My Latest Challenge
- Thread starter LPBeier
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone that enjoys cooking.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
OP
OP
Thanks, Dave. Yes, I agree. I really have a peace about all of this, even if some moments are tougher than others. Just thought I would check in and let everyone know how it is going.
bethzaring
Master Chef
inspiring post Laurie!!
thanks for the update and I hope things improve for you and your family..
thanks for the update and I hope things improve for you and your family..
cara
Master Chef
Laurie,
I know everything will turn out good...
good news there are no signs for Lupus and even in worst case if it turns out to be MS, that is something you can live with - I have a collegue, who knows about her MS for about 10years now and with meds everything is okay...
and now I will go and watch Olympics and see if I can see you ;o)
I know everything will turn out good...
good news there are no signs for Lupus and even in worst case if it turns out to be MS, that is something you can live with - I have a collegue, who knows about her MS for about 10years now and with meds everything is okay...
and now I will go and watch Olympics and see if I can see you ;o)
OP
OP
Hi Everyone,
Just thought I should check in as I have only done a few posts in the last while.
Still no word on the specialist and MRI appointments, thought I see my GP on Monday and if I haven't heard by then she is going to either get a push on it or try another doctor.
My fatigue is quite a bit better and I had my last B12 shot last week. I still tire out easily but at least am able to do things like cook and back a bit which is therapeutic for me.
However, my hands and legs are getting worse. They are twitching more often and more serverely and I am actually dropping things (broke a plate at lunch today) and having trouble picking small things up. My face, eye and brain have been better, but today they are feeling quite fuzzy and my sleep is broken as I wake up several times with pain. I think the worst of it though is just the not knowing. I can accept the symptoms, as long as I know what it is and what I can do to make it easier to live with.
But I am trying to keep my spirits up and not let it stop me too much. DH and I went to pick out the tiles we want for the kitchen backsplash and I can't wait for them to come in. We also ordered a new range hood and part for our stove so I will be able to use my big front burner again without burning everything!
As for my cake decorating, 3 members of our youth group have offered their services for free for my summer cakes just for the experience of learning the art. I am so excited about this. The order in April I thought I would have to cancel (it is through one of Vancouver's top event planners who liked my designs) is on again and the girl's roses are turning out beautiful!
The Olympics were amazing and while I was unable to attend any of the events - cultural or athletic - It was wonderful to see our beautiful Province and City shared with the world. Dad and I spent hours watching it on TV.
Typing is still an effort (this message has taken me about 20 minutes to write) and staring at the screen is hard on my eye and head, so I don't reply to threads often, but I do check in here often to see how you all are doing.
Just thought I should check in as I have only done a few posts in the last while.
Still no word on the specialist and MRI appointments, thought I see my GP on Monday and if I haven't heard by then she is going to either get a push on it or try another doctor.
My fatigue is quite a bit better and I had my last B12 shot last week. I still tire out easily but at least am able to do things like cook and back a bit which is therapeutic for me.
However, my hands and legs are getting worse. They are twitching more often and more serverely and I am actually dropping things (broke a plate at lunch today) and having trouble picking small things up. My face, eye and brain have been better, but today they are feeling quite fuzzy and my sleep is broken as I wake up several times with pain. I think the worst of it though is just the not knowing. I can accept the symptoms, as long as I know what it is and what I can do to make it easier to live with.
But I am trying to keep my spirits up and not let it stop me too much. DH and I went to pick out the tiles we want for the kitchen backsplash and I can't wait for them to come in. We also ordered a new range hood and part for our stove so I will be able to use my big front burner again without burning everything!
As for my cake decorating, 3 members of our youth group have offered their services for free for my summer cakes just for the experience of learning the art. I am so excited about this. The order in April I thought I would have to cancel (it is through one of Vancouver's top event planners who liked my designs) is on again and the girl's roses are turning out beautiful!
The Olympics were amazing and while I was unable to attend any of the events - cultural or athletic - It was wonderful to see our beautiful Province and City shared with the world. Dad and I spent hours watching it on TV.
Typing is still an effort (this message has taken me about 20 minutes to write) and staring at the screen is hard on my eye and head, so I don't reply to threads often, but I do check in here often to see how you all are doing.
Laurie,
what can I say? You know how I feel, I just wish there were something I could do. I miss you here and I know it's a struggle to try to type and answer all the posts to you. I just pray the doctor gets your tests in motion so that you have an answer.I feel things will be ok for you and I pray for this every day. Take care my friend, you are dearly loved.
cj
what can I say? You know how I feel, I just wish there were something I could do. I miss you here and I know it's a struggle to try to type and answer all the posts to you. I just pray the doctor gets your tests in motion so that you have an answer.I feel things will be ok for you and I pray for this every day. Take care my friend, you are dearly loved.
cj
OP
OP
Thanks, CJ. I am doing okay. A little frustrated that my hands don't work, but I know I will be alright. Just know that you and others here care and are thinking of me helps tons.
babetoo
Chef Extraordinaire
light a fire under those doctors, if they had the pains, they would get right on it. from me, to you. you deserve better treatment.
