Health 101

The procedure on Monday went well. There was nothing visibly wrong. I have 2 weeks worth of Nexium to try. Most of the time I don't have any pain, but occassionally I'll get a twinge or a quick, shooting pain. The doctor felt it was probably stress/IBS related. Could very well be. But, we'll see.

As for another health issue, my rowdy 5 year old boy was goofing around, fell and gashed his head. 3 stitches and a little bit of swelling later, he's fine.

Receiving a phone call at work, all while hearing screaming in the background saying "MY HEAD ......... MY HEAD ....... IT HURTS!!!!!" does not leave one feeling very calm.

So it was another trip to the immediate care facility. I swear, they are going to know us on a first name basis soon.

Still looking for an answer

The ultrasound I had on my liver & gallbladder came back all clear. The pain remained.

My doctor suggested an EGD (upper GI endoscopy, I believe is the proper term). It's first thing tomorrow morning, and I'm NOT looking forward to it. I am freaked out about something going down my throat. Everyone I've talked to that has had one, says it was no big deal, and that I won't be aware of what's going on anyway. Still, I would rather cancel and just not go.

The pain has gotten better, but I know it's probably best to go anyway. From what I've read, the pain can go away at times and there may be pain free periods. Something caused all the pain, and I'd rather try to get answers than wait for that horrible pain to start again.

A friend still believes it's my gallbladder, and that I'm going to end up needing to have it out. I prefer not to have surgery, but if that is indeed what caused the pain, so be it -- I'd rather not suffer.

I'm just worried now, though, that it's something more serious. And I'm worrying about my blood pressure. Even the last time when it was so high, the doctor didn't say anything about seeing another doctor for it, or express any big concern towards it. When it was 'borderline' at my annual with my OB/GYN, she just wanted to 'keep an eye on it' as I was going to start on birth control pills (I haven't, because I'm freaked out about the stroke warnings and my blood pressure).

I just want to be healthy. I want my BP to go down, I want answers to what caused the pain, and I want the pain to stay way. Is that too much to ask?

Sticks and Stones

I had an appointment with a gastroenterologist this afternoon.

First things first - their scale showed I was four pounds less than the last time I weighed at home. I weighed when I got home, and I'm actually only two pounds less, but still .... this must have been effecting me more than I thought, because I haven't been doing anything to lose weight.

And then there was my blood pressure. 131/108 - YIKES! That bottom number really freaked me out. I wonder if it'll go down once this pain is gone and I'm feeling better??

At any rate, the doctor is certain it's gallstones, and that the gallbladder will need to be removed. I've got an appointment first thing tomorrow morning for an ultrasound on my gallbladder and liver.

I'm not too excited about where this looks to be headed, but at this point I just want to be better.

Down the toilet

Just when I thought things would possibly be getting a little better, instead there's something else tossed our way.

I've been having pain off and on for days ..... bloated feeling, pain, pressure. Wednesday night it was down low, and high around my heart. It got so bad, I was in tears, worrying that it was my heart (I had my yearly with my GYN almost 2 weeks ago, and my BP was a bit borderline, and an eye needs to be kept on it).

I started realizing the pain was coming after eating, and the severity of the pain varied. Last night, a couple hours after dinner, I was out shopping at Toys R Us with my mom and had another 'attack'. This time the pain was in my chest, and I had a stabbing pain in my abdomen on the right side. My mom mentioned the gallbladder, so once I was home I pulled it up on the internet and read about it.

Sure enough, I had most of the symptoms listed, so to my dad and husband's pushing, off the immediate care I went.

The diagnosis ..... I've got a UTI (didn't expect that one) and they think it's my gallbladder. I was sent home with a printout on Gallbladder Disease, and the name of a gastro doctor in the area that they want me to make an appointment with. They also did bloodwork and a urinalysis, so if anything comes up that needs to be addressed immediately, they'll call me. Otherwise it's just seeing the specialist.

I can't believe the luck this year. The health issues, the job and money issues. I'm waiting for a big break....something good to happen, and so far NOTHING.