The scan of my heart shows that the sarcoidosis is not there! This is good news though it doesn't explain the SVT in April or the chest pain. I was told to find a pain management doctor. I have a lead on one but have yet to call for an appointment.
My brain MRI is scheduled for after my appointment with the doctor. I have been trying to get it done here but so far Rose Radiology has not been very good about calling me back for an appointment.
This is my quest for a REAL diagnosis for all of my health issues that suddenly started in April 2012.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Update and coming up visit
Monday, August 25, 2014
Back from my latest visit with some good news
The scan of my heart was my first stop at the Cleveland Clinic this morning. It was an hour of freezing cold in a noisy machine. The first IV site for the contrast didn't work. The nurse was good though. It didn't really hurt going in and as soon as she noted that it wasn't good she pulled it and went to the other arm with no problems. They are completely professional there and before my appointment, my MyChart notified me that I was to not have jewelry, zippers or my insulin pump. Thus the freezing. I went in a plain T-shirt, yoga pants and my fast flats.
After my hour in the machine we headed to Dunkin for some food and caffeine. Made it back with plenty of time for my cardiology appointment.
I really liked this doctor. My questions were answered in detail and my concerns addressed. He explained the differences in the type of arrhythmia that I have been having and the type that happens with cardiac sarcoidosis. He listened to my fears and my concern about how my arrhythmia showed up at the same time that I was being diagnosed with this disease.
The results of the scan didn't come in until after I left today. I read the report though. It looks promising.
Rheumatology was my last appointment. The doctor was intelligent but I felt like I was having to pry answers from him. He basically said that I need to see a neurologist. He did schedule the MRI for my brain. I have to figure out scheduling for that.
So, those are the fun details from this trip. Time for bed now. I'm hurting and have a massive headache.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Back for another visit
Tomorrow is the MRI of my heart. I don't know if the results will be ready by the time I see my new cardiologist but I certainly hope so. It would be nice to have an answer before I leave. I am not looking forward to the scan. The last one was an hour. I'm just hoping to finally have an answer as to why the SVT is back and why I keep feeling like something is wrong with my heart.
I have an appointment with the rheumatologist last. This will be my first visit to this specialty. I'm a little afraid of this visit. I know this is the doctor to help the most with the pain but the medications involved scare me. The idea that he may want to suppress my immune system really scares me.
I'm getting ahead of myself though.
Robert is here with me to keep me going strong and to remind me to take care of myself. I'll keep praying for answers and healing. It is comforting in a way but hard to do at times. I trust in Robert and I trust in God but I think that fear of the unknown is just natural.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Thought it was going to be a good day
So the results of the stomach emptying test I'd that its a little slow but normal. Back to trying to find out what makes me feel full all of the time and sick to my stomach.
I woke up with some pain today so I took a pain killer to get me through shopping and chores. I actually was feeling pretty normal.
The... while cooking I started feeling strange and a little dizzy. My face felt hot and I felt like my heart was in my throat. I checked my sugar but it was find. I tried my finger pulse thing but I guess I missed the event. My pulse was in the mid 80's.
I have one week to get through until I see my new cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic. Just one week. I think that I can make it.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Testing tomorrow
Tomorrow I go to USF for a test on my stomach. I have not been able to get an appointment with the gastro doctor at Cleveland Clinic for a day when I have others so I'm doing it here. The pain when I eat has become a serious issue and I just can't continue to wait.
I just want all of this over. It hurts. I feel like every time I get a little better, something else happens. It just never ends. I'm just so tired of being sick.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Crying won't help but sometimes...
I know crying doesn't help but sometimes you just have to. I know asking won't give me answers, but why me?
Eating hurts. It doesn't matter if it is just applesauce or yogurt. My stomach literally hurts. It isn't just nausea or gas. It hurts. My whole abdomen gets rock hard. Sometimes I get gas. Sometimes I vomit. But not until after the pain. I've tried eating slower but most of the time I eat so little that I don't know that it makes any difference.
I'm having another one of those weekends stuck at home. I honestly feel as if leaving my apartment would be dangerous. I'm dealing with the stomach pain, pain in the rest of my body, the headache, the dizzy spells and the overall feeling of just being sick.
I hate this. Why me? I know it doesn't do any good to ask but I can't help it.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Latest update from July visit
I had to get some paperwork completed for work so I got to see my pulmonary specialist again. It was actually a necessary trip since I have been having more problems breathing and have been coughing up stuff over the last few weeks.
The stuff that I am coughing up is not coming from my lungs. My doctor said that I sound clear. I'll have to see an ENT but I can do that here.
I had/have appointments in August with the new cardiologist, rheumatologist, and neurologist. When I got home I found a letter saying my cardiology appointment had been rescheduled. So now I have to work on rescheduling everything since I can't afford to stay down there three days.
My pain level has been off the chart today. I was so close to breaking down and crying several times at work today. I know I am having to use the heavy painkillers more often than I want because they no longer make me goofy or hyper.
I need something to change and change soon. I really don't know how much longer I can continue like this.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Update 6/5/14
It has been a while and a lot has happened.
The oncologist that I saw in January was the breast cancer specialist. In other words, the wrong doctor. I finally got in to see another oncologist and a pulmonary specialist. Both were amazing doctors. The oncologist agreed with the sarcoidosis diagnosis. She suggested a bone marrow biopsy but was pretty certain that it is most likely there. The pulmonary specialist blew me away though. Scans of my chest showed the extra lymph nodes every where including my lungs.
I am now working on seeing a few more doctors, including a neurologist. I have been having strange sharp pains, burning in my ears, headaches, and dizzy spells.
I am also going to see the cardiologist again. My SVT is back. It got me an ambulance ride from work.
Hoping for answers and to feel normal soon.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Back to the Cleveland Clinic
I'm back down South in Weston, FL. I have my appointment with the oncologist tomorrow. I'm really stressed out. I'm exhausted from the ride down. My pain has kicked in double time. I'm nauseas and my head is pounding. I just want answers. I want the pain to stop. I want the feeling sick to go away.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Update 1/9/2014 Same old stuff
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Happy Saturday I think not
Back to being sick. I have been dealing with a sore throat for a few days. Mild fever, but not bad. My head is pounding though. It is actually pretty bad right now. The nausea has not gone away. I have no appetite and have been forcing myself to eat. I am still having low sugars because of it. My arm is a horrible pain right now and my chest is hurting.
I am feeling down. I wouldn't call it depressed, just down. I feel like this will never get better. I just want the pain to stop. I could deal with the nausea if I didn't have so much pain.
I am not looking forward to my next appointment but at the same time I am. I just want answers that will finally lead to a treatment or solution.
Friday, January 3, 2014
I just want to get better
So here I am on Monday night. The chest pain, arm and shoulder pain...same old same old. Some of the pains in my chest would have sent me to the emergency room if I hadn't already known that my heart is not the problem.
I have been very sick to my stomach for three days now. I am back to the diarrhea and vomiting. I have just about no appetite until I am absolutely starving and even then I have trouble eating.
I am so very tired of all of this. I just want to get better. I want to have a normal life.