“Ow! Ow! Ow!”
I was awakened, after being asleep less than 2 hours, by hearing the words: “Ow!, Ow!. Ow!”. Imagine my surprise when I realized the words were coming out of my own mouth. Suddenly I realized just how much pain I was in. My head was at an odd angle and my neck was screaming with pain, my head was throbbing, and my stomach and bladder were causing extreme discomfort. As I hobbled to the bathroom I found the words, “Ow!….” continuing to come from my mouth. (Funny thing, I can’t really hear me say it, but when I woke up it really did sound as if the words were coming from outside my body….strange how deafness works sometimes.)
I stretched my neck and put ice on it and it felt much better, my head was also starting to ease some. The pain in my bladder and stomach were a different story. My stomach literally felt like it was being eaten from the inside out. Over production of acid is not a pleasant feeling. I tried to eat a little something to calm the pain down, I took extra medication for my acid reflux, but it takes time to work. I’ve never had it so bad before, I could not touch my stomach without it causing more pain. I would love to have been able to take Maalox, it was always my go-to fix when my stomach was acting like this, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to find Maalox or any medication like it that I can take, they all have something that will cause my fructose malabsorption to attack. I’m happy to report after a couple of days of a pretty bland diet, and extra acid reflux medication, my stomach is once again pain free…..for now. I do try hard to not eat anything that will cause excess acid production, and I don’t think I did eat anything offending before this, however, stress can also cause excess acid production, and the pain from my bladder was causing me much stress.
When I first saw the doctor here I was having pain in my bladder and she tested my urine and found nothing, I have an irritable bladder and we decided it was just spasming. So when this pain started I thought it may be the same. Unfortunately, this pain kept getting worse and worse. Every time I moved it hurt. Sitting was very painful, so was walking. I’m sure everyone who’s ever had a UTI will also know that I was having to go more than usual, but couldn’t urinate once I got in the bathroom…and it was very painful. All of this started on Sunday, the 3rd, I had just finished my antibiotics and steroids for the bronchitis 2 days before. I couldn’t believe I had an infection again. I upped my already large amount of water I drink, trying hard to flush things out. By Thursday, the 7th, I was convinced it wasn’t irritable bladder talking, something was wrong. So off to see the doctor again. Unfortunately, the doctor I’ve seen before is out on medical leave. (I hope she is alright, I mentioned before that she had pneumonia last month, so I’m a bit concerned.) I saw another doctor in the office. Not someone I really want to see again I felt like he talked down to me, as if I was not able to understand things. Stuart thinks I’m a bit too sensitive, and maybe I am, but this visit started off wrong (and Stuart later told me that he didn’t have a good feeling about this doctor either). I told the doctor I have profound hearing loss and could not hear him. He raised his voice a little, but didn’t look at me when he was talking, it didn’t help when I did see his mouth as he had a lot of facial hair and I couldn’t see his lips well enough. I had to rely on Stuart to tell me what was going on. He asked if I’d been running a fever, I explained that my normal temperature is 97.4F, and it has been around 99F recently. He said, that’s not a fever, everyone fluctuates. (Then why ask me??) I told him about just finishing antibiotics and just couldn’t believe I had an infection so fast….he says that antibiotics don’t stop you from getting something else….but it was the way he said it, as if what I said was stupid. I never said they did, I am just overwhelmed that I’ve been sick so much recently. I asked him about a medication I have for irritable bladder that is expired and wanted to know if I should get a new prescription….he went into this long tirade about how medicines don’t explode after the expiration date, and how there have been studies that medication that hasn’t been opened is good for years after the expiration date. I was so confused at how he was talking to me….and yes I heard most of that. I told him that I know different chemicals have different half-lives, and I didn’t know the half-life of this medication. Well he just went on and on about how drugs are not food and they don’t just lose it because of the expiration date.
He did examine me, but I didn’t feel that he listened to me very much. That’s ok, I talk too much when I’m nervous anyway. He told me my urinalysis was negative, but that could be because I was drinking so much water it caused it to dilute the urine too much. He said I had all the classic symptoms of a Urinary Tract and Bladder infection so he was going to treat me for it. He gave me an antibiotic specifically used to treat this type of infection, and told me if I wasn’t better in 48 hours to call the doctor on call or I could wait until Monday and call him. Yeah, that’s not going to happen if I can help it. I’m feeling better. Not well, but better.
On another note….I’m so very proud of myself today!! I took a bath by myself! I even washed my hair! I haven’t taken a bath or washed my hair without Stuart’s help in a very, very long time. I’m thinking over a year. Don’t worry I wasn’t being irresponsible. Stuart was in the house and on alert for my call. He also just couldn’t stay away the whole time and came in to check on me. But I did fine. A little wobbly, but that often happens with temperature changes (cool room, hot water). Or it just happens any time….heck most of the time…so I’m getting pretty used to it and how to handle it. Being extra cautious, have hand holds, non-slip surface under my feet…..
