 5 hours of fitful sleep and I'm in time to see if the groundhog sees his shadow. Woo-hoo. Live on tv, too. Technology making us proud, again.
My friend, the headache, has been at a higher level of pain since yesterday afternoon. It made it difficult to fall asleep, and then I couldn't stay asleep for any length of time. So, I got up out of bed. I'm hoping I fall asleep in my chair sometime today as I still feel in desperate need of sleep.
At least the football game was good last night....though I didn't listen to most of it (earplugs) because of the crowd noise. There are just certain sounds that just feel like they're echoing inside my head.
Before I go, here's what Punxsutawney Phil predicted (I'm not sure of the spelling, but it's something like that)..............6 more weeks of winter! Yes, the "Inner Circle" out east declared the groundhog saw his shadow. Amazing, since that part of the country was cloudy. :-)
My friend, the headache, has been at a higher level of pain since yesterday afternoon. It made it difficult to fall asleep, and then I couldn't stay asleep for any length of time. So, I got up out of bed. I'm hoping I fall asleep in my chair sometime today as I still feel in desperate need of sleep.
At least the football game was good last night....though I didn't listen to most of it (earplugs) because of the crowd noise. There are just certain sounds that just feel like they're echoing inside my head.
Before I go, here's what Punxsutawney Phil predicted (I'm not sure of the spelling, but it's something like that)..............6 more weeks of winter! Yes, the "Inner Circle" out east declared the groundhog saw his shadow. Amazing, since that part of the country was cloudy. :-)
01 February 2009
Super Sunday
Hello! It sure is a nice day outside, isn't it? Yeah, that's right, I went outside today. :-)
Slept in a bit, then Bobby and I went to Target to get some Mountain Dew and a game for his Xbox 360 that was $20 off. Good thing we went when we did as there were only 2 of the games left when we got there. Pepsi products were on sale, so we grabbed some as Bobby was really suffering from a lack of caffeine. We then went and had lunch at Olive Garden, so we're both very full right now.
Of course, the headache's still there, I don't really feel all that great and the casual strolling around Target brought on some serious heat...I was just burning up. Oh, well. I feel better now, though I wish the headache would ease up some. I mute the tv when Bobby's not around, but reading the closed captioning only lasts for a bit before the required concentration starts to make the headache worse. Of course, many shows are just as good or better without the sound!
We'll just be hanging out watching the game tonight. Nothing exciting. Have a good day, everyone!
Slept in a bit, then Bobby and I went to Target to get some Mountain Dew and a game for his Xbox 360 that was $20 off. Good thing we went when we did as there were only 2 of the games left when we got there. Pepsi products were on sale, so we grabbed some as Bobby was really suffering from a lack of caffeine. We then went and had lunch at Olive Garden, so we're both very full right now.
Of course, the headache's still there, I don't really feel all that great and the casual strolling around Target brought on some serious heat...I was just burning up. Oh, well. I feel better now, though I wish the headache would ease up some. I mute the tv when Bobby's not around, but reading the closed captioning only lasts for a bit before the required concentration starts to make the headache worse. Of course, many shows are just as good or better without the sound!
We'll just be hanging out watching the game tonight. Nothing exciting. Have a good day, everyone!
31 January 2009
Weekend already?
Wow, time flies when you're having fun..........yeah, right.
I don't feel well this morning. It started last night and it's only marginally better now. I'm hungry, but it feels like if I actually eat anything it won't stay down. The headache is still at a pretty high pain level, so I'm sure I'm not very good company. I took a nap late yesterday afternoon, getting up about 7:00 p.m. and was back in bed shortly after 10:00. I slept almost another 9 hours and only got up because I really needed something to drink. I feel almost dehydrated so I'm imbibing in a lot of water.
Nothing else much is going on. Just sitting around. Have a good day, everyone!
I don't feel well this morning. It started last night and it's only marginally better now. I'm hungry, but it feels like if I actually eat anything it won't stay down. The headache is still at a pretty high pain level, so I'm sure I'm not very good company. I took a nap late yesterday afternoon, getting up about 7:00 p.m. and was back in bed shortly after 10:00. I slept almost another 9 hours and only got up because I really needed something to drink. I feel almost dehydrated so I'm imbibing in a lot of water.
Nothing else much is going on. Just sitting around. Have a good day, everyone!
30 January 2009
Another Friday
Well, nothing has changed since yesterday. Now I just get to wait until Feb. 9th to see neurologist #2.
Still have the headache. Still want it gone. Still no relief from meds.
Oh, well.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Still have the headache. Still want it gone. Still no relief from meds.
Oh, well.
Have a wonderful weekend!
29 January 2009
Oh, boy!
Well, I did some research and found another neurologist with privileges at my favorite hospital, nearby office and no black marks on his record (per State Board of Healing Arts). I called and explained to the receptionist that I was switching neurologists and wanted to get in as soon as possible. When I explained why I was switching, she said "Oooo. Ok." and found an appointment for me on 09 Feb. It's another week, but at least I have a set time. Now I just have to get all the test results and stuff that does exist over to the new doctor before my appointment. I've left a message for my primary doctor as I'm sure he'll do what he can to get info to the new neurologist.
You know, my doctor had asked my opinion of the first neurologist yesterday when I was talking with him. I told him, "He's nice enough, but he really doesn't seem all that concerned about the pain I'm in." My doctor said that perhaps the neurologist doesn't have good people skills. Well, that may be true, but why does the nurse sound all pissy when I call? I get the feeling that patients really keep her from doing something. What? I don't know.