OP
OP
I haven't posted here for awhile, mostly because I just wasn't up to it. A lot has gone on in the last three weeks and I won't bore you with all the details except some of the highlights that lead to today.
The symptoms were getting worse and I saw my doctor the Monday after my last post. It came out that because of my symptoms, I was unable to manage my chronic pain (Fibromyalgia, 17 yr old back fracture, my knee and osteoarthritis) as I normally do. So, she tried a new non narcotic pain med. Within hours of taking it I started to feel better.
Within a few days my feet started to "swell" more than normal. At times they were over 4 times their normal size and I was starting to feel horrible all over.
In the next two weeks I lowered the dose and then stopped the pain killer to no avail.
Yesterday I was rushed to the doctor who was horrified at what she saw (and my feet were actually not bad then) She said it was retained fluid and sent me for a barrage of tests to rule out congestive heart failure and other goodies.
I just got the call and everything is normal. My doctor believes that it was a side affect of the pain med and thanks to another pill I lost 8 pounds of fluid last night and am still going. There are still a couple of tests to go to make sure there is no heart damage from it, but I am feeling much better (and lost 8 pounds overnight .
But we still have to wait on the Neurolgist and MRI for the original symptoms but I am just so happy that this latest ordeal is over with.
Thanks for all of your kind wishes and support. I love you guys!
The symptoms were getting worse and I saw my doctor the Monday after my last post. It came out that because of my symptoms, I was unable to manage my chronic pain (Fibromyalgia, 17 yr old back fracture, my knee and osteoarthritis) as I normally do. So, she tried a new non narcotic pain med. Within hours of taking it I started to feel better.
Within a few days my feet started to "swell" more than normal. At times they were over 4 times their normal size and I was starting to feel horrible all over.
In the next two weeks I lowered the dose and then stopped the pain killer to no avail.
Yesterday I was rushed to the doctor who was horrified at what she saw (and my feet were actually not bad then) She said it was retained fluid and sent me for a barrage of tests to rule out congestive heart failure and other goodies.
I just got the call and everything is normal. My doctor believes that it was a side affect of the pain med and thanks to another pill I lost 8 pounds of fluid last night and am still going. There are still a couple of tests to go to make sure there is no heart damage from it, but I am feeling much better (and lost 8 pounds overnight .
But we still have to wait on the Neurolgist and MRI for the original symptoms but I am just so happy that this latest ordeal is over with.
Thanks for all of your kind wishes and support. I love you guys!
Uncle Bob
Chef Extraordinaire
Oh my!!! What an experience Miss Laurie!! I know it must have been scary! Soooo glad to hear it's over with now and you are better....It sounds as if I need to send a war party --- many braves, with many arrows to to pay the Neurologist and MRI folks a visit!!!! Maybe offer them some "encouragement" to get with the program?? 
Honestly...enough is enough!!!! I was thinking of you just the other day....It was Chied Fricken day!!!
Thanks for the update...We love hearing from you when you feel up to it....Continue to take care....The war party will leave at first light tomorrow
Honestly...enough is enough!!!! I was thinking of you just the other day....It was Chied Fricken day!!! Thanks for the update...We love hearing from you when you feel up to it....Continue to take care....The war party will leave at first light tomorrow
OP
OP
Aww, Uncle Bob, you make me feel even better today. I will await the results of your war party - I am sure the phone will ring very quickly after their arrival.
Oh, I have actually been craving Chied Fricken lately! With DH on gluten/lactose free and Dad being a diabetic and having to watch the "chied" part I haven't made it in awhile. Can you send some with the braves?
On another note, my new Cuisinart waffle iron is in at the grocery store which is very exciting! I think with one or two more items I will have taken over Cuisinart with my points! Can't wait until DH picks it up.
Oh, I have actually been craving Chied Fricken lately! With DH on gluten/lactose free and Dad being a diabetic and having to watch the "chied" part I haven't made it in awhile. Can you send some with the braves?
On another note, my new Cuisinart waffle iron is in at the grocery store which is very exciting! I think with one or two more items I will have taken over Cuisinart with my points!
Can't wait until DH picks it up.
Hey girl, if you feel up to it make the chied fricken , you and dad deserve a treat. Talking to you did the trick for me Laurie. It was the first night in over a month with no restless leg!!! It was heaven not to sit and cry and then walk the floor til the sun rose. I slept like a baby...Thank you.
hugs
cj
hugs
cj
licia
Executive Chef
Laurie, It is good to see that you are somewhat better. I'm sorry I hadn't seen this till now. I've been trying to slack up on my computer time and sometimes I miss something important. I hope that you will continue to feel better and up to whatever treatment you need to put you back in good health.