(at this point I got too hot while writing this and started to feel funny, so I had to put it down. Today, Tuesday February 12th, is the first day I’ve felt like coming back to the computer. I think I’ll end this post here If I start where I left off I’ll be writing another VERY long post….so I’ll have to write more soon)
Miracle Cure – #HAWMC Day 20
Today’s Prompt: Miracle Cure. Write a news-style article on a miracle cure. What’s the cure? How do you get the cure? Be sure to include a disclaimer 
My Miracle Cure would not be for a cure of a disease, it would be to ease the pain of so many….including myself, I’m not completely altruistic. A world where chronic pain, and severe acute pain could be managed with ease. No weird side-effects. No matter what illness you have. Fibromayalgia pain – no problem, Pain from Cancer – gone, Chronic headaches – not any more, acute migraines – no worries!…… You can be helped. This would be the miracle I would like to see happen.
This is a fake article. Do not take this post seriously.
Breaking News: Pain Relief for All
FDA Approves Painfree –
First Non-Addictive Pain Medication – for the Management of Acute and Chronic Pain
HOPELANDS, England and JUSTINTIME, N.J., April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Panacea Pharma Ltd., and its subsidiary, Panacea Pharma U.S. Inc., today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Painfree (nomorsus) for the management of severe acute and chronic pain. Painfree marks the first FDA product approval for Panacea Pharma. Painfree is marketed as NoMorPain (nomorsus) in Europe, where it is presently available in five countries.
Severe Acute pain comes on quickly but lasts a relatively short time compared to chronic pain. Chronic pain persists over time and is often resistant to medical treatments.”Painfree is an important new option for patients with severe acute and chronic pain,” says Ivanna Ubetter, chief executive officer of Panacea Pharma. “Painfree, is designed to deliver medicine in a rapid, but controlled manner, and provides patients with an effective alternative to manage their pain.”
“As the first non-addictive pain management drug in the U.S., Painfree provides a new approach to managing the often debilitating and inadequately-treated episodes of acute and chronic pain that millions experience,” said Ibe Live, M.D., director at Paeon Research LLC., and clinical investigator for Painfree. “Current treatment options typically utilize short-acting oral opioid medications that cannot provide pain relief without many side effects, often leaving the patient with little quality of life. Painfree’s non-narcotic formulation is much better suited to help patients control their pain, and continue living the life they want.”
Ubetter said, “Panacea Pharma looks forward to working closely with health care professionals to ensure safe and consistent access to Painfree for the patients who are seeking relief from unbearable episodes of acute and chronic pain in.”
From the Heart ….#HAWMC Day 5
This is not from a prompt it’s from my heart.
This is on the ugly side. Probably a post with too much information for some. It’s very emotional, and I’m not exactly sure where it will all end…
"Turmoil" computer graphic
wendy holcombe - 2012
I’ve noticed a lot since I have been diagnosed with Intracranial Hypertension that my emotions are a bit out of whack, and I haven’t had the best filter on my mouth. I cry a lot of the time, and try to be as strong as possible. I feel alone and keep reaching out trying to ask for help, but just keep alienating people.
I continue to help others if they need to talk, if they need a shoulder…but my shoulders are just so soggy lately. There are days I feel I have it all under control, my headaches are better, my vision is better, I’m getting around a bit better, so why am I a mess? Why can’t I relate to people like I normally do?
I asked the doctor, is it the condition, the medication side effects, one medication mixing with other medication, do we need to adjust my bipolar medication??? I was told, “Yes. Maybe. It’s complicated.” then I was told, “I’m sorry your condition is not easily fixed.”
Well that’s all well and good, but I’m losing everyone around me. I feel like I’m going insane. I’m so alone, and scared. It’s getting to the point that the only one who will put up with me is my husband. At least I think I do remember to tell him how much I love and appreciate him.
Then the terrors start. I’m terrified of being alone, not all the time, just some of the time. It’s more than that, I’m afraid of being without my husband. (again, not all the time, sometimes I feel very capable, then other times…Panic!!!) What if something happens and he’s not here and I have vertigo and can’t stand up, and can’t stop throwing up, and …… panic, panic….what if I’m upstairs and he’s gone and I can’t go downstairs and my blood sugar is too low and I need to eat, but can’t get down the stairs safely….panic, panic….what if….I Fall??…..what if…..OH remember to BREATHE! There are just so many things he does for me, he has no idea how much easier he makes my life. Often just by being here so I know if I need him, he’s here.