Here's hoping the new neurologist is able to do more for me. It sucks to be off work, but unable to do much because of the pain. When I went to the doctor's office yesterday, it was only the 2nd time I've driven in 6 weeks or so. Both the trips involved no highways or major traffic, but my head was excruciatingly painful by the time I got home. No way I could drive in traffic or on a highway! So, I'll get myself to nearby locations (new neurologist is just across the highway, by the hospital), but leave the driving to others for longer routes.
Happy Thursday!
You know, my doctor had asked my opinion of the first neurologist yesterday when I was talking with him. I told him, "He's nice enough, but he really doesn't seem all that concerned about the pain I'm in." My doctor said that perhaps the neurologist doesn't have good people skills. Well, that may be true, but why does the nurse sound all pissy when I call? I get the feeling that patients really keep her from doing something. What? I don't know.
Here's hoping the new neurologist is able to do more for me. It sucks to be off work, but unable to do much because of the pain. When I went to the doctor's office yesterday, it was only the 2nd time I've driven in 6 weeks or so. Both the trips involved no highways or major traffic, but my head was excruciatingly painful by the time I got home. No way I could drive in traffic or on a highway! So, I'll get myself to nearby locations (new neurologist is just across the highway, by the hospital), but leave the driving to others for longer routes.
Happy Thursday!
Hmmmmmm
Ok, so here's what's happened:
Yesterday afternoon, I went by my primary care doctor's office to drop off new disability leave paperwork to be completed. The doctor took me back to one of the rooms to review what was going on. I updated him on the latest wait - for blood test results - and he asked where I had the blood drawn. It was at a lab that's also the lab company they have on site. So, he went and asked the lab tech if she could check on results from my tests. She did what was necessary, discovered the results were complete (as of yesterday), and they actually faxed the results to my primary doctor within minutes. She said they were also faxing the results to the neurologist's office. The doctor looked over the results, said nothing jumped out at him, but that the sed rate was still elevated. ????
I told him that the neurologist's nurse had told me before that the sed rate was complete and it was normal. My doctor said, "No. It's elevated." ????
He explained that the elevated sed rate indicates only that there is some type of inflammation in my system, but does not diagnose anything else. Other tests have to be done to determine the specifics. When I told him that I had received the denial notice for the CT-A based on the fact that the head MRI was "normal" he was amazed. He went back to the MRI report where it very specifically stated that the result was "abnormal" with unknown white areas in the brain tissue and a cyst in the left sinus. I'll be contacting the insurance company today. But why had the neurologist's office submitted paperwork for approval indicating the MRI was normal?????
So, yesterday afternoon I gave the neurologist a chance to look over the blood test results. He never called This morning, I called and when the nurse called me back, she said that the results were not received yet!!! Weird, as I was looking at a copy of the results at the time. I don't know what's going on with the neurologist, but I'm going to find another one. I have lost all faith in this one. At least I can show up with my CT & MRI results, along with 2 rounds of blood tests, for the new doctor!
So, now I have a headache (figurative) to go with the headache (literal) I already have. When I have more information, I'll update everyone.
Yesterday afternoon, I went by my primary care doctor's office to drop off new disability leave paperwork to be completed. The doctor took me back to one of the rooms to review what was going on. I updated him on the latest wait - for blood test results - and he asked where I had the blood drawn. It was at a lab that's also the lab company they have on site. So, he went and asked the lab tech if she could check on results from my tests. She did what was necessary, discovered the results were complete (as of yesterday), and they actually faxed the results to my primary doctor within minutes. She said they were also faxing the results to the neurologist's office. The doctor looked over the results, said nothing jumped out at him, but that the sed rate was still elevated. ????
I told him that the neurologist's nurse had told me before that the sed rate was complete and it was normal. My doctor said, "No. It's elevated." ????
He explained that the elevated sed rate indicates only that there is some type of inflammation in my system, but does not diagnose anything else. Other tests have to be done to determine the specifics. When I told him that I had received the denial notice for the CT-A based on the fact that the head MRI was "normal" he was amazed. He went back to the MRI report where it very specifically stated that the result was "abnormal" with unknown white areas in the brain tissue and a cyst in the left sinus. I'll be contacting the insurance company today. But why had the neurologist's office submitted paperwork for approval indicating the MRI was normal?????
So, yesterday afternoon I gave the neurologist a chance to look over the blood test results. He never called This morning, I called and when the nurse called me back, she said that the results were not received yet!!! Weird, as I was looking at a copy of the results at the time. I don't know what's going on with the neurologist, but I'm going to find another one. I have lost all faith in this one. At least I can show up with my CT & MRI results, along with 2 rounds of blood tests, for the new doctor!
So, now I have a headache (figurative) to go with the headache (literal) I already have. When I have more information, I'll update everyone.
28 January 2009
Here we go again
So far, no change in how I feel and no further word from the doctors. I'll be calling again today. You'd think they'd just call me every day so I wouldn't call all the time!
So far, I'm evading most of the cold symptoms - lots of fluids are keeping the phlegm moving. I just feel rather washed out and sluggish. Here's hoping that's the worst it gets.
Nothing going on here at all. Being off work isn't much fun when you really can't do anything.
Have a good day, everyone!
So far, I'm evading most of the cold symptoms - lots of fluids are keeping the phlegm moving. I just feel rather washed out and sluggish. Here's hoping that's the worst it gets.
Nothing going on here at all. Being off work isn't much fun when you really can't do anything.
Have a good day, everyone!
27 January 2009
SSDD
Same stuff, different day. And now I think I'm coming down with a cold or something. No more calls from doctors yet.
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