What a horrible experience! I am glad it all worked out in the end, but oh my.
SO has had bad reactions/side effects to meds and here is what we do when ever a new med is prescribed. I read all the paperwork and the possible side effects, even researching online sometimes, so that way I can watch and be on alert. I don't know if in this case having DH read up on the side effects would have made it any better or caught things sooner, but it is thought. We have learned the hard way that Dr's don't always tell you what the side effects can be.
SO has had bad reactions/side effects to meds and here is what we do when ever a new med is prescribed. I read all the paperwork and the possible side effects, even researching online sometimes, so that way I can watch and be on alert. I don't know if in this case having DH read up on the side effects would have made it any better or caught things sooner, but it is thought. We have learned the hard way that Dr's don't always tell you what the side effects can be.
Dave,
I never ask a doctor about a drug. I as my pharmacist. They are trained in school about the meds we take and are far more able to help you. Doctors go by what the drug rep tells them...So anytime something new is prescribed I ask my husband for the run down before the med goes in my body.
kadesma
We seem to have a new pharmacist about every other month. No one that is steady. I always read the paperwork that comes with each prescription and then sometimes even go online. Guess I am just cynical these days on prescription drugs.
babetoo
Chef Extraordinaire
i have had really bad allergies to many drugs. antibiotics, pain medicine, reactions from hives and breathing problems to hallucinations. i check every new drug on line. google it. lots of info. i see my dr. about twelve mins. on any given visit. all are the same,time wise. hard to see dr. quickly with a reaction. don't want to go to e.r. so i check it out myself and quit taking if it is a problem.
OP
OP
I have gone to the same doctor for about 30 years (I was one of her very first patients). I grew up in my Dad's pharmacy and have been on medications a lot through my life. I have also been written up in the journals and my reactions to a few drugs have been added to those sheets you get with the medications! Like you Dave, I also read all the literature before taking the first pill, and I often ask my Dad (retired) or one of two friends who are pharmacists, plus I go on my own knowledge.
This time we (doctor, DH and I) were all sure I had been on a form of this same medication before except it contained tylenol which I now take in other forms. The information did say that swelling of the feet was a side-effect you should call your doctor about and we did. Unfortunately I could not make it in and she told me to lower the dose (not seeing how bad they were). This I guess was a mistake on both our parts. Three days later, seeing no relief I stopped it altogether (Saturday) and then couldn't phone the office until Monday. My one pharmacist friend said that if he had seen me he would have driven me to the hospital (DH was working).
So I agree with both of you - it is good to check things out first, one way or another.
This time we (doctor, DH and I) were all sure I had been on a form of this same medication before except it contained tylenol which I now take in other forms. The information did say that swelling of the feet was a side-effect you should call your doctor about and we did. Unfortunately I could not make it in and she told me to lower the dose (not seeing how bad they were). This I guess was a mistake on both our parts. Three days later, seeing no relief I stopped it altogether (Saturday) and then couldn't phone the office until Monday. My one pharmacist friend said that if he had seen me he would have driven me to the hospital (DH was working).
So I agree with both of you - it is good to check things out first, one way or another.
Laurie,
any time you are not sure and would like some help I can ask DH for you. He would be happy to help.
kades
OP
OP
Now HERE is a post I have been waiting a long time to make.
I saw the Neurologist today and I DO NOT HAVE MS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has still ordered the MRI but there is no rush on it now. My symptoms are (oh, I love this) simply "age". At 51 and a half I could be offended, but I am happy as a clam. I need to see an ophthalmologist because my eyes are getting older quite literally playing tricks on me and so I am not judging things properly. The other half of the equation is my ears. All this fluid retention (the medication "oops" and now the infection) are leaving fluid in the ear which causes pressure and too much information going to the brain and coupled with bad eyes my body thinks that I am falling when I am not - hence vertigo. This ear thing explains most of the neurological like symptoms as well.
So now I am pain free and once I get my eyes checked and train my brain around the fluid retention thing I am basically healthy......and oh, so happy!
Thanks DC family for your support!
I saw the Neurologist today and I DO NOT HAVE MS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has still ordered the MRI but there is no rush on it now. My symptoms are (oh, I love this) simply "age". At 51 and a half I could be offended, but I am happy as a clam. I need to see an ophthalmologist because my eyes are getting older quite literally playing tricks on me and so I am not judging things properly. The other half of the equation is my ears. All this fluid retention (the medication "oops" and now the infection) are leaving fluid in the ear which causes pressure and too much information going to the brain and coupled with bad eyes my body thinks that I am falling when I am not - hence vertigo. This ear thing explains most of the neurological like symptoms as well.
So now I am pain free and once I get my eyes checked and train my brain around the fluid retention thing I am basically healthy......and oh, so happy!
Thanks DC family for your support!