So, what do we do first…how do we sort this out? Already 2 medication changes. Soon another. This week I see my Psychiatrist to see if there is anything we need to change there. Is there any medication that is working against anything. Should we add something to help ease some of this? Will it help?
Does anyone really have any idea?
I do have bipolar I disorder, I know what it feels to not be myself. I know I’m not going through a depressive or manic swing, but I know I’m not myself, and that tells me I need to back away. Unfortunately, I wasn’t listening to that little voice when it first started screaming at me a few weeks ago.
Will I have any friends left at the end of this. I admit I didn’t have many at the beginning. Having a chronic illness for this long is not good for keeping good relationships. No one’s fault really, it’s just very hard. But I’d like to stop alienating the few people I do have supporting me.
Right now, I plan to finish this months writing challenge then take a Hiatus from my blog for a while and try to get this straightened out. I don’t feel like I’m myself lately, and I don’t want to be putting words out there that aren’t really want I want to say.
I hope those of you who have been on the confusing end of my emotions recently can find a way to understand and forgive. After the 1st of May, I plan to just take a break, I hope to see you soon.
A Rat in a Pink Inflatable Cage – and remember Next month will be different.
I had to try to do a quick drawing of this rat in the inflatable cage.
It's just a rough oil pastel. But it got me to drawing!
and hopefully, gives you a smile.
by wendy holcombe 2012 copywrite
The very first thought that came to my mind when I woke this morning after 4 hours and some odd minutes of sleep was, “I feel like a Rat in a Pink Inflatable Cage.”
The next thought I had was, “Where did that come from?” Then I realized, that is exactly how I feel.
I’m the clinical rat being tested on and pocked and prodded, trying to find the answers. I’m living with that, I accepted it, authorized it. I understand doctor’s don’t know everything, and not every person reacts to everything the same way. But why the Pink Inflatable Cage? That was a new sensation, well kind of, it does happen now and then. I had the feeling I was just kind of in a big bouncy house. Everywhere I moved things moved just a bit with me. But the vision it was so perfect. I had to share even if I can’t quite express it in the perfect words..
Now for why I had such a short amount of sleep. I was put on a dose of steroids yesterday to help knock out my migraines. I started them a bit too late in the day, so my last dose was a bit too late. I’ve taken steroids before, but I’ve never had the symptoms so many warn you of. The increased appetite, the restlessness, the bouncing off the walls!!! Well I did find out I don’t quite jump off the walls quite as much if I eat with the dose, but I have to eat a good amount. Whew! But I learned this a bit too late. I got to sleep around 6am, around 10am, I awoke to start the next days doses a bit earlier. I really need to make sure I finish my last dose a while before sleep time. So today I’ll be finished about 9pm. Yay! Hopefully, I’ll get a whole nights sleep. Oh, I did happen to get a 2 hour nap. So I had a little more sleep today.
*I wanted to remind everyone that I’m participating in The Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge hosted by WEGO Health. Starting on April 1st. So my posts may seem a bit different. There will be some of my normal talk in there, but I’m going to follow some of their prompts to make it something different. I’ve already written some of the posts, and I think you will find some of them enjoyable! I’ve enjoyed some of them. A couple I did enjoy, but I know won’t be the style of many of my readers. I know you are thinking….”She’s already started?” Yes! I wanted to make sure if I had a day that I simply couldn’t post, there would be a post ready to go out. I also wanted to make sure if there was a day I felt good and wanted to and have a happy day, I didn’t want to be concerned that I might not get a post in. So yes, I’ve started. No I don’t have the whole month finished! But the first week is ready to go, and a few more are in the works. Aren’t you proud of me???
Remember you too can join me, if you are brave enough…or crazy enough, I’m not sure which. All you have to do to join is sign up here: http://info.wegohealth.com/HAWMC2012 and you’ll be able to start posting once April rolls around.
I hope you enjoy the month, if you don’t please let me know and I won’t participate again. If you want to hear more of my normal rants, let me know, remember these prompts are just suggestions, I can always post my normal way. This blog has always been a way for me to express my feelings and to help others along the way. I never want to stray from that purpose. Please let me know what you think. And keep in mind, this is just for a month, so let’s play if we can stand it, we might make some new friends, and we might learn a bit.
But I’m open- let me know what you think.
I’ll probably put up a poll at the end of the month to see what everyone thought. : )
Please Be Aware….and Don’t take me Seriously….
The medication I’m on makes me very loopy at times.
VERY LOOPY. Not just drunk…we are talking drunk, eating pot brownies and possibly doing ludes. (yes i was a wild child and was not a stable bipolar chick…I did not do drugs often, but when I did I was not responsible.)
It is not the same when you choose to do these things and it happens, and when it happens out of the blue.
I have found myself acting very much unlike myself, and saying things in ways I would not say them.
