Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Perspective....on Lupus

I just don't know how to feel some days... I know I should be positive and most days I am....I know God has a plan for me but some days I just don't see it... really don't feel comfortable talking about it to anyone...So I am blogging it.

I was suppose to have an Echocardiogram and a Nuclear Stress Test yesterday (the 19th) but insurance is still pending so I am waiting on a call from my Cardiologist . I have an irregular heart beat. My Cardiologist mentioned the possibility it could be from Lupus... I am so scared but trying not to be...UPDATE: They just called and the first the hospital can get me in is April 29th!  I told the nurse I could die before they get these test done... Days like this my faith seems far away but I will not run away, I will be strong...

My hands are really killing me today from the osteoarthritis ...I can barely type or do my Bible Journalling or hold my iPad or iPhone or my tea cup or anything...I am on new medicines for Osteoarthritis it's helping my hips and groin and knee pain but not my hands or my back.

I can't sleep although I am on medicines to help me.  I have to use a CPAP machine.  It does seem to help the Sleep Apnea but not the sleeping part. It's annoying.

I have a Primary Care Doctor, a Rheumatologist, A Neurologist, a Orthopedist, a Cardiologist and an Optomologist (I just got new glasses yesterday.) Have to get my eyes check once a year because of the Lupus medication. I feel like a hypochondriac.

I have always prided myself in the fact that if I said I was going to do something I did it when I said I would in a timely manner.  I loved being a Center Director in Corporate Childcare for 25 years.  Now I am retired on disability.  I make plans and break them, never know how I am going to feel and because of this I can't be consistent in anything.  I can't remember things that I am trying to say or do and some days I just don't know what to do with all this...I won't even begin to discuss my weight and  how I can't seem to control it at all....

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Bump in the Night

I was up all night April 7th with weird heartbeat that I could feel bumping in my chest.  I could not sleep and kept changing my position to see if it made a difference but it did not.  Concerned I got up and took my pulse.  It was skipping beats 4-6 times a minute. I went back to bed and still could not rest.  Went to living room tried recliner, no rest. Back to bed etc... started to go to ER but waited because our local hospital is not where I would want to be with a heart issue and the other 2 are 30-45 minutes away.  So I went to my Primary Care Dr. at 9:00 am. They did an EKG and a Rhythm Strip and complete blood work. BP was 140/80. She said it was probably PVC (heart palpitations) but that I need to see a Cardiologist today. It being a Friday she put in an emergency referral and I have an appointment at 3:30 p.m. In Buford....1 hour from home.  She said the EKG looked ok. But insisted I go to Cardiologist. UGH!!

After many questions the Cardiologist put me on Beta Blockers (Metropole, Tartrate 25 mg.) and magnesium. My blood pressure was 150/90. (Has been 130/80 like clockwork for years)  I have to have a Echocardiogram and a stress test next week. (They couldn't do it then because the emergency referral was pending and the lady who does them at the Insurance Company went HOME!!!! He named several things he was looking for. Of course the Lupus comes into play. It can effect the lining of the heart which could cause this....Soooo he told me not to do anything strenuous this weekend and they will call me Monday. He is on duty this weekend if I get worse.


Saturday morning I decided to go ahead with the pedicure I had planned to do yesterday and so I pampered myself and threw in a manicure as well... Stopped at Starbucks for a Chai Tea and during the drive home I experienced a dull ache or maybe pressure in my chest. Nothing major but it continued off and on thru the afternoon. I just couldn't decide if it's in my mind, my boob or my heart..... Sure can't afford the deductible if it's not an emergency...Hoping I will know if it's an emergency.

I did not call Dr. But I checked with our daughter in Florida (she is a medical assistant to a cardiologist and has been for 10 years) she said if I wasn't gonna go to the ER then to take Tylenol and use a heating pad to see if it makes a difference.) I seems it did.

I went to bed at 9:00 and put on m good old faithful PCP.  I woke up at 5:00 am.....NEVER slept that long with my PCP and I never change my position from my back all night!  WEIRD!  But good.

Got up at 5:15 am and had a cup of Chai Tea.  So far so good this morning. Debating on whether to go to church or not.  Will continue blog throughout my newest journey.



2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Praise to the God of All Comfort
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.