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE OFFENSE!!
I sometimes do not know where I am. I woke from a nap yesterday and thought I was drowning because in my dream I was at the beach swimming, then all of a sudden I was tangled in my covers, which I assumed was seaweed. Then i noticed things had changed. Stuart came in and thought I was having vertigo, when I have vertigo I get very hot, he went to take my covers off and I jerked them back…how dare he! I didn’t know him! It only lasted a moment, then I realized he was familiar, but I was still scared….then I realized who he was I then it really got me scared that I didn’t know who he was.
But back to how I’ve been talking to people.
I ramble….yes me…but even more than usual…and I laugh a lot. and am very sarcastic.
Oh….I wish I just wouldn’t comment….but I don’t think about it until afterward…at least not coherently.
So….I’m getting used to the meds, but we aren’t there yet.
Thank you for your understanding.
Even The Doctor can’t fix this mess.
I’m still having a hell of a time with WordPress. I wrote a whole post and put in this photo and the post was gone and only the photo remained. I’m getting angry. They better do something soon. Or I’ll….oh I don’t know. sic the New Dr. Who on him. But Baker was one cool Doctor you do have to admit.
OK for all you geeks or nerds out there…who know who Dr. Who is….who is your favorite. And you are allowed to have a favorite from the early series and one from the new series.
Now about me…I’m better but far from being fixed…but I don’t want to write it all again.
This medicine makes me loopy., it’s hard to concentrate and I’m very very tired.
so…I suggest sleep for us all.
and…for Fiona. I love you my dear. I may not be able to be there in life, but I will be there with all of my heart. Tell Jeremy he’s a very lucky man…and I know he knows it! You are so strong! You will have an amazing life as husband and wife.
Shaky Dance for All!!!
Good Days – A Charity to help with medications.
I came across a charity today that some of you may be interested in…or someone you know may need.
Click on image to go to Good Days website.
good days from the Chronic Disease Fund, helps people with (some) Chronic Illness pay for (some) medication they can’t afford.
When you first read their publicity, it sounds like they’ll help anyone with a chronic illness who needs help paying for medication. However, when you read closer you find that only certain illnesses and drugs are covered. They may not cover everyone, but it could be VERY useful to those who they do cover! They are very strict about one thing. The “require that patients are 100% compliant with their prescribed treatment. By maximizing compliance, we can achieve our goal of improving patient health and quality of life. To assist our clients in staying compliant, the Fund provides free access to DiseaseTrak™, an online therapy management tool.” If you do not follow your prescribed treatment you will be dropped from the program to open up a spot for someone who will. I understand this completely. If someone isn’t going to take their medication as intended, why should the charity help pay for it?
Look over their website see if it can help you or anyone you know…then pass the information along…
Click on this image to go to the Good Days site.
What’s in your Medications?
I posted this on my other blog Wendy Cooks, but thought it important enough to post it here too.
When you have a food allergy or intolerance it is very important to know what all the ingredients are in our medications. However, it can be hard to find reliable information about the inactive ingredients. I’ve asked my pharmacist to be sure to check the ingredients, but they are busy, and I’m sure some of them don’t actually check. When I was diagnosed with Fructose Intolerance (malabsorption), I asked my pharmacist to check to ensure there were no ingredients in my medications that would make me sick. He told me that I wasn’t on any liquid medications so I didn’t have to worry. I wasn’t really happy with that answer, so I looked up the ingredients in the medications I bought that day. I soon found that one of my medications had Mannitol in it, something I should not be taking. It was easy to rectify, I just called my doctor and got a prescription for the regular tablets. However, if I had taken the pharmacist at his word I would have wondered why I was continuing to get sick. (and unfortunately, I had to pay for 2 prescriptions)
I was looking at the Health Resources listed on my library’s website, and I found this wonderful site. Pillbox, is part of the US National Library of Medicine, it gives “rapid identification, (and) reliable information” on medications. Pillbox, has two ways you can check for your drugs.
One is a Quick Search, and one is the Advanced Search. I used the Advance Search, simply because I found it first. The Quick Search has photos of the medications, it is still under development, so some medications may not have photos.
In the Advanced Search, just fill in what you know about the medication, and it will give you a list, choose your medication and it will give you all the information you need. I tried it on a few of my medications, including an over the counter allergy medication. One I put in the name, one I just put in the description, and one I just put in part of a description. For most it found the medication I was looking for, the only one it didn’t find was one that is labeled as a pharmaceutical food supplement. It gave all of the ingredients on all of the medications except the over the counter allergy medication, but they are listed on the box.
I hope this will help you and give you more peace of mind about the medications you are taking (or giving to your children).
http://pillbox.nlm.nih.gov/index.html
Please let me know if you use the Pillbox site, and how well it works for you.
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